Let me say that this is definitely not an all-inclusive list. In fact, may cameras should probably be on here -- the Minolta XK and X700, Pentacon Six, and Mamiya RZ67 all come to mind. However, I've never used any of them and cannot speak fron direct experience to their capabilities. In fact, on this list only one of these camera (the Canon A-1) have I not owned (actually, as of this writing, I still own all of these.) The A-1 was loaned to me for a couple of months and I get to use that absolutely amazing camera during that time.
10- Olympus OM2N
Olympus' OM series with single-digit numbers represented their pro-grade offering. Though not as expansive a system as some of the cameras further down the list, the OM system had incredible lenses and great ergonomics that make using Olympus OM cameras an absolute joy. Small, compact, and light these are almost-pocket-sized SLRs and work great for street photography or for carrying around for hours. The lightweight aspect is something many of the other cameras on this list do not have going for them.
For the OM2N, I think it has the best meter of any OM camera. It certainly has the best long-duration metering and, I am told, is the best Olympus camera for overnight photography.
9- Olympus OMG
This is the Olympus that made me love the Olympus system. This is a capable camera though it lacks many of the pro-grade camera's bells and whistles. However, the meter is top-notch and the camera is light enough to be carried readily. As a street photography camera (one of the areas where I think that Olympus has the best system,) this is a great choice.
8- Canon F-1
The quintessential system camera, the Canon F-1 had more stuff in its system than any other camera ever made. In fact, the system was so expansive that it is highly unlikely another camera system will ever be made that matches this system. Literally the Ferrari of cameras in the 1980s, the F-1 was supported by amazing viewfinders, a huge focusing screen selection, multiple film backs, and some top-notch lenses.
7- Canon A-1
This is the top camera on my 35mm SLR wish list right now. To put it in perspective, right behind it are the Asahi Pentax, Asahi Pentax K, and Asahiflex cameras. This is, I think, the most capable Canon camera ever made and is every bit as good as the Canon F-1. The A-1 has one major advantage in that its batteries are still made.
6- Nikon F
The Nikon F was the first full-on professional 35mm system camera. Supported by amazing lenses and an array of viewfinders and film backs, the Nikon F set the bar for professional film systems that the Canon F-1 later raised. The Nikon F started the most successful line of professional SLRs ever developed and remains a solid and classic camera. I had mine repaired at the end of 2013 just to make sure everything was great with it and I'm looking forward to many years of enjoying this fabulous SLR.
5- Nikon F3
The F3 was not my first Nikon SLR, but it was the first one I loved. The F3 has a simply fantastic meter and my F3 has not once let me down nor failed to deliver a result better than I imagined. The F3 also turned me on to the amazingness of grid-line focusing screens. If you aren't using grid-line screens, there's something you're really missing out on. Right now all of my cameras with interchangeable focusing screens (except my 6X7 and K-3) have the grid line screens. The grid screens are simply that important for solid composition.
4- Minolta SRT 102
These are built like tanks. Many still work and if you can find a battery for the light meter they're still reliable. These don't have a lot of bells and whistles, but they're tank-like and rugged and have that mechanical toughness that basically every DSLR lacks.
3- KW Reflex Box
I know. You've never heard of this. You're about to do an Internet search. Before you do, there's very little easily found about this 1930's camera. It's an old box camera but it's also an SLR. It has a fixed lens of fairly good quality. It's real strength lies in the 6cm by 9cm negatives. The same image ratio as 35mm images, this results in prints of superb quality through reduced enlargement.
Mechanically, this camera is elementary. A simple spring-activated shutter moved the mirror and entire internal housing out of the way to expose the film. This, as you may imagine, results in extremely violent camera shaking, so this camera also requires a steady hand or hefty tripod.
2- Pentax K1000
Easily the most underrated SLR ever made, the Pentax K1000 has almost every capability of any of the system cameras above, though sometimes it requires a bit more work. The K1000's mechanical reliability (especially on older models) and simple construction make it a classic. The simplicty make it great for learning. This is the SLR that taught me and millions of others how to take a reasonably presentable photograph.
1- Pentax 6X7
The Pentax 6X7. Few words adequately describe this camera, but legend and massive come close. The long-time Pentax professional flagship, this camera was a staple of professional photographers and remains a much-coveted film SLR. I'm lucky enough to have this with a host of lenses that let me take almost any photograph I can imagine. And my 6X7 delivers quality and consistent results. If cameras have souls, and if they can feel, then I suspect this camera appreciates being rescued from the bottom of a closet of someone who bought it and used it once in the early 1980s.
This is a very capable system camera taking 6cm by 7cm negatives. The images enlarge to the same size as a typical print page without cropping (a decided advantage over 6X4.5 and 6X6 cameras.) With interchangeable prisms, focusing screens, and film backs, the 6X7 provided photographers exceptional capabilities. In fact, unlike any of the above camera systems, the Pentax 6X7 also had leaf shutter lenses. These really shine because they allowed flash sync at up to 1/500th of a second (faster than all the other systems above.) The Pentax 6X7's focal plane shutter has a 1/30th of a second flash sync, so the leaf shutter lenses are a valuable part of a 6X7 kit.
So those are my ten great film SLRs. Top Ten Tuesday returns next week with Ten Stunning Macro Photographers.
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