Manual focus with built-in flash?

margarina · Feb 13, 2015

I use Olympus Trip 35, Olympus OM-1 and my favorite - Zenit E. The only thing I'm missing is a camera with manual focus with a BUILT-IN FLASH.

Nothing too expensive, I'm thinking it should be similar to any of the cameras I already use in both mechanics and price range.

Do you have any recommendations?

nsurit · Feb 13, 2015

The Olympus XA with attached flash certainly looks like and functions the same. Might be a possibility.

baachitraka · Feb 13, 2015

XA, either with A11 or A16.

John Koehrer · Feb 13, 2015

That "built in flash" eliminates just about everything but the Olympus XA.

Chan Tran · Feb 13, 2015

John Koehrer said:
That "built in flash" eliminates just about everything but the Olympus XA.

The OP didn't say small camera so many of the lower end late model 35mm SLR's do have built in flash and manual focus.

redimp · Feb 14, 2015

Contax T, but it might be expensive-ish.

Rick A · Feb 14, 2015

The Olympus XA series do not have "built in" flashes, they are add on units. Most of all the 35mm cameras that I can recall with built in flashes are "do it all for you" glorified P&S junk.

trythis · Feb 14, 2015

Nikon N70 - If this was in the N80 body it would be my #1 Nikon film body. The interface is awful, but its not a bad camera otherwise. AF is slow but you want Manual focus.

John Koehrer · Feb 14, 2015

margarina said:
I use Olympus Trip 35, Olympus OM-1 and my favorite - Zenit E. The only thing I'm missing is a camera with manual focus with a BUILT-IN FLASH.

Nothing too expensive, I'm thinking it should be similar to any of the cameras I already use in both mechanics and price range.

Do you have any recommendations?

Similar in size kind of rules out SLR;s doesn't it?

I doubt you're going to find anything similar with the mechanics. built in flash suggests(to me) plastic cameras

ME Super · Feb 14, 2015

Any of the Pentax AF SLRs with built-in flash can switch to MF. I do this particularly when I'm shooting infrared, or if I'm in the mood for wide-angle and small aperture. For example, I can set a 28mm lens to f/8 and 10 feet. Everything from 5 feet to infinity is in focus. It's gonna be bigger than your small Olympus cameras, but they're out there.

If you want a small SLR, the Pentax M-series SLRs will be smaller than the Pentax AF cameras, but they're not gonna have a built-in flash, which was one of your requirements. Grab an ME Super and a pancake lens, and it's practically pocketable. But no built-in flash.

Geez, now I've just about talked myself into getting another Pentax M-series body. The MX is all mechanical and needs no batteries except for the light meter.

trythis · Feb 14, 2015

Yashica 35MF. Manual focus, manual film advance, built in flash. Scale focus, not a rangefinder, unfortunately. I have one that is in bad shape.

http://filmadvance.com/2012/10/favourite-cameras-yashica-35mf/

Also:
Nikon Action Touch, 4 points of manual focus as well as auto focus, its pretty big, but water proof!

MattKing · Feb 14, 2015

A Canon Rebel 2000 with a 40mm f/2.8 lens - switched to manual focus.

Remember, the "focus by wire" lenses require the camera to be turned on for the manual focus to work.

ic-racer · Feb 14, 2015

Yasuhara t012

And, as already mentioned, just about any SLR with a built-in flash can be focused in Manual mode.

trythis · Feb 14, 2015

ic-racer said:
just about any SLR with a built-in flash can be focused in Manual mode.

Most nikon slr's with built in flash cannot meter with manual focus lenses which many prefer over af designs for dedicated manual focus use.

cl3mens · Feb 15, 2015

Canon A35F. 40/2.8 lens, rangefinder, auto exposure, built in flash, well built, reasonably small and CHEAP! The lens seems like a good performer. When the flash is activated the aperture changes with the focused distance to give a correct exposure, that means no sensor that can be fooled by reflective objects.

Downsides:
* Uses a mercury battery for the lightmeter, but you can use a zinc-air. And I doubt you need one if you are only using the flash
* No shutterspeeds under 1/60 (you have to use the flash)
* ISO dial only goes to 400

I find mine useful for sunny days or parties when I want that look.

And I find it quite handsome!

Manual focus with built-in flash?

Moderator

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency