Love my Fuji GA645i 6x4.5 point & shoot. Is there a 35mm equivalent?

[albireo]

I'm looking for a 35mm point and shoot. But I'm spoiled: I have a Fuji GA645 medium format point and shoot, that does everything I need:

-exceptional prime lens
-great exposure meter that works well
-great AF, works even in low light
-relatively compact
-manual control override (can set ISO, can set exposure comp)

However - it's still to big to always have on me, in a large pocket.

Hence my question - is there anything similar in the 35mm world? I have a Yashica T3. It's just not there. The exposure meter is fine, but I can't set ISO/exposure compensation. AF is exceptionally poor: works well only in good light. Miss rate in poor light is 70-80% I'd say. Compactness I'm fine with. The lens is fine, but not that great actually. A humble 50mm f/1.8D Nikkor on my F90x is noticeably sharper at f/2.8 and above.

So what's a great 35mm point and shoot with a great lens (comparable to SLR prime lens), good meter, good AF that will give me a similar user experience to my GA645, but with 35mm film? Any thoughts appreciated.

 

[ic-racer]

F90x?

 

[koraks]

I wondered the same for a while, a few years back. Ended up carrying a consumer-level EOS with a ditto prime lens whenever I want to travel light. I found all P&S models lacking in crucial functions, phenomenally overpriced due to cult status, unnecessarily bulky, plagued with a host of mechanical or electronic issues, impossible to source - or a combination of all of those.

 

[brbo]

There is no camera that will meet all your requirements.

 

[albireo]

F90x?

big.. Heavy. But a fantastic camera. I actually prefer it to the F100 I used to have.

 

[albireo]

I found all P&S models lacking in crucial functions, phenomenally overpriced due to cult status, unnecessarily bulky, plagued with a host of mechanical or electronic issues, impossible to source - or a combination of all of those.

Yeah. That's the answer I was afraid to get. But a good reality check.

 

[albireo]

How about this one

Nikon 35Ti Review

I guess it falls in the 'phenomenally overpriced' camp these days?

 

[koraks]

It sure did when I last checked. I imagine it's gotten worse.
It was also virtually unobtainable back then.

 

[xkaes]

Minolta TC-1

 

[jbrubaker]

I own the Fuji ga645. I believe the closest 35mm equivalent is the Konica Hexar AF which I used to own. ---jb.

 

[albireo]

I own the Fuji ga645. I believe the closest 35mm equivalent is the Konica Hexar AF which I used to own. ---jb.

May I ask why you don't have it anymore?

 

[brbo]

Nikon TC-1 doesn’t have manual ISO override.

And I feel that auto flash on both, Nikon Ti and Minolta TC-1 (except on Nikon 28Ti and some rare 35 Tis) is extremely annoying.

If auto flash doesn’t bother you and you can live with no ISO override there is at least Rollei AFM 35 that usually doesn’t sell at the Fuji Klasse/Contax T2/T3/Minolta TC-1/Nikon Ti prices.

Hexar AF is marvelous but the size is almost that of a smaller AF SLR.

 

[albireo]

Nikon TC-1 doesn’t have manual ISO override.

And I feel that auto flash on both, Nikon Ti and Minolta TC-1 (except on Nikon 28Ti and some rare 35 Tis) is extremely annoying.

If auto flash doesn’t bother you and you can live with no ISO override there is at least Rollei AFM 35 that usually doesn’t sell at the Fuji Klasse/Contax T2/T3/Minolta TC-1/Nikon Ti prices.

Hexar AF is marvelous but the size is almost that of a smaller AF SLR.

great advice thanks. Will do a little bit of research. Auto flash bothers me a lot.

 

[Huss]

I'm looking for a 35mm point and shoot. But I'm spoiled: I have a Fuji GA645 medium format point and shoot, that does everything I need:

-exceptional prime lens
-great exposure meter that works well
-great AF, works even in low light
-relatively compact
-manual control override (can set ISO, can set exposure comp)

However - it's still to big to always have on me, in a large pocket.

Hence my question - is there anything similar in the 35mm world? I have a Yashica T3. It's just not there. The exposure meter is fine, but I can't set ISO/exposure compensation. AF is exceptionally poor: works well only in good light. Miss rate in poor light is 70-80% I'd say. Compactness I'm fine with. The lens is fine, but not that great actually. A humble 50mm f/1.8D Nikkor on my F90x is noticeably sharper at f/2.8 and above.

