Single Lens Reflex cameras make up the majority and therefore a core
area of my collection. I've grouped my SLR posts into 9 categories.
This is their index page for easy access. Besides links to the
respective posts of the single cameras, I've a chapter at the very
bottom about production numbers of all SLR cameras ever produced for
135-film.
Besides SLR cameras I have two other pages covering "
small
& small format cameras", another core area of my
collection, and of course
all
the others. Please have fun browsing around...
Early SLR
This is the first generation of SLR cameras for 35mm film and
covers the time frame from 1936, when it all started with the Kine
Exakta, to the late 50ies. The early cameras introduced features
like fast advance lever, returning mirror, penta prism, or flash
synchronization. However, none of the cameras below has all of
them. If they had the complete basic feature set, I'll count them
for generation 2, see below.
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Kine Exakta (Germany,
1936-1949). First SLR for 35mm film on the market. |
Praktiflex (Germany,
1939-1946). First SLR with returning mirror. |
Contax SLR (DDR, 1949-1962).
Early SLR with Pentaprisma. Contax F (1956-1961) |
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Zenit S (USSR, 1955-1961).
Early Soviet SLR based on the Leica RF design. |
Ihaage Exa II (DDR,
1959-1963). Simple first-time-user SLR with basic features. |
Praktica F.X2 (DDR,
1955-1959). First camera with automatic open aperture
control for M42 |
Mechanical SLR (2nd generation, ca. 1959-1979)
With the appearance of the first important Japanese SLR, namely
the Nikon F, the style of the modern SLR was set. This second
generation had all important features, but no battery. Everything
was mechanical. Some models had the advantage of exchangeable
prisms, which later included meters or even TTL meters (like the
Nikon F). I also count cameras with built-in but uncoupled
(Selenium) meters to that generation.
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Nikon F (Japan, 1959-1971).
The SLR for professionals. Similar significance like the
Kine Exakta and its worthy successor as a system SLR. |
Minolta SR-2 (Japan,
1958-1960). Most stylish and modern SLR of the late 50ies.
Innovative SR bayonet mount. Quite rare. |
Miranda F (Japan, 1963-1967).
One example of a less successful brand. Still a very solid
SLR, though. Miranda's last purely mechanical model. |
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Nikkorex F (Japan, 1962-1964).
Nikon's first consumer SLR, toll produced by Mamiya. First
camera with the new Copal Square shutter (vertical, metal
blades) |
Wirgin Edixa-Mat Reflex Typ D
(West Germany, 1961). Solid West-German M42 camera with
focal plane shutter. |
Zenit E (USSR, 1965-1989).
Most built SLR (ca. 12 million units) in the world. Also,
longest production period. |
Mechanical SLR with TTL-metering (3rd generation,
1965-1975)
Coupled TTL-meters was the next big thing and defined the 3rd
generation. However, the shutters were still controlled
mechanically and all these cameras could be operated without the
battery (without metering, of course). In the beginning some
cameras still had to be stopped down for correct metering. Open
apperture metering was a feature to distinguish. I personally
think, the general feature set of these cameras is totally
sufficient to take great pictures, you have full controll of the
image.
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Topcon RE-Super (Japan,
1963-1971). First SLR with TTL metering, slightly upgraded
Exakta mount for open aperture metering. Very solid premium
camera, not very successfull, though. |
Pentax Spotmatic (Japan,
1964-1974). First SLR which sold more than 1 million units.
First announcement of TTL-metering in 1960, but late market
launch. |
Nikkormat FT-3 (Japan 1977).
One of the most solid examples of the 3rd generation SLR. My
3rd Nikon, bought used in 1988 |
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Canon Pellix (Japan, 1965).
Canon's first TTL SLR, with a fixed semi transparnet mirror,
not very successful though. |
Minolta SR-T 101
(Japan, 1966-1976). Very complete and successful camera of
the area. |
Praktica LLC (DDR, 1969-1975).
First camera of the very successful East German L-line.
