For those who know; which would be the keeper

[Saijem]

Ok, so the XA is piquing my interest and I'm going to check one out this weekend. I've already spent time with my nephew's XA2, but not with possibly purchasing one, at that time. And I saw a Konica Auto S3, beautiful...

The reason for the original question, in part, of which to keep between my Oly Trip35, Konica C35 and Minolta Hi F, was mainly because I don't use them much as I thought I would. And I have decided to keep the Trip for its image quality and uniqueness of not needing batteries. Let's call it an exotic attachment. That goes for the Nikon FG w/35, for nostalgia, because It was the camera I used in class, back in the 80's.

I also have a Polaroid "Rainbow" One Stop (sx70), that was a gift from my daughter, that's a keeper. I have a Canon Sure Shot A1 Underwater camera (which I've used outside in the rain!), which was given to me by my brother, that's a keeper too.

I just really want to cut down on the number of other film cameras that have come my way, here and there. Which include: another Nikon FG, an FE and an EM. I have a Yashica FX-2 w/50mm, I have a Konica Autoreflex T & TC w/40mm, 57mm & 135mm. They look great lined up on the shelf, but it's time to move on.

(Keeping in mind that I shoot 90% digital with my Fuji gear. I have my trusty X-E1, and I'm getting a X-E2S possibly later in the summer, but this has nothing to do with my search for a RF)

My ultimate goal, with the help of all of your great advice, is to get 1 RF to add to my user/keeper collection.

Time to pull up more specs!

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

That's interesting; mainly because I come back to this at intervals of a day or two I forget the way the thread started. So I'm wondering if your Konica C35 is the same as my Konica C35?

My C35 is a small neat, metal RF with a HEXANON f/2.8 38mm lens that's a little smaller than the Trip 35 and a bit bigger than the XA.

So the point I'm coming to is that you already have a RF and a good one at that. And then I wondered if the C35 in your part of the world is the larger, black plastic AF P&S from the late 70's. The (RF) C35 is a 4⅜" wide and the AF version is about an inch wider.

That would explain a lot of bafflement on my part...

Regards, David

 

[Arbitrarium]

I'm wondering if your Konica C35 is the same as my Konica C35?

The C35 came in rangefinder or scale focus versions. I believe the scale focus has a "V" on the front. That, and of course it's missing a rangefinder window.

I liked the C35 for the half-press exposure lock, but I'd agree the Trip is the one to keep if it's working.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Hi,

That's interesting; mainly because I come back to this at intervals of a day or two I forget the way the thread started. So I'm wondering if your Konica C35 is the same as my Konica C35?

My C35 is a small neat, metal RF with a HEXANON f/2.8 38mm lens that's a little smaller than the Trip 35 and a bit bigger than the XA.

So the point I'm coming to is that you already have a RF and a good one at that. And then I wondered if the C35 in your part of the world is the larger, black plastic AF P&S from the late 70's. The (RF) C35 is a 4⅜" wide and the AF version is about an inch wider.

That would explain a lot of bafflement on my part...

Regards, David

It isn't C35, it is C35 AF. Here is also C35 EF.

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

I asked because the same make & model of a camera can have three or four different names depending on the market, originally, and then people buy them on holiday and take them home and so the matter gets confused. And the internet stirs the pot even more...

What I think of as a RF was one of the original three mentioned and later on then a RF was sought. So I wondered if the Konica C35 mentioned at first was a non-RF version, or even the C35V (which has the "V" in a small badge lower on the body) or one of the AF versions.

I hope this doesn't sound rude about the OP, I'm just after a bit of clarity in case I'm confused.

Regards, David

 

[Saijem]

As mentioned before, I'm keeping the Oly Trip 35.

So after some consideration, visiting multiple store, digging through shelves and back rooms; I've found acquired 2 cameras that called out to me:

A Minolta Hi-Matic "9" (45mm f/1.7) and an Oly Stylus Pic DLX (35mm f/2.8 water resistant)

Both cameras are in beautiful condition. After a little clean up (not a ding on the HM9, gaskets intact on the Oly) and I feel it's almost time to take them out for a test drive.

I feel that with the HM9 I've got the solid, fast sharp lens RF and with the Oly I got the pocketable (although not RF) but sharp take anywhere camera. But testing must be performed on both either way and I'll follow up soon. Thanks again for all of your great input!!!

