In search for a 35 AF/AE advance compact camera

[Fatih Ayoglu]

Hi all,

So for casual use, I’m looking for a 35mm camera which has aperture control, AF, AE, exposure control, decent fast’ish lens, etc. Basically things that an advance compact camera would have. I know Contax G2 fits the bill but then I don’t want to spend £2k for it. I’ve in mind cameras like Nikon 35ti, Konica Hexar AF. But also I know, repeatability of these cameras are minimum to none. Are there other good options which we know are reliable, have the options I’ve mentioned and worth to pay the overprice what the sellers are asking.

 

[ic-racer]

Nikon N55? Mine was $7. The body alone is smaller than a lot of 'compact' 35mm cameras I own.

 

[Paul Howell]

In my mind, all of top of line compact AF cameras are not holding up, a few can be repaired to a small degree, most once dead are dead. If you are will to pay for one a Rollei AFM35 which is a rebanded Fujifilm Klasse.

 

[Nicholas Lindan]

Also from the 2000's - the Nikon N75. Cameras this cheap can be discarded and sold as 'parts only' on ebay. Zoom P&S's are reasonably priced, but things like the Yashica T4/T5, Olympus Mju & Ricoh GR are horridly overpriced.

From the 60's and 70's: Minolta HiMatic 7s; Canon GIII QL17... Though when looking at 50-60 year old cameras it's condition, condition and condition - along with working, working, working - and sold with proof that it takes proper photographs.

Be aware that the Nikon 35ti and other hi-end P&S's, in general, can not be repaired.

 

[Fatih Ayoglu]

Nikon N55? Mine was $7. The body alone is smaller than a lot of 'compact' 35mm cameras I own.

View attachment 368483

Sorry I should have mentioned, I’m more looking for a fixed lens option. Otherwise I have Leica MP and continue with it. (Actually the more I read forums, I think I should continue with it)

 

[Fatih Ayoglu]

Also from the 2000's - the Nikon N75. Cameras this cheap can be discarded and sold as 'parts only' on ebay. Zoom P&S's are reasonably priced, but things like the Yashica T4/T5, Olympus Mju & Ricoh GR are horridly overpriced.

From the 60's and 70's: Minolta HiMatic 7s; Canon GIII QL17... Though when looking at 50-60 year old cameras it's condition, condition and condition - along with working, working, working - and sold with proof that it takes proper photographs.

Be aware that the Nikon 35ti and other hi-end automated P&S's, in general, can not be repaired.

Yes and paying good money and then having a dead body in 3 months time scares me.

 

[Fatih Ayoglu]

In my mind, all of top of line compact AF cameras are not holding up, a few can be repaired to a small degree, most once dead are dead. If you are will to pay for one a Rollei AFM35 which is a rebanded Fujifilm Klasse.

And cheaper than Konica or Nikon…

 

[GregY]

Sorry I should have mentioned, I’m more looking for a fixed lens option. Otherwise I have Leica MP and continue with it. (Actually the more I read forums, I think I should continue with it)

Fatih, the prices for Nikon Ti, Contax et al are crazy. Since you have an MP...& M mount lenses, i'd suggest getting a CL or Minolta CLE body. Otherwise a Yashica T4 with a tessar 35 is a good one . I once bought a broken one and had the lens put into an M mount. by Mr Miyazaki.
Otherwise, if it were me, i'd go with a Pentax MEsuper w 28mm or 40, or a Nikon F80 with a small lens..... they're really inexpensive.
I use a CL with a small Canon 28mm as my go anywhere camera....

 

[MattKing]

Sorry I should have mentioned, I’m more looking for a fixed lens option.

An Olympus OM-20 with the 35-70mm Zuiko lens would allow you to pretend that the lens is fixed, and give you a good result .

 

[Paul Howell]

And cheaper than Konica or Nikon…

Prices may be different in my part of the world. Check your usual online stores and compare. Although not much smaller than my Minolta 5 with 50mm A mount lens, my current "compact" camera is a Chinon 35F-MA. Fixed 38mm 2.8 likely a 4 element tessar. It is a first generation compact AF point and shoot, no manual override, but the meter sensor is inside the filter ring, and non DX ASA so I can fool the meter 1 stop or 2 by adjusting the ASA, no manual cannot set the aperture. A Fujifilm Klasse. run about $500 US on EBay, while a Chinon runs from $14 to $40 U.S. And uses 2 AA batteries. The Rollie or Klass has a higher shutter speed of 1/1000 of a second and ISO tops out at 3200. Peeking at Ebay the Nikon TI are running $600 to $900.