So what's a great 35mm point and shoot with a great lens (comparable to SLR prime lens), good meter, good AF that will give me a similar user experience to my GA645, but with 35mm film? Any thoughts appreciated.

Fuji Klasse W or S.

I use the W.

 

[brbo]

Right!!! Klasse S/W do have ISO override and they do remember your flash mode setting, right @Huss?

 

[xkaes]

(1995) Minolta TC1 Classic Styled 35mm Compact Camera. This is the world's smallest luxury lens-shutter camera with a titanium steel body, superior-quality optics, aperture-priority AE, plus auto and manual focusing. The Minolta TC-1 is an ultra-high-quality, miniaturized, multi-featured camera with a titanium steel body for long-lasting durability. It is a camera unrivaled in both form and function. Fitting easily in a shirt pocket, the TC-1 is the smallest lens shutter camera available that offers the creative functions and sharp image quality of an SLR. The advanced automated features provide point and shoot simplicity, while the manual overrides and function control dial allow for personal style and creative expression. Also, the TC-1's superior optics and exposure control let you get the high-quality results you expect from slide films.

• Miniature Size with Top-Quality Performance -- The Minolta TC-1 is an ultra-high-quality, miniaturized, multi-featured camera with a titanium steel body for long-lasting durability. It is a camera which is unrivaled in both form and function. Fitting easily in a shirt pocket, the TC-1 is the smallest lens shutter camera available that offers the creative functions and sharp image quality of an SLR. The advanced automated features allow point and shoot simplicity, while the manual overrides and function control dial allow for personal style and creative expression. Additionally, the superior optical quality and exposure control allows the full potential of color reversal (slide) films to be achieved. The Minolta TC-1 is the ideal companion for those who love to take pictures, have some knowledge of photography, and want a camera that can be taken anywhere, anytime, easily and conveniently.
• Superior-Quality Lens -- The TC-1 features an ultra-wide-angle 28mm aspherical glass lens (five elements in five groups) which delivers superior image quality with edge-to-edge sharpness even at a maximum aperture of f/3.5. Aspherical lens elements reduce aberrations and also improve the quality of off-center images with wide angles of view. Lens performance is further enhanced by multi-coated surfaces which reduce flare and allow high light transmittance for exceptionally clear images. The lens system also features circular apertures which create natural-looking backgrounds and highlights. Additionally, an all-metal lens housing provides stable and precise optical alignment even in extreme temperatures.
• Wide Angle Real-Image Viewfinder with Diopter Adjustment -- For maximum eye comfort, the Minolta TC-1 features a large, high-magnification viewfinder with the world’s widest angle-of-view. This real-image viewfinder uses aspherical lenses and glass roof prisms to provide a bright image and clear displays. Pushing the shutter-release button partway down displays shutter speed, flash status, focus OK indicator, and focus distance scale. Viewfinder diopter adjustment controls allow the user to set the viewfinder optics from -2.5 to +1 diopters, to match his or her eyesight requirements.
• Auto and Manual Focusing -- The TC-1 uses an external passive-type 455-step autofocus system which is able to focus accurately even on distant subjects, objects behind glass, or mirror images. An analog focus indicator displays the focus distance inside the viewfinder. Manual focus is also available, with 22-step presets in the data panel. Pressing the shutter-release button partway down activates the AF system and the analog focus indicator. The focus indicator is displayed in both auto and manual focus modes.
• Aperture Priority AE -- The TC-1 provides user-selectable circular apertures of 3.5, 5.6, 8, and 16. The photographer can choose the aperture that best suits his or her particular needs, and the camera will select the proper shutter speed. The circular-type aperture provides a beautiful background blur and circular highlights as opposed to the angular highlights produced by most lens-shutter cameras.
• Elegant and Durable Body Design -- The Minolta TC-1 features a strong and lightweight titanium steel body which is both corrosion proof and shock proof. Titanium provides a lightweight, long lasting and durable exterior which protects the inside components while providing a beautiful appearance throughout the camera's lifetime. Inside, the TC-1's film pressure plate and film guiderails are crafted from aluminum for strength, precise film flatness, and long life.
• Function Selector Dial/Lever Combination -- Instead of numerous buttons, the TC-1 incorporates nearly all its function controls into a large, easy to operate, all-metal dial. The dial has settings for +/- exposure compensation, auto and manual focus modes, flash, red-eye reduction, ISO, self-timer, and a setting lock, with distinctive click stops for each position. Additionally, a function-selector lever conveniently positioned in front of the dial provides easy, one-finger operation.
• +/- Exposure Compensation -- This allows the user to deliberately over expose or under expose the shot up to +/-4EV, in 0.5 EV increments. Exposure compensation is very useful with predominantly white or dark subjects or scenes, scenes with strong highlights or shadows, strongly back-lit subjects out of flash range, landscapes with a large portion of sky, or for bracketing exposures.
• Spot Metering -- The TC-1 is equipped with the same spot metering system as some of today's SLR cameras. The diameter of the spot meter circle is 5.5mm, and the EV range is 2.5 - 17 (at ISO 100). Spot metering is very helpful in unusual lighting situations where accurate subject exposure is critical, since it allows the user to base the exposure on a small and specific area of the scene. To take a spot meter reading, place the viewfinder's spot meter circle on the subject, press and hold the spot button, and press the shutter-release button down to take the picture.
• Built-In Flash -- The built-in flash has a guide number of 23 ft. and provides 28mm lens coverage. It features off, on, fill, night portrait, and red-eye reduction (via lamp) modes. In backlit scenes, fill/night portrait mode properly exposes the subject while slightly overexposing the background to maintain a backlit appearance. At sunset or with illuminated night scenes, the same mode uses a slow shutter speed to balance the flash illumination on the subject with the background's ambient light. In red-eye reduction mode, the TC-1 fires three bursts from the red-eye reduction lamp to close down the subject's pupils before the exposure flash is fired.
• Automatic Film Transport -- The Minolta TC-1 features a miniaturized film transport motor (developed from SLR technology) which is 60% the size of conventional film transport motors with the same power output. This high-power motor provides automatic first frame setting, auto film advance, and auto rewind. In addition, power rewind may be activated at any time.
• Additional Features -- Pan Focus To maximize depth-of-field, set the manual focus to 3m and the aperture to f/16. This will provide the greatest depth-of-field within the focus range. Highlight Compensation To accurately reproduce a highlight, set +2 to +2.5 EV compensation and spot meter the highlight. Shadow Compensation To accurately reproduce shadow areas, set -2 to -2.5 EV compensation and spot meter the shadow. Dual-Mode Self-Timer Once activated, this function delays shutter release by either two seconds or ten seconds, depending on the user's setting. The two-second timer is recommended along with tripod mounting to prevent camera shake in low-light situations with slow shutter speeds. The ten-second setting allows the user to set up the shot and appear in the photo. To signal countdown, the red-eye reduction lamp blinks with increasing speed. Data Panel Illuminator If the light is low, the user can illuminate the body data panel simply by pressing the illuminator button located to the left of the viewfinder eyepiece. The data panel will remain lit for 5 seconds after the button is pressed. Auto Power OFF To conserve battery power, the TC-1 automatically shuts off if not used for 5 minutes.

