andrew00
Established
Hey,
I'm going to be travelling in a bit and was looking to pickup a film camera to record the memories.
I've gone back and forth about what to buy, from P+S's to a Leica M6 etc.
Ultimately, I decided it's best to buy something not too expensive so I can spend the money on actually travelling, lol.
A P+S like the Contax T3 seemed ideal. It's small but, in it's usage, really high quality, with a great lens and a nice compact and portable body. I also really like the 35mm focal length for feeling a lot like a memory.
The problem is the T3 has skyrocketed in price, so I'm looking at some other options that are equally a) HQ b) Compact. Ideally also c) with a fast lens (aka f2.8 and better)
I was wondering if anyone can recommend a P+S camera that will do the above?
From what I've been looking at, the super cheap Mju II actually seemed a strong contender, esp since it's so cheap I could always get two, one for colour and one for b+w.
Ironically it's cheap price has typically put me off a little, i.e. as you'd expect it to not quite have the quality of the T3, and I'm really looking for something to record 'once in a lifetime' type memories. But if it's great, then great!
I was wondering if there's any other / more suited suggestions?
I'm going to be travelling in a bit and was looking to pickup a film camera to record the memories.
I've gone back and forth about what to buy, from P+S's to a Leica M6 etc.
Ultimately, I decided it's best to buy something not too expensive so I can spend the money on actually travelling, lol.
A P+S like the Contax T3 seemed ideal. It's small but, in it's usage, really high quality, with a great lens and a nice compact and portable body. I also really like the 35mm focal length for feeling a lot like a memory.
The problem is the T3 has skyrocketed in price, so I'm looking at some other options that are equally a) HQ b) Compact. Ideally also c) with a fast lens (aka f2.8 and better)
I was wondering if anyone can recommend a P+S camera that will do the above?
From what I've been looking at, the super cheap Mju II actually seemed a strong contender, esp since it's so cheap I could always get two, one for colour and one for b+w.
Ironically it's cheap price has typically put me off a little, i.e. as you'd expect it to not quite have the quality of the T3, and I'm really looking for something to record 'once in a lifetime' type memories. But if it's great, then great!
I was wondering if there's any other / more suited suggestions?
retinax
Well-known
Maybe also look at the Nikon L35 AF, I have no personal experience to offer, but a member here has posted pictures from it in a thread about sonnar lenses recently, seems to be a special lens (35/2.8, supposedly sonnar type).
valdas
Veteran
Mju II is a nice camera (in terms of IQ), but does not have an aperture control, if that is important to you. I would hate to get wide open aperture landscape shots in lower light conditions... In general, P&S with aperture priority are quite rare... and now all of them quite expensive - Contaxes, Minolta TC-1, Nikon 35 Ti, Fuji Klasse...
retinax
Well-known
Oh and another idea: the Contax G1 and a lens is also cheaper than a t3, right? Can be used like a p&s and you can buy other lenses for it in the future
valdas
Veteran
...so maybe Hexar AF?
jazzwave
Well-known
If you ok with manual focus, go to Konica Auto S3
Size and Image Quality comparable with T3.
The Hexanon 38/1.8 on S3 is amazing lens, I prefer this lens rather than 35/2.8 sonar on T3.
regards
Size and Image Quality comparable with T3.
The Hexanon 38/1.8 on S3 is amazing lens, I prefer this lens rather than 35/2.8 sonar on T3.
regards
Peter_S
Peter_S
- Leica Minilux, but fitting filters needs work.
- I also quite like the Contax T which I use sometimes along the T3.
- Contax G2 with the 45mm Planar.
In the end, nothing quite beats the T3.
- I also quite like the Contax T which I use sometimes along the T3.
- Contax G2 with the 45mm Planar.
In the end, nothing quite beats the T3.
Archlich
Well-known
The Konica Big Mini F is often called the poor man's Contax T3. Better lens (35/2.8 lens, 6 elements in 4 groups) than the Mju II, but not as intuitive to use.
