ClaremontPhoto
Jon Claremont
Olympus did a very stylish aluminum Mju V a few years back.
I recall it was 300 or so.
And desirable.
Nowadays ffordes have them like new in box for 75.
I recall it was 300 or so.
And desirable.
Nowadays ffordes have them like new in box for 75.
Dante_Stella
Rex canum cattorumque
Look for a Konica Autoreflex TC (or if your budget permits, a T4) and a 40/1.8 Hexanon. When that came out in the early 1980s, that was the sharpest normal lens Pop Photo ever tested. Based on my examination of pictures from this setup, I have no reason to disagree.
Another good choice is a 50/1.8 Nikkor AF lens and any Nikon MF body that gives you some exposure control (an FG is the smallest body that has it). The 50/1.8 Nikkor, in test after test, has been competitive with Leica Summicron 50s at middle apertures.
The 40 Hexanon and 50 Nikkor are the closest you are going to get to "brutally" sharp at wide apertures. They're just "very" sharp there. One of the things that makes lenses super-expensive is being "brutally" sharp at wide apertures.
Although you can get it sometimes, I wouldn't expect "brutal sharpness" in a compact rangefinder or a p/s camera. And the Soviet stuff is going to be too hit-or-miss.
Another good choice is a 50/1.8 Nikkor AF lens and any Nikon MF body that gives you some exposure control (an FG is the smallest body that has it). The 50/1.8 Nikkor, in test after test, has been competitive with Leica Summicron 50s at middle apertures.
The 40 Hexanon and 50 Nikkor are the closest you are going to get to "brutally" sharp at wide apertures. They're just "very" sharp there. One of the things that makes lenses super-expensive is being "brutally" sharp at wide apertures.
Although you can get it sometimes, I wouldn't expect "brutal sharpness" in a compact rangefinder or a p/s camera. And the Soviet stuff is going to be too hit-or-miss.
pesphoto
Veteran
yet another vote for the YAshica models. GSN or go for the Lynx 5000e for full manula control. They can be had very inexpensively. Also the Olympus epic....i just developed my first roll from mine and very impressed with the sharpness.
januaryman
"Flim? You want flim?"
Canonet GIII QL17
ferider
Veteran
Rollei 35. You'll be amazed by resolution, build quality and portability.
Trius
Waiting on Maitani
No one mentioned the Olympus Trip 35. You can get one practically free, the lens is a Tessar design, dead simple to operate. Not an RF, but it produces damn fine and sharp results.
johank
Established
Minox 35 has a Tessar copy, small package and sharp, and for 150$ you get two, one for slides and one for B+W. Two weights less then one small RF.
Yashica carries a Biogon and Olympus XAs have good glass too.
But Contax from II to G and Zeiss lenses won't let you down, strangly much cheaper than what you get.
Yashica carries a Biogon and Olympus XAs have good glass too.
But Contax from II to G and Zeiss lenses won't let you down, strangly much cheaper than what you get.
Roger Vadim
Well-known
I second that. "To go" easy walk around setup is a Nikon FG + the AIS Nikkor 50/1.8, smaller and much lighter than any leica, really sharp, manual + AE, Camera was € 20, the lens can be had for a song, around € 50.
I also have the GSN, GIII, Revue 400, Oly RC, and while all these are really alright and plenty sharp (The Revue 400/ Vivitar ES the best of the bunch), the Nikon set has its edge over them. If you want a stunning SUPER sharp lens, get the Micro-Nikkor 55/2.8 AIS, which can be had for a song as well: this lens is what I call sharp, even wide open
.
On the FG: mine is in perfect working order, but I've seen them with electronics problems before. Test them before buying. If it does not have a battery in it, make sure it does not drain them when put in. One of my co-workers had this problem with their FG. It is small and light, and has a nice grip with it.
