best Nikon film compact camera

flavio81 · Jan 14, 2015

To be honest, for compactness and usability a Minox 35GL, GT, ML or similar is the king, very light with an excellent lens and control over aperture values.

Otherwise, to me, the best "compact Nikon" would be a FE with the small 50/2 or 50/1.8 lens.

ianp · Jan 16, 2015

flavio81 said:
To be honest, for compactness and usability a Minox 35GL, GT, ML or similar is the king, very light with an excellent lens and control over aperture values.

I'll second that as the Minox cameras are great little thing that can take exceptional shots. They are zone focusing and lack a built-in flash, if that would be a concern.

The thought of any camera being stuffed into a back pocket on a hike or cycle ride does strike me as a good way to kill any camera PDQ. The Minox ever-ready case will offer some protection and not add too much bulk, but I can't help but think that there are better ways to carry a camera.

flavio81 · Jan 16, 2015

ianp said:
I'll second that as the Minox cameras are great little thing that can take exceptional shots. They are zone focusing and lack a built-in flash, if that would be a concern..

Note that they are not exactly zone focusing; they are scale focusing. That is, they have a proper focus ring with distances.

rhmimac · Jan 18, 2015

So,...

I settled myself on two pocketable compacts which seem to give fair optical results based on the (flickr) pics on the net, which have AF (my not so perfect eyes needs this), are kind of robust and more so, are cheap and are - as an nice option to be able to grab a snapshot without being noticed on the streets - grey/black:

- a Pentax Zoom 90WR: what I really dig is the Weather Resistance part of this one, so putting it in the rain/dust or a backpocket while cycling gives me a no-brainer.
- a Nikon Zoom 310 AF QD: a small zoom AF camera, which gives me a macro focusing option of 30cm, not bad. I hate cameras which push me back on 0,8 or 1,5m for getting the close up into focus.

I'll catch up this thread to give you the review and real world results of these cheapies. Thanks for input. Much appreciated.

JW PHOTO · Jan 18, 2015

rhmimac said:
So,...

I settled myself on two pocketable compacts which seem to give fair optical results based on the (flickr) pics on the net, which have AF (my not so perfect eyes needs this), are kind of robust and more so, are cheap and are - as an nice option to be able to grab a snapshot without being noticed on the streets - grey/black:

- a Pentax Zoom 90WR: what I really dig is the Weather Resistance part of this one, so putting it in the rain/dust or a backpocket while cycling gives me a no-brainer.
- a Nikon Zoom 310 AF QD: a small zoom AF camera, which gives me a macro focusing option of 30cm, not bad. I hate cameras which push me back on 0,8 or 1,5m for getting the close up into focus.

I'll catch up this thread to give you the review and real world results of these cheapies. Thanks for input. Much appreciated.

I bought my wife a Pentax IQ zoom 90WR when they first came out and it was a fantastic camera. A little on the large size for the pocket, but loaded with features and a very good zoom lens. About a year ago I was roaming the big auction site and stumbled onto a box full of ten IQ 90wr cameras from the "State of Washington-Government use" that were listed "as is". I think I won the auction for something like $15.00 +shipping. They all had their cases and most had instruction books also. Some had white paint saying "Property of the State of Washington" and I think they were used by the Highway Department. I cleaned them and got some new batteries for them. I thought at least a few would work, but to my surprise every single one worked just fine. Now everyone of my grand-kids has one and I have two spares just in case. A really good sleeper camera. Use it and do let us know how you like it. P.S. I always liked its color rendering. John W

j-dogg · Jan 18, 2015

frank said:
If you are considering cameras as large as the previously mentioned Nikon and Canon AF's, then take the next small step in size and weight, to a Nikon FG which gives you the option of full manual control over shutter speeds an aperture. The series E 50f1.8 is small and very good.

+1 FG and Series E 50 user here, I built a full system around mine I loved it so much.

rhmimac · Jan 19, 2015

JW Photo, what a nice story. I hope to get mine this week with the postman. Any suggestion for the first color film roll to test it and get the the nice color rendering?

JW PHOTO · Jan 19, 2015

rhmimac said:
JW Photo, what a nice story. I hope to get mine this week with the postman. Any suggestion for the first color film roll to test it and get the the nice color rendering?

