Manual SLR Camera

W

wesmalo

Joined
Feb 19, 2002
Messages
130
Does any manufacture make a SLR camera that doesn't need batteries?

I would like to buy new if possible.

I live in Northern Canada and the cold tends to deplete batteries very quickly.

I would like a camera that I control everything from winding to exposure.

Any help would be appreciated.

I was going to go the the various photography forums but had a guess the people here would give me a more straight forward answer.

Thanks in advance.
 
Pentax K-1000.
An old Nikon FM
A very old Nikon F2
An old Canon F1
An old Olympus Om-1

None of the above require batteries, 'cept to power the light-meter.
 
Wesmalo,
I hear ya! I used a Minolta auto-focus SLR extensively in winter conditions all over northeast Alberta... and always carried my antique Pentax SP-100 as a backup (until it fell apart after 25 years and uncounted rolls of film), because when the Minolta got cold it turned into a useless lump of plastic. But even the Pentax's fabric shutter would freeze up under -30 conditions. The solution: a Nikon F-10 SLR, 100% mechanical, but still with the titanium shutter, superb Nikon optics and metering system. And if the battery goes dead, it still functions. Quieter than the auto-everything cameras, too (it doesn't make a loud whine when rewinding, either). Came with a 35-70 mm les and accepts other Nikon lenses as well. Who really needs a camera with a built-in metering chip with 10,000+ recorded exposures, anyway? Just bracket your shots.
 
FREE camera - you pay shipping.

I have a Canon AE-1 with off brand zoom/marco lens. It has been sitting on my closet shelf for 8 years, and was used when I got it.

It does use a battery for the light meter. The winding and exposure time setting is mechanical. But the battery powered light meter is useful. Without it, you would have to shoot a series of f stops.
 
Wow, that's a great offer - people like you make me proud of this community.

Kevin
 
Originally posted by glockman99
An old Olympus Om-1

None of the above require batteries, 'cept to power the light-meter.
Click to expand...

I can vouch for the quality of the OM-1. Best kept secret in the camera world...

Chris
 
Originally posted by unicorn
FREE camera - you pay shipping.

I have a Canon AE-1 with off brand zoom/marco lens. It has been sitting on my closet shelf for 8 years, and was used when I got it.

It does use a battery for the light meter. The winding and exposure time setting is mechanical. But the battery powered light meter is useful. Without it, you would have to shoot a series of f stops.
Click to expand...

I don't think that the Canon AE-1 will work without a battery, as it has an electronic shutter, from what I remember. (I had one about 25 years ago, but my memory isn't as sharp as it used to be...:D.).
 
glockman, your memory is sharp enough. The AE-1 does need a battery for the shutter.
 
Nikon FM-2.
It's the only way to go in new, manual, film cameras. I'm a Canon EOS guy, but if I wanted what you want, it's FM-2 all the way.
 
Originally posted by tortoise
....I'm a Canon EOS guy...
Click to expand...

A Canon EOS guy??? Me too!...Canon Elan IIe, Canon Elan IIe QD (both with battery pack BP-50 attached), Canon 380 EX Speedlite....Also, Tamron 28-80 & Sigma 28-105 & 70-300 zoom lenses, and an excellent Sunpak Power Zoom 4000 AF flash unit.

As far as the Nikon FM-2 goes, it would be an excellent choice, but I really have a "soft spot" for the old workhorse Nikon F2 (with the "AS" meterhead)....I swear that ya just can't kill one of those!.:).
 
Originally posted by unicorn
FREE camera - you pay shipping.

I have a Canon AE-1 with off brand zoom/marco lens. It has been sitting on my closet shelf for 8 years, and was used when I got it.
Click to expand...

Unicorn - thanks for your kind offer but I really want to buy something new.

I knew there was a reason I always spend so much time on this forum. Thanks for the help so far. I have been doing a lot of research on the topic based on the help given here.

Thanks to everyone that helped.
 
Originally posted by tortoise
I'm a Canon EOS guy
Click to expand...
I used to be an EOS guy. I stepped on the digital train and haven't looked back. It's been a great ride. Here's my latest purchase:

249308.jpg

Beautiful camera - but way dependant on batteries! :eek: :eek:
 
Unicorn,

If he don't want it, I might.

Thought about one of those old work horses before I got into the autofocus vortex.

B.
 
Originally posted by glockman99


(snip) I really have a "soft spot" for the old workhorse Nikon F2 (with the "AS" meterhead)....I swear that ya just can't kill one of those!.:).
Click to expand...

I learned to shoot with a buddy's F2. You can hammer nails with 'em, and I agree it's one of the best ever. His had a photomic head, so you had to turn your cap around to let light into the meter. Even today when I see a kid with his cap on backwards I think, "Well, maybe he's taking pictures..." :D

But, if he wants new, it's FM2

As far as EOS goes, I've got a 1, and a 10S. A 650 was my first autofocus camera; sold it, but wish I hadn't. Good stuff.
 
FM 2 is a great camera! I have had mine (and an older FM) for ....jeeze...18 years now and it still works as well as the day I got it.
Used to work for a local newspaper and I must have shot well over 10.000 pics with the FM and FM 2.
It just works, hot, cold or whatever!

Bo
 
Buying one NEW will be VERY VERY hard - Used? If you don't worry if the meter works, there are LOTS of choices - I keep an old Canon FTb around for this use - a Canon TX would work too

I think the Nikon F3 is still available, and doesn't NEED a battery

I think the Leica R8 also fits the bill (but is HUGE bucks)

The big problem is that NO autofocus is battery free, and almost every system has gone to autofocus except for nitch market stuff. Most of that stuff is designed for pros who have a VERY specific need.

I'd look for a good used rig
 
Yes. I'm beginning to think that used may be the only way. I'd rather not buy someone's problems though.

Then again, having gone through most of photo.net, I'm beginning to wonder if I'm just dragging my heels for no reason. Perhaps I should just join the digital revolution and get a MiniDV video camera. Skip the whole digital camera and get everything in one package.

I know that battery life will be a problem and everything is automatic but surely there must be some way to get them to work well in the cold.

I just don't know.

Ideas or comments?
 
Originally posted by wesmalo
Yes. I'm beginning to think that used may be the only way. I'd rather not buy someone's problems though.
...snip...Ideas or comments?
Click to expand...

With LOTS of folks trading in for autofocus, or even digital there are a LOT of fine used units out there. A few years back (OK, almost 10, but...) I had my T-90 stolen. The insurance company was paying for a replacement, so I told the guy at the camera shop "Get me a new/like new T-90". Within a month, I had a 9+ used T-90. I doubt it ever left a dealers case, but was not "new in box".

There are a lot of 8+ > 9+ used units out there right now. Call up B&H, Adorama, or Wall St Camera (all in NYC - 212 area code), and ask them what they have - you'll be surprised

Charlie
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top