Recommendation for Basic Everydaycarry?

How good are you at estimating distances? It's not terribly hard -- especially with a 40mm lens -- but if it's a concern, forget the Rollei and Petri. Sounds like you're in Germany? Just guessing since Agfa and Porst cameras are common...

I have not used either Oly but personally, I dislike too much automation. For a small, light, always with you, full manual control camera, it's hard to beat a good Rollei 35. Yes it's quirky but if you're not using other, more conventional designs a lot, you get used to it quickly. The only thing it just doesn't do well, or at all, is one-handed operation.
 
VíctorRF said:
Maybe a Leica IIIc amn 50mm collapsible russian lens? Possible too heavy, but full manual, easy to use and pocketable.
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+1 on this. A Leica II or III, a Fed 1 or 2 or a Zorki 1 or 5 will all fit into the back pocket with a collapsible lens. With a small light meter in another pocket (a Weston'll do), or a knowledge of Sunny 16, it's about as compact as you can get without going to 80s plastic cameras.

How about a folder, though? If you're not set on 35mm, a 6x6 folder would also work and take fantastic photos. Not my area of expertise, but I've seen and used some fantastic scale focus Zeiss Ikon folders from the 40's.
 
Smallest 35 mm maybe the minox gt series but known for shutter related issues
Contax T and Rollei 35 are next smallest. Rollei is scale focus and Contax is next smallest rf behind the Olympus xa.

For 120, u need to go to folder such as voitlander perkeo for the smallest. It is a scale focus. I sometimes carry it in back pocket of my jeans.

Gary
 
you're going to get dozens and dozens of different recommendations for different formats, styles, etc. my feeling is you are just starting out in film. you may find after a while you're not as crazy about it as you thought. so keep it simple, keep it light, keep it cheap, and keep the system as similar to your digital cam as possible so you do not feel uncomfortable with an unfamiliar format.

imo, that means picking a 35mm slr as opposed to a 35mm rangefinder or a medium format camera.

in keeping it light and cheap, may i suggest a konica ar (auto reflex) camera like the incredibly light and cheap tc-x. i got mine for $10. couple that with a konica ar 40mm 1.8 'pancake' lens that you can get for under $50 amd you have one of the lightest, cheapest, yet highest quality rigs out there. konica ar lenses are reknown for their quality, sharpness and color rendition. if you like the combo you can add to it with inexpensive 28mm wide angle and one of the best 85mm lenses ever made (though this one will cost you about $200). you cant add to a fixed lens camera, and few would be cheaper and yield better results than you will get from the konica package.

and if you own an m4/3 or other mirrorless digi cam you can use AR lenses on it with an adapter.

good luck and remember, keeping it simple at the beginning keeps it fun!
 
wlewisiii said:
A Leica IIIf or one of the Canon IV series with a 50mm lens would suit you well. Not too expensive, not too heavy and utterly wonderful dependable photo takers. Throw it in a coat pocket and you're set. No meter no automation but that can be a positive thing when you're taking pictures for pleasure.

Good luck with whatever you get!

William
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I agree. Along the same lines, I'd recommend a Leica IIIc as well. A Barnack Leica w/ an Elmar 50/3.5 lens slips into a coat pocket, and can take really quality photos.

Also worthy of consideration, if you want to get started w/ high quality/low cost: Canon P w/ a Canon or CV 50 lens in Leica thread mount.

The Canonet suggested by others is also a good choice, but you're limited to the 40mm fixed lens (which is quite good).
 
I'm a Canon fan and I do love the build quality, but maybe too heavy for your needs. Try out a Bessa R; I have the R, a very nice-and lite camera that can use LTM lenses, and there are other (and more expensive) examples. Research is key to finding a good fit. Read all you can, borrow or rent if you can. Look to the classifieds. Haunt fee-bay until you know the prices, remember "another is always gonna come along", so fend off GAS attacks, and finally happy hunting.
 
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Yes i'm from germany. as in history interessted person i like the old german camera brands like agfa, voigtländer, kodak etc. After a sleeped over it, i throw away again the XA and the Agfa, due their semiauto abilitys.
Canonets are not really my favorites, perhaps somewhere in the future...

So it is a decision between the lighter, only-manuell, viewfinder Rollei 35 and the more versatile, heavier, manuall and AE Rangefinder Olympus RC.
Its funny that i accidently bought now a Olympus RC on ebay (i made a very low price suggestion, which was accepted!)
But again to the more experienced folks, whats your favorite between the Rollei and the RC? I heard very different things about the Rollei, some praise their Lens, some find them overrated.
 
4 votes for the RC. Small, light, problem-free and a fine lens. The RD is great and better in low light, but prone to problems w/ oil on the blades.

The XA has too many electronic malfunctions-I don't trust them.
 
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so i stay away with the Rollei, i'm most times good enough in guessing distances, but after a few cameras with RF i'm get used to rangefinders, so i dont want to go back.
But i discoverd similar cameras to the Olympus RC, like the Minolta hi-matic 7sII or the Ricoh 500GX, with fits in my needs. i will try to purchase them soon.
 
Ricoh 500G was my first rangefinder, it's nice but be prepared to replace the light seals, or make sure that's been done already.

