A zoom point and press question ?

BADGER.BRAD · Sep 12, 2017

O.k this may sound like a strange question ( bear with me I've never looked at one in the flesh)) I'm thinking of looking for a 35mm point and shoot with zoom capabilities to use as a sort of Bridge film camera between my SLR's and point and shoot fixed focus cameras to take with me hiking /mountain biking and what not. My question is how do you know what you have zoomed into is in the frame ? The ones I have seen on ebay seem to have the standard look through view finder Any recommendations for a cheapish one as it could get knocked about.

Thanks all

Ps I may be a little slow to reply as I'm going off grid for a while.

E. von Hoegh · Sep 12, 2017

I have two Pentax IQ Zooms with 35-70mm lenses, in those the finder zooms to match the lens. One was $3 at a thrift, one was on the free table at a yardsale - both with good batteries, cr123 iirc. Pretty good little cameras.

tedr1 · Sep 12, 2017

Yes, the viewfinder zooms to match the taking lens view that is captured by the film. It isn't terribly precise, and some cameras have limited number of zoom steps, I have a Canon MegaZoom 105 that was very cheap and for which batteries are still available. Check out the Canon camera museum for a survey of the models that they made http://global.canon/en/c-museum/camera.html. I seem to recall they stopped making 35mm film cameras in the early 2000s.

Paul Howell · Sep 12, 2017

I have 12 to 15, need to recount, point and shoots. I found the Pentax IQs to be well built, no significant issues with the viewfinder matching the zoom range. Another option for outdoors is the Minolta Weathermatic, it is not a zoom, has a duel lens, a 35mm and 85mm, it is water sealed, can take it down 20 or so feet, maybe deeper. Pentax also make a weather resistance point and shoot called the WR, it cannot be used underwater. Zooms range from 35 to 70, up to 37 or 38 to 180 and 200. The longer the lens the slower it will be. Overall I like a 35 to 120. If I was hiking in England I would look for a Pentax WR, moderate zoom.

dourbalistar · Sep 12, 2017

The Olympus Stylus Zoom (original non-Epic version) might fit the bill. According to the user manual, it has a "real image zoom viewfinder". 35-70mm focal range, single point AF with focus lock, and "weatherproof". Some image samples here. Cheap and easily replaceable should it get smashed on a mountain biking run.

BADGER.BRAD · Sep 18, 2017

Thanks all for the info and advise everyone from what you say I think they will fit the bill exactly. I'll start to have a look about.

GarageBoy · Sep 18, 2017

The Olympus IS cameras have your name all over them

Sirius Glass · Sep 19, 2017

The advantage of SLRs is that what you see is at least the minimum of what you will get. Some prisms do not let the user see the full frame.

Paul Howell · Sep 19, 2017

The larger bridge cameras, Olympus, Yashica and Mamyia are somewhat large, cannot fit into a pocket. In term of size, a Pentax PZ 10 with 35 to 70 zoom, compact, with a 40mm pancake, back to fit into a jacket pocket, one of the point and shoot zooms. On the other side, the Olympus IS had very good lens, just a little on the slow side.

Craig75 · Sep 20, 2017

Pentax espio 24ew starts at 24mm which i think is widest angle zoom camera made which might be useful. They are only about 15 years old and i dont think they are pricey - maybe 20 to 30 pounds which seems a great way to get a wide angle to 105mm lens in your pocket.

Alan Johnson · Sep 20, 2017

I have one with a wide angle 28-90 zoom I have used for landscapes. It is a Pentax Espio 928 and it has easily worked exposure compensation. This means I can hold a 2 stop orange filter in front of the lens to darken skies.
Also I have a Fujifilm Zoom Date f2.8 with a wide angle 24-50mm zoom but this does not have exposure compensation.
If feeling rich, look at the Contax TVS with a 28-56 zoom and screw in filters.

A zoom point and press question ?

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