"Cheaper" Post Olympus XA P&S?

[pompadork]

Ahoy!

So i've had and loved both an XA and XA2 for some time but, but i'm beginning to get really tempted by some of the more expensive of the fixed lens P&S. My question is, is there anything in the Contax T series, etc realm that can be had for under $250? I haven't had much luck on this, and there very well not be an option. If not, i don't mind waiting around with the XA series in hand until i've got a bit more to spend.

 

[chambrenoire]

I don't know how much the Ricoh GR1/s goes for, but that one is pretty good.
Or even the Olympus Stylus Epic (called Mju:II in Europe) has a good 35/2.8 lens.

 

[Bobfrance]

I'm guessing the GR1 goes for about $250-$300 and I can vouch for how good it is.

I'm just waiting for a Contax T I bought off the bay for about $250. You might like that as it is mostly manual and is a proper rangefinder. Alternatively the Contax T2 is bigger and more auto and more likeley to be around the $300 (this will be my next purchase 🙂 )

All these are reputedley very good although slightly abve your budget - but c'mon you know you can't fight the GAS! 😉

 

[mfunnell]

Or even the Olympus Stylus Epic (called Mju:II in Europe) has a good 35/2.8 lens.

I like my Contax T2, but my mju:II beats it sideways on value-for-money and even some features. The T2 is the better camera - but still awfully expensive.

...Mike

 

[Frank Petronio]

I've had the XA, Stylus Epic, GR-1... the XA vignettes more and has a "look" whereas the other two make photos that looks like they came from a larger 35mm camera -- the Stylus has no real manual control, the GR-1 has aperture control and is very high build quality. I still use the XA because it is the most interesting of the bunch.

 

[pompadork]

Ah i know what you mean, but after using strictly the XAs for some time i'd like another camera for "that normal 35mm look".

A T2 would be ideal, but that is well over the 250. I'm sure someday, though =p

The Ricoh GR series would be great as well, i wasn't away they were selling for that low of a price though. Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[Jacob]

If You can live without manual control, the Yashica T series come to mind. Very good Zeiss optics for a P&S. Fuji made the Super Mini DL with a nice 28mm lens. The early Minolta AF-C is a favourite of mine. Very nice 35/2.8, manual wind = quiet. Can be found for under $25! I dont know about the older Leica Mini, but the lens might be nice there too. The cheapest way to get a red dot? I use a GR1s myself and I am very pleased with the results.
Jacob

 

[fbf]

olympus xa or mju II. they will serve you well and very easy to use.

 

[fbf]

I like my Contax T2, but my mju:II beats it sideways on value-for-money and even some features. The T2 is the better camera - but still awfully expensive.

...Mike

used to love my T2 but i thought is a little too big and heavy for a compact p&s plus the focus ring isn't that easy to handle (maybe I have large hands..) but for image quality, i'd say T2 is better than both mjiuII and xa.

 

[zuikologist]

For a slightly more retro and ultra cheap camera, try a Chinon 35EE or Konica C35. If you can find a good Yashica 35CC, the 35/1.8 lens and aperture priority are awfully tempting.

 

[mackigator]

I think a lot of the "boutique" point and shoot cameras will be a good buy at some point. Cameras like the Nikon 28 or 35ti, the Fuji Natura S, Minolta TC-1. Right now they're all still too much for me. Many of the compact 35's mentioned are bigger than the XA - the Olympus Stylus is not though, and people rave about it.

 

[fbf]

I think a lot of the "boutique" point and shoot cameras will be a good buy at some point. Cameras like the Nikon 28 or 35ti, the Fuji Natura S, Minolta TC-1. Right now they're all still too much for me. Many of the compact 35's mentioned are bigger than the XA - the Olympus Stylus is not though, and people rave about it.