Digital has kind of taken over my 35mm shooting(film for medium and large format only), so I haven't used the IQ90WR in a while now, but I always got Fuji 400 color negative film for my wife to shoot and it worked great. Kodak Gold 100 was very nice for people (slightly less saturation). The Fuji 400 and 200 seemed to be more "punchy) and the greens (grass and trees) looked better. Of course, those greens in the Fuji weren't 100% accurate according to the original scene, but they sure did look nice. The lenses are on the slow side with these zooms so ISO/ASA 400 worked better for my wife. If the one you receive is mechanically and optically sound you will love it. If you drop it in the dirt just rinse it under the sink faucet. I did that in front of my deer hunting partner. I had taken a picture of him and his deer and somehow manage to get blood on the top of my camera. I went off to a stream near by and gave it a light dunk and rubbed the blood off. I thought he was going to go bonkers on me. We used to get a laugh out of that story every once in a while. He's gone now, but not forgotten. Great camera - darn good results too! John W

darinwc · Jan 19, 2015

May I also sujjest the original Olympus mju/stylus, the one with the f3.5 lens? They are usually dirt cheap because every one wants the epic. And i seem to have found more working examples than the latter.

ronwhit · Jan 20, 2015

A note to rhmimac and JW Photo - I'm a long time fan of the Pentax WR90 (and it's sibling the WR105) as a carry around, wet weather, to the beach, hiking camera. I actually have two, purchased for $8.00 and $12.00 on ebay years ago. (I bid on both, hoping to get one, and won both auctions.) I usually load them with Fuji 400 and have captured some great memories that would otherwise have gone unrecorded. Not very "pocketable", but easily fits in a small shoulder bag that I use when traveling to carry a light jacket and water bottle.

JW PHOTO · Jan 20, 2015

ronwhit said:
A note to rhmimac and JW Photo - I'm a long time fan of the Pentax WR90 (and it's sibling the WR105) as a carry around, wet weather, to the beach, hiking camera. I actually have two, purchased for $8.00 and $12.00 on ebay years ago. (I bid on both, hoping to get one, and won both auctions.) I usually load them with Fuji 400 and have captured some great memories that would otherwise have gone unrecorded. Not very "pocketable", but easily fits in a small shoulder bag that I use when traveling to carry a light jacket and water bottle.

Yes, not a cigarette pack size camera that's for sure, but nice rounded form helps. I have a little "fanny" type pack for mine and also a leather belt case. I agree that it's nice not to have to worry about rain or snow mucking up your camera. I wish it had a little faster lens and maybe 28mm or 30mm on the wide side, but I can live with it the way it is. These cameras are really great for active people - kayak, hike, hunt, fish, ski. Heck, they aren't bad for inactive folks like me either! John W

Patrick Robert James · Jan 21, 2015

I have had tons of small point and shoots over the years. I keep trying to find the perfect one so I have tried a million it seems. The only one I think was perfect was the Ricoh GR1, but they are unreliable. Mine broke and as far as I know, can't be fixed unless it is sent to Japan. One of the best lenses is on the little Minox 35, but that doesn't have autofocus and is crap in low light. Actually I don't think it works at all in low light. I have had a Yashica T4 since they were introduced back in the 90s. I think they are overrated. The lens is really contrasty, but it isn't all that sharp. I think people confuse the "snap" with sharpness. The Canon and Nikon early autofocus cameras are good, but they are too large. The best zoom I have come across is the Contax TVS followed closely by the Fuji DL Super Mini Zoom. For whatever reason, the Fuji isn't that great in black and white (probably just needs to be filtered), but for color it is pretty sweet. The lens is sharp and the color is pure. Great camera if you can find one. There is also a fixed 28mm version too which is purported to be good. The Olympus 2.8 mju has the fastest autofocus of any small camera which is nice. If you are used to that you will probably be disappointed with other cameras. I had a Rollei Prego (Konica) years ago that a friend lost in Tailand. That was a nice camera as well. As good as the Yashica T-4 IMO and I always wanted to get another. I picked up one of the Nikon AF-600s a while back. I haven't developed any film from it yet but it is nice and small.

rhmimac · Jan 21, 2015

I was reading all your inputs and thought of this: I think I made most of my shots so far on point and shoot camera's because they were always there at hand. This compared to my SLR's which always need an "effort" in carrying and packing/shielding. The SLR give me more pleasant results quality wise though. It's a choice to be made.

benjiboy · Jan 21, 2015

I like the Nikon L35 AF https://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=...gs_l=img.1.0.0j0i10i24j0i24j0i10i24j0i24j0i10 It was Nikon's first AF compact had an all metal body, has a sharp 5 element 35mm f2.8 lens, was threaded for filters and had a reliable AF system. I bought one second hand for my son to take to America when he went there to university in California about 20 years ago and he's still using it.

