35mm manual compact

nickthetasmaniac · 05-21-2016, 09:20 PM

Hi all,

My partner has decided she wants to get back into photography and wants to use film this time, so she's set me to finding something appropriate. She has a background in art/design, and has a wonderful eye for light and composition, but has almost zero interest in the technical side of things. This is the general selection criteria:

- Good build quality
- Reasonably fast lens with sound IQ
- Simple - shutter/aperture/focus is really all we're after. She doesn't need or want interchangeable lenses.
- Compact - if it doesn't fit in her bag it's not going to get taken places.
- Minimal electronics - something that can operate sans-battery would be great.
- Affordable - doesn't have to be $5, but a Contax T3 is probably off the cards...

A couple that I've had be eye on are the Rollei 35SE and Olympus 35 RD. Any other suggestions would be appreciated!

Cheers, Nick

**UncleVanya** · 05-21-2016, 09:26 PM

I have a couple of new old stock Pentax point and shoot cameras. I'd be happy to post info about them. The super nice one I already sold, but these may fit her needs. I will look tomorrow.

RAART · 05-21-2016, 10:41 PM

In this case I will go with Konica Auto S3... If you can find it.

nickthetasmaniac · 05-21-2016, 11:32 PM

Originally posted by RAART

In this case I will go with Konica Auto S3... If you can find it.

Agreed, it's on the list!

---------- Post added 05-22-2016 at 04:32 PM ----------

Originally posted by UncleVanya

I have a couple of new old stock Pentax point and shoot cameras. I'd be happy to post info about them. The super nice one I already sold, but these may fit her needs. I will look tomorrow.

I'm curious, I don't know much about Pentax p&s'?

HYS · 05-21-2016, 11:58 PM

I had a Canon Canonet QL19 and to my regret I've sold it. Light, simple and very sharp. A pleasure to play with.

Canon Canonet QL 17 / QL 19 / QL 25 - Camerapedia - Wikia

LesDMess · 05-22-2016, 12:09 AM

Originally posted by nickthetasmaniac

I'm curious, I don't know much about Pentax p&s'?

If you would consider a pentax P&S then a Pentax MX + 40mm f2.8 pancake should fill the bill.

nickthetasmaniac · 05-22-2016, 12:19 AM

Originally posted by LesDMess

If you would consider a pentax P&S then a Pentax MX + 40mm f2.8 pancake should fill the bill.

I actually already have an MX

Jonathan Mac · 05-22-2016, 12:22 AM

Film compacts with good build quality and a good, fast lens are not that common, at least if you want everything automated. They tend to be the highly sought after models like the Contaxes etc. One option might be an old compact rangefinder of some kind, but I'm not sure how good the IQ will be on the small ones.

HYS · 05-22-2016, 12:27 AM

The Pentax MX + 40mm f2.8 is an excellent combination. Compacts will not compete with it. Light, metal and excellent optical quality.

**TomTom** · 05-22-2016, 12:29 AM

Originally posted by HYS

I had a Canon Canonet QL19 and to my regret I've sold it. Light, simple and very sharp. A pleasure to play with.

Canon Canonet QL 17 / QL 19 / QL 25 - Camerapedia - Wikia

shopgoodwill.com - #30000259 - Vintage Canonet QL17 Film Camera With 40mm Lens - 5/22/2016 6:11:00 PM

nickthetasmaniac · 05-22-2016, 12:39 AM

Originally posted by HYS

The Pentax MX + 40mm f2.8 is an excellent combination. Compacts will not compete with it. Light, metal and excellent optical quality.

How so? There's plenty of 35mm compacts that have faster, sharper lenses than the M 40mm pancake...

BROO · 05-22-2016, 02:11 AM

Yashica electro 35. May not be exactly what your after but it might do the job. They are popular in the Lomography world at the moment.

nickthetasmaniac · 05-22-2016, 03:23 AM

Originally posted by Jonathan Mac

Film compacts with good build quality and a good, fast lens are not that common, at least if you want everything automated. They tend to be the highly sought after models like the Contaxes etc. One option might be an old compact rangefinder of some kind, but I'm not sure how good the IQ will be on the small ones.

Just to clarify, I don't want everything automated. One of the old fixed-lens rangefinders is precisely what I was thinking...

Cuthbert · 05-22-2016, 05:55 AM

Originally posted by nickthetasmaniac

Just to clarify, I don't want everything automated. One of the old fixed-lens rangefinders is precisely what I was thinking...

As an SLR probably the best choice would be a Super A in the Pentax field, or even better a Fujica AX5 if you can find one which works properly.

These cameras are small, have a program functions so your girlfriend at the beginning can shoot in full program and later "discover" how to shoot in manual.

If she wants to start manual and she wants to learn everything with a rangefinder my recommendation is a Zorki 6.

**ChrisPlatt** · 05-22-2016, 06:59 AM

One of my favorite small (but heavy-ish) 35's is the scale focus Petri Color 35.
It's got match-needle exposure and distance scale in the terrific viewfinder.
If you can find a working copy at a reasonable price I recommend buying it.

Link to Stephen Gandy's Cameraquest page for the Petri Color 35.

