NickTrop
Veteran
Yes! The Olympus XA line! Maybe a couple digitals. But guess what? That's about it. (Yes -- I'm sure there were others maybe -- some Rollei or Minox that I'm sure RFF members will "testily" point out...) For the sake of argument I will thus proclaim, "There are virtually NO truly pocketable cameras -- other than your cell phone..."
Now others will say, the (insert brand, insert camera) is pocketable! Why I carry one in my giant pocketed cargo pants that's weged in there with a shoe horn and requires a pair of long nose pliers to extract.
But who really needs pocketable? It's silly. The solution is simple and thus... Forget you own giant heavy zooms. Getchyer big honkin' DSLR or ever so slighty less honkin' mirrorless, or film rangefinder attach a small, light prime lens. Not one of those new five pounder monstrosities (lookin' at you Sigma Art),
THEN, invest in something called "a camera strap". You might see actors playing photographers using these in old movies from the 60's. The camera hangs over your chest. Be careful. Don't buy a "wrist strap". They are annoying as you'll soon grow tired of having a camera dangling from your wrist all day. You will want to have coffee, enjoy a delicious sandwich, or use a rest room and that can makes things cumbersome. You don't want one of those ridiculous and expensive "sling" things. Please. They're absurd.
Nope. Just a regular camera strap. Leave with a small light prime lens (which means you'll likely have to buy an old one). Forget those small what I call "1/2 cameras" like the Ricoh GR and assorted Fuji whatevers that lop off 1/2 the features (so you can then buy the other 1/2 of your camera as aftermarket accessories at crazy inflated prices.)
The GRs and Fujis are too small! That's right. They're too small for a camera strap, which means you'll be holding them in your hand, have them dangling annoyingly from a wrist strap, or ask your wife or luva to put it in their purse. In fact, you might ask them if they're bringing their larger purse for you to use as a camera bag later in the day.
So to recap. There really aren't any pockatable cameras. 1/2-camera options like the Ricoh GRs and Fuji X-whateveres have horrible ergos because they are too small and light for a camera strap, but too large for your pocket so you have to carry them like a baby all day. Invest in a camera strap, leave the bag at home, carry one small light prime lens of a focal length of your choosing on a full(not half)camera, preferably a full frame DSLR.
Tips
If you're worried you might look geeky with a normal camera strap. I borrowed my "coo' look'" from Jimmy Page, who made his guitar teachers cringe by playing his guitar at knee-level instead of the center of his chest. For some reason this looks coo' but the center of the chest looks silly. I use an extra long strap and sling the camera around my back. Make sure it's leather.
I think the "regular old cameras strap" fell out of favor because of that whole "foreign tourist" thing and you think you'll not look coo'. You're shooting with a film rangefinder from 1966, fer C sakes in a sea of cell phone shooters. You already look ridiculous. Might as wll go with it.
Carry a plastic grocery bag in your back pocket in case it rains.
Here's a good one. Canpis. Leather. $20-ish bucks.
Now others will say, the (insert brand, insert camera) is pocketable! Why I carry one in my giant pocketed cargo pants that's weged in there with a shoe horn and requires a pair of long nose pliers to extract.
But who really needs pocketable? It's silly. The solution is simple and thus... Forget you own giant heavy zooms. Getchyer big honkin' DSLR or ever so slighty less honkin' mirrorless, or film rangefinder attach a small, light prime lens. Not one of those new five pounder monstrosities (lookin' at you Sigma Art),
THEN, invest in something called "a camera strap". You might see actors playing photographers using these in old movies from the 60's. The camera hangs over your chest. Be careful. Don't buy a "wrist strap". They are annoying as you'll soon grow tired of having a camera dangling from your wrist all day. You will want to have coffee, enjoy a delicious sandwich, or use a rest room and that can makes things cumbersome. You don't want one of those ridiculous and expensive "sling" things. Please. They're absurd.
Nope. Just a regular camera strap. Leave with a small light prime lens (which means you'll likely have to buy an old one). Forget those small what I call "1/2 cameras" like the Ricoh GR and assorted Fuji whatevers that lop off 1/2 the features (so you can then buy the other 1/2 of your camera as aftermarket accessories at crazy inflated prices.)
The GRs and Fujis are too small! That's right. They're too small for a camera strap, which means you'll be holding them in your hand, have them dangling annoyingly from a wrist strap, or ask your wife or luva to put it in their purse. In fact, you might ask them if they're bringing their larger purse for you to use as a camera bag later in the day.
So to recap. There really aren't any pockatable cameras. 1/2-camera options like the Ricoh GRs and Fuji X-whateveres have horrible ergos because they are too small and light for a camera strap, but too large for your pocket so you have to carry them like a baby all day. Invest in a camera strap, leave the bag at home, carry one small light prime lens of a focal length of your choosing on a full(not half)camera, preferably a full frame DSLR.
Tips
If you're worried you might look geeky with a normal camera strap. I borrowed my "coo' look'" from Jimmy Page, who made his guitar teachers cringe by playing his guitar at knee-level instead of the center of his chest. For some reason this looks coo' but the center of the chest looks silly. I use an extra long strap and sling the camera around my back. Make sure it's leather.
I think the "regular old cameras strap" fell out of favor because of that whole "foreign tourist" thing and you think you'll not look coo'. You're shooting with a film rangefinder from 1966, fer C sakes in a sea of cell phone shooters. You already look ridiculous. Might as wll go with it.
Carry a plastic grocery bag in your back pocket in case it rains.
Here's a good one. Canpis. Leather. $20-ish bucks.
markjwyatt
Well-known
The closest thing I have to a pocketable camera is a Konica BigMini HG. It seems to take nice pictures, but I am not a big fan of auto-everything cameras (the the BG has some capability to intervene).
Solinar
Analog Preferred
Keep in mind that I wear cargo pants - and - rarely use neck straps.
I've attended an all day music fest with my Oly XA nestled in my pants pocket within a Rollei 35 pouch to keep out dust.
My Rollei 35S does well in a pants pocket during my lunch break.
I've attended an all day music fest with my Oly XA nestled in my pants pocket within a Rollei 35 pouch to keep out dust.
My Rollei 35S does well in a pants pocket during my lunch break.
emraphoto
Veteran
My GR is in my jeans pocket right now.
markjwyatt
Well-known
The Rollei 35S would probably be the ideal pocketable camera for me, personally.
NickTrop
Veteran
Oh -- c'mon. I've held the GR. Not doubting you but that has to be (a) uncomforable. And (b) what's the point of having an "at the ready" camera that's supposed to be for "capturing the decisisve moment" and "street photography" that's tucked away in your jeans?
B-9
Devin Bro
My GRDII lives in a pocket.
I agree it’s to small for a traditional neck strap.
Any old wrist strap is more than adequate.
I never minded using neck straps and never once thought I looked funny wearing one.
Now putting on the old Banana Republic Trade Co. Vest with all the pockets and such... that’s when I feel a little goofy. Who needs a bag when you can wear your gear!
Oh and the most decisive moment in my day is choosing a beer from the top shelf or the middle shelf. See the old fridge tends to freeze the top shelf beers, but the bottom shelf tends to be a little warmer. Do I want Ice Cold or just Cold Cold... dilemmas
I agree it’s to small for a traditional neck strap.
Any old wrist strap is more than adequate.
I never minded using neck straps and never once thought I looked funny wearing one.
Now putting on the old Banana Republic Trade Co. Vest with all the pockets and such... that’s when I feel a little goofy. Who needs a bag when you can wear your gear!
Oh and the most decisive moment in my day is choosing a beer from the top shelf or the middle shelf. See the old fridge tends to freeze the top shelf beers, but the bottom shelf tends to be a little warmer. Do I want Ice Cold or just Cold Cold... dilemmas
NickTrop
Veteran
I have come to like point-n-shooters. They're currently the only film cameras I shoot. But I'm very picky. Right now I shoot a Pentax PC35AF. Nothing wrong with program mode. Just point, shoot. The camera gets it right and most of these have slow 35mm lenses that are not the greatest performers at wide apertures anyway.
shawn
Veteran
Sometimes a person doesn't want to walk around with a camera around their neck all day.
