Thinking about a compact camera

[John Henry]

Hello: I have been photographing, off and on, for many years mostly using a Nikkormat FTn and the 50mm lens that came with it. However, for the past year or so I have used only an Olympus Stylus Epic. I'm not a prolific photographer, shooting about 15 or so rolls of film in a typical year. The little Oly is always there, either in a pocket or in an Eagle Creek field bag along with a notebook and sketchpad. When a photographic chance happens, the Oly is ready and the picture gets made. I like the idea of the compact, carry-everywhere camera and I'd like to find another but perhaps something more in keeping with the mechanical heritage of the Nikkormat. I anticipate spending a good amount for a quality used camera of whatever vintage but I expect it to be very tough and very reliable. I won't need but single lens and that will most likely be a 35mm. I don't even require a built-in lightmeter; the meter in my Nikkormat ceased functioning after my wife caused our canoe to capsize about 20 years ago [and that camera has never had a CLA]. After that, I got pretty good at reading light , at least for 100 and 400 asa films. This is my first post to this forum and most likely this topic has been discussed in the past but I value and appreciate your opinions.
John Henry

 

[Don Parsons]

Hey John,
Get a Nikon FM or FE from KEH and a 35 or 50 to go with it.

I know, heresy, but they are ungodly cheap right now.

don

 

[sf]

Hard to think of a better quick little compact that the Epic. I would choose the non-zoom version. In fact, I'm getting one to bring over to Europe with me to compliment my RF645.

But, if you want to go a few levels above the Epic. Like a thousand levels, try the Contax T3 or the Leica CM.

 

[John Henry]

I looked at an FE not too long ago but I really didn't think it was all that compact. JH

 

[richard_l]

Rollei 35 or Rollei 35 S. All-mechanical (except for the meter), manual operation, top quality 40mm optics, scale focus, compact, solidly built with enough weight to enable steady hand holding.

 

[ray_g]

Agree with the Rollei. The Contax T is another to consider.

 

[ray_g]

The Olympus 35RC is not much bigger.

 

[marksct]

Oh this sounds fun!!!

Oh this sounds fun!!!

Olympus XA, 35 RD, Epic !!! or the OM1, 2, 3,
Canonet QL17 III

To me the best of the compacts!

These are great cameras and pound for pound the best there is.

M

 

[kmack]

Leica IIIF with a collapsible 35mm or if you are cheap like me: a Fed -- Zorki 1 with a J-12 or I-22. I can fit either in a jacket pocket or my brief case. If you spring for the Leica, well it's a Leica, with modest care it will outlast you. If you go with a Zorki or a Fed; rest assured that when cockroaches inherit the Earth they will be taking pictures with some FSU gear.

 

[richard_l]

Here's another idea. The Leica CL rangefinder is all-mechanical. You should be able to find one in very good condition with a broken meter for around $350. Slap on a 40mm Leitz Summicron-C lens (maybe $300), and you've got a high performance compact Leica kit which is near the top of the heap optically.

 

[FrankS]

I also suggest a Rollei 35 or for a bit more $ a Leica CL. As Richard said, with a broken meter (their Achillies heel), CLs can be bought cheaply. Then you have the choice of M mount or LTM lenses to put on it.

 

[wlewisiii]

My absolute favorite pocket camera is the Agfa Karat 36. It is a very small mid '50s camera that offers a huge amount of bang for buck. There's a very good page on it's followon model, the Karat 4, here: http://cameraquest.com/agfakar4.htm but I prefer the Karat 36 because I like the Syncro-Compur's 1/500th much more than the Prontor-SVS's 1/300th fastest speed (Compur's are also more reliable in my experiance. YMWV.) However, 90% of that page will still be applicable. I got mine for shipping from a RFF member and I've seen them go for as little as $10 on eBay. Some very excellent glass in these, a very compact package, and pure manual operation makes for a real classic experiance.

William

 

[Poptart]

Olympus XA.

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

Leica Minilux, the 40mm not the zoom.

 

[Theo-Prof]

I'll add my two-cents worth and suggest the Rollei 35, 36S or 35T. Non-assisted scale focus will slow you down some and requires some concentration in order to get perfect results, but the results are worth it.

Kevin

 

[csouvannarath]

Minox EL has 35mm lens, as small as a pack of cigarettes, scale-focus, aperture priority, extremely light. I also like Fed 1 with a collapsible lens with a rangefinder. They are pretty cheap, buy both of them. My main camera is an Olympus OM1 which I use for macro and nature photography. I always have my Minox with me all the time.

 

[richard_l]

Minox EL has 35mm lens, as small as a pack of cigarettes, scale-focus, aperture priority, extremely light.

Will it work without a battery?

 

[FrankS]

An exerpt from John's original post: "I like the idea of the compact, carry-everywhere camera and I'd like to find another but perhaps something more in keeping with the mechanical heritage of the Nikkormat."

Rollei 35 (T, TE, S, SE), Leica CL, Olympus RC, screw mount Leica with Elmar lens, early Fed or Zorki with colasible lens. compact and mechanical

 

[csouvannarath]

Minox EL requires a battery. I also have a Rollei 35S which is mechanical, the battery is required for the meter only, it works without a battery, quiet shutter, the lens is collapsible. If you are looking for a smallest mechanical 35 mm camera, get a Rollei 35.

 

[Pherdinand]

canonet ql17 gIII; minolta hi-matic 7sII; yashica electro35 CC if you like a bit wider lens (35mm), or any of the above suggested ones. The FSU gear is quite heavy, this might be a disadvantage; same valid for Leica interchangeables.