Fast 35mm compact with non-wide lens?

mcgrattan · Apr 30, 2007

Hi,

I wondered if anyone had made a fast lens'd compact where the lens wasn't a 35mm lens or wider?

I love my mju II, but I generally prefer a slightly longer lens -- 50mm or so. All th fast compacts seem to be 35mm or wider.

Anything out there that'd do me? Something with a 50mm f2.8 or similar? I was taking some photos at a gig last night where I could just have done with a tiny bit longer focal length.

Ryuji · Apr 30, 2007

What's your definition of compact?

If it doesn't have to fit in a shirt pocket, you could look into things like this:

Dead Link Removed

You could find more at 45mm, 48mm, 42mm, etc. than 50mm, I'd think.

mcgrattan · Apr 30, 2007

I was thinking more of a pocketable camera -- something I can just throw in a pocket when I don't want to carry a bag. 45 or 48 would be fine, I think.

I actually just bought an S2 (waiting for it to arrive, it was posted last week) and it might be something I can use in the future. I also have a couple of other small rangefinders -- manual screwmounts -- which are good for that sort of thing but just a little too big.

That's a nice page on the S2, by the way.

Ryuji · Apr 30, 2007

Thanks,

... and if you can be ok with 42mm, there are pocketable options like Olympus 35RC (rangefinder) or even 35EC2 (zone focus).

Roger Hicks · Apr 30, 2007

mcgrattan said:
Something with a 50mm f2.8 or similar? I was taking some photos at a gig last night where I could just have done with a tiny bit longer focal length.

Late Kodak Retina folder (IIa second series or later) with f/2 Rodenstock (Heligon) or Schneider (Xenon) lenses. The late f/2.8 interchangeable-front-component option was even sharper but I love my Heligon.

Cheers,

R.

firecracker · Apr 30, 2007

I was going to say Retinette 1a, which has a 45mm F2.8 lens. It's cheap but still pretty good for what it is.

bdial · Apr 30, 2007

I second Roger and Firecrackers suggestion. Retina II's and III's are plentiful. Both the II's and III's were available with f2 lenses, and these are common on ebay.
For a brief overview
I's have no rangefinder, these are the smallest and lightest
II's have rangefinders
III's have rangefinders and meters, + interchangeable elements for wide angle and tele.

All are pocketable, but not exactly light for their size. Here's what Stephan Gandy has to say about them. http://www.cameraquest.com/retIIa.htm

mcgrattan · Apr 30, 2007

The Retina suggestions are good ones. I've often looked at 35mm folders online and wondered about them. They'd have been perfect. I didn't need a meter since I'd have shot at wide-open at whatever I can hold, anyway.

Fast 35mm compact with non-wide lens?

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