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Comment on Jack Sharp works of amateur photographer circa 1950-1970parent

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Try a Rolleiflex or Rolleicord, it's a very unique experience. They have pretty good resell value too. The FM3A is a collectors' item and it's too expensive. Better get a FE2 instead. It's basically the same, I've got both of them.

Rolleiflex or Rolleicord - I will get one of these if I came across them at really good prices but I am looking for a compact mechanical SLR as my main camera on trips etc, at least for some time.

And yes, I might have to get an FE2 or FM2. Because FM3a is indeed quite expensive.

Compact mechanism SLRs are not made anymore at all, are they? Nikon stopped in 2004. Nothing like that were made later? Or are there comparable cameras - like FM3a, FE2 in look, feel, build, functions, size - but more affordable and readily available?

However another camera I am looking for is an instant camera. I liked one and ordered it on Amazon. When I received - it had a LCD on the back (then I realised the product didn't have an image of the back and it was not mentioned either). It was an absolute deal breaker and the all plastic thing felt very cheap.

Market supplies what the majority wants and to be honest digitals are great and versatile.

Yes, they've stopped making them, the FM3a was the last one, sold as a backup camera to pro photographers, heh. Affordable? Old Yashicas and plasticky Minoltas, better maybe a Pentax ME. But I totally love the FE2/FM3a, they've got that mechanical feel. Maybe the Pentax ME Super comes close enough, plus nicer lenses.

Instant film camera, get a Ricoh GR1 or an Olympus XA. I have the digital GRD III, it's still great and I find myself using it all the time although it was released in 2009.

There are Rolleiflex alternatives like the Yashicamat but the lenses are just not quite as good. Zeiss has a special feel to it, I cannot describe it. Especially geat for portraits.

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