Digital equivalent to a Yashica T4

[nightfly]

I've had a Yashica t4 for probably 15 years. It has served me well as a travel camera for color film, sometimes alongside a black and white camera, sometimes not. However recently it's begun scratching film (anyone know how to fix this?) and I realize for vacation type of stuff where I'm shooting color film, a digital would probably be a better call.

Is there anything out there which produces nice rich color and is fairly durable (waterproof or at least resistant would be nice)? Low shutter lag, small, goes to 35mm if not 28mm. Don't want anything fancy (like a $500 Ricoh or high end Panasonic) just something to grab and go and grab color shots alongside my Leica shooting black and white or on trips where they're not primarily photographic and I leave the Leica at home. Doesn't need RAW if it produces nice out of camera jpegs, in fact the less I have to mess with the better.

 

[bmattock]

Pentax W60?

http://www.steves-digicams.com/2008_reviews/optio_w60.html

 

[JeffGreene]

Dpreview just finished a review of ultracompacts. They recommend a Canon and a Panasonic. See below:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/Q408slimgroup/

 

[rogue_designer]

I wish they would test the lag times as part of their standard comparison. That's the biggest killer for me. Getting used to the shutter lag.

 

[bmattock]

I wish they would test the lag times as part of their standard comparison. That's the biggest killer for me. Getting used to the shutter lag.

Steves Digicams does test shutter lag, or are you referring to something else?

http://www.steves-digicams.com/2008_reviews/optio_w60_pg5.html

On start up, the camera is able to capture its first image in just 2.7 seconds. The camera's shutter delay, the time it takes for the camera to capture an image after the shutter release has been pressed, is very fast at just 1/10 of a second when the camera is pre-focused and just 4/10 of a second when allowing the auto focus to work.

 

[rogue_designer]

Bill - I stand corrected. I've never looked much at Steve's Digicams. As far as I can tell, DPReview sometimes measures, but it's rarely a comparison criteria for them.

For me, its one of the few things that matters.

 

[bmattock]

For me, its one of the few things that matters.

I'm with you. For some reason, I've always enjoyed the reviews at Steve's more than the others. It has guided a few of my buying decisions. Shutter lag is a problem with digicams, for sure.

 

[aparat]

I am sorry to say but a digital equivalent of the T4 is still not there. The Panasonic DMC-LX3 seems to fit your description best. Otherwise, compacts with APS-size sensors are just around the corner, so you might want to wait a few months.

 

[wayneb]

I'm also an owner of a T4. I'm sure there are plenty of DP1 threads on RFF, I think people were hoping that would be more T4-ish than it was. I've picked up and used plenty of p/s digital cameras, there is something generally crappy about them. Often the best thing you can say about them is when they have larger than average screens.

The other issue is not only the start up time, but the physical design. The T4 has that slider switch, the cover opens, makes a distinct sound and it's ready to take photos. Many digitals have some tiny round button (the size of the flash settings button on the t4) that you have to really find/push, then a start-up screen appears then you are ready to take photos (with shutter lag).

Here's my wishlist:
-fixed lens that does not extend far out beyond the camera, and does not make a big entrance every time you turn on the camera.
-lens has some magic (one of the reasons the T4 has a cult following is the Zeiss)
-RAW
-fast start up/shutter lag
-decent noise at iso 200 and above (better than average noise)
-ability to display photos as b/w on screen

 

[IGMeanwell]

Speaking of the Sigma DP1..... I would say to this answer wait for the DP2 with the 40mm f2.8

I suppose that the GRD would be a decent choice but 28mm is a little too wide of FOV for my favorite aspect to the T4; informal portraits. Plus I have not seen any proof that the flash IQ for the Ricoh's is all that great.

I too love the T4 it stays with me almost everywhere I go

For a digital P&S, I have not found an equivalent of the T4 with a good fixed lens and excellent flash IQ (which in my mind sets the T4 apart from just about any other camera)

So I am hoping that the DP2 will fill the void that is missing in the digital camera market

In the meantime I keep using the T4 when I can

 

[nightfly]

I had a GRD and for me the photos are unusably noisy and the color isn't great. I wanted it for black and white and I like grain but the look of the noise didn't work for me. Many disagree.

Guess I'll hang on to the T4 and see with the 4/3 micro brings. As far as DP2 goes, 40mm isn't really a good focal length for me, too in between and the DP1 get's pretty horrible reviews for usability.

Anyone know where in the New York City area I could get someone to determine why my t4 is scracthing my film? I can't see anything obvious.