 

[Huss]

Right!!! Klasse S/W do have ISO override and they do remember your flash mode setting, right @Huss?

You Sir, are correct! Actually the biggest selling point to me was the perfect exp compensation dial on the front of the camera. I wish my other film cameras had one so easy to use. The lens is superb on the Fuji, and it is a very small, lightweight item.
I bought mine early in the year for $700 - the Klasse W which has the 28mm lens - an acquaintance just bought one from Fredmiranda.com for $800. Both US sales - and mine was from a Leica shop! Almost all the ebay sales are in Japan and at much higher prices. Like 50% higher. Wait for a US seller to appear.
I still feel that 'even' $700 is insane for cameras like this, but if you want a tiny super high optical quality (build quality is nothing special) P&S, that is the going rate. Crazy to look at my perfect Nikon F3P next to it, which is worth a lot less...

FYI the Klasse S and W are much improved over the original version, which was also sold as a Rollei. Avoid those.

 

[Huss]

(1995) Minolta TC1 Classic Styled 35mm Compact Camera. This is the world's smallest luxury lens-shutter camera with a titanium steel body, superior-quality optics, aperture-priority AE, plus auto and manual focusing. The Minolta TC-1 is an ultra-high-quality, miniaturized, multi-featured camera with a titanium steel body for long-lasting durability. It is a camera unrivaled in both form and function. Fitting easily in a shirt pocket, the TC-1 is the smallest lens shutter camera available that offers the creative functions and sharp image quality of an SLR. The advanced automated features provide point and shoot simplicity, while the manual overrides and function control dial allow for personal style and creative expression. Also, the TC-1's superior optics and exposure control let you get the high-quality results you expect from slide films.

• Miniature Size with Top-Quality Performance -- The Minolta TC-1 is an ultra-high-quality, miniaturized, multi-featured camera with a titanium steel body for long-lasting durability. It is a camera which is unrivaled in both form and function. Fitting easily in a shirt pocket, the TC-1 is the smallest lens shutter camera available that offers the creative functions and sharp image quality of an SLR. The advanced automated features allow point and shoot simplicity, while the manual overrides and function control dial allow for personal style and creative expression. Additionally, the superior optical quality and exposure control allows the full potential of color reversal (slide) films to be achieved. The Minolta TC-1 is the ideal companion for those who love to take pictures, have some knowledge of photography, and want a camera that can be taken anywhere, anytime, easily and conveniently.
• Superior-Quality Lens -- The TC-1 features an ultra-wide-angle 28mm aspherical glass lens (five elements in five groups) which delivers superior image quality with edge-to-edge sharpness even at a maximum aperture of f/3.5. Aspherical lens elements reduce aberrations and also improve the quality of off-center images with wide angles of view. Lens performance is further enhanced by multi-coated surfaces which reduce flare and allow high light transmittance for exceptionally clear images. The lens system also features circular apertures which create natural-looking backgrounds and highlights. Additionally, an all-metal lens housing provides stable and precise optical alignment even in extreme temperatures.
• Wide Angle Real-Image Viewfinder with Diopter Adjustment -- For maximum eye comfort, the Minolta TC-1 features a large, high-magnification viewfinder with the world’s widest angle-of-view. This real-image viewfinder uses aspherical lenses and glass roof prisms to provide a bright image and clear displays. Pushing the shutter-release button partway down displays shutter speed, flash status, focus OK indicator, and focus distance scale. Viewfinder diopter adjustment controls allow the user to set the viewfinder optics from -2.5 to +1 diopters, to match his or her eyesight requirements.
• Auto and Manual Focusing -- The TC-1 uses an external passive-type 455-step autofocus system which is able to focus accurately even on distant subjects, objects behind glass, or mirror images. An analog focus indicator displays the focus distance inside the viewfinder. Manual focus is also available, with 22-step presets in the data panel. Pressing the shutter-release button partway down activates the AF system and the analog focus indicator. The focus indicator is displayed in both auto and manual focus modes.
• Aperture Priority AE -- The TC-1 provides user-selectable circular apertures of 3.5, 5.6, 8, and 16. The photographer can choose the aperture that best suits his or her particular needs, and the camera will select the proper shutter speed. The circular-type aperture provides a beautiful background blur and circular highlights as opposed to the angular highlights produced by most lens-shutter cameras.
• Elegant and Durable Body Design -- The Minolta TC-1 features a strong and lightweight titanium steel body which is both corrosion proof and shock proof. Titanium provides a lightweight, long lasting and durable exterior which protects the inside components while providing a beautiful appearance throughout the camera's lifetime. Inside, the TC-1's film pressure plate and film guiderails are crafted from aluminum for strength, precise film flatness, and long life.
• Function Selector Dial/Lever Combination -- Instead of numerous buttons, the TC-1 incorporates nearly all its function controls into a large, easy to operate, all-metal dial. The dial has settings for +/- exposure compensation, auto and manual focus modes, flash, red-eye reduction, ISO, self-timer, and a setting lock, with distinctive click stops for each position. Additionally, a function-selector lever conveniently positioned in front of the dial provides easy, one-finger operation.
• +/- Exposure Compensation -- This allows the user to deliberately over expose or under expose the shot up to +/-4EV, in 0.5 EV increments. Exposure compensation is very useful with predominantly white or dark subjects or scenes, scenes with strong highlights or shadows, strongly back-lit subjects out of flash range, landscapes with a large portion of sky, or for bracketing exposures.
• Spot Metering -- The TC-1 is equipped with the same spot metering system as some of today's SLR cameras. The diameter of the spot meter circle is 5.5mm, and the EV range is 2.5 - 17 (at ISO 100). Spot metering is very helpful in unusual lighting situations where accurate subject exposure is critical, since it allows the user to base the exposure on a small and specific area of the scene. To take a spot meter reading, place the viewfinder's spot meter circle on the subject, press and hold the spot button, and press the shutter-release button down to take the picture.
• Built-In Flash -- The built-in flash has a guide number of 23 ft. and provides 28mm lens coverage. It features off, on, fill, night portrait, and red-eye reduction (via lamp) modes. In backlit scenes, fill/night portrait mode properly exposes the subject while slightly overexposing the background to maintain a backlit appearance. At sunset or with illuminated night scenes, the same mode uses a slow shutter speed to balance the flash illumination on the subject with the background's ambient light. In red-eye reduction mode, the TC-1 fires three bursts from the red-eye reduction lamp to close down the subject's pupils before the exposure flash is fired.
• Automatic Film Transport -- The Minolta TC-1 features a miniaturized film transport motor (developed from SLR technology) which is 60% the size of conventional film transport motors with the same power output. This high-power motor provides automatic first frame setting, auto film advance, and auto rewind. In addition, power rewind may be activated at any time.
• Additional Features -- Pan Focus To maximize depth-of-field, set the manual focus to 3m and the aperture to f/16. This will provide the greatest depth-of-field within the focus range. Highlight Compensation To accurately reproduce a highlight, set +2 to +2.5 EV compensation and spot meter the highlight. Shadow Compensation To accurately reproduce shadow areas, set -2 to -2.5 EV compensation and spot meter the shadow. Dual-Mode Self-Timer Once activated, this function delays shutter release by either two seconds or ten seconds, depending on the user's setting. The two-second timer is recommended along with tripod mounting to prevent camera shake in low-light situations with slow shutter speeds. The ten-second setting allows the user to set up the shot and appear in the photo. To signal countdown, the red-eye reduction lamp blinks with increasing speed. Data Panel Illuminator If the light is low, the user can illuminate the body data panel simply by pressing the illuminator button located to the left of the viewfinder eyepiece. The data panel will remain lit for 5 seconds after the button is pressed. Auto Power OFF To conserve battery power, the TC-1 automatically shuts off if not used for 5 minutes.

