The Best fixed lens RF travel camera??

If you're talking travel and fixed rf, it's really hard to beat an Oly XA, either on its own or as a back-up/pocket cam companion for an interchangeable lens rf. If I owned a Hexar AF, though, my answer might be different...

If I wanted to take a fully manual fixed lens rf on a trip, I would take a Canonet Q17 GIII, mainly b/c of its compact size and sharp lens and b/c I have one.
 
Good question but hard choice...my first choice would also be the GIII QL17 because it's compact, has a very sharp lens with a large maximum aperture, and full manual control--an excellent camera on its own and a pleasure to use, and it delivers beautiful pictures. My second choice would probably be either the Oly 35RC or DC, or the Minolta AL, a vastly underrated camera.
 
First choice, a Canonet (you're talking fixed-lens camera after all) G III QL17.

If I could sneak another, my trusty Nikon 35ti. Not a RF, but pretty good. :)
 
There are many choices out there, and since I travel a lot into Russia and Ukraine, I've had opportunity to carry with me a host of different RFs, as well as some very compact fixed lens AFs. Most everything I've carried abroad have served me well, some better than others. Sometimes I think cameras are like women, the more you're with them, the more their shortcomings crop up. Just like women, there isn't any one [camera] that will meet all of your needs!

But there are some that I find myself going back to [cameras]. I've been with the same woman for 53 years! Can't say that's true with any camera I've ever owned.

Traveling abroad makes one very weight conscious, so, while I do like the Yashicas, and carry them at times, I often find myself leaning more toward the smaller more compact ones, like the Konica C35. I have three of them, one original C35, a C35V,and a C35MF.
Of the three, I'm prone to go with the original C35, with manual focus, a self timer, true rangefinder, hot shoe, 'B" setting, with fairly high shutter speed of 650, sharp lens, and a nice compact size.

It's certainly not a perfect choice, but I have returned from Siberia, Russia and Ukraine with some very nice pics taken with my C35, many of which are in my photos in this forum. But there are times when I also carry with me and shoot compact AF cameras, i.e., Olympus Stylus, or Olympus 35-70 or 38-105, which have also given me very good results.

The really neat thing is, some of these RFs as well as AF cameras are so compact, I often end up packing 2-3 with me, along with my digital or SLR. I really prefer shooting 35MM over digital, but there are times when digitals come in handy.

So, when it comes right down to it, my choice would probably be the Konica C35.
 
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If you don't want to concentrate too much on photography, then as others have suggested, the Hexar AF. Great camera, amazing lens. If it's the kind of trip where photography is more important, then either a Plaubel Makina or Fuji GS645 Pro (or Fujica GS645W for wide angle).
 
same here

same here

If fact, one of my 2 was Aarons and Rolands for a bit. Since I shoot Reala at 50, I haven't really needed an ND filter yet.

Also keep a Fuji F30 quickly accessible. Yesterday grabbed a quick snap of Journey at the airport:

DSCF0885.JPG




endustry said:
Not a true RF but I take the Hexar AF with me on every trip.
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Not a RF, though on my ongoing short trip I'm going to carry w/ me Yashi' Electro 35 MC.

It has electricity driven Av mode (means fast to set exposure) and is small enough to fit my minimalistic luggage.
 
I spent a year travelling across Europe with only my XA and really appreciated the size and everything about the camera... others could have given somewhat better photos, but the XA did its job and I am happy with my photos. A Retina IIa would me an alternate for me since I like the lens better, a 50mm field of view, it's manual and just a great camera... but it is larger and heavier.

While I still shoot my XA, my Epic Stylus gets more travel usage now... better lens IMO, has a flash (because, face it, at f2.8 you occasionally want to take a flash photo), decent AF and spot metering.
 
The XA is slightly adjustable, if used with ISO 100 or 400 film. By adjusting the film speed lever, one can perform 1, 2, or even 3 stops of exposure compensation.

I did eventually progress from the XA to a Leica III series. I now carry a camera in a smallish satchel instead of in my pocket. A III series Leica with either a Summaron or collapsible Elmar is svelte - but not as light or compact, especially when an external finder is use.
 
Nothing wrong with the XA except the range finder patch (on mine at least) is almost invisible. otherwise a very able traveler.

What kind of traveling are you talking about?
8 cities in six days, a couple of months grand tour, hang out in one place, camping or ... If just one place I bring 5 or more cameras and leave the ones I'm not using in the hotel. It's not so outrageous when you consider the XA or Contax T are not much bigger than a pack of cigarettes.
 
i'll never give up my canonet ql17. i have a crappy old vivitar flash that works well with it and only takes a couple AA batteries.

my xa is nice too but i do like the canonet better.
 
Well, I have not tried out too many fixed lens RFs, but I am very happy with my Revue 400SE aka Vivitar 35ES:
takes standard hearing-aid batteries instead of obsolete mercury cells, 49mm filter thread and sports a tack sharp 40/1.7 lens.

Took it down to Croatia this summer suitably loaded with efke KB25.

Cheers,
Uwe
 
Go Contax

Go Contax

My go to camera for snapshots and occasional photographs on the road has been a Contax T2. Not too big and very sharp. I just picked up a Hexar AF and found it a little too big.

Eric
 
steamer said:
Nothing wrong with the XA except the range finder patch (on mine at least) is almost invisible. otherwise a very able traveler.
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Ditto on mine. It is actually quite frustrating because the VF size is smallish to begin with. Combine that with a dim RF patch and it makes things difficult. I've tried the quick fixes (tape or felt tip marker) and those haven't helped. The good news is despite these issues the pictures come out looking really good. I also have a Olympus Trip and if I had to take one on a vacation, I'd take the Trip even though it's not a Rangefinder.
 
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