Newbie looking for a (relatively) affordable and durable point & shoot with decent IQ

[newjerseysurf]

To add to what KoFe said, if you want a bona fide SLR, many of the best cameras ever made (with a light meter) only need a few little 1.5v button cells. A 1/3N is what I use in all of my film cameras aside from the motorized P&S and the weird little Pentax I mentioned earlier. These days, the market is really weird and a full featured SLR can often go for the same price or less, than a used P&S like many mentioned in this thread. For ~$50 USD you could get a working Spotmatic with a 50mm lens and you'd be set.
I noticed your forum name. If you're near Philly, let us know and a few of us probably have some cameras you can play around with. I know I can only use one at a time, really, and right now with grad school in full swing I barely have time to take a photo of anything more than one of my cats.

Phil Forrest

VERY nice of you to offer. i am actually living up near NYC at the moment.

in regards to the camera - i am not really looking for an SLR. the reason i am interested in a P&S is mainly the portability along with the fact that i really like the look and "feel" of film - and want to learn.

i already have a Fuji X-T2 as my main camera. i am on the search for a durable camera with decent IQ for the times that i don't want to lug the Fuji around.

thanks!

 

[aizan]

Fuji DL-300.

That's a good looking camera! How do you like the features and overall feel?

The DL-200 is pretty nice, too:

 

[Scope79]

Fuji Dl-300 is a nice camera, but it uses DL245 lithium battery which isn't cheap. My vote would go for Nikon L35AF, really nice lens and camera ergonomics are fantastic too.

 

[David Hughes]

...in regards to the camera - i am not really looking for an SLR. the reason i am interested in a P&S is mainly the portability along with the fact that i really like the look and "feel" of film - and want to learn.

i already have a Fuji X-T2 as my main camera. i am on the search for a durable camera with decent IQ for the times that i don't want to lug the Fuji around.

thanks!

Hi,

The problem is that durability means metal and glass and that doesn't make them all portable in the "slip it into the pocket sense" but one or two meet your spec. I'd suggest, based on experience, the Olympus XA2 I've always had one and bought mine after the XA turned out to be rather fragile (but it does have a decent lens). Neither of them are P&S's but the XA2 comes pretty close, you just have to think for a second before pressing the shutter. Here's a sample:-

It's a bit touristy but that's what the XA2 is good at.

Regards, David

 

[charjohncarter]

Another vote for the Olympus Stylus Infinity. I've have one from new and beat the daylights out of it and it still works great. Be careful of the Canon 35AF I have one and it has never worked well or took decent photos and is now dead.

The Olympus Stylus Infinity has a great lens:

Sardis by John Carter, on Flickr

blow-up

Crop by John Carter, on Flickr

 

[Huss]

Fuji Dl-300 is a nice camera, but it uses DL245 lithium battery which isn't cheap. My vote would go for Nikon L35AF, really nice lens and camera ergonomics are fantastic too.

It actually uses the DL223A/CRP2 battery.
Which still isn't cheap.

But here's a question. Looking at that battery, it seems to just be two CR123 batteries packaged in a plastic case. Is it possible to replace the CRP2 with two CR123s? The advantage is that CR123s are available as rechargeable.

 

[newjerseysurf]

Which of the recommended cameras take easy to find (cheap) batteries?

 

[KenR]

I second the Yashica Electro35 GSN. I just picked one up for $10 (I probably overpaid) but paid $12.50 for a battery from B&H. IMHO the lens is one of the sharpest that I own. But a bit heavy and not a P&S.

 

[Huss]

Which of the recommended cameras take easy to find (cheap) batteries?

I dont know of any that take cheap ie aa/aaa batteries. they all seem to take lithium cells, some are just harder to find than others locally. but w the internet anything is available in a few days.
It’s handy to find on that takes cr2 or cr123 cells as those tend to be easier to
find locally, are also made as rechargeable, and can be bought in bulk as off brand. I think my old Olympus stylus/mju took a cr2. my nikon Zoom800 takes 2 cr123

 

[littleearth]

Rollei Prego Micron/Ricoh R1
Konica 28WB/35WB (Genba Kantoku)

 

[shawn]

The Nikon L35AF takes 2 AA batteries.

Shawn

 

[B-9]

Rollei Prego Micron/Ricoh R1
Konica 28WB/35WB (Genba Kantoku)

The Konica's are bomb proof. I should get another. I had a 35WB YEARS ago.

I would avoid the Rollei Prego Micron/Ricoh R1 like the plague.

