Fast-Lens Non-Zoom 35mm compact camera options

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I am trying to identify all of the options to consider in this category. I consider F2.8 to be the slowest lens acceptable but I would have to include the Yashicamat T4 with their F3.5 lens I guess. I know about the unbelievable super value 79 dollar Olympus Stylus Epic with its F2.8 but I was maybe hoping for a little manual focus and more control. I guess it is the SLR user in me trying to bust out. I've heard about the Contax T-3 and Leica Mini-Lux and of course the Minox GT but I dont think I can cope without a coupled rangefinder to focus with visually. I'd like to have one though as I would feel like I was working with an old timey 8x 10 box camera or something by having to set the focus by looking at the distance scale. ( I cant believe the SHUTTER BUG PRODUCT GUIDE overlooked the Minox!)

BTW, does anyone know if there was ( or is ) ever a smaller std 35mm visual focusing rangefinder than the old Olympus XA ? I think it is a shame the mfgs have dropped this type of camera to pursue the higher profit and easier to sell ZOOM ZOOM cameras.

Anyone remember that the early Cannon SureShot Super had a F-1.9 40 mm lens !

-- Scott Perkins (2scott@bellsouth.net), September 11, 2001

Answers

Hi Scott, I wrestled with the same wish list and currently available models. I have owned a Minilux and found it somewhat quirky. I just bought a T3 since the lens quality reviews have been overwhelmingly positive. It's just a tradeoff that will never produce what I truly want in a compact camera. Engineers have to cram autofocus, internal flash, and numerous features into a matchbox-sized case to be competitive. Truly good manual focusing and viewfinders don't fit this equation. So I just settled for what I consider to be the best compromise. Good luck and I would like to know what you settle on.

-- Chuck Fralick (crfralick@earthlink.net), September 11, 2001.

Well, since you mention them, the only options which are at all affordable for us mere mortals are the Stylus Epic or the XA, both of which are out there for ~$100.

That said, my Stylus Epic experience is that it's not that good at focusing. Unfortunately, my XA doesn't focus very well up close, either. So I'd recommend keeping your search going.

My opinion on the lux-o-mat point & shoots is pretty poor. $700 would get me a Leica IIIa, a collapsible 50, and a pocket meter... which would probably be infinitely more capable than a Minilux or T3 and still fit in at least some pockets.

-- John O'Connell (boywonderiloveyou@hotmail.com), September 11, 2001.


i'm not sure if this is really to the point, but the camera that i've been most pleased with in this category is the old canonet QL17- GIII. it's pretty compact, quiet, with a good rangefinder and decent shutter and a quite good f/1.7 40mm lens, and readily available (used, obviously) for under $100 in good shape. i had an olympus xa, but the rangefinder was so dim as to be virtually useless, and the minox 35 is very handy but again without a rangefinder. the equally old olympus 35rc is pretty nice, a little smaller than the canonet, but its lens is only f/2.8 and its shutter is more limited.

rick :)=

rick_oleson.tripod.com

-- Rick Oleson (rick_oleson@yahoo.com), September 12, 2001.


The old Leica sounds very good.

I have what seems like a garbage Zorki 4 and a 50mm Industar f2 lens that is VERY VERY good. I got the combo for 25Lbs Sterling in England a few years ago, but I know they are widely available wherever there are Russian imigrants-try the Brooklyn mailorder places, as many Russians bring their cameras in then sell them. The ones with Latin letters in the names are better than ones with crylic lettering have better quality control as they were intended for export.

I was luck - mine worked well and still does.I also use the lens on a Bessa L body and zone focus with small apertures.

Very compact and excellent results. Cheers

-- RICHARD ILOMAKI (richardjx@hotmail.com), September 12, 2001.


If you want a compact camera with manual control (presumably over aperture), then your choices are the Minilux and the T3. Of those two, the T3 appears to be the better choice: smaller, better viewfinder, more viewfinder info, reportedly better lens, greater range of shutter speeds, accepts filters and accessory flash, more custom functions. In fact, I owned a Minilux for a while, and while the lens was great, I considered the viewfinder to be unacceptable and the controls to be cumbersome.

To respond to another poster, I find it very difficult to understand how a Leica IIIa with a collapsible 50 and a pocket meter could be infinitely more capable than a Minilux or T3. While I appreciate manual cameras -- my SLR is manual -- I fail to see how having a wide range of accurate shutter speeds, fast and accurate focus and exposure control, and a superior lens would somehow reduce one's photographic capabilities.

-- Chris Crevasse (ccrevasse@millermartin.com), September 13, 2001.



Oh, and there's also the Ricoh GR-1, which B&H is selling. It costs less than either the Minilux or the T3, but has a 28mm lens, which may not be your cup of tea.

-- Chris Crevasse (ccrevasse@millermartin.com), September 13, 2001.

Try out the Ricoh 35R. It's major downpoint is the terribly slow lens (3.9), however it does have Aperture Priority AE. I have not used one and have heard that it has just been discontinued, however they are still in shops. Other features include hot shoe, multiple exposure, and +/- 2 exposure compenstation.

-- Bruce McIntyre (bmcintyre@iprimus.com.au), June 01, 2002.

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