Pocketable cameras are great to always have a camera readily available while also being more discrete. Nikon Coolpix A fits a shirt pocket easily, as does the Sony RX100, X70, Ricoh GR and such all would too.
For really tiny camera that fits any pocket (even in its hard case) this thing does extremely well.
Shawn
Pocketable cameras are great to always have a camera readily available while also being more discrete. Nikon Coolpix A fits a shirt pocket easily, as does the Sony RX100, X70, Ricoh GR and such all would too.
For really tiny camera that fits any pocket (even in its hard case) this thing does extremely well.
Shawn
presspass
filmshooter
Depends on the pocket. My 111a with collapsed Summar or 35 3.5 Elmar will fit easily in a jacket or vest pocket and would probably go in a rear pocket of a pair of jeans. I don't see the point of doing either - too hard to get the camera out when you see something to use it on. I agree with the OP, put a strap on it, sling it around your neck, over your shoulder, or wrap it around your wrist and head out. If you want the ultimate in geekdom, get a fanny pack.
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NickTrop
Veteran
Ko.Fe.
Lenses 35/21 Gears 46/20
I have fit in my pocket Leica M and LTM with collapsible, pancake lens on it.
Anything like GR, Rolley 35, Smena and many others film and digital are pocketable in soft case. If you are not sissy or at the beach.
Anything like GR, Rolley 35, Smena and many others film and digital are pocketable in soft case. If you are not sissy or at the beach.
Mackinaw
Think Different
I like my Retina IIC Folder.
Jim B.
Jim B.
jamin-b
Well-known
Fuji Tiara!
Sent from my HTC U11 using Tapatalk
Sent from my HTC U11 using Tapatalk
vicrattlehead
Newbie
Nikon Coolpix A. Wish they would come out with an updated version of it.
CharlesDAMorgan
Veteran
My Leica III with Elmar fits perfectly in my shirt pocket.
Enjoyable rant though!
Enjoyable rant though!
FujiLove
Well-known
The Olympus XA3 is my most pocket-able camera. I believe the Mju-II is even sleeker. The old Minox sub-minature cameras would have been good candidates, but as you can no longer buy 110 film, those should probably be ruled out.
I'm hoping a guy with custom-made pants for his Pentax 67 replies soon.
I'm hoping a guy with custom-made pants for his Pentax 67 replies soon.
shawn
Veteran
Minox cameras don't use 110. You can cut down 35mm to reload their cassettes pretty easily. I shoot a Minox B from time to time, great fun.
Shawn
Shawn
mpaniagua
Newby photographer
umm interesting thread. Give me an idea of other people pocket sizes 
For me, when I think of a pocketable camera, usually go for my IIIF with Elmar. Fits well on my pants and jacket. Rollei 35S follow next, although I usually carry that by its hand strap and case.
Tried Olympus Stylus but somehow, being plastic, I'm always worrying about breaking it, so no, not normally my choice for pocketable camera.
Agree about the Retina II.
Regards
Marcelo
For me, when I think of a pocketable camera, usually go for my IIIF with Elmar. Fits well on my pants and jacket. Rollei 35S follow next, although I usually carry that by its hand strap and case.
Tried Olympus Stylus but somehow, being plastic, I'm always worrying about breaking it, so no, not normally my choice for pocketable camera.
Agree about the Retina II.
Regards
Marcelo
nightfly
Well-known
I realize this isn't really a discussion but rather a provocation like most of your posts (which for the record I like) but I'll bite and say that a GR either digital or analog, does fit in all but the tightest jean pockets. The analog version isn't much thicker than a roll of film by design. The later digital ones a little thicker.
They certainly fit in the pocket of any sort of jacket. No need for a strap or to ask your significant other to carry. I often throw mine in a pocket when I'm going out at night or don't want to carry anything. But I know you also have a thing against smaller than full frame sensors, which I sorta concur with but the GR is the best compromise I've found.
They certainly fit in the pocket of any sort of jacket. No need for a strap or to ask your significant other to carry. I often throw mine in a pocket when I'm going out at night or don't want to carry anything. But I know you also have a thing against smaller than full frame sensors, which I sorta concur with but the GR is the best compromise I've found.