Like/Hate Compact 35

[conradyiu]

Just a stupid thought, in quite a while I had been looking for some compact 35 like Yashica GX, Oly XA, Minolta 7SII, Oly 35 SP, etc etc. Buy some eventually.

But really having too little time to use them all but only a display at home. Let them unused makes me unhappy.

Do you have the same feelings?

 

[dazedgonebye]

I try not to buy what I'm not going to use.
That said, there are a few cameras that sit unused because of better options and no time to shoot as much as I like.

For me though, the whole idea of a compact 35mm is to have it with you at all times for random opportunities. Get that XA and keep it in your pocket instead of on a shelf.

 

[btgc]

Lately Yashica Electro 35 MC has distilled as my favorite take-everywhere compact. It has key features - size matches role, aperture control, manual focus. Lens isn't speed monster, though f2.8 is quite OK in most cases; also can be scale focused without hit or miss as with faster lenses.

So I have decided to let go several compacts in favour of using MC more.

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

Why buy cameras you're not going to use?

 

[oftheherd]

I'm not sure, but I guess altogether, I must have something around 40 cameras. Everything from a so far unusable 8x10, to a Minolta 16 I haven't used in probably 40 years. Most are in working condition, but some that are no longer have film easily available, such as 616 or 127 (I even have a 127 rf). Others, like my TLR's just aren't a type of camera I am particularly fond of. That still leaves a lot of cameras. Even some 35 mm fixed lens rf like you mention to start this thread.

But I do try to use as many as I can. They all need to be exercised once in a while. I do like to keep a small camera at hand all the time. That may be a small P&S digital, fixed lens rf, or a Fujica ST series.

I think you will find you will do the same. I love everything about my Super Press 23 except for one thing; size. When I just want to have a camera, but not that size, an Olympus SP or Canonet 17 are a good thing to have in your arsenal. Get the fixed lens rf you want. You will find you like it.

 

[Migracer]

What to wear today?

What to wear today?

Every day is the same question. I start with the cameras that i currently wearing on my belt, a Canon Sure Shot Zoom 60 and a Panasonic Lumix FS3. Then it goes down hill from there, it depends where I am going and what I will be shooting. I am doing a major upgrade to my portfolio so I am shooting two rolls of film a day and countless digital Images. If I am not pressed for time and feeling artsy, I will bring the Kodak RF35 or The Brick. For action pictures I will pack the Canon Elan bodies and a slew of lenses. To many picture to take not enough time!

 

[ALEXFLEX]

This is a problem throughout the world recognized

 

[oftheherd]

Wow ALEXFLEX! That is a really nice photo. What equipment did you use? Was that cropped?

Very colorful and peaceful.

 

[ALEXFLEX]

Wow ALEXFLEX! That is a really nice photo. What equipment did you use? Was that cropped?

Very colorful and peaceful.

Horizon－202 Russian-made


http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=65703

http://shop.lomography.com/horizon/

 

[oftheherd]

Ah, that explains when it is so wide without looking like a wide angle lens shot. Very nice. I was thinking 6x9 or 9x12. Very nice indeed.

 

[kuvvy]

I too have a few cameras though not as many as most people here. I can't bear to have cameras about that don't get used so I'm currently having a bit of a clearout. Those going up for sale are a Mju-II, Fuji DL Supermini, Oly Trip 35 and a Canon G7 with the Richard Franiec grip and even my Nikon D80 and lenses may be going too. All good cameras but at the moment surplus to requirement.

 

[blackwave]

I use the heck out of my compact RF. I've had more expensive RF's, but I feel like I can turn it into a Winogrand RF (http://www.cameraquest.com/LeicaM4G.htm) without feeling bad.

 

[RayPA]

I have a lot of compact/point and shoot-type 35 mm cameras that don't get anywhere near the frequency of use that my full-size 35mm cameras get, and I don't have a problem with it at all. I try to rotate my usage. Right now, I have the Contax T loaded up, and before that I was using the Ricoh. I lent my Natura to my daughter to use on Halloween, the Minilux is on deck, the Nikon 35T is in the hole. 😛 It's a fun, collectible category of camera with some high quality offerings.

A good way to get use out of a compacts is load it up and pack it with your full-size gear. If you're shooting b&w load it with color. I'm not a fashion-conscious guy. I don't have a lot of jewelry, but I have a good range of compact 35mm cameras to "accessorize" with. 😛 For example, I'd take an XA to a tail-gate party, but not the Nikon or the Leica. A camera for every occasion!


.

 

[racoll]

I don't know that leaving them unused makes me feel as bad as not knowing which one to choose, because so many of them are very good. The number of cameras in my arsenal is fast approaching 200 but even so, I still try to put a roll through most of them throughout the year. The cameras on deck for this weekend are an Olympus 35-S f/2.8, an Oly 35-S f/1.8, Wards am551 (Konica Auto S2 with different badging), and a Kodak Automatic 35. It will be a busy but fun weekend.

 

[John Lawrence]

In the past I used to avidly read reviews / recommendations etc. buy the camera, get it serviced, use it a few times and then move on to the next one!

This led to quite a collection of cameras lying around unused. However, I recently had a change of heart and sold most of them (at a big loss) because I felt bad about not using something that someone else might get some enjoyment out of.

I don't know if I've evolved or devolved!