Les Sarile · Jan 21, 2015

rhmimac said:
I was reading all your inputs and thought of this: I think I made most of my shots so far on point and shoot camera's because they were always there at hand. This compared to my SLR's which always need an "effort" in carrying and packing/shielding. The SLR give me more pleasant results quality wise though. It's a choice to be made.

I don't have the Pentax Zoom 90WR but I believe it is the same as my 105R. If so then it is not smaller than a Pentax MX but it is much lighter since it is all plastic. Of course it is autofocus but the gigantic and bright viewfinder can compensate.

rhmimac · Jan 22, 2015

Very nice comparison, an MX is a lot more expensive though ,2nd hand prices are going up and up...

Les Sarile · Jan 22, 2015

rhmimac said:
Very nice comparison, an MX is a lot more expensive though ,2nd hand prices are going up and up...

Of course there is a reason for that since the MX is the smallest fully manual SLR with the largest full info viewfinder. Also, the Pentax ME Super is similar in size with aperture priority as well as manual and usually lower priced. BTW, the Pentax 40mm pancake seems to be the best value today for this type lens.

Just letting you know your options since you said that an SLR gives you more pleasant results quality wise.

rhmimac · Feb 12, 2015

the pentax 90WR and the nikon zoom 310 are in and now tested with a first film, I'll keep you posted on the results Tnx

Theo Sulphate · Feb 12, 2015

Patrick Robert James said:
... The only one I think was perfect was the Ricoh GR1, but they are unreliable. Mine broke and as far as I know, can't be fixed unless it is sent to Japan. ...

In August, 2013, I wrote to Bellamy Hunt (JapanCameraHunter) regarding my GR-1 - he said Ricoh stopped repairing them six months earlier due to lack of parts.

Too bad - it's an amazing camera.

Patrick Robert James · Feb 13, 2015

Theo Sulphate said:
In August, 2013, I wrote to Bellamy Hunt (JapanCameraHunter) regarding my GR-1 - he said Ricoh stopped repairing them six months earlier due to lack of parts.

Too bad - it's an amazing camera.

Well that just ∫****** $****!

I probably should have had it repaired a few years ago when the shutter broke. I don't care about the lcd. Maybe I will take out the little screwdrivers and have at it. I guess there is nothing to lose at this point.

Theo Sulphate · Feb 13, 2015

Patrick Robert James said:
Well that just ∫****** $****!I probably should have had it repaired a few years ago when the shutter broke. I don't care about the lcd. Maybe I will take out the little screwdrivers and have at it. I guess there is nothing to lose at this point.

Well - maybe write to Ricoh to confirm. Or contact those who repair Ricoh cameras. My GR1's problem is in the electronics - I assume a circuit board or flex cable needs to be repaired. However, what I stated earlier is what he wrote me.

JW PHOTO · Feb 13, 2015

rhmimac said:
the pentax 90WR and the nikon zoom 310 are in and now tested with a first film, I'll keep you posted on the results Tnx

If they are both 100% mechanically functional you should have fun deciding between the two. Well, you should have fun anyway! Yes, keep use informed. John W

flavio81 · Feb 16, 2015

I just want to post that yesterday i bought a Nikon FG (SLR) and it's impressively compact and light. A viable option, with the pancake 50/1.8 Nikkor.

rhmimac · Mar 5, 2015

The nikon EM/50f1.8 pancake was once my everyday companion. Two probs: 1. the under/over exposure beeper drove me crazy after a year of use. The FG is better in that way that the beeper can be switched off. Correct? 2. My old eyes need Autofocus. Nikon autofocus for now. The pentax90WR is added now. Sold all my manual focus camera's except my Lomo Lubitel 166+. It's my cheap 6x6 MF shooter. The plastic lightness of it is great. Thanks for nice suggestion.

JW PHOTO · Mar 6, 2015

rhmimac said:
The nikon EM/50f1.8 pancake was once my everyday companion. Two probs: 1. the under/over exposure beeper drove me crazy after a year of use. The FG is better in that way that the beeper can be switched off. Correct? 2. My old eyes need Autofocus. Nikon autofocus for now. The pentax90WR is added now. Sold all my manual focus camera's except my Lomo Lubitel 166+. It's my cheap 6x6 MF shooter. The plastic lightness of it is great. Thanks for nice suggestion.

How did your test go? What were your final thoughts on both the Pentax IQ and the Nikon? Just curious as to how you made your choice. John W

best Nikon film compact camera

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