Suggestions for a versatile and compact 35mm camera

xtolsniffer · Sep 14, 2018

Hi all,
I'm sure this will open a can of worms, but I'm looking for suggestions. I rarely get the opportunity to spend any time 'just out doing photography' but when I do, I prefer to take out my RB67, I just really enjoy using it. Normally, on family holidays, I fit what photography I can around the family, this usually means just taking out a Nikon outfit with a few lenses. The family photos get taken on Portra on a Nikon F100 with a 28-70 mm zoom, and any monochrome on a FM3a or FM2. However, next year we're planning a more relaxed holiday around Turkey and I've been 'allowed' to bring my RB67. I'd like to use a small compact or rangefinder for the family photos as the RB plus an F100 is just too much. I'd like something reasonably lightweight and versatile that I can use with Portra. I'd prefer a little more control than just a point and shoot compact, and I have used an Olympus Trip before but found the zone focusing a little hit and miss, plus I missed the chance to use more wides than the fixed lens would allow. This is pointing more towards a rangefinder with interchangeable lenses, but it also has to be not too mad in terms of price. Any suggestions, alternatives or success stories of what works for you?
Many thanks.

guangong · Sep 14, 2018

A Leica sm or Canon clone with Voightlander Snapshot lens.
But I see no problem with the Olympus you have seems ok. Unfamiliar with focal length of Trip lens, but for light, no fuss and easily pocketable, how about Olympus XA?
Your right about the can of worms! This thread will get several hundred replies.

Paul Howell · Sep 14, 2018

For fixed lens Konica Hextar, for a lot less money Canon QL 1.7, I've have a Canon QL 1.7 for many decades, has never let me down, meter is good. Always wanted a Hextar, only thing that put me off was the 28mm lens. Minolta, Yashica, Nikon, and Contex all made very good high end point and shoots with manual override. For very little money, first generation AF point and shoot, Vivitar don't recall the model number, has a 35mm 2.8 lens, Not Dx coded so you can cheat the auto exposure and with Portra 160 you can shoot 2 stops and 2 stops under by changing the ISO. Another first generation point and shoot the Canon Sure Shot with 40mm 1.9 lens, like the Vivtiar is non DX coded wo you adjust the exposure to some degree. Dont what "mad money" is to you but non metered Canon P with a 28mm, 50mm, and 100mm Canon glass. Might be hard to round up the body and lens in one fell swoop along with a good hand held meter, for color I would use a incident meter.

Ko.Fe. · Sep 14, 2018

I never understand why it has to be three cameras on the trip. Bring one and it is already compact.
Anyway...
These days versatile and compact means two things. Already broken or skyrocketed in price because some fake life personage purchased and showed in on its Instagram.

I have tried Trips, XAs, Rollei 35s and load of others. And came to conclusion what if I want it versatile and compact it is our family EOS 300 with pancake AF/MF lens on it.
But this might be hard to swallow if you are Nikonian. For same reason I sold mint FG-20 and 50E. It was awesome, compact and versatile. I'm just not Nikonian .

removed account4 · Sep 14, 2018

you might look into getting a olympus pen ft, beautiful and sharp lenses
nice bokeh, small, versatile will give you 2x as many frames per roll LOL!
only downside for you is it isnt' an RF..
if you want an RF i'd just grab a leica m3 and a 35mm lens or a 50 and enjoy
the shackles being removed from having to bring a sack of lenses and oodles of gear
have a nice trip !

Theo Sulphate · Sep 14, 2018

Too many cameras and lenses sometimes causes a person spends too much time thinking about what to use and not enjoying the sights. That's why I take a main camera with one lens and sometimes a smaller backup camera with one lens.

Maybe take the FM and add an Olympus XA or small rangefinder like Canon QL17 GIII, Minolta Hi-Matic 7s, or Olympus 35RC.

abruzzi · Sep 14, 2018

Last trip I took it was a Bronica ETRSi and 3 lenses—wide, normal, and long (50, 75, 150) and 20 rolls of film. That was all I needed (this was packed on the back of a motorcycle.) The RB67 is a fair bit bigger, but I’d seriously consider if you can make it work alone. If not, get one of the many 70s era fixed lens semi automatic rangefinders.

xtolsniffer · Sep 15, 2018

Great set of suggestions, thanks everyone, your breadth of knowledge and experience is great.

WilmarcoImaging · Sep 15, 2018

Agree - do not bring much of equipment. To me, this means bringing one camera, and one lens.