I have been trying to repair mine for over a month... 2 donor bodies later Im ready to throw the things in front of a salt truck.


No one has mentioned the Canon ML? 40/1.9 lens and AA batteries! Wont exactly fit in your pocket... maybe your hoodie pocket.

 

[Scope79]

It actually uses the DL223A/CRP2 battery.
Which still isnt cheap.

But here's a question. Looking at that battery, it seems to just be two CR123 batteries packaged in a plastic case. Is it possible to replace the CRP2 with two CR123s? The advantage is that CR123s are available as rechargeable.

I stand corrected, those two batteries look almost the same, thank you. You will be able to fit cr123 into battery compartment, but they will be loose in there and you will also need to conect - to + terminal at one end to create 6volts.

Nikon L35Af can shoot up to 5-7 rolls on one pair of cheap AA batteries. Olympus XA uses SR44, and they will last forever, especially lithium or silver oxide type (not LR44)

 

[ChrisPlatt]

The original Olympus Stylus (mju1) doesn't seem as fragile as the Stylus Epic (mju2) I gave away.
I agree a zone or scale focus camera is actually a better bet. The Olympus XA2 is a good choice.

Chris

 

[stevierose]

Konica Big Mini

Honestly, I would look for an Olympus 35RC at a decent price. Pocketable fixed lens, rangefinder camera with great lens. It was the "point and shoot" of the 70's. Has auto exposure but manual focus. Produces great photographs. You would learn more about film photography by using it than using a full auto point and shoot.

 

[newjerseysurf]

Konica Big Mini

Honestly, I would look for an Olympus 35RC at a decent price. Pocketable fixed lens, rangefinder camera with great lens. It was the "point and shoot" of the 70's. Has auto exposure but manual focus. Produces great photographs. You would learn more about film photography by using it than using a full auto point and shoot.

the BM is awesome looking but goes for ~$200 on eBay it appears.

i will check out the 35RC - thanks!

 

[farlymac]

The problem with trying to find cameras at Goodwill anymore is they hold them from general sales, and put them on the ShopGoodwill site instead. So things you might have paid a couple of dollars for back in the good old days now go for ridiculous amounts after they get bid up by over enthusiastic buyers. Then you have to pay shipping on top of that, unless you're lucky enough to source them at a local shop.

I still find an occasional gem at junk shops and yard sales, but even those sources are starting to dry up.

PF

 

[PRJ]

The original Stylus Epic or Mju is the best bet for the money without a doubt. Not as quick as the Mju II, but those things went through the roof pricewise. Crazy.

I am in purge mode right now and have two of the Stylus Epics if you are looking for one.

I've used just about every point and shoot over the years, and aside from the premium ones, the Olympus are the best overall.

 

[wjlapier]

The problem with trying to find cameras at Goodwill anymore is they hold them from general sales, and put them on the ShopGoodwill site instead. So things you might have paid a couple of dollars for back in the good old days now go for ridiculous amounts after they get bid up by over enthusiastic buyers. Then you have to pay shipping on top of that, unless you're lucky enough to source them at a local shop.

I still find an occasional gem at junk shops and yard sales, but even those sources are starting to dry up.

PF

This might be the case at our local Goodwill. There was a time not too long ago one could find P&S cameras often. I'd see all sorts of Olympus, Nikon, and Canon P&S cameras. Now, nothing.

That Stylus up above was found in a St Vincent DePaul --and now I remember they were having a 50% off sale on stuff in the basement, so that camera cost less than 50 cents. 😎

 

[Archlich]

P&S prices are crazy today. The most expensive are the small fixed focal length cameras from the '90s (i.e. Stylus, Tiara, Big Mini, the AF600 and the ever so expensive Yashica T4/T5). If you don't wanna pay $100+ at ebay or off the shelf, stick with scale focus cameras, zoom P&S (like some later Olympus Mju: models and Pentax Espio series), or larger '80s cameras. Deals may still be present if you frequent local thrift stores and flea markets. Being patient on ebay is a good choice too.

That said, the Nikon L35AF and its many 35/2.8 equipped rivals from mid '80s are your best bet. They are portable, but may not be jeans pocketable. Optics, specs and ergonomics are mostly excellent.

Personally the Minolta AF-C is a favorite. It represents a curious transition period from zone focus to autofocus; a 35/2.8, 6 elements lens is packed into a Olympus XA2 like body, with manual film advance. Truly pocketable and quiet. Do not overpay though since its price has also been on the rise.