35mm Point and shoot suggestions

[gnashings]

Hi Folks,

I need some help here. A friend's girlfriend asked me (as the resident "photography guy") for some input on a good, compact camera for herself. I realized, to my grief, that frankly I know next to nothing about cameras that would actually suit her needs - I don't even know where to start!
I did some investigating, letting her play with a few SLR's (too big, to heavy, too scary), a few fixed lens RF's (too unfamiliar, I guess - she wants AF is what I gather).
This is basically a person who a) does not have any interest in photography in a technical sense and b) has seen enough decent photos that she expects a litte more than disposible cameras offer.
Also, she does NOT want digital - she is very adamant about that.

So, for your kind consideration I submit a question:

What would be the best 35mm point and shoot (used is fine - even better) that would be very simple to use, offer *fairly* intelligent automation of exposure, be more compact than a small SLR, give her AF and preferably some zoom and optics that will actually produce a competent image?

Thanks in advance,

Peter.

 

[dcsang]

No zoom Pete but the Olympus Stylus Epic is cheap and has an extremely sharp 35mm f2.8 lens.

Only issue is that it's FILM 😀

So it suits her needs ..

Dave

 

[RayPA]

If you must have zoom, then maybe the Leica Minilux Zoom, or the Contax TVS III series cameras.

 

[Warren T.]

I wouldn't really recommend a zoom P&S either, but if you really want a zoom, I recommend finding a Pentax IQZoom 90WR. For a non-zoom, I would recommend a used Yashica T4Super. There should be plenty of nice, used film P&S cameras around as most people have moved to digital P&S.

Hope that helps,

Warren

 

[DeeCee3]

I can heartily recommend the Pentax WR90! I carried one with me all over the UK back in 1994 and returned with several frame-able 8x10s. I went back to the UK a few years later with a Leica C1. Got some nice shots from it, too, but it died on me several weeks after we got back. Now, some 13 years later, when I'm in a P&S mood, I haul out the Pentax. KEH had one recently as well as Adorama...both dirt cheap.

dc3

 

[gnashings]

Awesome - thank you so much for your input. I looked at the cameras you suggested and I think it would be exactly up her alley. Thanks again,

Peter.

 

[gnashings]

PS. I assume that all these read DX codes?

 

[rpsawin]

If you must have zoom, then maybe the Leica Minilux Zoom, or the Contax TVS III series cameras.

I will second both of these choices.

Bob

 

[NickTrop]

The usual suspects:

- Yashica T3, T4, or T5 (aka T4 Super)
- Olympus Stylus Epic

Also, see my PM

 

[PhotoJim]

Agreed on the Stylus Epic.

This camera does read DX codes but only has half the sensors that higher-end cameras have, so it can only read speeds of 50, 100, 200, 400, 800, etc. I'm not sure what it does with the intermittent speeds, but I think they are rounded down.

 

[gnashings]

Thanks again - I think this will get her what she wants.

 

[dmr]

Here's a thread on one I just got a few weeks ago on a local close-out. B&H apparently has the same one in stock.

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=51306

(Edit: Example photos now posted in the above thread.)

I got this as a sometime-replacement for a similar one I've used for over 10 years and love very much.

I see by reviewing the thread that I said I would post some pics. I guess I better do that, huh? 🙂

 

[Chris B]

My Olympus Stylus Zoom DLX has served me well for at least 10 years and still delivers the goods, a great little back up camera that is very pocketable. I don't know why folks have an attitude about the zoom on these , I think it is very handy and you can't beat the usual superb Olympus ergonomics in the beautiful design of this camera.

 

[Monte920]

I do not know how "good" the image quality shall be in order to satisfy her need? Just several years ago, there were so many different kinds of P&S on the market. If some simple family pictures with acceptable print results are fine, then I have to say most of the P&S from major vendors on the market will serve well. No matter Olympus, Pentax, Nikon, Canon, Minolta, etc., all produce such cameras.

My own version of standard is somewhat higher: it has to be sharp, contrasty and proper exposures on the slide films! This kind of standard will disqualify a lot of P&S, including some mentioned above. As a matter of fact, very few P&S zoom fair well on slide performance. From my own experience, the top tier P&S zooms are: Contax TVS III, Leica CM Zoom, Rollei QZ35W or T. The second tier are Contax TVS, TVS II, Leica Minilux Zoom. The third tier are Fujifilm Zoom Date (24-50mm, or Silvi in Japan), Fujifilm Natura Classica, Rollei Prego 90, Yashica T4 Zoom, Leica C1, C3. Other than those I mentioned, I will be very hesitant to put slide films in them!

There are much more better fixed-focal lens P&S qualified than Zoom P&S. Some of them can be very expensive, though. I won't spend further space to introduce them. But if I can only pick up one, I will choose Contax T3!

 

[peterm1]

Is she really committed to a 35mm film based P/S? If she is not interested in photography it seems an odd choice these days when there are so many cheap and quite competent digital compacts on the market. But if she is the only suggestions I can make based on personal experience are either of the following:

The Contax T2 - which has an AWESOME 38mm lens and both full auto and aperture priority settings for those who wish to avail themselves of it, together with a titanium body. Typical high end Contax stuff. I still have mine. Its price has held up well by comparison with other 35mm P/S cameras (so may be too expensive for her tastes) but it still only goes for half what I paid, so I cannot imagine ever selling mine as it is good backup for my Leicas. The only very slight grumble I have ever had with it is that its flash will overpower the scene a little at close ranges.

Or maybe she could consider going beyond 35mm to an APS. I remember the Canon APS (Elf/Ixus) models being especially good in their day (I only sold mine to help pay for a more expensive camera) - not sure how long APS film will be available though.

 

[MickH]

Ricoh GR1 in any manifestation (GR1, GR1s, GR1v - there's also a cracking Digital version on the go) all are available second hand at around $200-$400, if oyu are lucky they can be had for less. They feature a 28mm W/A Lens and take really good snaps without too much fiddling. Quite tough too - Magnesium alloy bodies I think. No zoom though. If she really wants to push the boat out theres the GR21 (21mm W/A Lens) which can cost $1000 used.

Bloody nice kit though!

Google for reviews.

Cheers.