Simple/Cheap Scale Focus for Everyday Carry

[hipsterdufus]

Hey all. I'm looking at getting a cheap scale focus for everyday carry. My Bessa R2 is reserved for personal projects which require particular films and I hate rewinding midway through a roll just to move from everyday carry to one of my personal projects. Plus, I want something that I don't care if I lose/break/etc. Anyhoo, I'm currently looking at a Smena 8m or a Ansco Memar (Agfa Silette) at the moment. Any other suggestions or experiences with these cameras? I've looked on the web, but the experiences found here are so much more fascinating than what's available out in the ether. 🙂

Also, I should mention the smaller/lighter the better. It doesn't have to be pocketable, but I don't want to be lugging around a 2lb metal camera every day. It will be going in my messenger bag. This is one point for the Smena that I really like. Thanks for the opinions!

 

[Paul T.]

Is there anything other than the Olympus Trip for this purpose? Built like a tank, priced cheap as chips.

 

[jsrockit]

Olympus XA or XA4?

 

[hipsterdufus]

I like the XA, but finding a decent working one usually requires a $75+ investment.

I guess I should also note that I do not want programmed exposure. I know, I know. I'm being picky.

 

[newspaperguy]

XA-2

Works like a champ.

Edit: Looks like we posted at the same time.

XA-2 is auto exp

 

[jsrockit]

I like the XA, but finding a decent working one usually requires a $75+ investment.

Sometimes it is worth the extra $20-40 to get something that works great instead of just ok. I just bought a XA4 for $35 in NYC at a store... not your thing, but way below going price for that model.

 

[ZeissFan]

I have a little Ricoh 35 ZF -- meaning Z(one) F(ocus). Nice little camera with shutter speeds from 1/15 to 1/500 plus B. And all manual aperture or autoexposure.

It's missing the self-timer lever, but it's otherwise a nice little camera. It's roughly the size of the Olympus 35 RC, which also is one that you should consider.

 

[ZeissFan]

Sometimes it is worth the extra $20-40 to get something that works great instead of just ok.

You are absolutely correct on this point.

 

[hipsterdufus]

Sometimes it is worth the extra $20-40 to get something that works great instead of just ok. I just bought a XA4 for $35 in NYC at a store... not your thing, but way below going price for that model.

Yeah, I get what you're saying. The only unfortunate thing about buying a more expensive camera is that then I have to worry about damaging or losing it. $75 isn't wallet-breaking for me, but it isn't exactly chump change either. I just want something I can chuck into the messenger bag and not worry about. Still, I'll think about it, as I've always been fascinated by these little guys. I had an XA-2 and I liked everything about it except for the programmed exposure.

 

[lxmike]

Xa are a bit pricey at the moment, but an XA2 would be a good second choice and half the price or less than half

 

[ZeissFan]

The folding Agfa Solinette II is a great little camera. Available with either an Apotar or Solinar.

Other possibilities:

- Balda CE 35. Little folding camera that's a lot like a Minox but with a shutter that seems a bit more reliable. Also, it's autoexposure.

- Rollei Rolleimatic. Great little camera, although autoexposure. Can be somewhat pricey.

- Folding Zeiss Ikon Ikonta/Contina and Contina II. Solidly built. Available with either a Novar or Tessar lens. The Contina II is slightly thicker. It has an uncoupled rangefinder. All manual: Focusing, shutter speeds, aperture.

- Voigtlander Vito II/IIa. There's also the Vito I with an uncoated lens. The II/IIa will have a Color-Skopar (coated lens). Very lightweight cameras. I like the IIa, although the II is a fine camera, as well.

- Prewar Kodak Retinas. The earliest cameras were diminutive, although not necessarily light in weight. Great lenses, from Xenar, Ektar, Tessar to some off-the-wall optics for certain models. Very simple to service. Prices can be all over the map. Easy to slip into a pocket.

These are some that come to mind.

 

[btgc]

Oly XA2 if you don't mind full AE, Yashica 35 MC if you like Av, and Rollei 35 for full manual exposure.

Oly 35RC can be used as scale focus camera, too - just turn screw and RF becomes misaligned, so no temptation to focus exactly.

 

[jsrockit]

Just remember HD, the clamshell design is there to protect the XA. It is a pretty solid and sleek camera. I can't imagine it breaking under normal messenger bag use.

 

[ZeissFan]

By the way, I'm not a big fan of beating up camera gear. Eventually, it takes its toll, and you're left with a paperweight. Sorry about the large number of posts by me on this topic.

 

[ruby.monkey]

One of Trip Man's Olympus Trip 35s would fit the bill. £50 isn't super cheap, but they are worth every penny.

 

[pschauss]

It's not scale focus, but my carry-around everyday camera is a Zorki with a collapsible I-22. If you want to save a few $$ look for the less desirable Zorki C or Zorki 2C cameras.

If you don't mind the bulk, look for a FED 5. I recently got one on Ebay for $25.99 ( $.99 + $25 shipping). Needless to say my expections for the camera were rather low, but all shutter speeds work and the film advance is surprisingly smooth. (I still have the first roll of film in the camera, so I don't know if it has any light leaks.)

 

[benlees]

Konica c35v is one of the best. Great lens and can be had for very cheap. And it is very small.

 

[hipsterdufus]

Thanks a lot, guys. As expected, you gave me some great suggestions for cameras to watch for. Keep them coming; the hunt is on!

 

[Paul T.]

One of Trip Man's Olympus Trip 35s would fit the bill. £50 isn't super cheap, but they are worth every penny.

£50? Eek!

I see one every week or two and think of £10 as expensive. It's pretty easy to check if the autoaperture works by opening the back and shooting a bright and a dark scene so I can't see a huge benefit in buying one from a store; I've bought three for a fiver each and given them away. Love the XA and XA2 too, but the Trip's solidity and simplicity have it for me...

 

[Darkhorse]

Maybe it's me, but Trips seem common in the UK (must be the David Bailey ads). But it's getting hard to find one for cheap on eBay, especially when some people inflate them to ridiculous prices. $200? Seriously? Nuts to that.

I'm sure if some of you found a bunch of usable ones in thrift shops you could easily sell them to people here on RFF. I know I'd buy a cheap one.