Which "Pocket" camera are you using?

[Graybeard]

In some circustances, a M Leica with a 50mm Summicron is just too bulky (and heavy) to carry along, especially if both hands are going to be needed for whatever you plan to be doing.

I find I enjoy using either of two different alternatives to the M-Leica then. A III series Leica with a 50mm/f2 can be carried in small belt pouch with a meter and a couple of rolls of film. A lighter weight choice is a Kodak Retina IIIc; this is a folder that closed is quite compact and easily slips into a pocket.

Try as I might to use a slower lens, I usually wind up trying to get at least a few available light shots indoors and need a f2 lens. The Schneider Xenon (50mm/f2) on the Retina is a match for any screw mount Leitz optics I've tried (to include Summicrons) .

What are other members of the forum using as their "in pocket, will travel" camera?

 

[merciful]

Olympus XA.

 

[julianphotoart]

If even a Leica is too obtrusive, etc. I'll go out with a Retina II or Rollei 35SE. One has a coupled rangefinder but one has a meter.

 

[suzums]

Contax G1 with 28 Biogon.

Haha isn't exactly pocket size, but I have a big bag with me wherever I go! Essential! 😀

 

[wlewisiii]

My small pocket camera is my Agfa Karat 36 with a roll of Tri-X in it.

William

 

[dmr]

Olympus Stylus zoom, almost always loaded with Fuji 400. I am very seldom without it.

 

[Honu-Hugger]

Rollei 35SE, Tenax II, Contax IIa w/collapsible Sonnar, and maybe a recently acquired Bolsey if it turns out to be worth a damn.

 

[thmk]

Currently I carry a Petri Color 35 with a roll of Ilford Pan-F with me. No rangefinder but lovely and fully mechanical 🙂

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Agree about the Retina IIIc and its Schneider Xenon 50mm F2. It is a match for anything that Leica, Nikon, or Contax RF's have to offer.
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=2053&cat=3204&page=6
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=2054&cat=3204&page=2

I have also started carrying a Minolta Hi-Matic 7s-II with its 40mm F1.7 lens. Small, light, "Okay" viewfinder. Not as Solid as the Retina.

 

[ray_g]

Ricoh GR1, Olympus XA, or Yashica T5.

 

[Biber]

Olympus XA.

 

[Kevin]

Konica Hexar AF with Tri-X rated 1000 or Delta 3200 and a couple ND filters. The Hexar fits into a coat pocket, not my jeans.

 

[aizan]

pocket cameras aren't significantly convenient for me, when it comes to size or features, so i just go with an m2 or hexar rf.

 

[richard_l]

I'm thinking about getting a IIIa with a 50mm Elmar. My Minilux was stolen several years ago by a burglar, who took the Minilux but passed over the M6 right beside it. 🙄

 

[Per]

For the pocket Olympus XA or Mju II (Stylus Epic) whatever is loaded at the moment.

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

was - Minox 35 GL

 

[GeneW]

Olympus Stylus Epic loaded with Fuji Superia 800

 

[mongo141]

Currently I carry a Petri Color 35 with a roll of Ilford Pan-F with me. No rangefinder but lovely and fully mechanical 🙂

OK! another Petri Color 35 user, I have had one since about the time they first came out. I recalibrated the metering ckt for silver oxide batterys, works great. Zone focus is OK with me 🙂 . regards, Dave

 

[RObert Budding]

I have a Voigtlander VF101 on the way. Hopefully that will fill this niche.

Robert

 

[Graybeard]

I actually had an Olympus XA for a number of years and carried it with me on several of European business trips. My original reason for buying the thing was that it was small and light and could easily be sealed in a waterproof container when backpacking (I'm a fan of Tupperware food containers for this purpose - Tupperware has a container that is a perfect fit for a Rollei, BTW, and I've been known to have a TLR in my pack at times)

I wasn't impressed with the performance of the Olypus XA lens and never got used to the "soft" shutter release. I bought a Retina IIIc to replace it. Nice lens on the Retina, and, being all metal, it feels like I'm using a camera.