I want an XA/T4 Super hybrid

[bvy]

For 35mm, I like a small camera that I can pocket, and these are the two I've settled on. But I hate having to pick, and I'm wondering if there's a single camera out there that will give me what I like about of these.

My Yashica T4 Super (actually I have the T5 -- same camera) has the beautifully sharp Zeiss lens and accurate autofocus. I don't like zone focusing, and the rangefinder on the XA is hit or miss. I like that I can override the autofocus and set it to infinity. I like focusing down to 12 inches. Downside, the flash is overpowering for fill and the shutter button is a squishy affair that I've gotten used to but still don't like. My biggest complaint with the Yashica, though, is shutter lag. For things in motion, action, etc., it's useless. I like the Olympus XA if only because it's responsive. I like that I can choose the aperture and see the shutter speed, though I can do without it for most things.

I've tried the Stylus Epic. Felt great in the hand and it was fun to shoot, but the autofocus was terribly inaccurate. The GR1 (28mm) is a bit wider than I want. There's a Minolta something or other that looked interesting. Suggestions? Thanks.

 

[WoolyJacket]

I've tried a few other small cameras, but I always go back to the original XA. I am always looking for something better, but it never happens. I've had about half a dozen of them, some in better condition than others.

The rangefinder can be pretty hit or miss (especially since it's dim), but usually I can shoot at a distance and f stop where I don't have to worry about it so much. I find that aperture priority and seeing the shutter speed is essential for me, the later series XAs don't have this, and while I love my XA4 and its 28mm lens, it's really only suitable on sunny days where I know I won't have to check my settings. The clamshell case is very effective, meaning you never shoot with the lens cap on, and you can have this camera out of your pocket and ready to shoot quicker than anything else. I dislike that I can't set the film to anything faster than 800, and better exposure compensation would be nice, and I think that's about it. Oh, and most of the XA flashes out there seem to be broken or easily fail, but that could just be me.

I've never tried a T4. I'm curious as to which Minolta you're talking about, as I'm always willing to try out another small camera. I've tried two separate Minox 35 MLs and both were very disappointing in how poorly they performed. I heard they have a reputation for breaking down, and the two I bought certainly lived up to that reputation.

The only thing I've tried that can rival the XA is the Nikon 35 TI, which is a spectacular camera, but a find a little too fancy and expensive for just tossing around constantly in a bag or pocket. If this isn't an issue for you, it could be exactly what you are looking for. Really really good camera.

 

[bvy]

It's the Minolta TC-1 -- also a 28mm lens, but unique for having a circular diaphragm across all apertures.

I do like the XA and I also have an XA4 which is great for street shooting, parties, etc.

 

[thuggins]

Not sure which Stylus you're referring to as the name was used for a whole series. I have both the original f3.5 and the faster f2.8 along with several of the zooms. Focusing never seemed to be a problem, but the camera's insistence on using the flash along with the bain of all autofocus cameras of opening the aperture and setting a fast shutter speed made it a pain. But they take some beautiful shots.

As many folks have pointed out, the 35mm lens on the XA makes focusing fairly moot. My favorite of the lineup is the XA1 with a fixed focus 35f4 and a selenium cell. The heart of a Trip in the sexy body of an XA.

 

[Jon Buffington]

There is also the Minolta Freedom Elite, aka leica minilux II clone. I have this camera, the XA, XA4, oly stylus epic and the original stylus (and the precursor 35/2.8, the AF-1) as well as a slew of others (lots of the oly stylus epic zooms, Nikon l35af, etc). My heart is with the XA and recently acquired xa4. I also had a T5 that I bought for 2.99 at Goodwill in like new condition. Lens was very contrasty and the images were very nice. However sharpness was not all that, mainly it was the nice contrast and rendering that had it looking really sharp. Once zoomed in on the screen, the truth was told. I sold it to help fund a leica iiif.

Stick with the XA

 

[Patrick Robert James]

I have had a T4 since new nearly 25 years ago and I can agree with Jon that although the colors are wonderful and the lens is contrasty, it isn't all that sharp. The images fall apart when enlarged. The Olympus Mju II is actually sharper (surprisingly so) and is one of the fastest focussing small cameras I have ever used. If you are looking for ultimate performance in a small package you will have to pay for it. The best small film cameras haven't been made for a long time and as a result they are demanding premium prices. Cameras like the Contax T3 won't disappoint being small and sharp, but they won't disappoint your banker either.

 

[Steve Roberts]

I've tried many P & S cameras, hoping to find the ideal 'take everywhere' model. Ultimately, I've found a drawback with every one. My favourite, had it continued to work, was the Konica Lexio 70W. The 28mm lens was as sharp as could be expected, though for perhaps two or three exposures in each 36 it would fail to focus on anything in the frame, giving a hopeless blur. I had two and the clamshell-operated switches failed on both. Next favourite was the Olympus mjuII. Again, fine lens, but overpowering flash and light leaks around the back made it unusable. The Pentax Optio (can't remember which one) wasn't bad, though a bit chunkier than others. Last week I found a Pentax Optio Mini with a fixed focal length lens of 32mm. I've yet to try it. Most of these can be had for a couple of quid at a car boot sale or charity shop and they're fun to play with, but none come anywhere close to the rather larger Olympus 35RC, which is perhaps an unfair comparison.
Steve

 

[Paul Howell]

I have a box full of point and shoots, Nikon, Minolta, Pentax, Olympus, Canon. I found that the Pentax IQ zooms to have very good auto focus, the later models have 5 AF points, you just cant see them in the viewfinder. The lens are rather sharp for a zoom, but slow so I use Tmax 400. In terms of fixed lens, not as pocket able as the Pentax for primes, the Konica Off Road with the 28mm lens, first generation Canon Sure Shot with 40mm 1.9, Minolta HI Mat with 38mm 3.5 or 2.8. I don't who made the camera I have a Vivitair with a 35mm with a 2.8 that is razor sharp. For bad weather, the Minolta Weathermatic with 35mm and 85mm prime lens, Pentax WR with 35 to 70mm zoom, and the Konica, I also have the Olympus with 35 and 85 primes, smaller package than the Minolta. I want a Konica Hextar, just have trouble coming up the money.

