Wide angle fixed RFs

Trius · Mar 13, 2005

I'm a fan of fixed lens RFs. I've had Leica in the past, and a Bessa seems to be calling me, but sometimes you just want to pick up something even smaller, a bit simpler etc. I currently have a couple of XAs (both in need of CLA), and a Konica C35 (38mm lens, hardly wide), but all the rest are "normal" focal lengths.

So what am I to do for something wider? Other than the XA-4, what are the choices, what are your experiences, and are there any to avoid due to problems of reliability or high repair costs?

Trius

back alley · Mar 13, 2005

trius, do a search as i'm sure this has come up before.
if i remember correctly there are not many wide rf cams out there.

joe

rover · Mar 13, 2005

Konica made the Auto S3 with a 38mm lens and later the Hexar with a great 35. Wider than that will be an issue. The XA and Ricoh made a nice cam with a 28, but it is more of a high level P&S I think.

Todd.Hanz · Mar 13, 2005

I think it's the GRV that has a 28mm, not sure. Yashica made a 35CC that has a 35/1.8 lens, pretty nice!

Todd

akalai · Mar 13, 2005

Here is the Ricoh UK webpage for the Ricoh GR-1v with f2.8 28mm lens:
http://www.ricoh.co.uk/35mmCameras/gr1v.htm

Ricoh also made a variant of this camera, GR21, with a f3.5 21mm lens in limited numbers and a quite some cost:
http://www.ricoh.co.uk/35mmCameras/gr21.htm

I am not quite holding my breath, but almost, that a digital variant (or rather inspired) version of the GR-1v will be released in the second half of this year....fingers crossed!

...from Photokina 2004, "RICOH: 2005, What would you expect next..."
http://dc.watch.impress.co.jp/cda/parts/image_for_link/1842-160-11-1.html

taffer · Mar 14, 2005

Or pick a Bessa L and a 25 Skopar, no RF but you don't really need it with that DOF...

Pherdinand · Mar 14, 2005

one more vote for the yashica electro35 CC.

Stu :) · Mar 14, 2005

I've used a Ricoh GR21 before and it's fantasic! One of the used camera stores down the road from university let me take it out for half a day.

...and I let a cheap used one slip through my fingers. Doah.

The GR21 is autofocus, it feels and operates like a fixed lens Contax G on on diet rather than a Super Point 'n Shoot. The size is incredible (roughly the same size as a packet of cigarettes), yet it fits into your hand very well and the control placement is easy and you're not cursing when your long fingers hit another button by mistake (hint hint Pentax).

Only problem is it's too darn expensive. Last time I checked you could get a Bessa R and 21mm/4 for less!

That's my $0.02

Stu 🙂

Trius · Mar 14, 2005

Thanks everyone. I had done a search here, but either I didn't do a good enough job of selecting the search words or there were so many results I didn't wade through them all.

BTW, I have NO idea how this thread ended up in this forum. I throught I was in 35mm other. apparently NOT! ;-)

Trius

pshinkaw · Mar 14, 2005

I know of two ends to the spectrum.:

Nippon Kogaku made a Nikon 28 Ti which i think is a 28mm version of the 35 Ti. I think it is hard to find and expensive when you do find it.

The Vivitar 2011n is a fixed focus point & shoot 35mm made almost entirely of plastic that has a 28mm f8 or f11 lens. You can find them at Goodwill stores for about $1.00 to $1.50. It also has a so-called panoramic masking switch built-in.

-Paul

Trius · Mar 14, 2005

Stu :) said:
I've used a Ricoh GR21 before and it's fantasic! One of the used camera stores down the road from university let me take it out for half a day.

...and I let a cheap used one slip through my fingers. Doah.

The GR21 is autofocus, it feels and operates like a fixed lens Contax G on on diet rather than a Super Point 'n Shoot. The size is incredible (roughly the same size as a packet of cigarettes), yet it fits into your hand very well and the control placement is easy and you're not cursing when your long fingers hit another button by mistake (hint hint Pentax).

Only problem is it's too darn expensive. Last time I checked you could get a Bessa R and 21mm/4 for less!

That's my $0.02

Stu 🙂

Stu: If that's the case, I may just consider a Bessa interchangeable lens RF and keep a wide angle lens on it, dedicated to wa shooting. Thanks for the input.

Trius

Doug · Mar 14, 2005

Trius, that's a logical choice. And at some time in the future, you still have the flexibility of putting some OTHER wide angle lens on it! But just knowing that this is possible could lead to a wallet-thinning GAS attack!

Pretty much what's happened to me, and it didn't take long. I wanted a fast 21mm, and the cheapest solution was a Contax G1. Figured I'd dedicate the body to that 21mm f/2.8 and just enjoy. But after having the camera for only a week, I just sent off a money order for a 28mm lens for it. See? 🙂

zuikologist · Mar 15, 2005

If you are feeling very wealthy there is a Nikon 28Ti here for £795 (about US$1,400), with various 35Ti at a more reasonable £395 (!)

http://www.nicholascamera.com/search.cfm?criteria=nikon

Jeroen · Mar 15, 2005

Anyone familiar with this one? No rangefinder, though.

http://www.mediajoy.com/en/cla_came/KowaSW/index.html

Trius · Mar 15, 2005

Doug said:
Trius, that's a logical choice. And at some time in the future, you still have the flexibility of putting some OTHER wide angle lens on it! But just knowing that this is possible could lead to a wallet-thinning GAS attack!

