Gadge
Established
Just been re-reading this thread.
A few words on quality from 35mm compact cameras. I have been a bit of a small camera geek in the past so have used quite a few high spec compacts with either scale focus, auto focus or rangefinders. This what I thought of them....
The Contax T2 is the best all rounder in my experience. Fantastic Zeiss Sonnar lens quality and a useful built in flash for light indoor use. Program and AV modes, although weirdly, F2.8 aperture setting is also used to put it in program mode so there is no way to force it to use 2.8 and take a shot. It has excellent build qualitry with the body in titanium and the vf in saphire glass. It makes a great travel camera but is not exactly shirt pocket size. I often used to take it and a Minox as a pair on holiday which weighed less than an SLR and gave a lot of flexibility for carrying and film choice options.
I now have a Leica M and prefer to use that as my main camera but still take either the T2 or ML as a backup.
The Minox ML is not quite as good image wise as the T2 but is more than acceptable quality for me. It has many other advantages of weight, size and cool add on flashes over the T2. Plus it has some neat accessories such as leather ERC (I think it essential to use this to keep dust/lint out of the camera when in the pocket). I love the ML. It is a really nice camera with well thought out functions (se higher up the trhread) and I would never part with mine.
I also owned a working Minox PL for a while but found it limiting as it is program mode only (the usual Minox aperture settings being used for flash only).
Rollei 35 is an interesting design with a decent Tessar lens. Took very nice pictures but I found it a bit too quirky. It is rather heavy to lug about in a suit jacket but tolerable in a big overcoat pocket. Haven't used mine for years now, should sell it really but can't be bothered.
Olympus XE is ok but didn't enjoy it as much as I had hoped. Lens is tolerable but not amazing. I also owned the XE2 from new and enjoyed the simplicity of this model which does not have a rangefinder. I have inherited a Trip recently and the simplicity/quality of this design is quite good too.
Maybe someone will appreciate finding this info sometime?
Gadge
A few words on quality from 35mm compact cameras. I have been a bit of a small camera geek in the past so have used quite a few high spec compacts with either scale focus, auto focus or rangefinders. This what I thought of them....
The Contax T2 is the best all rounder in my experience. Fantastic Zeiss Sonnar lens quality and a useful built in flash for light indoor use. Program and AV modes, although weirdly, F2.8 aperture setting is also used to put it in program mode so there is no way to force it to use 2.8 and take a shot. It has excellent build qualitry with the body in titanium and the vf in saphire glass. It makes a great travel camera but is not exactly shirt pocket size. I often used to take it and a Minox as a pair on holiday which weighed less than an SLR and gave a lot of flexibility for carrying and film choice options.
I now have a Leica M and prefer to use that as my main camera but still take either the T2 or ML as a backup.
The Minox ML is not quite as good image wise as the T2 but is more than acceptable quality for me. It has many other advantages of weight, size and cool add on flashes over the T2. Plus it has some neat accessories such as leather ERC (I think it essential to use this to keep dust/lint out of the camera when in the pocket). I love the ML. It is a really nice camera with well thought out functions (se higher up the trhread) and I would never part with mine.
I also owned a working Minox PL for a while but found it limiting as it is program mode only (the usual Minox aperture settings being used for flash only).
Rollei 35 is an interesting design with a decent Tessar lens. Took very nice pictures but I found it a bit too quirky. It is rather heavy to lug about in a suit jacket but tolerable in a big overcoat pocket. Haven't used mine for years now, should sell it really but can't be bothered.
Olympus XE is ok but didn't enjoy it as much as I had hoped. Lens is tolerable but not amazing. I also owned the XE2 from new and enjoyed the simplicity of this model which does not have a rangefinder. I have inherited a Trip recently and the simplicity/quality of this design is quite good too.
Maybe someone will appreciate finding this info sometime?
Gadge
Last edited:
P
polaski
Guest
I chose the ML about 20 years ago because of the AE lock, that, when used thoughtfully, gives me full manual control over the camera. BTW, it fits into the small Zing belt pouch perfectly.
It will also take 32 mm screw-in and slip-on filters, in common with a number of other older cameras I have.
It will also take 32 mm screw-in and slip-on filters, in common with a number of other older cameras I have.
ChrisPlatt
Thread Killer
I gave away my Minox 35GT when I got my 35ML.
Chris
Chris
Sparrow
Veteran
Christmas present, half way through the second roll, pics to follow .. we seem to be agreeing on exposers so far. Film loading is novel but not as bad as the doors on the Bessa and Nikon stuff
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2763/4215098555_f174da5bda_b.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2763/4215098555_f174da5bda_b.jpg
Sparrow
Veteran
and it works outdoors too :yes
the guess-focus is still a bit disconcerting
Sparrow
Veteran
when it gets warmer I'll shoot a roll in good daylight, looking at the negs in general they look a bit under-exposed, which is good in a way as I could set at 800 on the camera and develop at 1600.
the camera only goes to 800
Wahoo
Washing on Siegfried Line
Stewart, is that top photo Mrs Spuggie ? ?
I don't have a GT or ML but here's a photo from my '78 Minox EL and it's still working .
I don't have a GT or ML but here's a photo from my '78 Minox EL and it's still working .
Sparrow
Veteran
Stewart, is that top photo Mrs Spuggie ? ?
I don't have a GT or ML but here's a photo from my '78 Minox EL and it's still working .
Mother-in-law ...
Vincenzo Maielli
Well-known
I have used a Minox 35 GT, very nice camera, now i own a 35 GTE. I suggest you the 35 ML.
Ciao.
Vincenzo
Ciao.
Vincenzo