An awful lot of info on a very unreliable very expensive camera. This, the Nikon 28/35 Ti models, Leica Minilux/CM, Contax T2/T3 have not aged well. One advantage of the Fuji Klasse S and W is they are the newest/last of the high end P&S cameras, so still have a lot of life left in them.

 

[Huss]

A few more pics taken with the Klasse W and Fuji C200.

 

[Huss]

The downsides of the Klasse S/W? The AF is slow. Accurate but slow. Work around is to use the manual pre focus function if need be. The exposure LEDs in the viewfinder (digital so it actually shows 500, 250 etc, not a scale w dots) are hard to see in bright sunlight. It's never been an issue as I usually have it in P and use the exp compensation dial if I need it. I don't use the lens hood because it prevents you from sliding the camera into your pocket, plus I feel that is may snag on something resulting in possible injury to the lens mechanism. The images indicate that it is not missed.

 

[Huss]

Size comparison between the Fuji, the incomparable Kodak Ektar H35, and some 35mm rf camera. The Fuji has a 28mm 2.8 aperture lens, while that lens on the rf is a 28mm 5.6. So the Fuji is much smaller and 2 stops faster.

 

[albireo]

Huss that Fuji Klasse is really tempting - but having checked ebay Japan mint samples are around the 950$ mark. Risky proposition. On the one hand I have plasticky electronic 90s Nikons that work perfectly after 25 years, on the other hand .. Then again we live only once..

Just how slow is that AF? Too slow for pictures of an energetic toddler?

EDIT - great samples by the way, thanks for sharing!!

 

[Mike Lopez]

Size comparison between the Fuji, the incomparable Kodak Ektar H35, and some 35mm rf camera. The Fuji has a 28mm 2.8 aperture lens, while that lens on the rf is a 28mm 5.6. So the Fuji is much smaller and 2 stops faster.

Can you please let me have that unnamed camera ("some 35mm rf camera") for free? I can offer you ten dollars if that will tempt you enough.

 

[Moose22]

Can you please let me have that unnamed camera ("some 35mm rf camera") for free? I can offer you ten dollars if that will tempt you enough.

Is it for personal use?

 

[ic-racer]

Is it for personal use?

I think the going rate is $10....