 

[bvy]

Maybe I'm not looking close enough at my T5 prints, but they're satisfiably (really, that's not a word?) sharp and I'm happy with them. Of course, I rarely print to anything larger than 8x10 paper.

The Contax T2 is what I'm sniffing around now. The Minolta TC-1 is very appetizing, I just wish it had a slightly longer lens.

Also, I was referring to the 35mm fixed lens Stylus Epic/Mju II. I do have the Zoom 105 which is okay for certain things...

 

[JW PHOTO]

I've tried a few other small cameras, but I always go back to the original XA. I am always looking for something better, but it never happens. I've had about half a dozen of them, some in better condition than others.

The rangefinder can be pretty hit or miss (especially since it's dim), but usually I can shoot at a distance and f stop where I don't have to worry about it so much. I find that aperture priority and seeing the shutter speed is essential for me, the later series XAs don't have this, and while I love my XA4 and its 28mm lens, it's really only suitable on sunny days where I know I won't have to check my settings. The clamshell case is very effective, meaning you never shoot with the lens cap on, and you can have this camera out of your pocket and ready to shoot quicker than anything else. I dislike that I can't set the film to anything faster than 800, and better exposure compensation would be nice, and I think that's about it. Oh, and most of the XA flashes out there seem to be broken or easily fail, but that could just be me.

I've never tried a T4. I'm curious as to which Minolta you're talking about, as I'm always willing to try out another small camera. I've tried two separate Minox 35 MLs and both were very disappointing in how poorly they performed. I heard they have a reputation for breaking down, and the two I bought certainly lived up to that reputation.

The only thing I've tried that can rival the XA is the Nikon 35 TI, which is a spectacular camera, but a find a little too fancy and expensive for just tossing around constantly in a bag or pocket. If this isn't an issue for you, it could be exactly what you are looking for. Really really good camera.

Just curious as to your Minox 35 ML experience. You say both of the ML's you had performed poorly? In what department? Sharpness, contrast, handling or what? I've owned many Minox 35's and have never found one that was lacking in the lens quality department. Shutter reliability yes, but image quality no. The later MB and ML cameras were much more reliable, but also more expensive than the EL's. They also take a battery you can buy off the shelf.
My wife bought me a brand new XA when they were first released and I had a love/hate relationship with that camera. I loved the size and design, but didn't think the lens was all what it was cracked up to. It was definitely an f8 and be there camera. If I shot at f5.6 or below it wasn't very good. I tried three more in later years, but found the same thing in all of them. I personally think the Minox's 35mm f2.8 Color-Minotar is about as good as it gets. I have larger cameras that are better, but won't snuggle in your shirt pocket like the "cigarette pack size" Minox 35.

 

[WoolyJacket]

Just curious as to your Minox 35 ML experience. You say both of the ML's you had performed poorly? In what department? Sharpness, contrast, handling or what? I've owned many Minox 35's and have never found one that was lacking in the lens quality department. Shutter reliability yes, but image quality no. The later MB and ML cameras were much more reliable, but also more expensive than the EL's. They also take a battery you can buy off the shelf.
My wife bought me a brand new XA when they were first released and I had a love/hate relationship with that camera. I loved the size and design, but didn't think the lens was all what it was cracked up to. It was definitely an f8 and be there camera. If I shot at f5.6 or below it wasn't very good. I tried three more in later years, but found the same thing in all of them. I personally think the Minox's 35mm f2.8 Color-Minotar is about as good as it gets. I have larger cameras that are better, but won't snuggle in your shirt pocket like the "cigarette pack size" Minox 35.

Yeah, to clarify - nothing wrong with the lens quality, the cameras just didn't work well. Maybe it was just be bad luck or caused by other factors. The first one I tried had got its aperture stuck after a few uses (and also returned a blank roll, but I get the feeling I may not have loaded it correctly). The second one I used just recently returned a roll with about half the images blank. I haven't had the chance to take a closer look at either of them, and as I have a few XAs, I don't find myself rushing to do so.

 

[JW PHOTO]

Wooly, you are not alone when it comes to shutter problems with the Minox35 . I clean the shutter magnets on mine and then I always make sure to store them with the shutter cocked. The worst part about shutter problems with the Minox 35 is that it sounds as if it were working, but it's not. Your blank frames are proof of that. Still, those little buggers have a really sharp and contrasty lenses.

 

[blockend]

The point and shoot grail can steal your life and empty your wallet. Nearly all of them were hamstrung in one way or another, and often in multiple ways at once! Soft touch buttons with failing magnets, poor AF, dying LCDs, low build quality, high build quality with weak internals and high prices - the ultimate P&S is always just out of reach.

What people are generally looking for is tracking auto focus, and the technology wasn't available for that, so the ability to lock focus is essential. If you're prepared for a percentage of missed focus shots, lots of cameras will satisfy. If you need to nail focus of moving people, you'll need zone or scale focus. That usually means cameras of the previous era which were slightly bigger, or something like a Rollei 35 that requires pre-setting. If anyone finds the perfect pocket camera - tell me!