Value compact that's not Olympus?

[ajuk]

Is it me or does it seem that the only film compacts aimed at consumers that went on to be popular with enthusiasts and professionals were made by Olympus. Now before you scream about me; what about the Leica this? The Yashica that or the Fuji other. Well there are cameras like the T5 but I think they were all a lot more expensive new compared to say, the Epic, and still command quite a premium price today. Not that I wouldn't want a Natura S or T5 that is.
The only cheap zoom compact to get any degree of attention by enthusiasts the MJU zoom 80 was Olympus.
Are there any other cheap non zoom compact made by other manufactures, because it seems that Olympus gets all the attention? Not that I don't think they're awesome.

 

[Lflex]

I dont think any of the cheap film zoom p&s deserves any attention - including the Olympus you mention.
The Yashica T4 was 25% higher priced than the Olympus when I bought my T4. The leica Mini was almost twice the price of the Oly. The were all crappy made shutter lagged cheap plastic boxes with small jewels as lenses. At the time the Olumpus Mju 2 was clearly the best value and most plentiful today.
Of other similar fixed focal lengths cheap P&S of the era, you'll find Konica Big Mini, and Nikon AF 600.

 

[nighstar]

Konica Big Mini
Ricoh 500G
Pentax Espio Mini
Polaroid SX-70....

and i'm sure there's more. just bought a Ricoh 500G myself for $15 the other day. it's not exactly a p&s, but it should be a fun carry-around camera. 🙂

 

[ajuk]

I dont think any of the cheap film zoom p&s deserves any attention - including the Olympus you mention.
The Yashica T4 was 25% higher priced than the Olympus when I bought my T4. The leica Mini was almost twice the price of the Oly. The were all crappy made shutter lagged cheap plastic boxes with small jewels as lenses. At the time the Olumpus Mju 2 was clearly the best value and most plentiful today.
Of other similar fixed focal lengths cheap P&S of the era, you'll find Konica Big Mini, and Nikon AF 600.

I wouldn't say the zoom 80 was any good either, but it seems to be the only one to have got even the slightest notice by any enthusiasts, maybe it was the best of the worst? Any way I don't know why I mentioned it. I should clarify it's cameras with Prime lenses I'm looking for.

 

[jsrockit]

Some Minox compacts are dirt cheap these days...

 

[ajuk]

Is anyone making fixed lens 35mm compacts new anymore?

 

[thegman]

Is anyone making fixed lens 35mm compacts new anymore?

Fujifilm are making the Klasse brand new, and of course there is Lomography. Probably a few others too, technically the Rollei 35 is available new, but not at the right price...

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

Have a look at the Konica A4 (AF and "P" mode), the early AF cameras, which were all primes, and the Minolta Riva Mini (AF and "P" mode), Leica mini (AF and "P" mode), Carl Zeiss Werra (MF and some have built in meters), Yashica 35-ME (MF and "P" mode) and so. Almost every maker made at least one or two.

The problem is that these were all for the mass market and will all be second-hand and probably need a good going over by a technician. You can pick them up cheaply (because of their age etc) but a repair will cost a modern day price; if you can find someone to do it. The advantage of picking them up cheaply is that you can play with them and decide if you like their style and way of doing things.

The big advantage of the "cult" cameras like the Olympus Trip 35 (say) is that there are specialist repairers.

Regards, David

 

[ijohnnyz]

I define point and shoot as holding a beer in one hand while operating a small camera in the other. Without sacrificing photographic quality, the bottom of the barrel for me is the Stylus Epic. The next up would be the Yashica T4/T5 which goes for at least twice as much as the Stylus Epic. After that, it gets expensive (Contax, Minolta, Ricoh), big (Hexar AF, Fuji Klasse, etc.), or without autofocus.

 

[keytarjunkie]

Welp. I'm afraid I'm not going to answer your question so sorry in advance. I started with a Yashica T4D Super. Fun camera. I never really got along with it though. I sold it a few months ago, and recently picked up the Olympus Stylus Epic to use as my main 35mm camera. I don't shoot a lot of 35mm right now, mainly larger formats. My other considerations were the Contax T, Contax T2, Fuji Klasse/S/W, Konica Big Mini, Nikon AF600 (which I might pick up anyway if I find one in a thrift store), etc.

I really, really like the Olympus. A lot more than I thought I would. It's so much smaller than the Yashica, has a faster lens, seems to have a lot faster AF and less shutter lag, and really gets out of my way when I want to make a good photo. I think that's the important part. There's so much less of a disconnect for me than with the Yashica...of course that can be a personal matter but that's just how I feel.

I can't think of any other cameras, zoom or fixed, that are as good of a buy as the Olympus. If I could, I would probably own one 😛 I definitely think the Nikon AF600/Lite Touch is worth looking at, it's on my list. But I haven't played with one yet. And the prices for them are still pretty cheap, I don't want to encourage the market too much 😀 but the photos I've seen from them over on these boards have been pretty great.

 

[Jack Conrad]

I just found a Yashica T AF the other day at a thrift store replete
with corroded AA's, a loose back door and a flash that wouldn't
stay in the in position.

Oh what the heck, $2... so I bought it home to play with.