Chris

05-21-2016, 09:20 PM	#1
nickthetasmaniac Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 2,361	35mm manual compact Hi all, My partner has decided she wants to get back into photography and wants to use film this time, so she's set me to finding something appropriate. She has a background in art/design, and has a wonderful eye for light and composition, but has almost zero interest in the technical side of things. This is the general selection criteria: - Good build quality - Reasonably fast lens with sound IQ - Simple - shutter/aperture/focus is really all we're after. She doesn't need or want interchangeable lenses. - Compact - if it doesn't fit in her bag it's not going to get taken places. - Minimal electronics - something that can operate sans-battery would be great. - Affordable - doesn't have to be $5, but a Contax T3 is probably off the cards... A couple that I've had be eye on are the Rollei 35SE and Olympus 35 RD. Any other suggestions would be appreciated! Cheers, Nick

05-22-2016, 06:59 AM	#15
ChrisPlatt Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Rockaway Beach NYC Posts: 7,694	One of my favorite small (but heavy-ish) 35's is the scale focus Petri Color 35. It's got match-needle exposure and distance scale in the terrific viewfinder. If you can find a working copy at a reasonable price I recommend buying it. Link to Stephen Gandy's Cameraquest page for the Petri Color 35. Chris Last edited by ChrisPlatt; 05-23-2016 at 04:57 PM.

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05-21-2016, 09:26 PM	#2
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,403	I have a couple of new old stock Pentax point and shoot cameras. I'd be happy to post info about them. The super nice one I already sold, but these may fit her needs. I will look tomorrow.

05-21-2016, 10:41 PM	#3
RAART Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Oakville, ON Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,095	In this case I will go with Konica Auto S3... If you can find it.

05-21-2016, 11:32 PM	#4
nickthetasmaniac Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 2,361 Original Poster	Originally posted by RAART In this case I will go with Konica Auto S3... If you can find it. Agreed, it's on the list! ---------- Post added 05-22-2016 at 04:32 PM ---------- Originally posted by UncleVanya I have a couple of new old stock Pentax point and shoot cameras. I'd be happy to post info about them. The super nice one I already sold, but these may fit her needs. I will look tomorrow. I'm curious, I don't know much about Pentax p&s'?

05-21-2016, 11:58 PM	#5
HYS Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Photos: Gallery Posts: 377	I had a Canon Canonet QL19 and to my regret I've sold it. Light, simple and very sharp. A pleasure to play with. Canon Canonet QL 17 / QL 19 / QL 25 - Camerapedia - Wikia

05-22-2016, 12:09 AM	#6
LesDMess Pentaxian Join Date: May 2011 Location: Santa Cruz, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,235	Originally posted by nickthetasmaniac I'm curious, I don't know much about Pentax p&s'? If you would consider a pentax P&S then a Pentax MX + 40mm f2.8 pancake should fill the bill.

05-22-2016, 12:19 AM	#7
nickthetasmaniac Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 2,361 Original Poster	Originally posted by LesDMess If you would consider a pentax P&S then a Pentax MX + 40mm f2.8 pancake should fill the bill. I actually already have an MX

05-22-2016, 12:22 AM	#8
Jonathan Mac Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Madrid, Spain Posts: 10,897	Film compacts with good build quality and a good, fast lens are not that common, at least if you want everything automated. They tend to be the highly sought after models like the Contaxes etc. One option might be an old compact rangefinder of some kind, but I'm not sure how good the IQ will be on the small ones.

05-22-2016, 12:27 AM	#9
HYS Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Photos: Gallery Posts: 377	The Pentax MX + 40mm f2.8 is an excellent combination. Compacts will not compete with it. Light, metal and excellent optical quality.

05-22-2016, 12:29 AM	#10
TomTom Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Dallas, Texas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 539	Originally posted by HYS I had a Canon Canonet QL19 and to my regret I've sold it. Light, simple and very sharp. A pleasure to play with. Canon Canonet QL 17 / QL 19 / QL 25 - Camerapedia - Wikia shopgoodwill.com - #30000259 - Vintage Canonet QL17 Film Camera With 40mm Lens - 5/22/2016 6:11:00 PM

05-22-2016, 12:39 AM	#11
nickthetasmaniac Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 2,361 Original Poster	Originally posted by HYS The Pentax MX + 40mm f2.8 is an excellent combination. Compacts will not compete with it. Light, metal and excellent optical quality. How so? There's plenty of 35mm compacts that have faster, sharper lenses than the M 40mm pancake...

05-22-2016, 02:11 AM	#12
BROO Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 655	Yashica electro 35. May not be exactly what your after but it might do the job. They are popular in the Lomography world at the moment.

05-22-2016, 03:23 AM	#13
nickthetasmaniac Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 2,361 Original Poster	Originally posted by Jonathan Mac Film compacts with good build quality and a good, fast lens are not that common, at least if you want everything automated. They tend to be the highly sought after models like the Contaxes etc. One option might be an old compact rangefinder of some kind, but I'm not sure how good the IQ will be on the small ones. Just to clarify, I don't want everything automated. One of the old fixed-lens rangefinders is precisely what I was thinking...

05-22-2016, 05:55 AM	#14
Cuthbert Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,740	Originally posted by nickthetasmaniac Just to clarify, I don't want everything automated. One of the old fixed-lens rangefinders is precisely what I was thinking... As an SLR probably the best choice would be a Super A in the Pentax field, or even better a Fujica AX5 if you can find one which works properly. These cameras are small, have a program functions so your girlfriend at the beginning can shoot in full program and later "discover" how to shoot in manual. If she wants to start manual and she wants to learn everything with a rangefinder my recommendation is a Zorki 6.