Best image quality from 5 35mm compact cameras

[charjohncarter]

In the 1980's I listened to a lecture given by legendary glamour photographer great Peter Gowland.

He used many cameras, among them the Olympus RC.
He was amazed how good the RC lens was and urged people to get one.

I do have some ergonomic complaints with the Olympus 35 RC, but mostly it is great. Some of the hidden features are: it can be used without a battery, it is shutter priority which can be also used by turning the shutter knob to make it aperture priority, completely manual if you want, and it has a flashmatic feature so just set the GN, focus and shoot, not to mention, which the other five also have, is flash synch at any shutter speed.

 

[btgc]

I do have some ergonomic complaints with the Olympus 35 RC, but mostly it is great. Some of the hidden features are: it can be used without a battery, it is shutter priority which can be also used by turning the shutter knob to make it aperture priority, completely manual if you want, and it has a flashmatic feature so just set the GN, focus and shoot, not to mention, which the other five also have, is flash synch at any shutter speed.

Yes, some quirks are there - narrow aperture ring very close to body, a bit stiff shutter release. Probably, that's all of annoyment and rest is only great stuff. In addition what you mentioned, RC has 5 element lens in contrary to other similar sized compacts with 4 element lenses.

 

[charjohncarter]

Didn't know that, but I wouldn't be able to tell the difference on a print. It still is a great little camera to travel with. I use a Vivitar 2600 flash with it; either for fill or with the flashmatic for dark shots. And that combination is still small but potent.

 

[ColSebastianMoran]

I know it was a poll, but all these cameras make great images.

I think any camera of this era, quality-built, not cheap, with a prime lens will give impressively sharp images.

That's been the case for all that I've tried (Yashica GSN, Olympus Stylus Infinity, Canonet).

 

[charjohncarter]

Olympus Stylus Infinity

Crop by John Carter, on Flickr

Sardis by John Carter, on Flickr

Tmax100, HC-110h, Copied with a DSLR.

 

[ChrisPlatt]

Yeshiva GSN

That's what I call them too... 😛

Great picture takers all - *if* you can get yours serviced...

Chris

 

[fer_fdi]

For those knowing the S3,
can you select 1/3 or 1/2 shutter speed increments? (1/160, 1/200...)

Or only whole stops? (1/125, 1/250...)

 

[bmattock]

I've owned them all, used them all. Olympus RD for the win. Best of breed.

 

[bmattock]

I'm surprised at how sharp these 70s compacts from Japan are. I have a Petri 7s that is great along with a fully auto Konica C35. My later Olympus Stylus Infinity (auto) is again sharper than most SLR lenses.

Don't forget the lowly Olympus Trip, how did those Japanese designers do it?

But all in all, my Olympus 35RC is my favorite.

Petri Racer is a lovely bit of kit, though it seems put together by Kalashnikov. Great lens.

 

[shawn]

I haven't really used it on the S3 but there are ways of getting a sorta/kinda manual mode but they are slower than a true manual camera.

If you put a flash cover plate into the hotshoe you disconnect the shutter priority mode. You can then adjust aperture using the flash GN setting ring. Selected aperture varies based on distance so focus first.

When in normal shutter priority mode half pressing the shutter locks the exposure. Point the camera at a light source until it meters the F stop you want and half press the shutter and it will lock it there.

Neither is optimal but can be used for a tricky situation, if you have the time.

As far as the original question I have the GSN and S3. The S3 does have a great little lens on it and it is much smaller than the GSN. It will tell you what F stop it is selecting.

I kinda prefer the feel of the GSN though and its meter can handle more situations. It is aperture priority but doesn't tell you what shutter speed it is selecting, only gives you warnings about slow shutter speed. Viewfinder and rangefinder patch are a bit nicer as well.

When I want small and great quality I tend to use a Rollei 35S more though.

Shawn

 

[bmattock]

Leave us not forget the mighty Yashica Lynx 14 and relatives. All lens, and what a lens.

 

[bobby_novatron]

Been many months since the OP first started this thread -- I wonder what he/she decided on? Lots of us have chimed in with our personal experiences ... that's what makes reading these forums such fun.

FWIW I voted for the Olympus 35RC. Not the greatest ergonomics but the small form factor makes it easily pocketable. Plus, the lens on the 35RC is a show-stopper. In my experience the 35RC's lens easily can perform with the best of them (Zeiss, Leica, etc.) -- heretical, I know. But I've always been really impressed with the 35RC's image quality -- it remains one of my favourite 1970's Japanese rangefinders.

Here's two Olympus siblings, the 35DC and 35RC.

 

[ColSebastianMoran]

The Yashica Electro 35 series - is also very easy to get service for.
http://www.camerarefurb.com/Services.htm

Yes, Russ has done a fine job for me on several full-size Yashicas. For the smaller bodies and when parts are needed, Mark Hama can fix most.

Put back into good condition, these cameras are great. On the other hand, when they are not and are malfunctioning, can be really frustrating.

 

[ColSebastianMoran]

That's what I call them too... 😛

Damn auto-correct!

 

[Texsport]

Always considered the Olympus 35SP superior to the 35RC.

Texsport

 

[FrankS]

Always considered the Olympus 35SP superior to the 35RC.

Texsport

Same for me.

And didn't the letter in front of Zuiko indicate the number of lens elements?

 

[Santtu Määttänen]

35SP can't how ever be said in the same sentence as others, since even though it's fixed lens RF, it's quite bit heavier and larger. I personally have always preferred 35RC due to the size and the fact that to my eyes the quality of the lens is pretty much identical and I don't feel I miss those about 1.5 stops of light. How ever the 35SP has superior light meter.

Then again 35RC was my first ever camera and has seen hundreds and hundreds rolls of film.. So my views can be "bit" skewed 🙂

 

[Trius]

35SP can't how ever be said in the same sentence as others, since even though it's fixed lens RF, it's quite bit heavier and larger. I personally have always preferred 35RC due to the size and the fact that to my eyes the quality of the lens is pretty much identical and I don't feel I miss those about 1.5 stops of light. How ever the 35SP has superior light meter. Then again 35RC was my first ever camera and has seen hundreds and hundreds rolls of film.. So my views can be "bit" skewed 🙂

As others have mentioned (and is the case for me,) the ergonomics of the RC place it a step down from the 35SP.

The lens on the RC is remarkable for a compact camera, but draws differently from the G.Zuiko on the 35SP. A trained eye could tell the difference on many shots.

 

[Santtu Määttänen]

As others have mentioned (and is the case for me,) the ergonomics of the RC place it a step down from the 35SP.

The lens on the RC is remarkable for a compact camera, but draws differently from the G.Zuiko on the 35SP. A trained eye could tell the difference on many shots.

Certainly the lens ain't the same, but both are very sharp, have nice contrast and build quality is top notch. So I feel that in the end there's no "better" only different and it comes to personal choice.

For the actual subject 🙂 There's also few other cameras that fit the bill, like Ricoh 500G. But as lovely as Ricoh is, it's more vulnerable, delicate and even more difficult to fix / get fixed. Same pretty much applies to most other options then the ones mentioned. Since these on the list are relatively common and there's donor cameras to be had around if you need spare parts. (easily that is)

 

[Trius]

No argument, I agree it is personal preference. The Minolta 7Si II is not on the list, but I like it as much as the others. The rangefinder on mine was off but I was able to adjust it easily.