For those who know; which would be the keeper

[Saijem]

Hi All,

I have 3 cameras that I have used rarely, but they all work fine and are in very good condition. They are an Olympus Trip 35, a Konica C35 and a Minolta Hi-Matic F.

I'm in a situation where I may need to sell all 3, but I might be able to keep 1.

In your experiences with these cameras, if you could only keep 1, which would you keep? And if you could give me a brief "why", I'd very extremely grateful.

Thank you!

 

[BLKRCAT]

Konica C35.

I haven't used one in a while but it does give you some control over your image I believe. Olympus Trip is cool in the event that the apocalypse happens but if it did I think shooting any remaining stocks of film would be the least of your worries.

Never used the minolta.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Initially I wanted C35. Because it has real focus tab. Minolta has it as well, but I purchased it cheap and dead. Batteries are no fun for this one. I settled with working Trip. Lens is amazing. And it does it all, yet, no battery needed.

 

[Roger Hicks]

Few are likely to have owned all three, and only all three; in other words, no others which they prefer.

They're all pretty good, but not great. Which do you enjoy most? Which has given you the best pictures so far (the two are often the same)? Which is in the best condition? I loved the results from my Yashica Lynx 14 but the rangefinder patch was so dim I sold it.

My own favourite (because I have it) is an Olympus Pen W. Closely followed by a Rollei 35 (which my wife has). And so forth.

Just shoot with whatever is easiest. Whatever is easiest will probably give you the best results.

Cheers,

R.

 

[ruby.monkey]

Sell them all. Doesn't sound like you'll miss them.

 

[Saijem]

Wow! Thank you all for your great insight. This is a tricky question indeed, but I actually do like the overall feel of the C35, so there's a nod in that direction at least.

But there is still the fact of moving all 3 and if that is the case, and "Ruby", now that you've mentioned it, you are probably right that I won't miss them if they all go.

So, thanks again for your replies. And who knows, when they do go, I'll probably come back for advise on ideas/suggestions for a newer RF!!

Cheers!
Danny

 

[xayraa33]

I only used the Oly Trip 35 and loved it.

At one time I owned two of them, but sadly, one mint condition one got accidentally crushed to bits in some luggage while I was travelling.

 

[Saijem]

That's such a sad way to lose a camera...

 

[charjohncarter]

I've owned two of your three; the Trip 35 and the C35. Of those two, I would keep the C35, but I would be sure it works. I used the hearing aid batteries with it and they worked fine but short lived. It is also completely Auto which I found confining (the lens was excellent though).

The Trip is prone to failing. I had two failures on mine and it was to difficult to fix.

So, maybe the Minolta is the keeper.

Konica C35:

Untitled by John Carter, on Flickr

Trip 35:
Untitled by John Carter, on Flickr

 

[ColSebastianMoran]

Sounds like keep the one with the best odds of working for a while.

 

[xayraa33]

That's such a sad way to lose a camera...

Yes, and it had to be the almost new one to boot.

Everyone raves about the sharpness of the Hexanon lens on the Konica, although I never owned a Konica camera.


The Hi-Matic is probably a sturdy camera and I like the look of the photos I get from Rokkor lenses from my Minolta SLRs.

So if it was up to me I would most likely keep all three cameras, as in this day and age they don't bring in much money on a resale, as not too many consumer grade film cameras do today.

 

[Steve Bellayr]

Sell all three. Nothing spectacular unless you are a collector.

 

[Saijem]

I'm almost sure that I am using 303/357 batteries in the C35 and the camera gave me good shot. The Hi-Matic F cam with 2 special order batteries in it and it has well. The Trip does have the coolness of not needing batteries, nun said there.

I don't think that I can live without knowing that I have a functioning RF. So, on the digital side, I'll be upgrading my X-E1 for a clean X-E2S.

I also have (shhhhhhhh...) 7 SLR bodies w/Lenses: 2 Nikon FG's, 1 Nikon FE, 1 Nikon EM +"flash unit and 4 lenses. I have Konica Autoreflex T and a TC with 3 Lenses, and final y i have ayas hice FX-2 with 1 lens.

I might just bunch it all up and get myself a worth while film RF, like a Contax G-1/2 with a 45mm, or something else along those lines. Have to do research on this.

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

Put all three up for sale and when you've sold two, withdraw and keep the last one standing.

FWIW, I like the lens on the Trip but use a RF with it to be sure. There's one from the check and overhaul experts in in my keep forever heap and they don't have batteries to corrode the innards.

The Konica is also great, and a RF, but the Wein cells are expensive and don't get used enough to justify the price. I'd like an adapter for the battery problem but look at the price and you can't buy hearing aid batteries in ones so I'd throw most of the packet away.

Neither give any control over the exposure, although the Konica shows what it's doing in the VF.

When you do your research into the Contax I'd suggest you ask about repairs...

An Olympus XA might be the answer, small, aperture priority, no battery problems, +1½ EV override and RF focusing.

Regards, David

 

[Coopersounds]

I have had the C35 and Trip, never really like the hi-matics.
really though, even selling all 3 what are you likely to replace them with?
which is most intuitive to use?
for me I prefer the trip, simple, easy to use and low failure rate but others experiences are different.

 

[Saijem]

Great replies and info friends. "David", I did a little research on Contax G repairs and I see what you mean.

Although not truly a RF, my Trip is in excellent condition and it does shoot well. And considering the battery situation with my other 2, I've decided to just keep the Trip.
The Konica and the Minolta will find another home, no worries and no hassle.

I had a Canonet GIII a long time ago and I liked it allot, I've recently handled a Konica Auto S3, and it's a beauty. But I'm wondering if there are any other RFs of similar specs and craftsmanship, that was made more towards the 80's-90's, example: the XA.

I am going to sell my SLRs, just too much gear I don't use. I have my digital Fuji gear that's glued to my side. But I feel that there's a film RF out there, that I'm not aware of, just waiting for me.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

XA is getting too old for tiny electronics in it...


If you want RF experience, while having SLRs and the Trip, I recommend to look at Leica IIf with any 50mm lens you will like on it. I did well even with cheap Industar-22.
Having small, all metal, made in Germany (they never made them as good before and even after) and collapsible lens is very special experience. Opposite to automated SLRs and AE Trip.

Leica LTM cameras are serviced by independent technicians and those cameras are serviceable.

 

[LukeBanks]

C35 for the Hexanon lens.

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

Well, as you say "... I feel that there's a film RF out there, that I'm not aware of, just waiting for me" I'll add that we've all felt that way and that's mainly why we are here.

You've an incredible choice awaiting you and it all depends on taste and just how deep your pockets are. And these days you've a choice of film or digital. I'm guessing you want one with interchangeable lenses, as you already have used the Konica C35.

After that decision you can chose the classic older designs, the more modern classics or the "based ons"and that doesn't really cover it.

So I'll wish you luck.

Regards, David

 

[zuiko85]

Sell all three and get an Olympus 35RC.
*Compact
*Semi auto exposure and;
*Full manual control
*Does not need a battery to work on manual
Order a 43.5mm to 43mm step down filter ring from one of those HK dealers on e-bay.
This will allow you to use common size filters and lens hoods.

Oh yeah, it has a GN lens so any cheap small manual flash can be used as auto.