Recommend me a small camera

[polyglot]

Hi all,

I'm after a small, pocketable camera with very high image quality. The short version of this question is "I want a Leica but I refuse to pay that much".

The wish list is:
- thinner than Dynax 5 (125x85x100mm WxHxD with lens) to fit in a large pocket
- interchangeable lens, but fixed is OK if it's approx 35/2 and excellent
- metered M and A modes
- TTL metering for preference
- classic metal construction, preferably the antithesis of an Olympus XA
- cheap!

The Yashica Electro 35 series looks good except for the lack of an M mode. The Bronica RF645 looks good, if a little large and with a slow lens; haven't seen any cheap ones though. CLE, Bessa R2a/R3a and Hexar RF all look great except for their high prices. It doesn't have to be a rangefinder, but I'm not sure I'm going to see an SLR that's much thinner than the Dynax 5.

Is there anything great out there that I just haven't noticed in my so-far-SLR-centric little world?

 

[ntenny]

The screwmount Bessa-R can sometimes be found cheaply (I picked one up in Japan for US$150, and that's with an unusually weak dollar). If you're sticking to fairly wide angles where scale focussing is reasonable, you could also get a Bessa-L.

If you're OK with the size of an Electro, there are several similarly-spec'd fixed-lens RFs of the same era: I ended up with a Minolta Hi-Matic 7s (not the 7sII, which is smaller and more expensive) and have been very impressed with it. My biggest complaint is the lack of aperture priority; others say similarly good things about the Konica Auto S cameras and the Canonets.

-NT

 

[Leighgion]

Canon QL17 is an old standby in this area, but it does digress a bit from the stated preferences. It's got manual mode, but is shutter priority rather than aperture. Metering is not TTL, but the metering cell is right over the lens, so if you use filters there's no need to manually dial in a compensation. Lens is a 40mm f1.7.

I have a bit of a rocky relationship with my own, but when we're in harmony, things are really good. Dropped it on my toe once. Camera's fine. My foot really hurt.

 

[Chan Tran]

I have used a number of Petri 7s. It came in 2 version with either an f/2.8 or f/1.8 lens. It's fully manual with selenium meter so it's a battery less camera. Very sharp but the camera isn't very robust.

 

[Joe Grodis]

I doubt, for the price, a Contax G1 with it's superb Zeiss optics, and exquisite titanium body could be beat.

 

[darkosaric]

nikon FG20 with nikon 50mm/f1.8 E series. small, excellent and cheap

 

[foster]

There is no way you're fitting an Electro 35 in your pocket.

 

[alexmacphee]

Nikon FG with the Series E 50mm sure fits the bill. Yashica FX-3 with 45mm Tessar is even smaller for the pocket, but you'd surrender a stop on your requirements with the 'Pancake' Tessar, though it's a delightful lens.

 

[polyglot]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I expected the G1/G2 to be so much more expensive than they are but I've just checked out eBay and KEH prices. They look fantastic except for the lack of a rangefinder patch in the viewfinder which is somewhat disturbing. And they're not really much smaller than my 5.

Edit: I'll have to look into the FG and FX-3.

 

[keithwms]

Get a medium format folder.

 

[Romary]

Ricoh 500G

Does fit all you wish list but have some interesting features. It will fit easaly in your pocket.

 

[jmdco]

Minox 35 GT

Manuals
Review
Subject on Photo Net

 

[Simplicius]

Konica Auto S3 Rangefinder -- great glass

 

[Mark Fisher]

Well, I went the same process and ended up with a Olympus OM-1 and a Bessa R. They are both a bit big to be called pocketable, but they are both a pleasure to use and quite small. Neither has aperture priority, but the OM2 or the newer (and as you noted) and more expensive Voightlanders do. I have a drawer full of 70's era rangefinders, but I never found them as reliable as the OMs and the Bessa or as pleasant to use.....maybe I am too hard on equipment or unlucky?

 

[removed-user-1]

Another vote for the Nikon FG - it's a tiny SLR camera and very easy to carry with just the 50mm E. Maybe not a pocket camera, but close. It was my first 35mm camera; although it's missing some features like AE lock and DOF preview, the shutter speed dial protrudes from the front of the body just enough to make it easy to adjust with one finger, without taking your eye away from the eyepiece.

 

[steven_e007]

Another vote for the Minox 35 series.

They lack several of the features you are after, particularly lens changeability, and they are not rangefinders...

But they give excellent pics and unlike many of the other cameras discussed, they are genuinly pocketable. Mine goes everywhere with me

 

[highliner]

not a rangefinder but perfect image quality, better than any 35mm slr, i strongly recomment rollei 35s. full manual, no priority modes. metering is somehow not so good under low light but else ok-the lightmeter is not selenium so no need to wory about the issues of its age. Its battery lasts for years.. it is the smallest 35mm mechanical camera. 40mm f:2.8 sonnar it has which is extremely sharp (sometimes you may may want it to be softer) even at wide open. there is a rangefinder version, rollei 35 rf which is more electronic.

actually, none of the analog cameras can be called as pocket camera compared to the basic digitals. but in terms of weight, you may prefer plastic built and electronic cameras..

the lens is everything.

 

[alexmacphee]

If you're willing to relax your requirements a little, you might also look at the Contax T2 or T3, P&S cameras of high calibre. For manual control, I like the Oly 35RC, which has similar specifications to the excellent Ricoh 500G already mentioned (I have both).

 

[Joe Grodis]

Last week end while hunting around at the local flea market I came across something I didn't know existed. A Nikon L35, a small AF point & shoot 35mm. Being the Nikon geek that I am it was odd I was unaware of such a camera. Anyways, it's one worth taking a look at. It comes with a fixed 35mm / f2.8 lens with 46mm threads for filters. Auto rewind, auto film advance and built-in flash. For $10 it is an outstanding performer! And YES, it's tiny enough to stuff in your pocket and cheap enough to not worry about.

 

[Pumal]

Olympus Stylus Epic (2.8)
Ricoh 500GX (2.8)

 

[polyglot]

Thanks all - looks like I have a lot of googling to do.

 

[Woodrow]

Rangefinder recommendations

Another way to go is a FED with a collapsible lens. Definitely a pocketable rangefinder. I recommend the FED 2b or 2c. You don't have to trim the film leader, and it's easy to load. My two favorite cameras that I carry with me everyday are the FED 2b and the Leica CL w/ 40mm Summicron. The CL/40 combo was about $700 and the FED 2b w/collapsible 50/3.5 was $110.

Best of luck on RF shopping,
Woodrow

 

[cblkdog]

I use a Minolta Himatic F for b/w, its fairly pocketable and has a good lens. I've also got a Yashica T4 but never get around to using it much, I'm too used to the Minolta. As far as slr's go I've always heard great stuff about Olympuses.

 

[sangetsu]

I second (or third) the Olympus OM cameras. The OM is small and light, quiet in operation, and has a wonderfully large and bright viewfinder. With the 50/1.8 lens (or 24/2.8-35/2.8) it is actually smaller and lighter than the Yashica Electro 35 (which I also have). The OM is more reliable than the Canon Canonet, and offers the convenience of interchangeable lenses. I also have a Leica rangefinder kit as well, and though I love it's small size and silent operation, it is not as fast or easy to use as the OM1, and the quality of the images is no better. I bought another nice OM1 today with a minty-looking 50/2 OM Zuiko lens for the princely sum of $60. That is less than 1/10th the price of my used Leica, and it delivers pictures which are 100% as good.

 

[polyglot]

I did a bit of googling and an OM1 plus lens is larger and heavier than my Dynax 5. If the YE35 is larger again, well, "d'oh!".