My first reaction. What a piece of plastic crap. Why am I bothering with this?
Anyway, I cleaned up the battery compartment and contacts,
popped new batteries in and.... nothing.
So I opened the bottom and cleaned the contacts on the circuit
board. Still nothing.... except for the faintest click....

Hmmm, so I took a little toothpick and poked around in the visible gears, bumping a little lever and suddenly the thing began whirring and grinding and performing all sorts of acrobatic delights...
So. I put the bottom back on and.... nothing!
Took the bottom back off and put a little oil on each little spindle I could see, clicked the shutter button and bingo, it was alive.
Ok, so now, after massaging and cleaning and tightening screws,
the camera seems to be completely functional.

Pretty amazing that a junky piece of plastic fantastic like this can
still be brought back to life.

And it does have that Zeiss glass going on, but I just don't know
if I really wanna bother loading it up with film and taking it out
on a date.

I just don't like all the whirring and grinding. It sounds too much like that whiny girlfriend I used to go out with. Lol...

I still prefer the honest quiet old heavy metal all mechanical 50's sweethearts without batteries or built in flashes and meters over any of these little plastic af p&s tarts from the 80's and 90's. 😛

 

[johannielscom]

Konica A4 for sure.

 

[Ronald_H]

Had a T4 once. Wouldn't focus very well. Bought a Mju-II 10 years ago. Has been kicked to the end of the world and back. Still going strong.

 

[btgc]

How about Pentax 928 or Rollei Prego 90 as feature loaded wide angle zoom P&S? Sure, there are other choices in this class, too.

 

[p.giannakis]

I had two T4's. One which was beaten up quite badly was producing very nice pictures. The other one, which was in mint condition, was rather inconsistent - a mixture of un-focused and badly exposed pictures. The Olympus MJII was more consistent producing nice pictures with plenty of details. I also had a Nikon L35AF which - to my untrained eye - it produced sharper pictures than the last two.
I eventually sold all my P&S cameras when I came across a Fuji DL SuperMini.

 

[muf]

The Pentax Espio Mini is a really great compact. Takes excellent shots and can be operated one handed(comfortably). I read that the lens has the famous SMC coating, although I've never been able to substantiate this. I wouldn't be surprised from the results I've had from mine.

The Nikon L35AF is a gem. A little noisy, but wow, that lens! Very basic camera, without too many settings to confuse. I got rid of my Nikon 35TI because this was just as good and I think it cost me less than £10 so I can throw it around(unlike the Nikon which scared me to carry it around). It has a metal chassis under the plastic outer housing. A very well made camera.

Canon Sureshot Classic 120(prima 120 in USA) is also a great compact with excellent results across all the focal lengths of the zoom. 38mm to a very respectable 120mm. Has an aspherical element in there, which is not something Canon would put in a budget camera. Always excellent results for this one.

My favourite zoom compact is the Rollei Prego 90. The one with the Schneider lens is the best of the two flavours. It's rather large, but honestly, I took it out with my Contax T2 one day at Salford Keyes and couldn't tell the difference from the two sets of snaps. It was only the occasional use of zoom in the set that helped me distinguish which was which.

All the top compacts like the Ricoh GR series, Leica compacts and the Contax T series are also excellent choices, although some are rather large and heavy.

The one that is not often mentioned and is a very capable compact is the Fuji DL Super Mini Zoom. Vey sharp lens, great color saturation levels and has a useful zoom range of 28mm wide to a decent portrait level 56mm. Quiet and very pleasing to use. Mines beat up, cost me £15 and the pictures I've had from it are as good as anything my GR1v, T2, T3, TC-1 etc have ever given me. They hold their price pretty good, but you can find bargains if you are patient.

Paul

 

[btgc]

My favourite zoom compact is the Rollei Prego 90. The one with the Schneider lens is the best of the two flavours.
...
The one that is not often mentioned and is a very capable compact is the Fuji DL Super Mini Zoom. Vey sharp lens, great color saturation levels and has a useful zoom range of 28mm wide to a decent portrait level 56mm.

Agree on both cameras. Though, I've read non-Schneider lens is same old lens just not wearing Schneider name due to licencing woes.

DL Super Mini Zoom of mine also is beater but excellent performer. Only issue is metal case isn't pleasing to touch in cold winter weather.

But now I'm pleased to announce another short wide zoom P&S - Konica 28W. Ergonomics mimic Konica Off-road 28 (another excellent Konica) but has smaller grip - but still sits in hand very nicely (something you lack in sardine tin shaped cameras). Lens is good as you could expect from Konica P&S of this class. Zoom is controlled by just one "Z" labelled button, it moves forth and back. As on Off-road, speeds are extended with bulb down to 2 sec.

 

[daniel~]

The Pentax Espio Mini (UC-1) has unfortunately such a tiny VF. The Ricoh R1s has weak LCD that tends to fade away with time. Yashica T5 has become incredibly expensive. I guess these kind of explain why the Olympus Mju I/II, being just as good, remain very popular on used market. Still my vote goes to Yashica T5 for a favourite p&s, for superior image quality.

On the other hand, Fujifilm Tiara (DL Super Mini) takes very sharp & contrasty pics, and offers some interesting extra features (scale focus, +2EV). It's probably not really a "cheap compact", to begin with. Highly recommended if it shows up at a bargain price.