Yams
Member
Hi all,
I've been through camera after camera in search of one that fits what I want but I can't seem to find the right one. I'm looking for a mechanical compact camera, with a wide lens (wider than 35mm at least) that's reasonably fast, manual exposure, and uses scale focus. Something in between a Fuji Natura 1.9 and a Rollei 35. I'm thinking it might just come down to finding the right lens for my Leica and leaving it at that so I suppose that's the second part of my post; what wide lenses would people recommend for Leica that would essentially make it into an overgrown compact? Something similar to the Voigtlander 25mm Skopar but more pancake-esque possibly...
I've been through camera after camera in search of one that fits what I want but I can't seem to find the right one. I'm looking for a mechanical compact camera, with a wide lens (wider than 35mm at least) that's reasonably fast, manual exposure, and uses scale focus. Something in between a Fuji Natura 1.9 and a Rollei 35. I'm thinking it might just come down to finding the right lens for my Leica and leaving it at that so I suppose that's the second part of my post; what wide lenses would people recommend for Leica that would essentially make it into an overgrown compact? Something similar to the Voigtlander 25mm Skopar but more pancake-esque possibly...
stompyq
Well-known
Olympus XA4. 28mm lens. Scale focus. The lens is slow though but why would you care since it's scale focus and you need dof?
Yams
Member
Great cameras! Although not mechanical or manual exposure so unfortunately not what I'm looking for.
Arbitrarium
Well-known
My suggestion would be a Kodak Retina but they're all 50mm lenses. Unless you get the horrible later models with interchangeable front elements. Bleh. I love my Retina II, folds up tiny and has clear distance markings for scale focus. Used it successfully for street photography despite the standard focal length. I swear it's field of view is closer to 40mm...
Swift1
Veteran
I don't think that camera exists...
The Olympus 35RC... or a Leica CL are close to what you want...
The Olympus 35RC... or a Leica CL are close to what you want...
Yams
Member
I've had a couple and loved them for low light and stuff but they're just not what I'm looking for right now and if I'm using a rangefinder it'll be my Leica anyway. Thankyou though!
Yams
Member
They are good but unfortunately not wide enough and I prefer my Leica in regards ranegfinders. I think you might be right though; the camera I want doesn't exist
Maybe I could take the lens off a Rollei 35 and put a wider lens from a different camera on. Perhaps a broken XA4 would make a good donor... or a Vivitar ultra wide and slim even. I suppose the main thing would be cutting the lens barrel down so that it would leave the back of the lens close enough to the film but still allow the shutter to engage.Mark Schretlen
mostly harmless
I'd like one too. Basically you want a 35mm format version of something like the Fuji GS645W (120 film). You'll have better luck with an M/LTM body and finding a small LTM lens with your desired focal length.
Ko.Fe.
Lenses 35/21 Gears 46/20
Leica Series I and 28mm Orion-15, Russar 20mm. Those are pancake like lenses, will do on Leica.
This is most elegant, still serviceable compact kit which is as mechanical as it could get. IMO.
Bessa L, T will do as well.
This is most elegant, still serviceable compact kit which is as mechanical as it could get. IMO.
Bessa L, T will do as well.
Yams
Member
Oooh the Russar! I forgot about that! Thankyou for reminding me! I can stick it on my M6 for a compact enough setup.
I've noticed a couple of Ricoh GR lenses and Voigtlander wide angles that fit my needs reasonably well and, as Ko.Fe. mentioned I have the option of the Russian LTM stock as well which I had previously forgotten. Hopefully one day I'll manage to hack a Rollei sufficiently to do what I want.
ruby.monkey
Veteran
Ko.Fe.
Lenses 35/21 Gears 46/20
At your service!
Perar wide angle pancake lenses are as tiny as it could get. They will works with Bessa T or any M-mount camera. 28mm f4 Perar will works with M6 without VF.
Here is less expensive Minitar-1 32mm 2.8 lens. True pancake, but it only shines with color.
Perar wide angle pancake lenses are as tiny as it could get. They will works with Bessa T or any M-mount camera. 28mm f4 Perar will works with M6 without VF.
Here is less expensive Minitar-1 32mm 2.8 lens. True pancake, but it only shines with color.
valdas
Veteran
Bessa R4M + Skopar 21mm
MikeL
Go Fish
For a scale focus camera, I like using a Leica Standard with either a small 28mm or 35mm lens and external finder. I found a good finder worth the bulk over smaller scale focus camera options. Not your cheapest option when you add everything up, but it's small and keeps doing what it needs to even though it is 87 years old.
Yams
Member
I think if I'm going to spend my money on a lens I would prefer it to be wide over being as tiny as possible so the Russar might actually be a better option.
I have looked at the Skopar 21mm but I'm not wanting another modern rangefinder so i'll pass on the Bessa.
I have enjoyed using Barnack Leicas in the past so this could be an option; it's a lot smaller than the M6 and other similar modern rangefinders and I wouldn't need higher than 1/500th with a lens that only opens up to F/5.6. That's a tricky decision I'll have to put some thought into that.
Thank you all for your great suggestions!
mpaniagua
Newby photographer
Bessa T and Canon 28 f2.8 is a great combo. Recently got the T with the Heliar combo but been trying the T with all sort of lenses. I think its compact enough.
Been on the look for a If on the right price/conditions.
Regards
Marcelo
sevo
Fokutorendaburando
There have been a few "wide" (at that time mostly 35mm) fixed-lens cameras in the all-mechanical pre AE era, like the Olympus Wide and Wide S, Ricoh Wide 2.4 or Kowa SW. But these are bigger than a Leica IIIf with wide angle lens...
Yams
Member
Thanks for the suggestion Marcelo but for the difference in size between the Bessa T and the M6 is negligible enough that I'll stick with the M6.
These are the best suggestions and the closest cameras to what I want that anyone on any forum has recommended so far and I had already known about the Kowa and totally forgotten! How stupid of me! It's a shame the Kowas are so expensive for what they are :/ They probably are bigger than the Leica but having a camera with a fixed lens that was made specifically for it is more appealing to me somehow. Thankyou for reminding me and letting me know about the Ricoh and the Olympus!