First camera with electrical contacts between body and lens
for open aperture TTL metering |
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King Regula Reflex 2000 CTL
(West Germany, 1970-1975). Very rare SLR with a 1/2000 s
fast shutter and a view myths around it. |
Olympus OM-1 (Japan,
1972-1987). Smallest SLR of its time, setting new design
standards. |
Pentax Spotmatic F (Japan,
1973-1976). Continuation of the legendary Spotmatic with
open aperture metering. Would later be continued by the
K-1000. |
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Pentax K-1000 (Japan,
Hongkong, China, 1975-1997). A real longseller camera,
continuing the technology from the Spotmatic. |
Fujica ST-801 (Japan,
1972-1978). First SLR using LED's in the finder for
metering. A small milestone on the fast way to electronic
cameras. |
Praktica LTL3 (DDR,
1975-1978). One of the many popular Praktica L-type cameras.
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Cosina CT-1 (Japan, 1979). The
generic SLR and the basis for many distributor brand models. |
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SLR with electronic shutters and/or auto exposure
modes
(4th generation, ca. 1975-1985)
This is the decade when SLR entered almost every home and
consequently most SLR were sold ever. Automation, either with
shutter or aperture priority enabled easy shooting. Competition
was huge, Canon took over the market lead. Many cameras were at
least partly build from ABS plastic instead of metal, althought it
looked like. Electronic slowly took over control of the main
function, many cameras would not even fire without a working
battery.
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Praktica PL electronic (1968).
First SLR with an electronically controlled shutter. No
metering though, rest of feature set is more 2nd generation.
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Yashica TL Electro X (Japan,
1968-1974). First SLR with an electronically controlled
shutter AND TTL metering. Indicator lights in finder instead
of a match needle. M42 mount and stop down metering, though. |
Pentax ES "Electro Spotmatic"
(Japan, 1971-1973). First SLR to offer aperture priority
using an electronically controlled shutter. A few
mechanically controlled speeds were available, too! |
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Nikon EM (Japan, 1979-1985).
Nikons entry into consumer level SLR's. Very compact design
and no manual shutter control beside aperture priority auto.
My first SLR, bought in 1982. |
Canon AE-1 (Japan, 1976-1984).
First real electronic camera with a CPU. Shutter prio
automation. A huge success, best selling SLR in the
"SLR-decade". |
Minolta XD7 (Japan,
1977-1984). First SLR to offer both, apperture and shutter
priority autoexposure, including a hidden program mode. |
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Nikon FE-2 (Japan, 1983-1987).
First SLR with a 1/4000s and electronic shutter. My dream
SLR, bought it 1986. |
Seagull DF-300/Carena SX-300
(China, 1991-199x). A late Minolta X-300 clone, which itself
was a very successful camera with aperture prio AE. Produced
under many brand names from distributors around the world. |
Konica TC-X (Japan 1983-1987).
First SLR more or less completely made from plastic. Also,
first to offer DX-code reading. Mechanical shutter and
shutter prio autoexposure, though. |
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Praktica BX20S (Germany,
1992-2001). Last 135 film SLR made in Germany. Based on
Pentacon technology, but made after German re-unification by
Schneider. |
Konica Autoreflex TC (Japan,
1976-1982). Solid entry-level SLR with a mechanical Copal
Square shutter and shutter priority auto exposure. |
Minolta XG-M ( Japan 1981-1983). One of the
volume models of the SLR peak year 1981. Purely electronic
shutter, with aperture priority auto exposure. This was my
father's camera. |
This is obviously a section, where I'm missing quite a number of
milestone cameras. These are on my wish list: Konica Auto-Reflex
(T), Canon A-1 (first camera with additional "Program" AE), Nikon
FA (matrix metering), ...
SLR with built-in motor drives and/or Autofocus
(5th generation, ca. 1985-2005)
Here comes automation in almost every aspect of the camera. None
of these cameras would function without (even multiple) batteries.
Early models/prototypes in the late 70ies and early 80ies added
built in motor drives or auto-focus. It was Minolta with the
(Maxxum) 7000 AF to set a new standard of a fully integrated
automized SLR. This was in 1985 and they took over the market lead
until Nikon and especially Canon countered with own and later
superior systems. In addition to automation it was also the
period, where plastic eventually replaced metal for many aspects
of construction. Even bayonet mounts and lens elements were made
out of it, at least for the entry level consumer cameras, which
sold millions. With built-in full automation, you just have press
the shutter release button
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Konica FS-1 (Japan, 1979-1983). First camera
with built-in motor drive and easy film handling. Otherwise,
a 4th generation feature set. |
Pentax ME-F (Japan, 1981-1984). First
commercial AF-SLR with a passive TTL AF sensor. Only one
AF-lens, though. |
Nikon F-301/N2000 (Japan, 1983-1990). Still
without AF, Nikon's first camera of the 5th generation. |
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Minolta (Maxxum) 7000 AF (Japan, 1985-1988).
