Suggestions for new P&S

[Steve Roberts]

One thing that's a bit of a niggle with true P & S's is that the ones I've tried all use DX film speed sensing - a bit of a nuisance when, like me, you roll your own B/W. I usually end up buying off-the-shelf film (usually HP5) at some inflated price, which goes against the grain. I've got a stock of DX code stick-on labels but aren't usually organised enough to a) find them and b) use them!
Steve

 

[Nicholas Lindan]

One thing that's a bit of a niggle with true P & S's is that the ones I've tried all use DX film speed sensing

That is a nice thing about the Nikon 35Ti - it defaults to 100 but it has a +/-2 stop exposure adjustment (that only resets automatically on a roll change). This gives a speed range of 25 - 400 w/o a DX coded cartridge. Perfect for bulk loads of TechPan.

On the subject of lag with a P&S, there are several lags:

1. Turning the camera on to the camera being ready to shoot
2. Pressing the shutter button to the shutter firing
3. Pressing the shutter button to pre-focusing the lens
4. Pressing the shutter button with a pre-focused lens to the shutter firing

#4 is very short with the Nikon.

#1 can be long with the T4 because it waits for the flash to charge if it thinks flash will be needed.

The Nikon also has a custom set-up feature so you can disable automatic flash.

I found my Nikon 35Ti at a camera show for $125. That is considerably cheaper than what they go for on ebay. But patience and perseverance should snag a T4 for under $100 and a 35Ti for under $200 - the problem with 'bargains' is that they are often broke. Stay away from "I think it works, but I don't have a battery to test it. Sold as is." on ebay.

 

[Chazzy]

As I understand it, the Super Ikonta A is only 4x5 inches when folded. I haven't handled one in person or tried to stick it into a pants pocket, but I would love to try one--6x4.5 in a very small camera sounds quite attractive to me. No meter, though, so it's not really a point and shoot.

 

[mjs]

As I understand it, the Super Ikonta A is only 4x5 inches when folded. I haven't handled one in person or tried to stick it into a pants pocket, but I would love to try one--6x4.5 in a very small camera sounds quite attractive to me. No meter, though, so it's not really a point and shoot.

Hi, Charles! My first impulse was similar and I have (courtesy of a generous soul here on APUG,) an excellent 6x6 folder (I forget which one, off the top of my head.) Scale focusing, do-your-own-math exposure, but a good lens. I have had (and will have,) many good times with it, but it isn't quick to use and, from experience, my ability to guess/calculate exposure in less than sunny conditions is... uh, awful. I also have a Rolleiflex, which I absolutely adore, but again using a handheld exposure meter slows things down quite a bit.

Mike

 

[Nicholas Lindan]

there's no research like asking the experts

"Go not to the Elves for counsel, for they will say both yes and no."
- J. R. R. Tolkien

 

[Paul Howell]

Boy, this has gotten interesting! I tried a Retina IIc, I think it was; got it at an estate auction, thought how cool all the precise machining was and how neat it was to be battery independant, but while it was a rangefinder I'd still have to figure exposure and I don't want to have to do that. Contax, etc. are mostly far beyond my budget; I can spend in the neighborhood of $100 or so. Yeah, I know, it isn't much for a camera but short of eating into the money for film and processing, that's what I have to work with.

I wasn't really expecting to get something new; I figure they may still make a few new P&S cameras in these dark days of digital but they're probably higher-end ones, looking for trendy buyers. I'm just an old fart who likes film; trendy isn't on my radar. So used is fine. I tried a couple of disposable cameras; as was said, the quality was surprisingly good. Not 'good', but better than I expected. I envision some B&W though, and haven't been able to find B&W disposables locally. The Yashica T4 is highly recommended but I can't find out anything about shutter lag. Ditto for the Stylus, especially the fixed 35mm lens model. Then there's the Nikon mentioned earlier. Any idea what a Nikon like that goes for?

Mike

Ultrafine the Photo Wearhouse sells what is likely new old stock with a few Vivitars and Cannon point and shoots for under $100, some under $50, but you can get a better used camera for less money.