Also, on mine the rewind button stopped working so I have to take film out in a changing bag now (which of course means I haven't used it in years). No idea if that's a common problem.
 
Lobo said:
So it is a decision between the lighter, only-manuell, viewfinder Rollei 35 and the more versatile, heavier, manuall and AE Rangefinder Olympus RC.
Its funny that i accidently bought now a Olympus RC on ebay (i made a very low price suggestion, which was accepted!)
But again to the more experienced folks, whats your favorite between the Rollei and the RC? I heard very different things about the Rollei, some praise their Lens, some find them overrated.
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The Olympus 35RC can be used in manual mode as well - you turn the ring around the lens (close to the body) to set the aperture. In manual mode, the meter doesn't work, only in auto, so you have to switch to auto mode to get a reading, and then change to your preferred aperture (either the metered aperture, or something else if you wish). Fine for occasional meter readings, but a bit of a pain if you like to meter every shot. The aperture ring is a bit fiddly to use, being so close to the body, but the camera handles well apart from that - shutter speed is easy to adjust, film advance is by a lever, and focussing is fine.

The Olympus XA is very light and compact, but is fiddly and plasticy. The feather touch electronic shutter release is a pain - too easy to get an unwanted exposure. Aperture priority only.

Rollei 35 is between these two in compactness, and is all mechanical, but no rangefinder, and quirky handling (but not bad - easy enough to get used to). The 35B/B35 is much lighter than the 35/35T/35S, but reputedly not as robust inside (more plastic cogs).

A Barnack Leica with a collapsible lens is great for taking pictures, but is bigger than the others and costs more.

I've used all of these as a jacket pocket camera. I found the Leica IIIf & Elmar a bit big (even in a fairly close-fitting zip pouch). The Olympus 35RC is smaller, but the non-collapsing lens sticks out a bit too much (and is a bit so-so optically). The XA is light and super compact, but usability is too compromised for me. I settled on a Rollei 35S. All mechanical, great lens, and scale focus isn't a big deal for the type of shots I use it for (ie, no low light stuff at short distances).

That said, if you've bought an Olympus 35RC, I'd suggest you get on with using it. Certainly not a bad choice - aside from the somewhat fiddly aperture/metering, it has very good handling for such a small camera.
 
@batterytype:
i read about the very sticky lightseals of the ricoh, dont know exactly how to replace them, but i'm sure google knows more. Even the blocking rewind was mentioned here:http://machineboy.com/blog/2008/03/29/test-ricoh-500-g-rangefinder-2/
The filtersize, 1/8 shutterspeed and manual metering speaks for the ricoh, but perhaps not that much to buy it when i have the RC.
The Minolta Hi-matic 7sII with 1,7 f-stop is another story...
@nomadZ:
thats where my thought too;
manual metering would be great, but on the otherside, without DOF scale on the lens...
The rollei is so cool, great small item, but even to heavy for my pockets and without the option to hang around my neck.
So get my Olympus RC and try to get even a 7sII( if the price is right)
 
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Lobo said:
@batterytype:
i read about the very sticky lightseals of the ricoh, dont know exactly how to replace them, but i'm sure google knows more.
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It's not difficult at all, but removing the old goo is messy. No grooves, just a nice flat surface all around the inside of the back door. I did it on mine with black felt, a hobby knife and rubber cement.
 
Olympus MJU II - best carry camera I've ever come across. The lens is superb, the metering is superb, it's quiet, AF is fast and super accurate, it's weather proof, it's tiny, and it's cheap.

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^ all mju II & neopan 1600
 
i got mine Olympus RC. The sellers productphoto looked fine on *bay, but man it was in a bad shape: dirty, the aperturedisplay in the viewfinder comes and goes when the camera is shaken, the rangefinder doesnt work so you cant focus etc. I send it back for my own costs and get my money back(most of it). That happend thirth times with used cameras, that they where really crappy.
 
Lobo said:
i dont think so. Making perfect pictures cant be the only reason why using 40-50 years old cameras. there are lots of easier to use, affordable cameras with autofocus out there. and more analog professional but cheap SLRs. even the digicams have much benefits.
but using gear is more then to reaching a goal. its the way, the working with the stuff, etc. and as a interesst of historic gear im more in love with old stuff.

So the Olympus RC looks very interessting, also the rollei 35.
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I agree with you, and anyway, it's for you to decide what's important to you, not somebody else.

I'd recommend a Rollei 35, I got one to be my tiny camera which can go anywhere. In reality, I don't mind the weight of a Leica or even a Rolleiflex, but the Rollei 35 I think is one of the best camera you can get for it's size. The only downside is that it's scale focus, and it's up to you whether you can live with that.

They are nicely built, maybe slightly awkward to use, easier than a Contax T, in my opinion.

My model's meter is accurate compared to my other cameras, but it's a good idea to check.

The Contax T is a great camera too, but no manual modes.
 
I am lugging around an Pentax 6x7 and the 105/2.4 or the 75/2.8. All in a Think Tank Retro 10. I could not think of that combination in the beginning nor could my back take it. But after months in the gym I can carry it all day and capture few pictures but many keepers :D
In the end that is whats motivating me to make the extra effort...
And yes, I have two Rollei 35, Rolleiflex T, Holga, FED and a number of Leica M's and R's.
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