comapact question

[clogz]

For some time now I have been looking around for a small (second hand) 35mm camera with manual override, small enough to fit into a shirt pocket. Of course a Minox comes to mind but from what I have learned from sites like photographyview.com the shutters of those little beauties are not really up to scratch. Any experiences and/or suggestions as to other brands?

Thanks
Hans

Mmmm, silly typing error in the heading.

 

[Eric Rose]

I had two different Rollei 35's. Both the T and the S. Both where outstanding cameras, albeit a bit heavy for the size. But that's the trade off for quality. The T sells cheaper than the S and if I were to buy another one I would buy the T. When making 11x14's from either one, they were equal in sharpness.

 

[clogz]

Eric, thanks for your contribution. I have got a Rollei 35SE myself but somehow I never use it. Too heavy or too beautiful, who knows.
Just this afternoon I purchased a second hand Minox 35ML, ran a film through it and it works OK. Really wanted a small camera as during the week when walking through to town I found I had missed some good photo opportunities. So hope I don't forget this Minox on Monday morning.

 

[clogz]

Of course the Minox came without a manual but - long live the 'Net - I found two interesting sites where they can be downloaded:

www.minoxography.org
www.submin.com

Worth a visit.

 

[Nige]

Olympus XA (not the 2,3,or 4)

Don't own one but only good has been written about them and if I ever find one in good nick for an appropiate price, I'll buy it!

 

[clogz]

Hello Nige,

I tried to find an XA but they seem to be rather scarce around here. However, I bet I'll see one in a shop window next week.

 

[baronfoxx]

THE BEST "COMPACT" IS THE LEICE M7 WITH A 50MM SUMMICRON LENS, PLUS A SHIRT WITH A LARGE POCKET

 

[fparnold]

I'll second (third?) the XA (disclaimer; I have one), but you have to watch the batteries these days as the modern Li equivalents don't have the same power curve as the originals. There is also no convenient way to attach a filter for B&W work.

This being said, it's spot-on for color, and can correctly expose Ektachrome 100 in backlight. I also have an Agfa Isolette, which while not 35mm (6x6 cm on 120), is pocketable.

 

[jhastie]

Olympus 35 RC. It has more features than a Leica and it is cheap on eBay.

See: http://www.ph.utexas.edu/~yue/misc/35RC.html

 

[clogz]

Well, the Minox seemed to suffer from this innate ailment: faulty shutter. Too expensive to have it repaired. I now have an Olympus XA, bought on the internet for € 20.-. Fine lens.
On the other hand I will take up your suggestion of the 35RC.
Thanks

Hans

 

[harveyje]

I am an admitted packrat and long time camera junkie, using 35, MF, and LF. I have an old XA which I bought new and also a new Stylus Epic, both of which I have with me at all times (B&W in one, color neg in the other). Both are wonderful and very sharp, comparing favourably with my newest Nikon, an F2S with non AI lenses!

 

[Aurore]

Interesting discussion... having a pocket-sized manual film camera would be a wonderful thing. I looked at some of the cameras mentioned here. Some seem to be auto exposure (even if exposure is indicated in viewfinder). The Agfa Isolette looks neat, but no built-in meter... and what's the point of a pocket camera if you have to be constantly using a seperate meter to estimate exposure settings? Anybody know of a small camera with manual settings and a built-in exposure meter? I wouldn't mind a 6x6 either... I love squares. Haven't touched 35mm in a while.

 

[Ole]

...and what's the point of a pocket camera if you have to be constantly using a seperate meter to estimate exposure settings? ...

Aurore, you learn to guess. I first learned photography on a 1948 Welta Welti, a really nice little 35mm folder. No rangefinder, no meter, just a finder. It doesn't take long to learn to guess the distance and light to within "good enough" tolerances!

I never use a meter now, unless I'm shooting LF or under very difficult conditions. All my folders are meterless, as well as the FED (see my indoors shot in the Anniversary Gallery - exposure by guesswork).