While there is NO right or wrong answer to the question below, I did find the responses interesting.  You can find the entire discussion at the "Inspired Eye" website.

So, what’s the best film camera ever?

Posted by Olivier Duong in Photography Forum

Here’s a new series of posts about reader opinions. It’s halfway between blog and forum and is intended to get the -opinionated!- discussion going  So the first topic we will tackle gear…what in your opinion the best film camera ever? And of course state why. You  don’t need to particularly own it, but you are pretty sure its the real deal.

Remember you can post images of the camera(s) and/or images you shot with it or them (plz limit size to 600px wide)

Olivier Duong

For me, it boils down to two film cameras that I believe are the best.

The first is the Contax G2, black edition. It’s much sexier than the champagne one in my opinion. It’s a great rangefinder and the glass is…is….gulp, SO sharp! I really like the fact that this is a neat little system with all the lenses you need, the 90mm is so nice, the 45…..guuuuuu is gushing, but the 16 is impossibly expensive .

It’s anti Leica in the sense that it’s automatic and all but I like it.

• Second in Line is the Fuji TX1-TX2, the cheaper version (and I believe the ORIGINAL version) of the Hasselblad Xpan.

  That camera….I stay away from, for fear of just buying it one day! The panoramic images are beautiful and the whole package is relatively compact. Check out these dudes:

  http://www.theinspiredeye.net/xpan-street-photography/
  http://www.theinspiredeye.net/street-photography-an-outsiders-view/

  There’s just something about the Xpan….

  Other fine film cameras in my opinion are the Zeiss Ikon and the Voigtlander Bessas 

  
• • MatthewMJ

    Not sure Im entirely qualified to make a judgement but based on personal experience camera one would have to be the Canonet QL17 (though most Canonet’s probably count) as theyre so cheap and easy to use. The main downfall being batteries, though Ive found an LR44 adaptor which is pretty neat.
    Set to A aperture, a decent shutter speed and you’re sorted. The 28 is even easier with basically full auto.
    Small, light fairly disposable if you’re in a tricky situation but with a great lens (just a shame for me its 40mm and not 35mm) – sorted.

    
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    Matthew

    Camera to is the ubiquitous M6, arguably one of Leica’s best film cameras, whilst the M2 is nicer looking I like the meter and have no need of the TTL version.
    Discrete when in black, but solid enough to make a good defence should it be needed, whats not to like? Also not a bad price really, I have a Voigtlander 35mm with mine which was a good value and f1.4!
    Once you’ve cut your teeth on a Canonet you can get a real MAN’S camera! 

    
  • Kevin Shelley
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    Without a doubt the Leica M2, but then I’m biased.

    Small, light, quick, reliable, well built and the cameras not bad either. 

    

  
  
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