Smaller than M3

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wilt

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I have an M3 which I use much, but at times it stays at home, because of size. There's my Minox 35 GT-E as a pocket camera, but now I am interested in something in between: significantly smaller than the M3, but more capable than the Minox (or others of similar size, such as Oly XA). What's your recommendations?

Leica III-series (I already have several LTM lenses)?

Olympus Pen F?

Looking forward to your input!
 
Leica Minilux or Leica CM?

I have the Minilux and love it. The lens is great and it handles well.

The CM replaced the Minilux, but has just been discontinued too. You should be able to find a new one still though.
 
Maybe not what you are looking for but, I have drunk the Contax T kool-aid, love everything about that camera. About the same size as the XA , but I prefer the feel of the T and the Sonnar lens. it is always in my pocket. I have a bunch of T photos in my gallery.
 
Perhaps a Rollei 35? BTW, when I checked out your photoblog I realised we're almost neighbours. 🙂 You've got some nice pictures there, including the one of my son holding Jennifer Lopez. 😀
 
My Leica CL is almost exactly the same size as my Canonet G3 QL17, but with the Rokkor 40/2 it is actually a smaller package, perfect for a coat pocket. Even a j-3 doesn't increase the size very much, the lens sticks out a bit more than the Canonet's, but is smaller in circumference. You would be able to use your M lenses with the benefit of a spotmeter should you choose to use it.
 
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The Bessa R is smaller than an M3 and just a bit bigger than a CL, but it seems much smaller due to its lighter weight.

A screw mount Leica with a collapsible 50 is pretty small but lacks a meter. A Rollei 35 is even smaller but lacks a RF. I really like these 2 cameras for their small size, being mechanical, and having full manual exposure control.
 
Rollie 35. Mine has a 3.5 tessar and makes very nice pics.

Do I dare recommend a small digicam? No film to develope. You always have a complete range of emulsions fast to slow, tungsten to daylight, saturated to portrait right in your pocket. They are cheaper than any decent film cam.

Canon 640 or G7 or ELPH models. Some are down to almost credit card size.
 
wilt said:
I have an M3 which I use much, but at times it stays at home, because of size. There's my Minox 35 GT-E as a pocket camera, but now I am interested in something in between: significantly smaller than the M3, but more capable than the Minox (or others of similar size, such as Oly XA). What's your recommendations?

Leica III-series (I already have several LTM lenses)?

Olympus Pen F?

Looking forward to your input!
Click to expand...


Leica III.
  • Lenses are compatible with your M3.
  • You are used to a meterless camera already.
  • Small and robust.
 
Just suck it up and bring the M3 out more.

The problem is that if you get a much smaller camera, even if it has manual controls, they are too fidly. If you get one without manual controls, it isn't a very satisfying shooting experience.

Really your Minox is as good as anything else that is around that size. I think you are looking for a holy grail that doesn't really exist. I've gone through the same thing and I'm always happier when I bring my M4-P although for color, I sometimes bring a Yashica T4, shutter lag and all, and am usually happy with the pics. No manual control but the Zeiss lens is kick ass for color (I don't like it much for black and white for some reason). You could double the price of one of these and get a Contax T2 or triple it and get a T3 or if you're lucky an original T but that's basically your Minox with a titanium body and maybe a better lens.
 
Rollei 35, 35T or 35S. 40mm focal length. f/3.5 Tessar or f/2.8 Sonnar. Scale focus. No automation. Totally mechanical (except for the light meter). About the size of a pack of cigarettes.

Richard
 
Thanks for all the sound advice!

Thing is, I use the M3 quite a lot, but Nightfly has a good point, I could start by making an effort to bring it with me even more at times when I normally would leave it at home. Could also try getting a smaller lens for the M3, compared to what I already have,the Summicron 50 and the Jupiters (3 and 8); like an old Elmar 3.5. Perhaps getting a small bag of some kind could make it easier to bring it along in everyday life.

Several have mentioned getting a Barnack, which is something I am quite interested in. I have no real experience with Barnacks, but they seem significantly smaller than the M models, as is also the CL. Maybe my next camera will be a Barnack ...

Rollei 35s and Contaxes, esp. the original T, sound interesting, but a bit like the Minox.

So many cameras, so little time and money!

Antti: nice to discover another rangefinder enthusiast from Lund, we must get together sometime. What a coincidence, your son appearing in this shot on my photoblog! I don't know him, it was just a casual street photo shot where he appeared; he has also commented the picture, and now you appear here on RFF. Small world ...
 
Try a Konica Auto S3 or its little brother (slower lens) the C35. In my experience, these camera with their Hexanon lens exhibit a unique look that I've yet seen duplicated by other cameras I have. You may like it, here's a sample picture:

316234265_4f96d37cf5.jpg
 
@wilt

Hello


I have been in the same place you are. Leica M2 with 50 cron still too big.
I also have a iif but its not that much smaller and operation is compared to an m "awkward" (just a pretty face, actually very pretty) 😀
What I did was to put away the strap, the meter and the luigi case and mount a coll. summitar. That combo wont fit into a pants pocket but in almost every coat pocket.
Now I have the Leica with me all the time. ( For me that is the main point of a leica anyway).


P.S. there are a lot of very compact lenses out there


Regards Fabian
 
if you like wide and aperature priority is sufficient control for you - consider the Ricoh GR1s... comes with a 28/2.8 which is superb... downsides - AF (very accurate since it's so wide) and no ISO overide (i use the exposure compensation dial -2 - +2 in 1/2stops) to 'rate' the film...

it's my carry everywhere camera... vignettes less than my Yashica T4 and I have aperature priority...
 
I don't think you will really be happy with a Barnack Leica. The controls aren't fiddly, but the viewfinder... OMG is it bad!

The Olympus XA can do some surprising things, with only aperture priority and a +1.5 overexposure button. But yes, it lacks manual control.

I have a Rollei 35. ($150-350, depending on lens, country of origin, and condition) For most of us, once we have one, it is hard to be without it. Although it is small, it isn't fiddly. The controls are easy to use, the viewfinder is bright, the glass is great, and it is built like a little tank. Controls are unconventionally-placed, but you get used to this quickly. It is full manual, and once you get used to scale focusing, it is suprisingly easy. You tend to intimidate people less because everything is set before you bring it up to your eye.

Other neat options might be:

- Olympus 35 RC: f/2.8 Zuiko lens, conventional control placement. A tiny bit bigger than the Rollei 35. ($40-70)

- Petri 35 ($150 - 200)

(refer to cameraquest.com for more info on those)

Another (expensive) option might be the Nikon 35T. Analog dials on the top deck, and a modern, sharp lens are nice, but battery dependence & motor drive are drawbacks, IMO.
 
Oh, check out the link in my signature. I have size comparisons of some of these cameras there. The XA is missing, (out for cleaning) but fits between the SD600 Elph and the Rollei 35.

I have to admit, the Elph is one nice little camera. VERY useful too, as it can double as an "illustrator camera" for your web-based activities. Even in a nice, padded Lowepro belt pouch, it is smaller than the Rollei 35.

For reference, your M3 is about the same width & thickness as my Yashica Electro, but probably an inch or so shorter.
 
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