Olympus stylus epic is very compart and I carry it with me everywhere. I like it in all aspects but one, the flash setting is very annoying-- meaning if you don't want to use the flash, you have to manually disable it everytime you turn it on.Other than this, no complaints

 

[MartinP]

The problem on the Epic/Mju is there is no manual control at all. I was spoiled by the Konica Big Mini which I had before, and which died in the usual way eventually 🙁

Also, I think my 7,50 euro Mju has got a cloudy lens, despite my cleaning the front and rear elements. It flares so easily that I don't think it can be a perfect example. The form factor and water-resistance is very positive though.

EDIT: And I fully agree with the annoying flash comment by fbf too.

 

[pagpow]

Don't know if the Yashica T4 is too large for you. I have it, the Stylus Epic, and the Minolta Explorer Freedom Zoom. All are good. T4 may have "best" lens, is largest and most expensive of the three. Stylus epic goes anywhere, smallest, usually available under $50. Minolta has 28-70 zoom, several modes, good lens. I've bought some at $12. All have meters good enough for slides. None have manual controls.
pagpow

 

[BillP]

Olympus stylus epic is very compart and I carry it with me everywhere. I like it in all aspects but one, the flash setting is very annoying-- meaning if you don't want to use the flash, you have to manually disable it everytime you turn it on.Other than this, no complaints

I heartily agree. Does anyone know how hard it would be to take one apart and cut a wire? I'd be happy to have just an "available light" Mju II

Regards,

Bill

 

[pompadork]

Thanks again to everyone. As suspected, the GR series seems to be going for well over ~250 (on ebay, anyway)

I had looked into both the Yashica T series and the Oly Stylus', but i wasn't sure the results would be better enough to warrant using one of those over the XA.

Ah yeah i'd also love to get my hands on one of the Fuji Natura S'...

 

[kuvvy]

There's lots of good cameras mentioned here and I've owned a good few of them. I'd like to add the Pentax Espio Mini (UC-1) to the list. I have two of these at the moment. It's auto camera along the lines of the Stylus Epic (Mju-II) but with a slightly wider lens at 32mm 3.5. Focuses slightly closer than the Mju and has a B setting. The lens is good performer and in my opinion better than the Mju lens.
Has the same thing with the flash needind to be switched off but it isn't too difficult to get used to sliding the front open and a quick press of the tiny button to cancel it. Have a few shots in my gallery. Takes good night shots.

 

[nightfly]

I think the XA series lenses are way over rated. I've had an original XA and an XA 4 and they both seemed pretty soft at the edges, prone to flare and vignetting. The vignetting and softness I don't mind so much as they seem to add a look to it, the hexagonal flare though ruins photos.

I like the Yashica t4 better than any of the rest. I bought a Contax T and a T2 last year when KEH had a bunch and quickly returned them. The T has that annoying fold down door which makes it slow to use. The T2 has a lot of controls but in a camera this size, they're not that easy to use and I find that both the T and T2 tend to focus on the background details too much, not sure if it's something in the lens design or the focus or what but I find that both the samples I had brought out the backgrounds more than I would like, I've seen it other's photos too. Maybe it's a sonar thing?

In any case the T4 has the annoying turn off the flash every time you turn it on but it's got a great lens and the water sealing make it's it pretty tough and great for travel. I really like the way the tessar renders out of focus elements.

Oh and I also bought a Rollei 35 during this binge. Too heavy, boxy and fiddly for my taste. And I had a GR1 briefly at one point as well. They are pretty loud. Very nice though.

I'd like to try an Stylus Epic.

At this point, I try and stick to the Leica but if I were to go down the "always have it with me point and shoot", I'd take the convience one step further and get a digital. However I haven't found one that does what I want (is fast and simple and can be converted into good black and whites and isn't really price (I'm talking to you Ricoh).

 

[pompadork]

Thanks again.

And yeah, curse the price of the Ricoh! And Natura Black. I suppose i'll look into the Yashica T series.

Any thoughts on the Ricoh R1?

 

[pompadork]

Sorry for the double post!

I think i'll just save up for one of the Ricoh GR series cameras. Hopefully i can get one on ebay for ~300 dollars, but i think that might take a while as we all know how ebay and pricing is ]: