Going Skiing. Which Camera?

KidA

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In March, I'll be heading off to Banff (woohoo!) to go skiing in those wonderful mountains. I'm looking for a fairly cheap camera ($250) that I can carry around with me in my pocket. So, even tho my Olympus OMs are fairly small, their lenses when attached make it hard to fit in a pocket. I think as far as pocketable cameras go, it's either a pre-m leica with a collapsable lens or a folder; camera MUST be slim. I have a Super Ikonta 532/2 which would be good but my main concern with that is (a) I would like something even smaller and (b) the negative size, 6x9. I would much rather a 6x4.5 and get 16 shots than only 8 and have to change rolls twice as many times. So, any 6x4.5 folders anyone recommends that has a really great lens within the 35-50mm (35mm equivalent) range? I'm open to any suggestions, and I'm not closed to 35mm options if you can think of any. Point and shoot suggestions are also welcome, but I fear they might not handle the cold too well. Not really interested in 35mm folders however, unless its really tiny!
 

JW PHOTO

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I would seriously look at a used Pentax IQ 90WR zoom. This isn't real small, but it's a great rugged camera that can take anything you can dish out on a ski trip. When you're done skiing you can rinse the crud off under the sink. Excellent lens, 38-90mm zoom, remote, and all the options you need. Just make sure you use Lithium batteries and your ski trip will be covered. Oh, and they are dirt cheap on the auction. If you do buy one online make sure the rubber on the shutter release is intact. That rubber cover was about the only problem they had. Pentax also made a 105WR, but I have no experience with that camera. I still have about ten of these stashed away and they all work. I bought a whole box of these (12 or 13) that the Washington State Highway Department used and abused, but they all worked like I said and that surprised me. For all other travel I carry a Minox 35ML camera, but it can't take the abuse the Pentax can. That's just one suggestion and many more will come. John W
 

Sirius Glass

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Banff is the most beautiful place that I have skied.

You want a small inexpensive camera that you can carry in your pocket and will not hurt you or it when you fall on it. Got it?
 

fdonadio

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Sirius Glass said:
You want a small inexpensive camera that you can carry in your pocket and will not hurt you or it when you fall on it. Got it?
Click to expand...

That's what I think he wants. Too bad I can't find a camera with a square picture format that fits the requirements. Square is the perfect format, as you know.
 

Sirius Glass

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So I have been told. When one could get film for it I had a Fisher Price 110 camera that took sharp photographs and was easy to carry skiing.

 

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fdonadio

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Sirius, that's not square format. Sure, the camera is kinda boxy, but...

I've read the original post again and see that KidA would prefer 6x4.5, but is open to 35mm.

I am not aware of a really compact MF camera. Though, for 135 film, I remember my father had this nice Minox folder, probably one of these: 35ML, 35GL, 35GT or 35EL

I remember it being very compact (and the specs confirm this) and had a great fixed lens. A quick look at fleaBay shows they're relatively cheap.
 

RobC

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Fuji GA-645Zi

people will tell you its electronic and all sorts of things could go wrong but if you get a good one then no problem. Only questions are whether the zoom which is wide to normal is long enough for you and what the price might be. Oh, and you obviously need to keep it warm for the batteries to work.
Reputedly stunning lens quality. Very light.
 

Sirius Glass

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Sirius Glass said:
So I have been told. When one could get film for it I had a Fisher Price 110 camera that took sharp photographs and was easy to carry skiing.

Click to expand...


I used one like this in days of yore when the children were little, I skied alone with them [great for picking up women], and it was long before the digi-snapper days which then allowed me to have the cameras that I could only dream about. Besides it is tough to ski with a 4"x5" Graflex Model D.

Dorothea Lange
​
 

fdonadio

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AgX said:
Folders of the type as the Agfa Isolette are very compact.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the heads up, AgX.

I've just found out that the original Isolette and the Isolette L (didn't check the other models) are capable of shooting 6x6! So, square picture format in a compact medium format camera IS a reality.
 

skorpiius

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Sirius Glass said:
Banff is the most beautiful place that I have skied.

You want a small inexpensive camera that you can carry in your pocket and will not hurt you or it when you fall on it. Got it?
Click to expand...

Not an old camera, but an old skier (he's 90 now)

[video=youtube;9lpJSB9pd-s]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lpJSB9pd-s[/video]
 

Sirius Glass

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Thank you for that.
 

hsandler

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I would go for a 35 mm compact rangefinder, like a canonet, himatic or trip 35. A rollei 35 is really small.
 
OP
OP

KidA

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Sirius Glass said:
Banff is the most beautiful place that I have skied.

You want a small inexpensive camera that you can carry in your pocket and will not hurt you or it when you fall on it. Got it?
Click to expand...

Exactly that.
 

RobC

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There is also the possibility of a Contax Aria combined with the Contax Zeiss Tessar 45mm 2.8 pancake lens.
 

fdonadio

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KidA said:
Exactly that.
Click to expand...

So, my Minox 35 advice should be good. The camera is the size of a pack of cigarettes, maybe just a little thicker.

The Rollei 35 is about the same size, has better optics, but is heavier.

For medium format, the Agfa Isolette is compact and should work well, but it weighs 1,000 pounds....
 

MattKing

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Olympus AF-1.
 
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