Novice seeking camera suggestions post-Olympus 35 trip

Heidegger · Aug 9, 2015

Hiya,

I'm pretty new to photography (analogue or otherwise) and I've been using an Olympus 35 trip. I really like it but, due to the fact that the viewfinder bypasses the lens (please forgive technical infelicities), it can be a bit hit and miss whether the photos are in focus or not. I'm looking to maybe move onto something that gives me a little bit more control although as a novice, I'd still like something relatively easy to use. Additionally, I wouldn't want anything bigger than an Olympus trip. If anyone has any suggestions I would really appreciate it.

Thank you

trythis · Aug 9, 2015

Do you want autofocus and autoexposure?
Olympus stylus epic. Or MJUii is a favorite.
Manual focus with a rangefinder that adjusts for distance (parallax correction) would help with framing and I will leave suggestions to others.

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Heidegger · Aug 9, 2015

Thank you. I would like to have the option to play (even if only a little) with focus and/or exposure. Do all rangefinders require guesswork with focusing, or are there ones that somehow show or indicate how the image would be?

Fixcinater · Aug 9, 2015

The Oly trip is not a rangefinder, it is a viewfinder camera as are the Stylus/Stylus Epic. So, you have little to no indication of focus aside from the focus point. The Stylus cameras are great for what they are but I prefer the manual wind of other cameras.

A rangefinder would tell you (via the central patch) what is in focus.

My suggestions:

Olympus XA (smallest rangefinder, with control of aperture but not shutter speed: aperture priority mode)
Canonet QL17 GIII (or the similar small version of the QL19): also has auto exposure with shutter priority or non-metered manual exposure. Also a rangefinder.
Vivitar 35CA or variants: rangefinder, full auto exposure but compact.

If half-frame would be acceptable as far as image quality goes, you could try the Olympus Pen F/FT/FV which is an SLR so you see through the lens so no guesswork as to focus point. THe FV has no meter but the brightest image.

fotch · Aug 9, 2015

Rangefinders are very accurate.

bernard_L · Aug 9, 2015

Logical next step is Olympus 35RC. Coupled rangefinder. Exposure manual, auto, or meter-assiisted manual (yes! just press shutter half way to read the metered aperture, then transfer to manual setting). Good (very good, according to fanclub) lens. Read reviews by Stephen Gandy, Matt Denton, or... Ken Rockwell.

RalphLambrecht · Aug 9, 2015

Heidegger said:
Hiya,

I'm pretty new to photography (analogue or otherwise) and I've been using an Olympus 35 trip. I really like it but, due to the fact that the viewfinder bypasses the lens (please forgive technical infelicities), it can be a bit hit and miss whether the photos are in focus or not. I'm looking to maybe move onto something that gives me a little bit more control although as a novice, I'd still like something relatively easy to use. Additionally, I wouldn't want anything bigger than an Olympus trip. If anyone has any suggestions I would really appreciate it.

Thank you

Welcome to APUGPlease be aware that questions like yours will give you mostly replies of members promoting the equipment they,themselves, own;to your question. Only a single lens reflex(SLR) camera will do what you are after and they are all much bigger, heavier and more expensive than your current camera but SLRs are very popular among hobbiests and pros

LarryP · Aug 9, 2015

good suggestions so far for rangefinders. If you think an SLR might suit you better I'd look at a pentax MX about the same size as the trip with a great viewfinder full control and the ability to change lenses. If I got along with small cameras I'd own at least one. Ralph made a good point have to admit a good mx isn't as inexpensive as my KM's but my KM"s are way bigger than the trip.

Sirius Glass · Aug 9, 2015

RalphLambrecht said:
Welcome to APUGPlease be aware that questions like yours will give you mostly replies of members promoting the equipment they,themselves, own;to your question. Only a single lens reflex(SLR) camera will do what you are after and they are all much bigger, heavier and more expensive than your current camera but SLRs are very popular among hobbiests and pros

Welcome to APUG

I have owned a number of 35mm cameras and still use them but I mostly use larger format cameras.

