Hmm, which to go for?

[Larky]

Hell everyone, it's been a long time since I was active here.

I've been working hard with my job and haven't had chance to do much shooting, although I did get some shots up in a local, and very popular, night spot. Positive feedback has got me back into shooting again.

So I have an excuse to buy a new Camera. I have an SP35 and G1 and some others (you know how it goes, you collect!) but I'm after a fully manual, wide (28mm or wider) system. I've been hunting and am struggling to find anything which matches for less than the price of a nice Hexar RF system! Surely there must be something?

Basically, light (medical condition means heavy items bugger my right hand, I'm right handed which adds to it), wide lens, that's about it really apart from the obvious quality demands (i.e. no plastic lenses 😉 )

Any ideas?

A.

 

[rpsawin]

Larky,

Maybe a bit more info would be helpful. So,

Film or Digital
Interchangeable or Fixed len(s)
RF or DSLR
Maximum F Stop

Bob

 

[Larky]

Hello.

Sorry, yeah, forgot about that fairly important stuff.

Film, either interchangeable or fixed, not too fussed but of course interchangeable would be best, rangefinder please not too fused about aperture as I normally stick around 5.6 and 8.

Ta, A.

 

[shadowfox]

Interesting requirements, if you don't mind distance-focusing (no rangefinder), the Olympus XA4 sounds perfect for you, 28mm/3.5, very very light, and you'd have to show the proof to me if you say the image quality is not good 😉

 

[feenej]

Bessa R is lightweight (plastic). Konica C35 is very light.

 

[mark-b]

I think the Bessa R series will meet your needs. It's lighter than an M body, with basic metering.

 

[rpsawin]

I think the CV "R" series cameras and the related lenses present a big range of possibilities. If you want to keep the cost down there is a constant flow of very good used equipment on this site. Gandy's site is an excellent resource as well. You should be able to put together a great kit qiuckly and reasonably.

Good luck,

Bob

 

[bucks11]

I used a Bessa R for film class in school and it didn't seem to bother me carrying it all day. Very light and well made..
Just my 2 cents

 

[Larky]

I do like the idea of a Bessa, have wanted the L with extreme wide lens for a while but can never find them. Although I said film, digital would be ok too as long as it's quick. I have a GX100 but the delay, although small, is still present. I like to take the picture the instant I decide I want too, not when the camera is ready.

What about the Lumix G1 mini SLR, very different direction I know! I shoot very quick street stuff, normally in crowds, I like to be incredibly fast.

 

[Larky]

Hello. I've just had a nice tax refund come through, so my budget is a little higher. I can go to about £600, maybe a little more, and would like to go digital now. I originally wanted film, but already have 5 film cams and only 1 little digi. Also my film scanner died so digi is looking more and more inviting.

So, digi, I'd prefer a non fixed lens which I guess means SLR or micro 4/3rds G1. Anyone had any experience with the little G1?

 

[George S.]

There's many threads discussing the G-1. Some are even active now. Use the search button.