A return to 35mm - finding my ideal camera(s)

trick · Oct 21, 2020

So a few months ago I decided to jump back into 35mm again after 6+ years of exclusively shooting medium format.

I moved to the US in 2014 from the Middle East and couldn’t bring everything I had - including cameras. I didn’t have much of a collection, but I decided to only hold on to my two medium format cameras, a Mamiya 7ii and a Cambo Wide 470.

While I do love shooting those cameras, I’ve missed being able to carry something every day. That coupled with the lockdown got me into auctions on eBay and Goodwill and I’ve ended up with the following cameras in a short period of time:

Nikon F3 / Minolta X700: "I'll need an SLR, with light meter but otherwise fully manual."

Nikon L35AF. / Minolta Hi-Matic AF2: "I want a quick point-and shoot with a good quality lens that can do simple autofocus."

I was been a keen eBay user years ago so I’ve had a lot of luck with these purchases, getting decent prices (mostly) and excellent condition with everything I’ve bought so far.

The thinking behind my choices was along the lines of the Minoltas being the everyday carry, might get dinged but who. cares options and then the two Nikons are what I’m considering to be higher end options for when I feel like I might need it.

I’ve shot with all four and am quite happy with each of them. But, I’m still open to trying other options and adding to this trial.

So, my question to you is: What other cameras do you think I should try out that fit into one of the above categories that and would blow one of the current options out of the water for a similar price point ($30-500)? (I *just* purchased a bargain Nikon FT3 as a possible replacement for the X700 for example.)

As an additional note, I’ve managed to get a decent variety of Minolta lenses for very little money via various Goodwill lot auctions and I have a set of Zeiss F-Mount primes. Ideally I’d prefer to stick to options that can take those (MF) lenses but that’s not essential.

Sirius Glass · Oct 21, 2020

Check out www.keh.com they have a very good return, replace or repair guarantee plus their condition grading is very conservative. Often cheaper or competitive with eBay without the hassles. This may be your opportunity to move to Hasselblad.

Paul Howell · Oct 21, 2020

Minolta 201, all mechanical, for top of the line XK, nonmotor version, maybe under $500. The 201 is relative inexpensive, finding one with a working meter that can CLA. Canon QL 1.7, all mechanical very good fast fixed lens, not AF. Konica T3 or T4 if you want a winder. Konica lens are some of the best glass I've ever used. The standard set of lens 28, 50, and 135 are very inexpensive.

narsuitus · Oct 21, 2020

trick said:
... I’ve ended up with the following cameras in a short period of time:

Nikon F3 / Minolta X700: "I'll need an SLR, with light meter but otherwise fully manual."

Nikon L35AF. / Minolta Hi-Matic AF2: "I want a quick point-and shoot with a good quality lens that can do simple autofocus."

I suggest you work with the four new cameras you acquired in a short period of time. After you have used them for a few months, you may discover that you need nothing else.

Ariston · Oct 21, 2020

narsuitus said:
I suggest you work with the four new cameras you acquired in a short period of time. After you have used them for a few months, you may discover that you need nothing else.

I agree. With that F3 in your stable, you probably won't need anything else. It gives you what you say you want (light meter, but also manual), is rugged, and is a system camera.

Use those as much as you can, then step up (or over) to medium format, as Sirius suggests. You'll get more variety with a new system than you will with another body in 35mm.

Les Sarile · Oct 21, 2020

If you already have some Minolta glass - and they are excellent, then how about an XD-11 . . . in black or chrome . . .

Of course you could accessprize your X-700 with a full intervalometer and motor drive . . .

Or how about an IR remote . . .

Les Sarile · Oct 21, 2020

Of course you can also accessorize your F3 with motor, date back and flash . . .

Or get into macro . . .

PhotoJim · Oct 21, 2020

I agree. Use what you have. Then you'll learn what you want, if anything.

Personally, if I were only going to shoot one SLR I think I'd shoot a Nikon F4. It's the best manual-focus body Nikon ever made, with bonus autofocus. And the user interface is nice and straightforward.