 

[ravilamir]

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

The Konica C35 original, V and Automatic all used the PX675.

The direct replacement is the ZA675 Zinc-air batteries.
You don't need to throw away the rest of the pack as they come individually sealed.
They will last for over a year if you buy a pack of 6.

 

[David Hughes]

The Konica C35 original, V and Automatic all used the PX675.

The direct replacement is the ZA675 Zinc-air batteries.
You don't need to throw away the rest of the pack as they come individually sealed.
They will last for over a year if you buy a pack of 6.

Hi,

That's very interesting about the batteries, thanks. I'll be getting some asap.

Regards, David

 

[Saijem]

Hello David, my C35 is most surely the same as yours. The first of a line that started in 1968 as a nice smallish well built f/2-ish. Many others had similar cameras out. But there were the hi classed (faster f/1.-ish lens) various Oly's, the Hi-Matic 7sii, the Konica Auto S3, etc.

So my decision on the Hi-M 9 is because it is big, about the same size and weight of the Hi-M 7, 7S and 11, as well as the Konica Auto S2, and the Leicas of that time. This camera is beautiful and all reports give the 45mm f/1.7 glass, very high marks.

As far as the Olympus Stylus Epic DLX, I just couldn't let this one go. I got it for $10. It cleaned up very well. No dings or scratches. I did a side by side comparison with the XA and the XA is 50 grams heavier (due to some of the chassis being metal), and a little thicker. But other than that, they are extremely pocketable clam shell, 35mm f/2.8 cameras. The Epic is also water resistant ang has spot metering.

I'll take these for a spin and see what I get.

 

[Ranchu]

It's funny how you started out trying to get rid of some, and then bought some more.

🙂

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

You'll like the Olympus but it took me a while to remember which variation on our names it was. And "cleaned up nicely" would be my verdict on a lot of cameras I've bought cheaply. No one seems able to look beyond the dirt at the camera. The best was completely covered with something sticky and sugary but a damp cloth gave me a wonderful $3 XA...

Now we'll await your test rolls.

Regards, David

 

[David Hughes]

It's funny how you started out trying to get rid of some, and then bought some more.

🙂

I don't think it's ever happened to any one else, do you? It must be the weather... ;-)

Regards, David

 

[Saijem]

You guys are so right! I think we're a rare breed, indeed.

Yes Ranchu, it happens to me allot. I go out to look around and, not always, but more often than not, I come home with a camera (or 2!)

David; the "cleaned up nicely", on these 2, is real. The Oly SE DLX has a slight 1/8 inch mark on the front and another on the back. The one I purchased is the champagne colored version, so the marks are negligible. And the Hi-Matic 9 is truly near mint. It has no visible scratches, dings or abrasions. The lens has no mold or haze is firmly in place, no wobble or looseness and all of the rings (aperture, shutter, focus) are dampened well, for a 50 year old camera. Although they are not in bad shape, I am going to replace the seals on HM9. I do this to most of the cameras in my ever changing collection. I feel that these were two nice finds.

Thanks again!

 

[Saijem]

Quick update: I sold the Olympus Stylus Epic for $100, I originally bought it $10, "Sold!"

Now, I still have the Trip 35, the HiMatic 9 and the Minoltina AL-S (aka Minoltina S) and I am liking the Minoltina, allot. It's smaller than a Hi-matic 7,9,11 or Konica Auto S2, and its bigger than the Konica Auto S3 or HiMatic 7sii. It uses no battery, it has a very nice 40mm f/1.8 6 element lens and it has a solid overall feel to it.

I've shot several rolls with it but haven't had a chance to drop off for developing.

I'm leaving on Tuesday to visit my daughter up in Seattle, and even though I'll be using my Fuji gear, the Minoltina is coming for the trip.

 

[Ranchu]

Have a good time, minoltina's are nice, sleek. I never got on very well with the stylus epic's myself..

 

[Saijem]

Thank you Ranchu, will do!

 

[Saijem]

oh no.... Just picked up a beautiful Canon 7, with an apparently working selenium meter and a clean Canon 50mm f/1.8 lens. Let's see what I've gotten myself into!