best compact rf with fast lens

best compact rf with fast lens

  • Canonet ql17

    Votes: 70 27.3%

  • Canonet ql19

    Votes: 6 2.3%

  • Konica Auto S2

    Votes: 15 5.9%

  • Konica Auto S3

    Votes: 19 7.4%

  • Minolta 7sII

    Votes: 20 7.8%

  • Minolta Hi-Matic 9

    Votes: 9 3.5%

  • Olympus 35 SP

    Votes: 34 13.3%

  • Olympus 35 RD

    Votes: 14 5.5%

  • Yashica Electro 35 CC

    Votes: 17 6.6%

  • Yashica Lynx 14E

    Votes: 19 7.4%

  • Yashica Electro 35 GSN

    Votes: 33 12.9%
  • Total voters
    256
nzeeman

nzeeman

Well-known
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Nov 25, 2005
Messages
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i was reading article on cameraquest about compact rf so i thought that it would be nice to eplore which is the best.
also it would be nice to share your photos frome these cameras. :D
 
I like my Auto S3. [Edit: though it seems I clicked the Auto S2 by mistake :( ]

...Mike
 
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Didn't vote, you don't have the Minolta Highmatic E listed which is my best fast fixed lens compact RF.

Bob
 
A vote for the Canonet ql17 from me - although I would probably have voted for the Vivitar 35 ES , if it had been there...

medium.jpg
 
Having had both the QL17GIII and the 7sII, my vote went to the 7sII, the only camera I regret selling. The 7sII lens seemed as sharp as my 55mm Micro Nikkor. And isn't the Vivitar 35 ES a 7sII clone. Having just bought another QL17GII (it's in the mail) for just over $20, while the 7sII I was watching, listed in an incorrect category, went for $101, dollar for dollar, the Canon is a bargain.
 
Apart from a great lens and a very good finder, the Canonet QLIII has a brilliant flash system. It does work!
Only the selftimer is soo fragile. It got one of mine killed too soon.
 
Konica Auto S3. Base that on Modern Photography's "best semi-wide optic we've ever tested" claim, and a 60-something to 80-something lpm score, which backs up my own experience with this camera. It is truly sharp wide-open. Its f1.8 looks like f4 on some other cameras I've used, in terms of sharpness, shoot wide open - no worries. It also renders colors well.

I have two other cameras on the list - and I like these a lot too. The Lynx 14 and the GSN, I use these more than the Konica actually, but I don't really consider these "compact" (especially the Lynx).
 
GSN and Lynx is not really compact - my votes goes to the Yashica 35 CC instead if you want something compact with a fast lens..../Jon
 
Based on what I own and have used:

1. Konica III or IIIM: Leica like quality at a price range of (III) $100-$300 (IIIM)
2. Konica S2: I prefer it over the S3 for the ability to control exposure manually.
3. Minox GT (or similar): A small and light mini camera with awesome lens.
4. Olympus Stylus EPIC: I am still trying it out.
 
Four votes for the Olympus 35 SP but not one comment on it :)

I have the Canonet GIII QL17 (cla'd), a Yashica Electro GS (cla'd), and an Olympus 35 SP (cla'd).

The lens on the SP and Electro GS are neck to neck in terms of sharpness, however I like the bokeh on the SP better.

Canonet is not a distant third, but it's noticable in its lacking of sharpness and contrast (which, admittedly can work better on some types of pictures).

Because the Electro doesn't have manual control, my favorite is still the 35 SP.
 
I dunno, since my Zeiss Ikon with C Sonnar 50/1.5 fits perfect in my bag, Domke 804, I am as happy as can be. If it were smaller I would put it in my pocket and mess it up with lint.
 
I own and use the Canon ql17 and the Minolta Hi-Matic 9. Both are great cameras. However, I voted for the Canon ql17 because it feels better in my hands.
 
My absolute best/ sharpest fixed RF Lens is on a Revue 400SE (german departmentstore Brand), which is, as far as i know, the same as the Vivitar 35 ES and a 7sII clone without aperture setting. The whole thing is a bit fragile and is not as well done as the QL17 / III or even the oly RC.
I like the handling and the feel of the GSN, but the lens, like the QL17 doesnt impress me. Actually, on all of them there is that little something misssing, dunno...
The machining of the Ql17 and the lens of the Revue/Vivitar would be it.
Seems like i need to save some money for a M-mount camera... This Forum is becoming a problem...
Michael
 
rxmd said:
How about a Leica CL with a CV Nokton 40/1.4? :)
Click to expand...

Both CLE and even more so CL with 40/1.4 are smaller than many of
the cameras in the above list. For instance, my Oly SP is slightly larger
than the CLE.

Roland.
 
Of the ones I've used:
1. Konica Auto S3 was the sharpest.
2. Canon GIII QL17 was my first.
3. Olympus 35RC was the most compact/user friendly.
4. Voigtlander Vitessa L was my favorite!
 
My vote's for the QL17 -- wonderful build quality, especially when considering the prices they fetch. Nice viewfinder to boot. I think the black version is the best looking of all compact fixed lens RF's.

Cheers
 
The original Konica series of RF cameras are super cool and they sport super sharp lenses.

Konica III and IIIM (or A).

These cameras are levels above the Konica Auto S, S2 or the S3. I have them all.
 
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