Reliable compact P&S 35mm?

aschepsman · Aug 2, 2018

I know the terms "reliable" and "compact 35mm" are a little contradictory these days, with almost no models still being serviced. But on that scale, any recommendations for a higher-end compact 35 that maybe won't die on me tomorrow?

I made the terrible mistake of falling in love with my photos from the Nikon 35Ti, of which I've now had two die on me.. one from a mechanical error and the second on a really clean camera that developed a light leak that nobody will even consider servicing.

It seems like all the compacts are getting so insanely expensive – and as an enthusiast of these cameras some are still worth it to me – but I'd love to not repeat this cycle with the next camera I fall in love with. To me, the Contax T2/3 prices are just unjustifiable at this point.. I'm thinking about Yashica T3/4, MJU II 2.8 (When did these "cheap" cameras get to be $3-400?!), Leica Minilux (although I've heard some real nightmares with reliability here..) I know it's an uphill battle.. but any thoughts are welcome.

cramej · Aug 2, 2018

L35af? You can buy a couple dozen of them before you reach T3/4 and Minilux prices. Great lens and both of mine have been perfectly reliable. Auto flash popup can be a bit annoying but you just push it back down.

jmlynek · Aug 2, 2018

Leica Minilux (although I've heard some real nightmares with reliability here..) I know it's an uphill battle.. but any thoughts are welcome.[/QUOTE said:
I would have recommended the Leica CM until mine crapped out on me last month after about 12 years of use. I don't know if the issue is fixable.

Dismayed · Aug 2, 2018

Perhaps one of the compact Japanese rangefinders would work. The Olympus RC is a nice camera, and very easy to service.

https://www.cameraquest.com/olyrc.htm

rpavich · Aug 2, 2018

I gotta throw in a suggestion for the Oly Trip 35. It's a slight bit bigger than the smaller point and shoots but it's an awesome camera, they don't die and are a joy to shoot.

You should get one that's been fully serviced and then it will outlast you.

pentaxuser · Aug 2, 2018

My Mju II serves me well and certainly delivers a great end product from a very compact camera. You just have to be aware of its limitations which may only interfere with your picture on rare occasions. As a " you press the button and it does the rest " that fits in a small pocket and weighs next to nothing it is hard to beat.

I wasn't sure what price you are saying it is fetching now. Clearly if you mean that it is in the category of $3-400 then IMO there is no way it is worth that.

pentaxuser

Paul Howell · Aug 2, 2018

I have a box full of 35mm point and shoots, most reliable, not sure any fit the bill. The most rugged is the Konica Off Road, fixed 28mm lens, no manual override,designed for use in the construction trades. Next the Pentax WR models. Saying that the shell is weather resistant or built for abuse does mean the electronics are built to a higher level of quality. I would just stick to inexpensive models, use and toss as they crap out. Canon, Nikon, Vivitar, Fuji, Minolta all made fixed lens modes before adding zoom. Although I don't recall if any had manual override some that pre date DX coding, the ISO can be adjusted to some degree to allow for +1 or -1 exposure.

Eric Rose · Aug 2, 2018

Minolta made some outstanding AF P&S cameras. I took one on my first honeymoon in the early 80's and it produced great images. I just picked one up about 2 weeks ago and I can't wait to get it out and shoot a couple of rolls with it.

Check out this link: https://www.35mmc.com/21/10/2015/minolta-hi-matic-af2/

Patrick Robert James · Aug 2, 2018

You won't beat the quality/bargain ratio better than a Contax TVS.

The Olympus Stylus (original) is also a good performer and they cost less than a hundy. I've got two of those I've been meaning to sell if you are interested. The Mju II is still a decent deal I think if you can find one. If they are selling for 3-400 I'd be surprised. I sold one a year ago for about $160 I think. Maybe I should have kept it...

Most cameras are old these days. I gave up on the premium ones when they skyrocketed in price. I have a Ricoh GR1 which I think is by far the best premium point and shoot. It is broke though, and can't be fixed. Common story.

tedr1 · Aug 2, 2018

Perhaps the Olympus XA might suit you? Aperture priority auto-exposure, ISO 25 - 800, excellent 35mm f2.8 - f22 lens with rangefinder focusing, shutter speed display in viewfinder, built in clamshell cover, very quiet shutter, slips into a pocket, unobtrusive, battery (common generic) lasts forever, lots on ebay.com.

Dismayed · Aug 2, 2018

Here's something cheap and a bit funky.

http://www.coltonallen.com/minolta-prod-20s-review-a-sheep-in-wolfs-clothing/

Steve Roberts · Aug 2, 2018

As has been said already, I'd recommend the Olympus 35RC. I stripped, repaired and serviced mine when I got it (effectively for nothing, as it was with some other stuff I bought at auction). I liked it so much that I bought green imitation leather from CameraLeather and it now looks pretty distinctive! Exposures are amazingly consistently good for a CdS cell around the lens. The battery doesn't seem to be a problem. Any difference with the voltage of silver oxide or alkaline cells doesn't seem to affect the exposure unduly. My usual film is Ilford HP5 and I leave an orange filter semi-permanently on it as it suits most of the kind of things I do. I have various framed photographs around the house, but by far the most were taken with the 35RC, largely because it's such an easy camera to have on you at all times. The lens is excellent.
Like the OP, I've been through many P & S cameras and most have disappointed me at some stage.
Steve

Dismayed · Aug 2, 2018

Steve Roberts said:
As has been said already, I'd recommend the Olympus 35RC. I stripped, repaired and serviced mine when I got it (effectively for nothing, as it was with some other stuff I bought at auction). I liked it so much that I bought green imitation leather from CameraLeather and it now looks pretty distinctive! Exposures are amazingly consistently good for a CdS cell around the lens. The battery doesn't seem to be a problem. Any difference with the voltage of silver oxide or alkaline cells doesn't seem to affect the exposure unduly. My usual film is Ilford HP5 and I leave an orange filter semi-permanently on it as it suits most of the kind of things I do. I have various framed photographs around the house, but by far the most were taken with the 35RC, largely because it's such an easy camera to have on you at all times. The lens is excellent.
Like the OP, I've been through many P & S cameras and most have disappointed me at some stage.
Steve

The RC is a great camera. I used one during travels while in college.

TheRook · Aug 3, 2018

I find that it is the lower end compact cameras from the 1980's and 90's which are the most reliable; simpler design makes them less prone to failure and more tolerable to abuse than the complex, precision-oriented high end cameras. All of mine from that period are working fine and have never given me trouble. They just go on ticking. If reliability is your primary concern, that's what you will want. Of course features will be limited with these cameras, and the optics are typically no more than adequate, but you can always depend on them to work. I especially like those made by Minolta.

AgX · Aug 3, 2018

aschepsman said:
It seems like all the compacts are getting so insanely expensive.

So far I never paid more than 3€ for any of such.

TheRook · Aug 3, 2018

AgX said:
So far I never paid more than 3€ for any of such.

Same here. Flea markets are especially a good source to find compact cameras for very little money.

Theo Sulphate · Aug 3, 2018

Although there are metric tonnes of plastic autofocus autoexposure cameras from the late 1980's to 1990's, I would not trust them for much use today.

I would choose compact 35mm cameras such as these:

https://www.cameraquest.com/com35s.htm

I can vouch for the Canon, Olympus, and Minolta cameras.

guangong · Aug 3, 2018

My favorite PS is my Contax T3, bought new when first came out. Next was Yashika T3 which daughter dunked in Mekong River. My Contax still works but doubt if I would buy a used one now, not just because of price but also unavailability of filter adapters and other accessories. If buying today I would avoid fully auto cameras and go for an Olympus XA or Rollei 35 for small size, lens quality and reliability. Depending on subjects you shoot, for fully auto there is also Minox LX. Can’t be beat for being pocketable.

ronwhit · Aug 3, 2018

aschepsman, I have listed in the "for sale" classifieds a near mint Canonet 28 for $20.00 plus shipping. Given its extremely limited use, I would expect it to have a long life. I also have a Pentax WR90 that I plan to put up for sale, with case, at $15.00 plus shipping. It works well, except that the infrared remote is no longer functional. It's not particularly "compact", but it is easy to carry and takes great photos. ronwhit

cramej · Aug 3, 2018

Eric Rose said:
Minolta made some outstanding AF P&S cameras. I took one on my first honeymoon in the early 80's and it produced great images. I just picked one up about 2 weeks ago and I can't wait to get it out and shoot a couple of rolls with it.

Check out this link: https://www.35mmc.com/21/10/2015/minolta-hi-matic-af2/

I'll second the Hi-Matic AF2. While not a high end camera, it sure does the job well. The lens is on par with the Nikon L35af - maybe 97% as good - and it's quiet since it is lever wind and crank rewind.

I also have a couple Canon AF35M ii's that are nice but I use them far less since they lack a filter mount - and the noise.

Reliable compact P&S 35mm?

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