My equivalent to your compact is an Olympus Stylus Epic (=MJU II). I've been using it more and more. The meter's accurate enough for slide film and the lens is fast (f/2.8) and sharp. And the camera is super, super tiny.

Ko.Fe. · Oct 21, 2020

You are in USA now, just try them all.

You never know what you will like. I never liked Nikon SLRs until I tried a Nikkormat .
Lenses, same. They keep on saying how Zeiss/Contax is super-duper, but non AI Nikkor lenses appears to be sweet, without Internet/forum legend price tag.

bdial · Oct 22, 2020

You will get a lot of recommendations for the favorite cameras of everyone who posts in the thread. Much depends on what you like/want/need, compact, rugged, interchangeable viewfinders, interchangeable screens, motor, no motor, auto focus, lens choice, electronics, no electronics and on and on. Your answers to those will help guide you.
Various Nikons fill in any or all of those boxes, and there are models from many other makers that do as well.
If I were starting over from where I've been, I'd probably lean toward an interchangeable lens rangefinder rather than an SLR, but that narrows the choices quite a lot.

Donald Qualls · Oct 22, 2020

For every day carry, I like a folding or clamshell camera. I've made many good images with a Balda Jubilette -- scale focus, f/2.9 triplet lens, and folds tiny (barely larger than a Minox 35 and no electronics to fail) -- there are others in this class; Welta Welti springs to mind. If you prefer a rangefinder, the cameras will be a little bigger, but some are excellent, as capable of producing good images as those SLRs above: I just got a Welta Weltini (RF version of the Welti -- still pretty small) and I have an Olympus XA around here somewhere (wider angle lens than I'm really used to, and battery dependent); the XA family has excellent lenses, and the Weltini came with a range of lenses from basic triplets -- very capable near the sweet spot of f/8 -- to the Xenon f/2, a really excellent and compact fast lens. This is the same category as the post-War Retina, and you can get a good Retina II or III (with various letters after) within your price range, and still have room to get it serviced. The Retina III(c? or C?) actually has ability to interchange lenses, with one wide angle and one tele option in addition to the normal. Best do a little research on these, though, as there are some possible issues that you need to be aware of.

Pull a folder out of your pocket and pop the lens out, and you've gone from trying to remain discreet to shouting "I'm making photographs with this antique equipment!" Nothing automatic, not terribly quick to operate (for instance, setting aperture and shutter on a Jubilette or Weltini can be a little fiddly because they're on the lens, as with larger folding cameras) -- but it's a whole different method and process.

guangong · Oct 22, 2020

Donald makes a good suggestion. Go smaller. I would add Rollei 35 to the list. Or even go smaller than 35 mm with Minox or Minolta 16...cameras that can always be with you.
However, for SLR you already possess one of the very best manual SLR 35 mm cameras. Almost anything else would be s step down. By the way, I only have F2 and F, but would not refuse an F3. Master what you have!

Donald Qualls · Oct 22, 2020

I didn't suggest anything smaller than 35mm because there's a lot of DIY involved in both loading and developing -- you have to slit film for Minox and for any emulsion not available in 16mm for Minolta 16 family, and you need to either find an antique developing system or make your own developing tank (as I and some others have done). And then you get no more than 1/4 the negative area. Good cameras and they're capable of making the best use of those tiny negatives -- but not a standard item for either loading or processing.

trick · Oct 22, 2020

narsuitus said:
I suggest you work with the four new cameras you acquired in a short period of time. After you have used them for a few months, you may discover that you need nothing else.

Yes, my brain totally agrees with this sentiment. However my heart wants to try more things while I have the time and the means. I've basically thrown logic out of the window when it comes to this, for now.

PhotoJim said:
I agree. Use what you have. Then you'll learn what you want, if anything.

Personally, if I were only going to shoot one SLR I think I'd shoot a Nikon F4. It's the best manual-focus body Nikon ever made, with bonus autofocus. And the user interface is nice and straightforward.