- If price is not a concern, a Leica M with a 35mm or wider lens. However, this may be be acceptable, because you did mention price needs to be kept in mind.
- Any of the cameras mentioned above will work.
- I have used a Canon AE1-Program with a 28mm lens in Europe very satisfactorily.

Summary: one camera, one lens, and one roll of film, no tripod, no flash. This forces you to be selective, make good compositions and use good lighting. Most anything else tends towards a spray and pray mentality.

MattKing · Sep 15, 2018

I like to carry two OM bodies and three lenses, when I can.

Paul Howell · Sep 15, 2018

How about a Nikon EM with 4 2.8 pancake lens, sort of a point and shoot with interchangeable lens. Not pocketable but small enough to carry as a second body with your RB.

cooltouch · Sep 15, 2018

I was initially thinking of a rangefinder in response, like the Canon Leica copies of the 50s. I own two -- both model IIa -- great little cameras, but the IIa doesn't have flash sync, if this is something you think you'd need. Almost identical to the IIa, and much more common, is the IVSb. Flash sync is still a problem, though. It has that proprietary flash rail on the side. Which I've never seen adapted to a common flash sync. These old Canons are nice because they are full featured and they take LTM glass. But they are not lightweights. One of these weighs considerably more than a modern plastic wonder, like an EOS Rebel or the Nikon N-series (N60, N80, etc.)

But all this got me to thinking, enough to where I'll agree with a few earlier comments -- why not a compact SLR? Like an Oly OM, or a Pentax M-series, or the Nikon FG (a seriously under-rated camera, IMO). If I had to head out on an excursion and I wanted to bring something small and flexible, I'd be leaning toward my Pentax MX over one of my Canon rangefinders. It's lighter, and just as small. Plus it has that great big bright viewfinder that the Canons definitely lack.

Toyo · Sep 16, 2018

cooltouch said:
I was initially thinking of a rangefinder in response, like the Canon Leica copies of the 50s. I own two -- both model IIa -- great little cameras, but the IIa doesn't have flash sync, if this is something you think you'd need. Almost identical to the IIa, and much more common, is the IVSb. Flash sync is still a problem, though. It has that proprietary flash rail on the side. Which I've never seen adapted to a common flash sync. These old Canons are nice because they are full featured and they take LTM glass. But they are not lightweights. One of these weighs considerably more than a modern plastic wonder, like an EOS Rebel or the Nikon N-series (N60, N80, etc.)

But all this got me to thinking, enough to where I'll agree with a few earlier comments -- why not a compact SLR? Like an Oly OM, or a Pentax M-series, or the Nikon FG (a seriously under-rated camera, IMO). If I had to head out on an excursion and I wanted to bring something small and flexible, I'd be leaning toward my Pentax MX over one of my Canon rangefinders. It's lighter, and just as small. Plus it has that great big bright viewfinder that the Canons definitely lack.

Agree with Michael.
Pentax ME Super and a SMC Pentax-M 1.7/50 is small and capable.
T

darinwc · Sep 20, 2018

Toyo said:
Agree with Michael.
Pentax ME Super and a SMC Pentax-M 1.7/50 is small and capable.
T

Yes

Les Sarile · Sep 20, 2018

Size & weight lineup . . .

mrosenlof · Sep 20, 2018

Hmm, the RB + another camera is always less compact than the RB alone. There's nothing wrong with some nice medium format family photos. I rarely travel with more than one camera. It's just simpler that way.

Just my take. You know your plans and your family much better than I do.

wahiba · Sep 20, 2018

If you want automation then any of the fully auto 35mm cameras froma a well known manufacturer will probably do the job. I have an Olympus MjuII and these are actually quite pricey second hand. However I also have a cheaper Cano AF-10, well it did not cost me anything as I found it in a house I was clearing. An Olympus AF-10 super bought for £1 at a boot fair turns out a good picture too. If you do not mind manual setting then the Rollie 35s are difficult to beat. Even the cheaper models with a Triotar lens produce a good picture.
My surprise acquisition (as a prize) though was the Lomo La Sardina set at 1/100 and f11 with far and near settings and a 22mm lens. OK, not the sharpest picture and obvious vignetting and best with colour film on a bright day. However it has produced some very interesting pictures. Hold it against something solid indoor and use B for a second or two and great interior shots. It does great arms length selfies too.

200 asa Agfa Vista 200 at the UK World Trials Championship round. Probably the only motorsport where a 22mm lens can be used.

800 asa Lomo (Kodak? made in USA) with Rollie 35 with 40mm Tessar Lens.
Olympus MjuII with 400asa Kentmere developed in Rodinal at Keighley station.

Suggestions for a versatile and compact 35mm camera

Moderator

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency