This week, I am mostly playing with..
Contax 137 MA - I bought this for the lens and didn't even clock the camera it was on. Couldn't believe it when it arrived on me doorstep - I had one of these as my main camera for years, pushing hundreds of perfectly exposed rolls of Kodachrome through it. But mine, just like most others, lost all the leatherette. And got a few dents. This baby has just a small amount of surface peeling, the seals are like new, and it runs lovely, I haven't seen one in this condition since the 80's. And yes, some of that is due to a percentage of them being unreliable too. The ergonomics of this camera are great, which is probably why it looks kinda funny. Mmmmm...gorgeous. Also,
Canon F1 - always wanted to try one, and got it with a nice 1.4 lens. However, I am not enamoured with it, the focussing aids don't and it is umm.. clumpy to use. The on/off is in a stupid place (a peculiar obsession with Canon ever since..) and the shutter speed is awkward to change with your eye to the lens. Also,
Nikon FG! With a motor! And a skinny lens! Well, it's nice enough and ten years ago I used one regularly. Nice and light, sharp pics, but a little squinty viewfinder and it's kinda surplus to requirements now. Also,
Leica R5 with a very tasty 35mm Elmarit - Actually I really like this. I am slightly mystified as to why people knock the Leica R series. It cameras in a very camera - like way. Feels smoooth, very slick, very well made, most of them are in much better nick than their Minolta brethren, (mine is like new and it wasn't expensive) and, well, I am selling it, but only because I have piles of Nikon and Contax gear already and can't honestly say it will get much use. But I have really enjoyed playing with this lot over the last week. Just have to finish devving the huge pile of film now..