Ralph is right that what you need is a single lens reflex camera. These days they are not expensive for the simpler and older models. Generally the older models can be reliable because there is less dependance on electronics and only use the battery for the light meters. I have had and recommend the Minolta SLR. and the Nikon SLRs. The Pentax and Canon SLRs will meet your needs. All of these than I mentioned have a wide variety of lenses should you later become interested in wide angle, portrait or telephoto photography later. Take your time and look around.

KEH sells cameras and they have a good return policy if there are problems. They also do camera repairs. I have used them for buying and selling cameras and lenses. www.keh.com

Nodda Duma · Aug 9, 2015

bernard_L said:
Logical next step is Olympus 35RC. Coupled rangefinder. Exposure manual, auto, or meter-assiisted manual (yes! just press shutter half way to read the metered aperture, then transfer to manual setting). Good (very good, according to fanclub) lens. Read reviews by Stephen Gandy, Matt Denton, or... Ken Rockwell.

This is my recommendation as well. Logical step up from the Trip.

cuthbert · Aug 9, 2015

I think the OP made it clear that he's looking for a camera whose finder doesn't bypass the lens, so a SLR.

He also would like manual focus, manual aperture and a lightmeter so I would be inclined to suggest a good mechanical camera from the 70s or 80s, or better a universal japanese SLR.

I also assume a TTL lightmeter that meters a open aperture would be useful for a novice so...the choices are many. Which brand to you prefer? Nikon, Canon, Pentax, Olympus, Fujica, Ricoh, Minolta, Chinon...there are many options and most of them are good as long as they are in good conditions.

Few options: Canon FTb, Nikon FM or FT3, Pentax Spotmatic F, K1000, KM...whatever K, MX, Fujica ST705 or 801, Minolta SRT, Olympus OM1...

Black Dog · Aug 9, 2015

My first camera was a Pentax MX-tiny and good lenses too.

Sirius Glass · Aug 9, 2015

cuthbert said:
I think the OP made it clear that he's looking for a camera whose finder doesn't bypass the lens, so a SLR.

He also would like manual focus, manual aperture and a lightmeter so I would be inclined to suggest a good mechanical camera from the 70s or 80s, or better a universal japanese SLR.

I also assume a TTL lightmeter that meters a open aperture would be useful for a novice so...the choices are many. Which brand to you prefer? Nikon, Canon, Pentax, Olympus, Fujica, Ricoh, Minolta, Chinon...there are many options and most of them are good as long as they are in good conditions.

Few options: Canon FTb, Nikon FM or FT3, Pentax Spotmatic F, K1000, KM...whatever K, MX, Fujica ST705 or 801, Minolta SRT, Olympus OM1...

Good advice which happens to build on what I was talking about

John Bragg · Aug 9, 2015

I suggest an OM1n. Small, accurate and high quality with plenty of cheap glass available.

Heidegger · Aug 10, 2015

Thank you very much for all of your suggestions. Your partiality or otherwise is fine with me, as you have all given me plenty of food for thought. Thanks!

rrusso · Aug 10, 2015

If you are considering going Nikon, I'll suggest taking a look a the FA. It has:

-top shutter speed of 1/4000
-1/250 flash sync
-TTL flash (no fill capability, however)
-simple control layout, with M, A, S, and P modes
-Matrix metering (albeit less capable than modern matrix)
-titanium shutter (not sure if this actually contributed to better accuracy and/or longer life, but it sounds cool )
-mirror lock-up via the self-timer
-eyepiece shutter

You can probably pick one of these up, in excellent condition, for around 125-150.

Edit: here's the Wiki page.

Theo Sulphate · Aug 10, 2015

... and, of course, the very small Pentax ME

Novice seeking camera suggestions post-Olympus 35 trip

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