The Hexar is extremely capable (even more so than the T3), but since it's quite large it'll be a different route.
Coincidentally my camera of choice for long distance (100+ miles) backcountry hiking was also a Mju II. Now it's a Hexar, which is larger and not weatherproof, but has more controls and better end result.
The Hexar is extremely capable (even more so than the T3), but since it's quite large it'll be a different route.
Coincidentally my camera of choice for long distance (100+ miles) backcountry hiking was also a Mju II. Now it's a Hexar, which is larger and not weatherproof, but has more controls and better end result.
brbo
Well-known
If you are surrounded by lots of super cheap mju II cameras. Buy 5 of them, sell them on eBay (have you checked the price of a fully working mju 2 there?!) and then that T3 will be much easier to buy...
Or, since you consider mju 2 super cheap, what about not that more expensive Yashica T4 or T5.
kiss-o-matic
Well-known
What's your budget? I'd suggest looking at the Slim-T or Kyocera Proof / Yashica T4 or T5 as mentioned by brbo. These do not have manual controls unfortunately (none for the Slim-T... not used the others but I believe somewhere along the same lines). I am quite impressed w/ the Slim-T's lens though. Auto focus... I get good results and I'm shooting moving targets, from the hip most of the time.
Personally I find the Contax T2 controls better than the T3. The extra 3mm irks me to no end though.
Finally, a Yashica Electro CC is 35mm, is fully maual, small (not as small as a P&S but small) and pretty cheap all things considered. The 1/250 max shutter speed might hurt you though.
There's not a lot out there that's affordable, with the control you want, and w/ the lens quality you want. Just gotta decide what you can live without (including money, in some cases).
Personally I find the Contax T2 controls better than the T3. The extra 3mm irks me to no end though.
Finally, a Yashica Electro CC is 35mm, is fully maual, small (not as small as a P&S but small) and pretty cheap all things considered. The 1/250 max shutter speed might hurt you though.
There's not a lot out there that's affordable, with the control you want, and w/ the lens quality you want. Just gotta decide what you can live without (including money, in some cases).
iamzip
Ambitious, but rubbish
Surprised no one has mentioned the Fuji Klasse / Rollei AFM 35 twins, so I'll do it! Very high quality, very sharp lens, full auto P&S with some manual overrides. f/2.6 38mm lens. I haven't looked at prices since I got my Rollei years ago, but should still be significantly cheaper than the T3 while still being "premium."
benmacphoto
Well-known
I've owned the Contax T3, Olympus MJU II, Yashica T2/T3/T4
The Contax T3 is a great camera, but the price caused me to pass it on.
The MJU II focus was good 90% of the time.
The Yashicas were the best for the price to performance.
Nice Zeiss lens, always hit focus, and great price.
The T4 can be found around $300, compared to the Contax T3 at over $1000.
The Yashica T3 has a slightly different lens, 35mm f2.8 Zeiss vs the Yashica T4 which is 35mm f3.5 Zeiss
The Contax T3 is a great camera, but the price caused me to pass it on.
The MJU II focus was good 90% of the time.
The Yashicas were the best for the price to performance.
Nice Zeiss lens, always hit focus, and great price.
The T4 can be found around $300, compared to the Contax T3 at over $1000.
The Yashica T3 has a slightly different lens, 35mm f2.8 Zeiss vs the Yashica T4 which is 35mm f3.5 Zeiss
kuuan
loves old lenses
How about Yashica T3 ( with Zeiss T f2.8/35mm ), if that is too big the T4 and T5, but they have a slower f3.5/35mm lens, or the Minolta AF-C, tiny camera with very good f2.8/35mm lens
( don't have shooting experience yet, only recently picked up both a Yashica T3 and a Minolta AF-C at a junk sale, the red T made me take the Yashica and the Minolta just looked so lovely.. only later "googled them" and found very positive reports! )
( don't have shooting experience yet, only recently picked up both a Yashica T3 and a Minolta AF-C at a junk sale, the red T made me take the Yashica and the Minolta just looked so lovely.. only later "googled them" and found very positive reports! )
Huss
Veteran
Nikon 35ti. Same class as the Contax T3, but at about 1/3 of the price now.
