Searching for really, REALLY small analog camera

Mendewesz · May 12, 2012

I want something that can be taken literally everywhere with me, I don't like modern compact cameras, the cheap and small ones make poor quality photos and my Spotmatic F is too big for carrying everywhere.

By small I mean REALLY SMALL, pocket-size maybe, I've found Olympus XA to be quite good and small but is there something better?

Gerry M · May 12, 2012

Rollei 35, Minox? Both have quality lens and can produce excellent images.

Leigh B · May 12, 2012

Minox, with the Minox lens, not the earlier Complan lens (which has a curved image and requires a curved pressure plate that scratches the film).

It produces an 8mmx11mm image. Film is still available in 36-exposure rolls.

The LX model is still in production, along with one (or more) Minox digital cameras.

- Leigh

David A. Goldfarb · May 12, 2012

Yashica T-4s (T-5 in Europe) with 35mm/2.8 Zeiss Tessar is one that I like.

Voigtlander Perkeo II, which is 6x6 but smaller than some 35mm rangefinder cameras is the one I usually use for that purpose. Easily fits in a coat pocket or small pocket in a briefcase.

brucemuir · May 12, 2012

Can it be a rangefinder?
I like the Contax II followed by the Leica IIIf

Poisson Du Jour · May 12, 2012

The rea lstrength of the venerated Olympus XA is the lens (35/f2.8), as much so it's cheerfully pocketable size and clever, functional design. Always keep in mind the challenges that Olympus engineers overcame in fitting a 6 element /5 group lens into a tiny body! Who else had done that?? Otherwise, I can think of the Rollei and Minox 'minis' with their quirky, sometimes irritating designs. It's a matter of personal preference. And availability. Many of these old classic 'minis' are now well used (perhaps over-used) and getting one that is reliable and that will serve you for any number of years is conjectural. "Seek and ye shall find."

Leigh B · May 12, 2012

brucemuir said:
Can it be a rangefinder?

At the hyperfocal setting on my Minox LX, the depth of field extends from 2 meters to infinity.

Who needs a rangefinder?

- Leigh

TriXfan · May 12, 2012

Best quality -- smallest size -- LEICA CL

Leigh B · May 12, 2012

You might also consider a Tessina.

Very nice Swiss-made half-frame 35mm, with all the features you'd expect on a full-grown camera.

- Leigh

Diapositivo · May 12, 2012

- Smallness is all: Olympus XA, Minox, maybe Rollei 35.

- Very, very small but with some usual additional features: Yashica T3 (with a very good Carl Zeiss Tessar 35/2.8, a flash, a waist-level additional viewfinder and very good overall quality).

- Very small, a bit heavier, with manual exposure and a rangefinder: almost anyone of those: http://www.cameraquest.com/com35s.htm

- Still small, very versatile and high quality intechangeable lens, but more expensive:
Leica CL, Minolta CLE (Leica M mount) or Contax G/G2 (Contax G mount).

Fabrizio

andrewc · May 12, 2012

Even though it's a modern compact camera, the Olympus Stylus Epic is quite compact and has a superb 35mm f/2.8 lens. It should be a part of everyone's photo arsenal.

Andy

Too old to care · May 12, 2012

My vote, Rollei 35. My SE has seen 30 years of use and abuse. Needs a service once in awhile, something most people can do with simple tools. Today it rides in my saddle bags on my bike everywhere I go.

Worker 11811 · May 12, 2012

How about a Minolta-16?

rawhead · May 13, 2012

CLE + Hologon. Fits in any pocket

Russ - SVP · May 13, 2012

Ricoh FF-1

Johnkpap · May 13, 2012

How about a Pentax ME Super with a 40mm F2.8 Pancake LENS

Very small and compact

Johnkpap

Ektagraphic · May 13, 2012

A Minox sounds like the camera for you. They are build like a tank, have a ton of features, yet are extremely small and fit right in the hand and are very light weight. If you could swing it, the most modern models like the TLX or LX may be great because they have a great coupled meter for auto exposure. The Minox C is has the same features but is a little larger in size. The Minox B is smaller that all those and has a selenium meter built in, many are not accurate anymore, and the Minox II, II, and III are "meterless". For everyday use, maybe the C would work and be at a good price for you. I don't know what you would want to spend. Good luck!

perkeleellinen · May 13, 2012

Mendewesz said:
I've found Olympus XA to be quite good and small but is there something better?

I've been on this journey for years and tried loads of cameras, however, I keep coming back to the XA. I'm on my third.

I think all cameras have compromises so none are perfect. For me, my rule is to avoid little cameras that cost more than around £50 as I fear they'll fail one day. I'm scared off all the high-end P&S models with no warranties. I borrowed a friend's father's Ricoh GR1s for quite a while but when the opportunity came to buy it off him I turned it down - fearful that it would break one day.

I shot with the Olympus Mju II (Stylus Epic) for a long time and it shares the clam shell design of the XA and is truly pocketable as well as being prolific so example can be found easy. However it has two short comings - it's relatively noisy and there's no way to change the ASA setting. The latter is the most important to me as I like to shoot 800ASA film at 640 - the Mju II can't do this. Other P&S cameras have the same shortcomings: relatively noisy and no ASA setting. The XA excels at all these.

Other cameras I've tried are either fragile (Minox), noisy (Yashica T5) or arcane / expensive (Rollei 35). '70s rangefinders are normally a little bigger, the Olympus 35RC is best but still bigger than the XA. High end stuff like Contax T2/3 and Minolta TC-1 I avoid as I'd be scared they'd break.

Mustafa Umut Sarac · May 13, 2012

Find a Minox Spy Camera with original AGFA based BW film and develop it with original AGFA developer , you will want to bang your head to the wall after seeing the picture quality.

Mendewesz · May 13, 2012

Thanks you for all your propositions, I will check every one of them.

I heard lot of good stuff about Yashica t4, is is really that great?

Got Olympus XA2 for now since I found it in really great condition for 15$, now I need to get through all your cameras.

Sirius Glass · May 13, 2012

Voitlander Vito II

perkeleellinen · May 13, 2012

Mendewesz said:
I heard lot of good stuff about Yashica t4, is is really that great?

It has 'cult' status. I don't think it's that great. I bought one new in the '90s (in the UK it's called the T5) and it got stolen, I replaced it with an Olympus Mju II and I never saw any difference in my photos. Last year I printed some of my Yashica negs and comparing them to my Oly negs at 10x8, I don't think the Yashica produces a better photo.

BobD · May 13, 2012

Get bigger pockets.

Peltigera · May 13, 2012

Sirius Glass said:
Voitlander Vito II

Certainly small when folded. A bit bigger when extended but very usable for street photography. I don't think I would call it a really, REALLY small camera, though.

Bill Burk · May 13, 2012

For an interesting perspective on how small an analog camera can be while still using a reasonably large format of film - though it may be difficult to get film in the future - look at one of Canon's tiny Elph APS cameras.

Searching for really, REALLY small analog camera

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