First modern AF-SLR, archetype of this generation. |
Canon EOS 3000 V (Japan, 2003-2004). Canon's
last entry-level consumer SLR for 135 film, with all
automation features of its aera. Even built-in flash. |
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SLR for cartridge film formats
This is a kind of bizzare section, because film cartridges
(Instamatic, both 126 and 110) with their entry-level, easy to
handle approach do not really fit to the mostly complex SLR
technology. But in the late 60ies, when the 126 cartridge was
launched by Kodak none of the below camera makers wanted to miss
the opportunity to be the first with a SLR in this growing market.
It was a relatively short experiment and none of the cameras
probably earned its development costs. Interestingly history
repeats itself, with the 110 cartridge in the late 70ies....
126 type
Instamatic |
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I'm proud to own the entire
set of SLR cameras built for the 126 cartridge
("Instamatic"). For a comparison of the 5, please click
here. |
Kodak Instamatic Reflex (West
Germany, 1968-1974). Based on the Retina Reflex know-how.
Most successful and versatile of the five Instamatic SLR. |
Keystone K-1020 (Japan,
1966-?). First of the five Instamatic SLR. Fixed Lens,
simple and somehow cheap design. |
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Rolleiflex SL26 (West Germany,
1968-1973). Most beatiful, compact and expensive of the five
Instamatic SLR. Leave shutter and set-lenses. |
Zeiss Ikon Contaflex 126 (West
Germany, 1967-1971). Most solid of the five Instamatic SLR.
Focal plane shutter! |
Ricoh 126C-flex (Japan,
1969-1972). Last and somehow weird Instamatic SLR. As large
as a standard 135 film SLR. |
110 type instamatic |
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Even for the small
110-cartridge there were SLR cameras. The Pentax was even a
system with a range of lenses. Minolta produced two
versions, I own the first. |
Pentax auto-110 (Japan,
1978-?). The smallest system SLR with exchangeable lenses
ever made. |
Minolta 110 Zoom (Japan
1976-1979). First SLR for 110 cartridge. Not very small,
though. Was succeeded by a more compact version, the last
110 SLR! |
Leaf Shutter SLR
Leaf shutter vs. focal plane shutter sometimes seemed a question
of faith. While leaf shutters are the natural choice for fixed
lens (range-)finder cameras, they are tricky to implement in a
SLR, especially for exchangeable lenses. In my opionion there are
more disadvantages then advantages for them in SLRs. However,
especially West German SLRs of the 50ies and early 60ies were
based around the then new Compur Reflex shutter from Zeiss' Deckel
company. But even East Germany built one as well as the Japanese
(some), with own shutter developments. The Japanese actually
utilized the leaf shutter to implement early auto exposure
concepts, which seemed to be easier with a leaf shutter.
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Zeiss Ikon Contaflex II (West Germany, 1954).
First leaf shutter SLR design, version II with an uncoupled
Se-meter. Fixed lens with the option of a 1.7x tele
set-lens. |
Kodak Retina Reflex S (West Germany,
1959-1960). First leaf shutter SLR with real exchangeable
lenses using the DKL mount. Advanced and easy to use coupled
selenium meter. |
Voigtländer Bessamatic (West Germany,
1959-1962). Direct competitor to the Retina Reflex S, almost
(!) same DKL-mount, slightly more modern and solid. |
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Wirgin Edixa Electronica
(Germany, 1962-1965). First SLR with exchangable lenses and
autoexposure capability for both, aperture AND shutter
speed. Used an electro motor, expensive and not very
successful. DKL mount. |
VEB Pentacon Pentina (DDR, 1961-1965). The
only DDR-SLR with a leaf shutter. Unusual design and an
advanced feature set for its time. |
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Sears SL9 (Ricoh 35 Flex, Japan 1963-1966).
