Recommend a 35mm camera with autofocus and zoom

[jpa66]

I'm looking for a small camera that I can carry in my pocket ( or one that's relatively small ) to take with me on trips and walks during the times that I don't want to carry a larger camera. It must have autofocus and a zoom lens, and the glass should be pretty good.

Does this camera exist, or am I just dreaming?

Jan

 

[Greyscale]

For compactness, and a great zoom lens, the Canon Sure Shot Classic 120 immediately comes to my mind.

 

[damonsong]

Contax TVS I,II or III.

 

[Harlee]

There are a bunch of them out there that fit the bill. I've had good luck with Minoltas, Canons, Fuji, etc. Check out what you can find and if you have a question on how one particular one works, I can honestly say that someone on the RF Forun probably has used one previously and can give you the pros and cons. Quite frankly, a fixed lens AF compact will give you sharper pictures, i.e. Olympus Stylus F2.8 or an Olympus Stylus
F2.8.

 

[David Hughes]

Olympus mju-III Zoom 80, Nikon Lite Touch 90S, Minolta Riva 90, Pentax ESPIO 928M, Konica Z-up, Rollei Prego 90AF and so on all fit the bill for me. Go longer than the 90 on many P&S's and you get f/11 wide open...

And, very pricey, wonderful lens but no say in it as it's a pure zoom P&S, the Leica C3 acts like it's a Leica with a few primes on it.

Regards, David

 

[bastian a.]

Contax: TVS, TVS II, TVS III
Leica: Minilux Zoom, CM Zoom, C1, C2, C3, Mini Zoom

 

[damonsong]

Oh yeah forgot about Leica CM Zoom, I actually own one now, its not bad at all!

 

[jpa66]

The Contax TVS cameras are the ones that have piqued my interest, but I don't like the flimsy-looking door that hangs down in front of the lens.

Don't really know too much about the others. I really haven't paid any attention to p&s's in many years.

Thanks for the suggestions - they'll make great starting points to help me narrow down the choices.

Jan

PS. I know that a fixed lens will most likely be sharper, but I still want a zoom.

 

[Moriturii]

Contax G2? 🙂

 

[yossarian123]

I picked up an Olympus Stylus Epic 80 (38-80 lens, not a mju) zoom at Goodwill last week ($5). I'll load it up with film this weekend, anyone shot with this thing?

 

[kzphoto]

I had a Canon Classic 120 zoom and the thing is amazing. 2 ASPH elements, 38-120 zoom, and custom functions. It really made great pictures. If I were to look do a new zoom now, I'd check out the Fuji Natura Classica or the Fuji Silvi f/2.8. 28-56 zoom for the Natura, 24-50 zoom on the Silvi. Both have EBC lenses.

 

[mbisc]

+1 for the Contax TVS line - it's the glass, stupid 😀

 

[wblynch]

The Olympus Stylus Zoom 80 takes great pictures.

 

[iamzip]

I have a Fuji Zoom-Date 1300, and two Zoom Date 1000's. They are compact, have excellent glass, good zoom ranges, and can be found for peanuts on eBay. The 1000 has a range from 28mm-100mm, and the 1300 from 28mm-130mm - More than an SLR with the kit lens! They were among the last high quality film P&S's Fuji made, so the quality is excellent, and of course the glass is tack sharp, as is common with Fujis.

 

[serrada36]

Can't go wrong with a Contax TVS. They are very well built and have great glass!

 

[Greyscale]

Konica Lexio 70 if you really want compactness, 28~70mm Hexanon lens, tiny metal body. Or the previously mentioned Rollei Prego 90 if you have bigger pockets, it has a superb lens.

iamzip, I really like the Fuji Zoom Date 1000, it has the biggest, brightest user interface of any compact that I have yet tried. I just wish it was a little faster. I just gifted mine to a friend whose teenage daughter is interested in getting into film photography.

 

[35mmdelux]

I'm looking for a small camera that I can carry in my pocket ( or one that's relatively small ) to take with me on trips and walks during the times that I don't want to carry a larger camera. It must have autofocus and a zoom lens, and the glass should be pretty good.

Does this camera exist, or am I just dreaming?

Jan

Walmart carries a wide array of these cameras, if you dont mind them not knowing anything about the gear they sell. Check out the Nikon rigs within your budget.

 

[David Hughes]

Just a point...

Just a point...

Hi,

I don't know what the situation is like in other countries but here in the UK there's dozens of them at silly prices like a pound or two. So no excuse to pick them up and try them out just to see what they are like.

Few people who price them seem to think beyond "SLR = £25 and P&S is £1" - I'm glad to say: hard luck if it's a Zenit B but great for mju-II's and so on. I even know someone who bought a Leica IIIc for £10, probably because it didn't fit either category.

Regards, David

 

[P3tr]

Fuji Tiara Zoom. Small, superb lens starting 2.8 and i have seen new one on Amazon.

 

[muf]

Further votes for the Rollei Prego 90 and the Canon Sureshot Classic 120 (Prima 120 in U.S). I own both and they are brilliant. I read lots of people saying that you trade quality going zoom over fixed, but with these two I never feel like I've traded quality. The Rollei edges for me. Quite large for a 'compact', but it's one hell of a picture taker.

Another one to throw in is the Leica Mini Zoom. Can be picked up for peanuts and takes belting pictures. A very nice coated lens in there.

Paul