Sam N
Well-known
short version: I'm looking for a simple and affordable 35mm RF that does not require batteries to operate.
A little background:
Ever since getting a DSLR, I find that I don't use my film SLRs (AE-1, EOS5) that much anymore. I still enjoy developing and scanning film, and I would like to keep shooting film alongside digital but in a non-SLR format.
I recently got a 1950s SITO 6x9 folder (scale focusing) and ran a roll of film through it. It was fun to use an external incident light meter and/or guess at the exposure, but scale focusing was not my thing. I'd like to stick with 35mm film since I can scan that myself easily.
What I'm looking for:
- Camera that does not require batteries. I'd like to practice setting exposures without using a meter, and exact shutter speed accuracy isn't too important to me.
- Rangefinder without a seperate viewfinder.
- 35mm to 45mm focal length. I find that this is the most convenient single focal length, and I don't want to carry around too many lenses anyway.
- f/2.0 or faster. I'll be using available light for probably 100% of the photos with this camera.
- Affordable. I saw a CL with the 40mm and 90mm lenses recently, and the form factor was great, but $800 is way out of my current budget.
- Relatively dependable. I realize that most RFs are over 30 years old, but I'd like something known for being pretty solid.
I've been looking at fixed-lens cameras like the QL 17 and the Oly 35 SP. These seem to be affordable and very popular. I'd like to know about other cameras that fit my requirements that I haven't thought of. I'm not opposed to interchangeable-lens cameras, but I'd like to keep the total cost of camera + lens below $300 which seems like it rules out almost all non-fixed-lens cameras out there.
Thanks!
A little background:
Ever since getting a DSLR, I find that I don't use my film SLRs (AE-1, EOS5) that much anymore. I still enjoy developing and scanning film, and I would like to keep shooting film alongside digital but in a non-SLR format.
I recently got a 1950s SITO 6x9 folder (scale focusing) and ran a roll of film through it. It was fun to use an external incident light meter and/or guess at the exposure, but scale focusing was not my thing. I'd like to stick with 35mm film since I can scan that myself easily.
What I'm looking for:
- Camera that does not require batteries. I'd like to practice setting exposures without using a meter, and exact shutter speed accuracy isn't too important to me.
- Rangefinder without a seperate viewfinder.
- 35mm to 45mm focal length. I find that this is the most convenient single focal length, and I don't want to carry around too many lenses anyway.
- f/2.0 or faster. I'll be using available light for probably 100% of the photos with this camera.
- Affordable. I saw a CL with the 40mm and 90mm lenses recently, and the form factor was great, but $800 is way out of my current budget.
- Relatively dependable. I realize that most RFs are over 30 years old, but I'd like something known for being pretty solid.
I've been looking at fixed-lens cameras like the QL 17 and the Oly 35 SP. These seem to be affordable and very popular. I'd like to know about other cameras that fit my requirements that I haven't thought of. I'm not opposed to interchangeable-lens cameras, but I'd like to keep the total cost of camera + lens below $300 which seems like it rules out almost all non-fixed-lens cameras out there.
Thanks!
