Perfect pocket camera?

fgianni:

What is a Minolta TC-1. I couldn't find one on ebay. Is it a rangefinder or a P&S?
 
ernstk said:
Hi,

I have a quest to find the perfect pocket camera. It has to fit the following criteria:

1. 35mm film.
2. 28 or 35mm lens.
3. Very, very compact.
5. High quality lens.
6. Auto, or semi auto exposure.

I want this truly to be a camera that I can carry everywhere for those 'capture the moment' moments. It will not be a replacement for my M2 but it will live in my briefcase, jacket pocket, man bag, etc.

At the moment, the Olympus XA seems to be top of the list. Are there any others, of this size (critical) that I should consider?

Regards
Ernst
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The answer to your dreams: see my ad. http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost-classifieds/showproduct.php?product=4209&cat=500
 
Lynn:

just looked up the Ricoh GR1s on ebay. They all seem to be stunningly expensive. A GR1 is $279 and a GR1s is $330! I just bought a Leica IIIf in EX+ condition for $350.

Is the Ricoh THAT much better than the Yashica T4 Super? T4 Supers frequently go for $100. I'm not being sarcastic here, I merely want to know what it is about a Ricoh P&S that justifies that kind of a price.

Ted
 
Yeah, the XA is probably the best way to go. I much prefer the viewfinder in my Olympus 35RC, though, and find that I carry that camera more often despite its larger size. And the rangefinder patch on the XAs tend to flare or fade. The XA is good for shooting from the hip. And really no shutter noise at all. I'd try to inspect one before you buy.

Joe
 
tedwhite said:
Is the Ricoh THAT much better than the Yashica T4 Super? T4 Supers frequently go for $100. I'm not being sarcastic here, I merely want to know what it is about a Ricoh P&S that justifies that kind of a price.
Click to expand...
One factor may be that the 28mm lens on the Ricoh is more complicated than the simple 35mm Zeiss Tessar on the Yashica.
 
Olympus AF1. (other names in other countries).
This camera is a water tight (not submersible) auto everything, has a sharp 35 mm 2.8 Zuiko lens, and small enough to fit inside a pocket (no protruding lens).
Has also IR AF (it focuses also in the dark).

Best small auto P&S I found.

Ernesto
 
Ted, I have both the GR1 and the T4 Super or T5 and they are both excellent. The main differences are:

-the Ricoh is better built, with a magnesium rather than a plastic body,

-the Ricoh offers more control, with an aperture priority mode and exposure compensation.

- the Ricoh is much smaller and thinner, about the size of a pack of playing cards

- the 28mm f/2.8 lens, vs the Yashica's 35mm f3.5. The Ricoh's 28mm lens is highly regarded (not that the CZ lens is a slouch). Erwin Puts tested it favorably against the Leica Elmarits, and FWIW, rated it as better than all versions except the current Elmarit (or now that the ASPH elmarit is here, that would be the two latest versions).

- It is fairly harder to come by, and has somewhat of a cult following, like that of the Hexar AF.
 
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Contax T3: P&S in pitch darkness, blistering 35/2.8 Sonnar, drops in a shirt pocket with ease. Cheap compared to the TC-1. :)
 
Ted: I bought mine on a Dutch auction site for €110, boxed, like new; I had read excellent reviews of the Gr1s, was on the lookout, and was lucky - I guess - that no-one else was on the lookout at the same time..

I have no idea how it compares to a Yashica T4. I wanted one nice dependable P&S for a good price, and this is it.


tedwhite said:
Lynn:

just looked up the Ricoh GR1s on ebay. They all seem to be stunningly expensive. A GR1 is $279 and a GR1s is $330! I just bought a Leica IIIf in EX+ condition for $350.

Is the Ricoh THAT much better than the Yashica T4 Super? T4 Supers frequently go for $100. I'm not being sarcastic here, I merely want to know what it is about a Ricoh P&S that justifies that kind of a price.

Ted
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Best compromise

Best compromise

Overall the Olympus XA offers the best combination of features:
small size, light weight, capsule design, inexpensive, good lens,
usable rangefinder (for most), some degree of exposure control

Chris
 
ideal pocket camera

ideal pocket camera

Cameraquest has a very thorough rundown of the small cameras mentioned on this thread on its website.
I'd add the Nikon 35T. Don't know if it meets your criteria, but it's a fantastic little camera.
 
the Olympus XA-1 is hard to beat .
it is the primitve cousin to the XA,
but for a pocketable shoot n go camera,it is a beaut.
 
My vote is for the Minox 35GL or GT. Sharp lens in a very small body. Scale focus only, aperture priority and no built-in flash. I also like the Ricoh GR1s. Been looking for one, but the prices scared me off! :)
 
minox

minox

I'm a big minox fan too. I seem to have to buy a new (used) one every year b/c of mechanical failure though and wonder if i'd be better off with a Contax T for that reason. There's a great scene in "Le Fils" by the Dardenne's where the lead shows his ability to estimate distances perfectly b/c he's a carpenter. He'd be great with a Minox.
 
Thank you...

Thank you...

Thanks to everyone for your helpful suggestions and feedback. It's made me realise a few things:

In addition to craving an XA, I now need a Ricoh Gr1s. I now must have a Contax T series and I won't be able to function without a Minolta TC 1.

Is there no end to this...?

Ernst
 
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