Pretty much what's happened to me, and it didn't take long. I wanted a fast 21mm, and the cheapest solution was a Contax G1. Figured I'd dedicate the body to that 21mm f/2.8 and just enjoy. But after having the camera for only a week, I just sent off a money order for a 28mm lens for it. See? 🙂

Doug: Sigh. You're not helping, you know... :bang:

Trius

jdos2 · Mar 15, 2005

Then I won't help, either.

G2 with any lens is just FINE as a fixed focal length rangefinder that takes really nice pictures (if but pointed in the right direction)

Trius · Mar 15, 2005

Jeroen said:
Anyone familiar with this one? No rangefinder, though.

http://www.mediajoy.com/en/cla_came/KowaSW/index.html

Jeroen: What a coincidence... I was at Eastman House today with my daughter, and found that one in a book on the history of Japanese cameras. It is really intriguing, and if I ever find one I'd love to acquire it. At 28mm I wouldn't miss rangefinder focusing that much.

Trius

Antonio Shalder · Mar 15, 2005

I have some fixed lens RFs:

-Yashica 35 Electro GTN : Cheap,realiable,precise exposure system and a grat lens. Aperture priority. Works only with battery (actually w/o battery the speed is fixed at 1/500s)

-Yashica 35 CC Electro: Like the GTN but with a 35mm lens. Excellent lens. Works only with battery (actually w/o battery the speed is fixed at 1/250s I think)

-Olympus 35SP: Nice lens and has spot metering. Shame that no Olympus RF camera has a DOF scale. Works in P and Manual mode, but the lightmeter is uncoupled when in manual mode. Works w/o battery in manual mode.

-Olympus 35DC: Pretty decent and fast lens. Nice viewfinder, small body but works only in program mode. Limited to 1/15s. Needs battery to operate.

-Ricoh 500G: Small, light and has manual override. Uncoupled meter. Works w/o battery.

-Petri Color 1.9: Not tested, but appears to be very nice. Fast lens, 100% mechanical. Extremey well built *and* heavy

-Zorki-10: Humm.. This thing is weird. Works only on P. Selenium Cell. Solid, very solid. Nice Tessar type lens. Cool viewfinder and a ver strange shutter release lever.

-Fed-35A: Very cool and reasonably cheap. Has a limited manual exposure range from 1/4 to 1/60s and automatic for upper speeds. The Industar lens is a fine performer, but not a pair for the Yashinons and Zuikos. Exposure is fine and the camera well made.

-Olympus XA: A design masterpiece with a fine lens. Mine suffers from bad contacts in the shutter button. RF too short and no DOF scale... 🙁 Otherwise a nice camera.

Trius · Mar 15, 2005

Antonio Shalder said:
I have some fixed lens RFs:

<snip>

-Yashica 35 CC Electro: Like the GTN but with a 35mm lens. Excellent lens. Works only with battery (actually w/o battery the speed is fixed at 1/250s I think)

-Olympus 35SP: Nice lens and has spot metering. Shame that no Olympus RF camera has a DOF scale. Works in P and Manual mode, but the lightmeter is uncoupled when in manual mode. Works w/o battery in manual mode.

-Olympus 35DC: Pretty decent and fast lens. Nice viewfinder, small body but works only in program mode. Limited to 1/15s. Needs battery to operate.

<snip>

-Olympus XA: A design masterpiece with a fine lens. Mine suffers from bad contacts in the shutter button. RF too short and no DOF scale... 🙁 Otherwise a nice camera.

Antonio:

Thanks. I am after RFs with WIDE angle lenses, so some of those do not qualify. Indeed, I have 2 XAs (they both need CLA), and when I use them both one is loaded with colour, one with b&w.

I also have two 35 SPs. One is in for CLA now, and the other will later. It is my favourite rangefinder, but with its 42mm focal length, it's not a wide shooter. But it feels so good and solid in my hands that its drawbacks (EV-based metering in manual mode, program-only for auto) are insignificant. Its lens is legendary, and the spot metering came in very handy today both outside and shooting indoors at Eastman House.

I also have an RC. Again, 42mm lens, but f2.8 against the SP's f1.7. A bit small for convenient use in manual mode for me, but nonetheless very satisfying.

Trius

akalai · Mar 15, 2005

Fuki Natura Black f1.9 24mm fixed lens PS

Fuki Natura Black f1.9 24mm fixed lens PS

Hey have you seen this camera?

Fuji BALCK Natura f1.9 24mm fixed lens point and shoot.

Might be what you are looking for...

http://www.fujifilm.co.jp/news_r/nrj1326.html

Wide angle fixed RFs

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