My equivalent to your compact is an Olympus Stylus Epic (=MJU II). I've been using it more and more. The meter's accurate enough for slide film and the lens is fast (f/2.8) and sharp. And the camera is super, super tiny.

I agonized about the F3 vs F4 question before buying my F3. What it ended up coming down to is nostalgia - when I first moved to the US I lived in San Francisco and there was a wonderful place called Rayko that did photography classes and also sold cameras/equipment. The guy who ran the place (my memory might be rusty here) used to specialize in the F3 and had a service where he'd talk you through what you wanted in terms of shooting and accessories and would then source everything for you. Money was tight for me back then, and you definitely paid a premium for the service, so I never could afford it. So for years, I lusted after the F3 and finally bought one six years later. I would really love to test an F4 one day though, especially if I ever end up with an auto-focus lens.

The Olympus Stylus Epic definitely was on my short list but it seems to be quite popular and the prices/availability reflect that. What killed it for me was that it couldn't take filters. Might take another look now though.

trick · Oct 22, 2020

Sirius Glass said:
Check out www.keh.com they have a very good return, replace or repair guarantee plus their condition grading is very conservative. Often cheaper or competitive with eBay without the hassles. This may be your opportunity to move to Hasselblad.

I actually got my X700 from them, via their eBay outlet store. Bargain price and great quality camera! Re: Hasselblad, is there a 35mm option you're thing of? The XPANs look amazing but for that level of money I'd rather invest in medium format.

Paul Howell said:
Minolta 201, all mechanical, for top of the line XK, nonmotor version, maybe under $500. The 201 is relative inexpensive, finding one with a working meter that can CLA. Canon QL 1.7, all mechanical very good fast fixed lens, not AF. Konica T3 or T4 if you want a winder. Konica lens are some of the best glass I've ever used. The standard set of lens 28, 50, and 135 are very inexpensive.

The SRT 201 is one of the cameras I had to get rid of with the move but it served me well for years. I'm intrigued by the XK - might have to go for one of those! I've actually seen a lot of Konica lots on Goodwill that go for very little, I've avoided as it's a lot more lens investment but good to know that those models are recommended.

removedacct1 · Oct 22, 2020

If its compact-but-capable you're looking for, the Kodak Retina IIIC (big C) is hard to beat. Yes, its a rangefinder, and although you can use accessory lenses with it (35mm and 80mm) they are awkward to use, so the standard 50mm is really the best. Its an exceptionally well built camera and since its a folder, its easy to stuff in a bag or even a pocket.

removed account4 · Oct 22, 2020

narsuitus said:
I suggest you work with the four new cameras you acquired in a short period of time. After you have used them for a few months, you may discover that you need nothing else.

exactly, or dump all but 1 ... they always say the best camera you own is the one you have with you.
personally I'd get rid of all of what you have and get a Pentax k1000 its all you will ever. need, or the retina paulbarden mentioned just above this post...

trick · Oct 22, 2020

bdial said:
You will get a lot of recommendations for the favorite cameras of everyone who posts in the thread. Much depends on what you like/want/need, compact, rugged, interchangeable viewfinders, interchangeable screens, motor, no motor, auto focus, lens choice, electronics, no electronics and on and on. Your answers to those will help guide you.
Various Nikons fill in any or all of those boxes, and there are models from many other makers that do as well.
If I were starting over from where I've been, I'd probably lean toward an interchangeable lens rangefinder rather than an SLR, but that narrows the choices quite a lot.

Very good point, I definitely didn't give enough detail:

For the SLR, I just want to make sure it has a light meter, everything else I prefer to be manual with as little electronics as possible. Interchangeable viewfinders/screens are not essential - e.g. I got the WLF got the F3 and honestly can't see myself using it as much as I had hoped due to the small size. I prefer small, ideally with a metal body but not a deal breaker. Motor option is not important.

For the point and shoot, auto focus is a must and a high quality lens (I still have a Lomo LC-A+ for cheap and cheerful 35mm.) Ability to take screw in filters is also quite important unless we're talking something at the level of a Nikon 35ti (which is out of my range.) That's about it though.

