Suggest a color film that's one step better than Kodak Gold or ColorPlus?

[dcy]

Minolta 7, Nikon F4 and Fs, Canon EOS 1N, Pentax MZ1, all under $500, under a $100, Nikon N90, N80, so other than price what is your criteria?

The main one that those cameras don't have is compactness. Something like an Olympus XA and many (most?) rangefinders can fit in a pocket. I wouldn't go on a hike or to a farmers market with a camera strapped around my neck. If it was in my backpack, I'd end up not using it a lot.

The situation seems to be that I can have a camera that

(1) Fits in a large pocket.
(2) Has both auto mode and manual mode.
(3) Has a decent (say ... < $200) price.

"pick two".

In general, I can find:

(1) SLRs with a good price, and auto+manual modes, but are bulky.
(2) Rangefinders with a good price, but either no auto mode or no manual mode (e.g. Yashica Electro 35 GSN/GTN/GX/etc).
(3) Rangefinders with auto+manual mode, for $1,000+ (e.g. Contax G1, Konica Hexar RF).


Perhaps there's an option I haven't thought of. I don't know much about cameras, or the market.

 

[aconbere]

I have an Olympus 35RC that I like a lot and has a simple shutter priority automatic mode as well as fully manual controls. Very compact little camera, very nice lens.

The Canon Canonette QL17 is a similar camera that’s reputed to be very nice (but one I haven’t used).

 

[Taylor Nankervis]

. Something like an Olympus XA and many (most?) rangefinders can fit in a pocket.

That's likely all you will need!
My li'l Olympus XA is from 1983 — not a single fault or skipped beat — or any fault — ever over that time (and how much time are we talking about?). I don't use it as often (but I should); great little camera that still commands a keen following from collectors.

 

[albireo]

Taylor, I've always wanted to have an XA but I've been really unlucky with these cameras..

I bought it twice. First an XA, then an XA4. The XA used but in excellent condition, the XA4 stone cold mint, close to unused, boxed from eBay Japan. The XA4 came with original labels, and price tags in Japanese and even a necklace doubling as a distance/focusing aid.

Both had significant issues when shooting and gave me objectively subpar pictures.

I never knew what was wrong with the XA, and I sent it back before I found out why the images were always soft with horrible corners. The left corner was softer than the right so I suspect lens element misalignment.

The XA4 had a faulty aperture which means all my pictures were shot wide open, resulting in overexposure and softness.

I returned both, and have -sadly- ticked the XA off my 'must own" list. Too risky in 2025.

 

[Agulliver]

I would suggest that over time you'll get used to how your Pentax 17 meters in various conditions and learn when you need to compensate + or - a stop or two. In reality, that's all you *need* to do.

I have a collection of cameras from the simplest box cameras taking in totally manual cameras, cameras with non-coupled meters and cameras with various different metering systems. And a light meter app on my phone (my Weston Mk III light meter died and is now a movie prop). But I also have 47 years of experience with manual cameras...and that really helps. You'll learn as you go, making mistakes but also finding that some tricky photos come out perfectly. It might be worth noting down the circumstances of your shots as you go, especially if you do make any adjustments, for later reference.....this worked, that didn't, oh look....that did something odd that worked out.

 

[dcy]

1I have an Olympus 35RC that I like a lot and has a simple shutter priority automatic mode as well as fully manual controls. Very compact little camera, very nice lens.

The Canon Canonette QL17 is a similar camera that’s reputed to be very nice (but one I haven’t used).

Thanks!

I looked them up and watched a few reviews. I thought I knew about the Canonet, yet I didn't know it had a manual option. Ditto for the 35RC.

I can totally see myself buying one of those as a "second" camera. Being a product of the 1970s, it is not fair to complain that they cannot match a camera from 2024/5. I am sure that ISO 400 was considered fast in 1970. But having a manual option while still being pocket-size can earn them a place in my collection for when I want that experience.

 

[dcy]

I would suggest that over time you'll get used to how your Pentax 17 meters in various conditions and learn when you need to compensate + or - a stop or two. In reality, that's all you *need* to do.

Definitely.

But I also have 47 years of experience with manual cameras...and that really helps. You'll learn as you go, making mistakes but also finding that some tricky photos come out perfectly.

Yeah. There's no replacement for experience. Already in the short year that I've had my camera I've noticed patterns that I now try to incorporate when I shoot.

It might be worth noting down the circumstances of your shots as you go, especially if you do make any adjustments, for later reference.....this worked, that didn't, oh look....that did something odd that worked out.

I should definitely do that.

I've noticed a few times when I was trying something, sure I would remember, and by the time I got to the end of the roll 2 weeks later I can't remember what I was trying to do (e.g. "Hmm... I think I was testing exposure... but was I over or under exposing?..."). I should carry a little notebook with me.

 

[snusmumriken]

I should carry a little notebook with me.

Yeah, I’ve kept one in my camera bag for years. Of course, you have to remember to use it. Mine is still totally blank.