Half frame advice NEEDED!

Paul Howell

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It is a 1/2 frame AF point and shoot, I dont know of another AF 1/2 frame, although one could argue that APS was half frame and most APS cameras were AF with a view fixed lens as I recall. I have not used for a few years, should put another roll thought it.
 

brbo

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I had Konica AA-35 (Recorder). Didn't like it enough (all auto) to keep it. I would be almost rich now if I did keep it

It's a good picture taker though!
 

Willy T

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Yashica Samurai X3.0
 

Rolleiflexible

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brbo

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Rolleiflexible said:
… as well as the extraordinary Zeiss Tenax II with an f/2 Sonnar lens.
Click to expand...

Zeiss Tenax II was also available in half-frame configuration?! I thought all were Tenax IIs were square format...

choiliefan said:
My favorite half-frame is actually a 3/4-frame Robot Star.
Have to praise it anytime I can shoehorn it into a thread since its very compact.
Click to expand...

Ditto. I know about half-frame Robot Royal 18, but Star was also made in 24x18 size?
 

MFstooges

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xkaes said:
Both models of the STAR were 24x24. Robot also made a Recorder 18 that was 18x24mm -- but used a different cassette. Robot also made 35mm cameras with smaller formats, like 16x16mm and 6x24mm.

www.subclub.org/shop/robot.htm
Click to expand...

I see some of the robot models have 90 degree rotating/selectable viewfinder. What is the purpose of that?
 

r_a_feldman

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MFstooges said:
I see some of the robot models have 90 degree rotating/selectable viewfinder. What is the purpose of that?
Click to expand...

One purpose is to take “candid” pictures at right angles to your line of sight, like lenses that have a 45 degree mirror in front of them.
 

r_a_feldman

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If you can wait a few months, the new Pentax film camera (half-frame) should be on sale: https://petapixel.com/2024/05/20/pentax-teases-the-coming-of-its-17-half-frame-film-camera/ .
 

pbromaghin

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FriedLouisStudio

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I don't understand waiting for the release of this supposedly impressive (but potentially disappointng) new Pentax half-frame. There are many proven great half-frame cameras out there right now, and for a smaller investment. While you're waiting for the new Pentax, try shooting a classic!

The Olympus Pen S I got on eBay for $100 a few months ago is an outstanding shooter, a solid chunk of metal from back in the golden age of mechanical engineering, and from a company that was all about half-frame cameras at the time, not a johnny-come-lately just taking a shot at adding a half-frame model to their lineup. I've also got a Pen F, and I once owned a Pen EES-2... all excellent cameras.

Or am I the only one who thinks it likely that this new Pentax is going to look and feel kinda bogus alongside the great half-frame cameras of the sixties?
 

xkaes

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I agree that there are a ton of great half-frame (and similar format) cameras already out there -- new and, especially, used. I don't see how Pentax can possibly top all of them -- or even come close -- without making something too expensive for the market to bare. I suspect, if the rumors are true, that they think there is enough interest in FILM, and to keep the FILM cost down, half-frame. There are already several halfway decent new half-frame cameras -- Kodak H35, etc. -- so Pentax would need to come up with something better, but who knows what. Auto-focus with a zoom? A smaller, lighter Yashica Samurai v2.0? That's my guess -- basically an APS camera (which is actually a half-frame camera anyway). Why not a Minolta Vectis 10 using 35mm film? Very small, very light, a better, faster lens, auto-focus, auto-exposure, built-in flash, tripod socket, zoom lens, self-timer, zooming viewfinder, DX coding, etc. -- basically a Samurai with a viewfinder instead of an SLR. Much less expensive.

It probably would sell pretty well -- but I'll stick with my Samurai.
 

MFstooges

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r_a_feldman said:
One purpose is to take “candid” pictures at right angles to your line of sight, like lenses that have a 45 degree mirror in front of them.
Click to expand...

Yeah but how would one use that viewfinder with the lens being static. I could only imagine the photographer puts his eye to the camera edge so the camera can face 90 degree to his side but that will be so obvious to the subject.
 
OP
OP

hoomuzzz

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Thank you all for your advice. I've got a Canon Demi S recently for a start. The story goes that I accidentally came across a Demi S stored in box, with original accessories and prints. The box stayed for 60 years and is still beautiful. The camera is almost mint, the shutter is unfortunately jammed, yet the light meter is surprisingly working. I sent it to a workshop for repair, currently waiting for its reborn.
 

xkaes

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With the FAST lens, the Demi S is a winner, for sure. Good luck with the repair.

(1964) An "upgrade" from the original Demi, it had a faster lens and more shutter speeds. Now it has a 30mm (f1.7-22) manually-focusing lens with six elements in four groups. Shutter speed from 1/8 - 1/500, plus B. It had a selenium meter, with a match-needle system (readout on top of camera) to set the aperture and shutter. Also had a PC contact. Film speed from 25 to 400. 34mm filter thread.
 

r_a_feldman

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MFstooges said:
Yeah but how would one use that viewfinder with the lens being static. I could only imagine the photographer puts his eye to the camera edge so the camera can face 90 degree to his side but that will be so obvious to the subject.
Click to expand...

The Robot IIA manual states you can use the right angle finder “to take pictures without being noticed…”. It also says you can use it as a waist-level finder by holding the camera vertically.
 

MFstooges

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r_a_feldman said:
The Robot IIA manual states you can use the right angle finder “to take pictures without being noticed…”. It also says you can use it as a waist-level finder by holding the camera vertically.
Click to expand...

I still can't get it. Maybe the only way to find out is pay $$$ to get hands on experience
 
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