Re: interchangeable lens rangefinder, I might have to give that a shot. I hesitate because that's my main camera type on the medium format front (Mamiya 7ii) and I sometimes lament not being able to see the image through the lens.

trick · Oct 22, 2020

Donald Qualls said:
For every day carry, I like a folding or clamshell camera. I've made many good images with a Balda Jubilette -- scale focus, f/2.9 triplet lens, and folds tiny (barely larger than a Minox 35 and no electronics to fail) -- there are others in this class; Welta Welti springs to mind. If you prefer a rangefinder, the cameras will be a little bigger, but some are excellent, as capable of producing good images as those SLRs above: I just got a Welta Weltini (RF version of the Welti -- still pretty small) and I have an Olympus XA around here somewhere (wider angle lens than I'm really used to, and battery dependent); the XA family has excellent lenses, and the Weltini came with a range of lenses from basic triplets -- very capable near the sweet spot of f/8 -- to the Xenon f/2, a really excellent and compact fast lens. This is the same category as the post-War Retina, and you can get a good Retina II or III (with various letters after) within your price range, and still have room to get it serviced. The Retina III(c? or C?) actually has ability to interchange lenses, with one wide angle and one tele option in addition to the normal. Best do a little research on these, though, as there are some possible issues that you need to be aware of.

Pull a folder out of your pocket and pop the lens out, and you've gone from trying to remain discreet to shouting "I'm making photographs with this antique equipment!" Nothing automatic, not terribly quick to operate (for instance, setting aperture and shutter on a Jubilette or Weltini can be a little fiddly because they're on the lens, as with larger folding cameras) -- but it's a whole different method and process.

Thank you so much. for this, Donald. Some of these option sound light up my alley and I have definitely haven't across them before. I'll spend some time researching tonight! :-D

trick · Oct 22, 2020

guangong said:
Donald makes a good suggestion. Go smaller. I would add Rollei 35 to the list. Or even go smaller than 35 mm with Minox or Minolta 16...cameras that can always be with you.
However, for SLR you already possess one of the very best manual SLR 35 mm cameras. Almost anything else would be s step down. By the way, I only have F2 and F, but would not refuse an F3. Master what you have!

You just reminded me that I have a Rollei 35 sitting in a drawer. The meter is busted (pretty typical) so I haven't touched it in a while but I've been thinking about investing in a hot shoe meter (there's a very helpful thread on that on here somewhere) and that would be perfect.

trick · Oct 22, 2020

Les Sarile said:
If you already have some Minolta glass - and they are excellent, then how about an XD-11 . . . in black or chrome . . .

Thank you - adding the XD-11 to my list to try!

Re: accessories, bought the motor drive for the X700 and the motor + date back for the F3. Honestly not sure I need the motor options for the shooting I do but it's nice to have them just in case. That macro set-up for the F3 looks mad!

Kino · Oct 22, 2020

Agree with Donald's gist.

Just add a very basic but capable camera you can haul around in your shirt pocket; a "get back to the basics" type camera without a light meter but capable of good images for those days when you want to "go commando" and use the Sunny 16 principal; It can be a liberating break from "dial and gauge" fatigue.

The Welta Welti is great, a Kodak 1B Retina or some similar camera of that nature.

narsuitus · Oct 22, 2020

trick said:
However my heart wants to try more things while I have the time and the means. I've basically thrown logic out of the window when it comes to this, for now.

I used the Nikon F, F2, and F3 until I needed auto focus. I traded my F3 for an F4 and never looked back.

Nikon F4 by Narsuitus, on Flickr

narsuitus · Oct 22, 2020

When I needed an auto focus 35mm point and shoot, I could find nothing better than the Nikon L35.

Nikon L35 by Narsuitus, on Flickr

narsuitus · Oct 22, 2020

After you find your ideal 35mm SLR and point & shoot cameras, you must experience the ideal 35mm rangefinder.

Leica M6 by Narsuitus, on Flickr

A return to 35mm - finding my ideal camera(s)

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