 

[Radost]

The absolute best is Minolta A5. Small. A mount. Good flash. And the most important…. SPOT METERING!!!

 

[Besk]

I have three Nikon N75's. All 3 purchased for less than $125 total. They will do everything you need.
Very lightweight and compact with a small lens.

 

[guangong]

In my mind, all of top of line compact AF cameras are not holding up, a few can be repaired to a small degree, most once dead are dead. If you are will to pay for one a Rollei AFM35 which is a rebanded Fujifilm Klasse.

Ditto. I have a Contax T3, bought new. Great small compact camera although In use it with the expectation, like Wotan’s Valhalla, that its end will surely come at any time. Considering their fate, I don’t understand current prices for this camera or Nikon, etc brethren. While not 35mm, a Minox LX is auto exposure with such depth of field that seems like AF. Compared to LX initial price when new, they are bargains today. And robust.
Otherwise, just buy several low end auto everything and treat as disposable.

 

[Chan Tran]

Hi all,

So for casual use, I’m looking for a 35mm camera which has aperture control, AF, AE, exposure control, decent fast’ish lens, etc. Basically things that an advance compact camera would have. I know Contax G2 fits the bill but then I don’t want to spend £2k for it. I’ve in mind cameras like Nikon 35ti, Konica Hexar AF. But also I know, repeatability of these cameras are minimum to none. Are there other good options which we know are reliable, have the options I’ve mentioned and worth to pay the overprice what the sellers are asking.

You said the Contax G2 is compact enough for you?

 

[Fatih Ayoglu]

You said the Contax G2 is compact enough for you?

Not really, it’s is small but not that small. Also, the size is not on top my list, except that it has everything. I was looking for AF, AE, aperture control, exposure compensation.

I really didn’t want to have another interchangeable camera to be honest as that means I’ll carry those lenses as well when I travel.

My hope was, I can get away with Nikon to, Konica Hexar AF, but obviously they have limited life in them now.

Maybe I should just be happy with I have. That will certainly make my wife happy

 

[John Bragg]

It is very hard to get a totally reliable compact camera without spending a fortune. I have sold my collection of Olympus Mju1 and Mju11 cameras to buy a Nikon F4, as I saw the crazy prices they were fetching, and was less than impressed with their ability to reliably nail focussing. I still have one mint Mju1 but wouldn't trust it for critical work. I agree that AF SLRs are the way to go for cheapness and reliability. My compact go anywhere camera is the Nikon Fm2n, but it also depends if AF is a deal breaker for you.

 

[Chan Tran]

Not really, it’s is small but not that small. Also, the size is not on top my list, except that it has everything. I was looking for AF, AE, aperture control, exposure compensation.

I really didn’t want to have another interchangeable camera to be honest as that means I’ll carry those lenses as well when I travel.

My hope was, I can get away with Nikon to, Konica Hexar AF, but obviously they have limited life in them now.

Maybe I should just be happy with I have. That will certainly make my wife happy

If compactness is not important get a Nikon F5. It has good AE, AF and cost less than $500 for one in excellent condition.

 

[Nicholas Lindan]

With just a dab of epoxy you can turn a Nikon N75 into a fixed lens camera... Or just carry the camera and don't take any other lenses with you.

 

[GregY]

Another approach is just to buy a Ricoh GR-1 or Fuji Klasse....and consider them disposable.

 

[Paul Howell]

If you want was likely the best of the luxury compact, the Minolta TC -1 with 28mm fixed lens, 7 elements with 5 glass and 2 aspherical, not quite as fast as others at 3.5 it has top shutter speed of 1/700th of a second. Dx coded with manual override.

 

[Fatih Ayoglu]

With these current prices and irreparability of these overpriced cameras, I think I’m best to stay with my current cameras. I can use my FE2 with a 28mm lens