Axel
singleshooter
Thats all about marketing tricks.
Put a Zeiss or a T* brand on the camera and pay ten times more for them.
I had some Yashica T3 in the last years. Sold the last one because the hype
is so heavy now and you get reasonable money for this old point´n shoot again.
A (brandnew) Ricoh FF70 does the job now. Not worse, not better but the FF70 still is
what the Yashicas were for years - cheap
Look at the prices for Konicas BigMini.
The next hype...
Put a Zeiss or a T* brand on the camera and pay ten times more for them.
I had some Yashica T3 in the last years. Sold the last one because the hype
is so heavy now and you get reasonable money for this old point´n shoot again.
A (brandnew) Ricoh FF70 does the job now. Not worse, not better but the FF70 still is
what the Yashicas were for years - cheap
Look at the prices for Konicas BigMini.
The next hype...
NickTrop
Veteran
Yashica T3 (or T4)
Ricoh FF70/90
Pentax PC35AF
Nikon L35AF
I've owned all but the T4 (had the T3). The only ones I currently own are the Pentax and the Nikon. All are fine picture takers with simple sharp 35/2.8 coated tessars, exception being the Nikon which has a sonnar lens formulation.
Ricoh FF70/90
Pentax PC35AF
Nikon L35AF
I've owned all but the T4 (had the T3). The only ones I currently own are the Pentax and the Nikon. All are fine picture takers with simple sharp 35/2.8 coated tessars, exception being the Nikon which has a sonnar lens formulation.
johannielscom
Snorting silver salts
Look at the Yashica AW-Mini 35.
Greatly resembles the T3 but more automated and a 3.5 lens.
Or get the Yashica T-AF. That even has a 3.5 Zeiss lens.
Greatly resembles the T3 but more automated and a 3.5 lens.
Or get the Yashica T-AF. That even has a 3.5 Zeiss lens.
- AF: Olympus Mju-II
- MF: Revue 400SE
- MF: Minolta 7s-II
- MF: Konica Auto S3
- MF: Vivitar 35ES (Like a black Leica M3 in design and paint quality!)
- MF: Canonet 17
- AF: Hexar AF (but it's expensive)
- MF: Cosina CX-I or CX-II (the ancestor of the Lomo LC-A but better quality control)
- AF: Konica Big Mini or A4 (essentially the same camera)
f16sunshine
Moderator
There is a black Contax T in the classified from a great Rfff member for under $350. Similar zeiss lens to T3 but manual focus.
For AF, I recommend mju2 and hexar af.
These are my two along with Olympus xa/xa3.
The fuji klass/Rollei afm35 was also great althogh hard to find in US.
I sold my rollei about a year ago for or $300ish.
Preffer the mju2.
Few of these af cameras are super at infinity for landscapes. Contax models included.
Fair warning!
recent mju2
mju2 6 by Adnan, on Flickr
For AF, I recommend mju2 and hexar af.
These are my two along with Olympus xa/xa3.
The fuji klass/Rollei afm35 was also great althogh hard to find in US.
I sold my rollei about a year ago for or $300ish.
Preffer the mju2.
Few of these af cameras are super at infinity for landscapes. Contax models included.
Fair warning!
recent mju2
mju2 6 by Adnan, on Flickr
DanskDynamit
Well-known
mju-II e basta.
sepiareverb
genius and moron
Thanks for the bump on the T Andy.
The original T has a very nice setup for shooting at f8 with DOF markings that lets one shoot quickly. Size is comparable to the T3, volume-wise anyhow. The Nikon 35Ti is also very good, but bigger by a fair bit.
The original T has a very nice setup for shooting at f8 with DOF markings that lets one shoot quickly. Size is comparable to the T3, volume-wise anyhow. The Nikon 35Ti is also very good, but bigger by a fair bit.