35mm fixed focal length P&S recommendation?

[Jamie123]

I kinda hate these "recommendation" threads but every now and then I have to post one myself. So here it goes.

I'd like to get a nice compact P&S with a fixed focal length (preferably a fairly fast 35mm). Something like a Nikon 35Ti or a Contax T2. Ideally something not too expensive but with a good lens.

What are my options? The Nikon and Contax both look ok but maybe a bit too expensive at $350-400 (KEH).

 

[dazedgonebye]

Never to forget the Konica Hexar AF. Larger than the others, but very sweet. Also priced around $400 though.
On the inexpensive end, Oly stylus epic II is a great cheap choice. Buy 2 and keep them loaded with different film.
I believe the Yashica T4 is well regarded too. Here is one going off on ebay soon for something around $200. No connection to the seller.

 

[like2fiddle]

Two very good, low cost options are Olympus Stylus Epic (35/2.8) and Yashica T4 (35/3.5). I have both and they are perfect for outdoor activities like skiing, hiking, biking, etc. I will be placing an ad in the classifieds with several items in the next couple of days, and the Olympus will be one of the items - can't keep both and I like the ergonomics of the T4 even though it's somewhat larger and slower.

 

[J.B. Books]

I have a Contax T2, a Yashica T4 and an Olympus Stylus Epic. They're all great, with different strengths and weaknesses. I'd have to say the T4 is my favorite, but the Epic is great too and by far the best value for the money.

 

[iamzip]

Rollei AFM 35. 38mm f/2.6. Can usually be found for $200-$250. Same as the Fuji Klasse, which sells fro something like $700-$800.

 

[wallace]

Oly Trip35.

 

[Dave S.]

I would recommend the Olympus Stylus Epic. Mine has produced more "keeper" shots than I would have ever imagined. I've also tried the Pentax PC35AF, Petri Color 35, Minox 35 GL, Olympus XA, and the Yashica T4 (without the top scope). Nevertheless, its the Olympus Stylus Epic I come back to.

 

[btgc]

There are loads of good P&S cameras, though I feel I can't recommend them to poster referring to Nikon 35Ti or a Contax T2 as something not too expensive.

Many cameras are overlooked just because they go for too cheap to be considered any good.

 

[Mablo]

What Wallace said. I've had and used many of the usual suspects but at the end of the day Oly Trip 35 is the one that I keep. No batteries, very quiet, small enough and the lens is as good as the one in Epic. Costs £50 CLA'd at http://www.tripman.co.uk

 

[Jamie123]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone! I will definitely look into some of the options. Maybe I'll see if I can find an Olympus stylus or a Yashica T4 locally for not too much money.

 

[Jamie123]

There are loads of good P&S cameras, though I feel I can't recommend them to poster referring to Nikon 35Ti or a Contax T2 as something not too expensive.

Many cameras are overlooked just because they go for too cheap to be considered any good.

Sorry, I should've clarified. I'm looking for something like a Nikon 35Ti or a Contax T2 but not as expensive (otherwise I'd get one of those). Ideally I'd like something for not much more than $100.

 

[valdas]

I think if you are lucky you can buy T2 from KEH at lower price. I paid for mine 230$ a year ago (rated bargain, but in fact EX). I also have Yashica T4 and Olympus mju II, but I prefer Contax because of manual focus (especially the possibility to lock infinity) and aperture priority. Yashica though has very nice contrast... By the way, I paid for T4 4.5 EUR at flea market, so you can really find them cheap... And if the budget is <100$, i'd go for Yashica...

 

[btgc]

For me biggest issue with compact cameras is they are incomplete. One has superb lens, another - best VF in class, third - proper size and weight, fourth - ideal shutter release, fifth can be favored by focusing type. All compact cameras I have are incomplete, I'd need to take best of each and compile together to get my dream compact.

My advice would be not to spend a fortune on expensive compacts just because they anyway aren't substitutes for real thing, and instead get one of those decent P&S's for possibly low price to not regret expenses.

Which feature would be valued most?

 

[Jamie123]

For me biggest issue with compact cameras is they are incomplete. One has superb lens, another - best VF in class, third - proper size and weight, fourth - ideal shutter release, fifth can be favored by focusing type. All compact cameras I have are incomplete, I'd need to take best of each and compile together to get my dream compact.

My advice would be not to spend a fortune on expensive compacts just because they anyway aren't substitutes for real thing, and instead get one of those decent P&S's for possibly low price to not regret expenses.

Which feature would be valued most?

I guess I'd have to go with the superb lens in a compact size. And I also need AF and AE. I have to add that I'm not really a 35mm film shooter. I use a Bessa III wit film and a 5DII for digital. I thought that it might be fun to get a camera to have with me all the time but I'm not really into the quality of digital compacts so I'm looking for a good film alternative.

As I'm not commited to 35mm shooting I don't want to spend a fortune. I do very much like the look and form factor of the Contax T line, though. Also, I just remembered that I still have a Canon EOS Elan 7NE around which I don't really use. I might try to sell it and spend the money on a Contax. Or is anyone up for a trade?? 🙂

 

[smoothstones]

Nikon 35ti

Nikon 35ti

I'd like to suggest the Nikon 35ti. Beautifully built and wonderfully sharp lens. It just so happens you might tempt me to part with mine.

 

[not_in_good_order]

I really enjoy my Olympus XA. It is pretty bare bones regarding features, but a rangefinder in this small of a camera is sort of a hoot.

 

[apconan]

Having used several, I feel that the Yashica T4 is the best. However, not worth the current inflated prices, look at thrift stores and camera shops for a good deal. Found mine for $50 at a local camera store, which is about as much as I'd pay. Have heard of thrift store finds for a couple dollars.

 

[Jamie123]

I'd like to suggest the Nikon 35ti. Beautifully built and wonderfully sharp lens. It just so happens you might tempt me to part with mine.

Trade it for my Canon? 🙂

 

[smoothstones]

Which Canon?

 

[Jamie123]

Which Canon?

Haha...I was just kidding. I was referring to my previous post where I said I might try to sell a Canon EOS 7ne (film SLR) to fund a P&S or even trade it if possible.

Anyways, I don't know how much you want for the Nikon 35ti but I suspect that it will be more than I want to spend.