Example of an early Japanese fixed lens leaf shutter SLR.
Automatic exposure control and extra set-lenses. |
Nikkorex Zoom (Japan, 1963-1965). First SLR
with a fixed built-in Zoom. It would take 25 years until the
next Zoom-SLR for 24x36 mm appeared. |
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Unusual SLR cameras, and modern digital examples
This is my miscellaneous section of SLR cameras. The two Olympus
Pen SLR are half format models and would officialy belong to the
2nd and 3rd generation, respectively. The Chinese clone SLR is not
really intriguing from a technology standpoint, but historically
quite interesting. And there is a camera I built myself from a DIY
kit. Last but not least the two digital SLR bought, but not for a
collecting purpose.
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Pearl River S-201 (China 1974-1986). China's
attempt to built an high-end SLR as a hybrid between Minolta
SR2 and Nikon F. Therefore a very late 2nd generation
camera. |
Olympus Pen F (Japan, 1963-1966). Most unusal
SLR for 135 film, half format (18x24), though. Specially
designed rotary shutter as well as porro prism finder. Very
compact and beautiful, excellent lenses. |
Olympus Pen FT (Japan, 1966-1972). Consequent
improvement of the Pen F in the same body, adding
TTL-metering and a self timer. |
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Lomography Konstruktor (2013). A simple SLR
DIY-kit camera. |
Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 (Japan, 2006-2007). My
first digital SLR. Unusual design, 7.5 MP (3136x2352) FT
sensor. |
Olympus E-420 (Japan, 2008-2010). Smallest
and lightest DSLR. 10 MP (3648x2736) FT sensor. Gift
to my wife. |
SLR production numbers
In 2013 I started to collect information about production numbers of
135 film SLR's. In a first step I only looked at classical designs,
meaning no Autofocus and no built-in motor drives. Therefore, the
relevant time frame is between 1937 (Kine Exakta) to about 1985.
Some classical SLR have been built after this date. However, no
major improvements or new developments have been implemented.
Some production numbers are easily available and can be found in
books or the internet. I always try to cite my sources, however,
in many cases you cannot be sure, whether there is truth in the
information or not. Therefore
I developed an advanced method to
assess production figures from serial numbers. I used it
either to cross check found information or to give a number, where
none can be found elsewhere. Below is a list of all articles I
have published so far. Have fun reading...
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Global
Production by Countries
One important source is CIPA (the Japanese "Camera &
Imaging Products Association"), which enabled me to give a
comprehensive overview, even without having details
available. The drilldown by producing country I have
published in late 2017. |
German 135 film
SLR production
12.3 million SLR units have ever been produced for the 135
film in Germany. The by far most of them in Dresden. How
this distributes over 21 camera series can be read in my
very first article of this series. The one, all begun
with... |
Nikon SLR
production
Over decades Nikon has been regarded the Japanese SLR
producer with the highest reputation. In addition, from the
SLR start in 1959 until 1983 they only produced SLR cameras!
How the different camera series contributed to their success
can be read here. |
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Minolta SLR production
Minolta's success on the SLR market based on a few very
modern and innovative designs. Unlike Nikon they always
focused on the needs of the average amateur photographer.
Most of their camera series have been a success. |
Asahi Pentax SLR production
Asahi were the first to produce a SLR in Japan. In addition
with their fabulous Spotmatic SP they ruled the market in
the late '60ies and early '70ies. The SP was the first SLR
which sold more than 1 million times. |
Canon SLR
production
Canon's start into the SLR market was not as successful as
their dominance they gained after the launch of the AE-1.
Read here, how they developed themselves to the market
leader. |
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Miranda SLR production
Today Miranda is a rather unknown Japanese camera
manufacturer. During the early days of 135 SLR development
they quite succesfully competed against Nikon and others.
However, they missed out to find a way into mass production
and went bankrupt. |
Chinese 135 film SLR's
The Chinese started relatively late in copying German, then
Russian, and eventually Japanese SLRs. When the political
conditions were right production took off in the late 80ies
and China produced about 25 million 35mm film SLR. |
Soviet (and
post-Soviet) 135 film SLR's
Zenit is the most important brand name for SLR cameras
produced in the USSR and the following post-Soviet states.
Only two production sites produced about 17 million units...
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