 

[mjs]

I was rummaging through the odds 'n ends collection this evening, looking for a camera strap. My collection of "stuff" is constantly changing as most of it comes via my wife and her perpetual inability to pass up a garage sale, bless her soul! I also give away stuff, mostly to kids who show an interest in photography, and am always raiding the "stuff" shelves for lens caps and straps and so on.

To my surprise, there was a box there with an Olympus Quick Shooter in it. I have no idea where it came from but it looks like its in good shape, although obviously I won't know for sure until I put a battery in it and run a roll of film through it (I have a shopping bag full of 12-exp. Kodak Max 800 print film I got from a drug store that was closing it out. $0.50 per roll and I think I bought 40 or so rolls. Great for testing out new garage sale cameras!)

I have the manual but does anyone happen to have any experience with this thing? It's bigger than I want but will serve as a 'proof of concept' camera until I sort out what I'm going to do long-term.

Mike

 

[viridari]

I just picked up an Olympus Stylus Epic Zoom 80 DLX on fleabay tonight. I'll be sure to report back to this thread after I've had some time to play with it. It claims to support film from ASA 50 to ASA 3200 so I'm thinking this might be just the one to sneak into music performances where people with SLR's are evil and verboten.

Total cost, shipped to my door, was $13.

 

[gclose]

Olympus Stylus Epic

I carry the Olympus Stylus Epic with me everywhere, and the meter is accurate enough for slide film. Small, quick, and excellent image quality. If you want manual controls, look elsewhere. If you want to point and shoot, this works great for me. Excellent image quality and no fuss.

 

[darinwc]

I also picked up an olympus stylus epic.. the one with the fixed 28mm lens. I poped a new battery and a roll of film in it.. works great. I will have to post the results when i get the film developed (maybee next year if i am lucky)

One thing to note about the stylus epic.. the lens stays in the body until you take the photo, so there is always a slight lag between button and exposure but it is very fast, prob less than most af cameras. Also it resets the modes each time you turn it off. this means that the red-eye reduction mode will turn on diring dim shots by default.. another shot delay. However the camera is turned on by sliding the lens cover open.. (read can be done with one hand as you are taking the camera out of your pocket) Also its autofocus is fast and accurate, even in low or near complete darkness due to IR beam focussing. ...Sooo while the stylus epic may not be the fastest shooter it is certainly a contender if you start the race from your pocket.

The olympus XA is another great pocket camera if you like a rangefinder. the XA-2-4 are zone or autofocus cameras.

 

[mabman]

As mentioned, you may have some issues with the "new" criteria, except for some Japan-only Fuji P&Ses, although you may also be able to find some Olympus models as new old stock.

I've played with a few of these. My current favourite is the Canon Sure Shot Classic 120 - although technically it doesn't have matrix metering, supposedly it's pre-programmed with a wide variety of lighting conditions it selects from, and generally exposes very well. Also one of the few cheaper ones that has the option of +/-1.5 EV (although that deactivates the flash). Also I quite like its Portrait and Macro modes - they generally do a good job for portraits. The main downside is that the zoom/focus motors aren't the quietest, so may startle/alert people that you're taking a picture if you're trying to be subtle. It does start up quickly.

Other P&S/small 35mm cameras I've tried:

- Olympus XA: I like the size and the clamshell, however the rangefinder spot is very small, and I've had issues using it in room light. Also, somehow I managed to break one while flying to Vegas - still not sure how, as it was in my carry-on and not dropped. I seem to be in the minority, here, though.

- Olympus Stylus Epic: Easy to use. No real complaints about functionality (aside from the settings reset as mentioned above), except I had some issues with red eye due to the position of the small flash. Another P&S that managed to break somehow on my trip to Vegas. Once again, it seems to be me and not the camera

- Olympus Stylus 120: Zoom version of the above. Good results. My only complaints are that there is sometimes noticable lag between pressing the shutter and the actual picture being taken, and it seems to default to a slower shutter speed instead of opening the aperture for more light, which can lead to some shake/blur.

Ideally I would like something with the features and quality of the Canon, but quieter, and one that doesn't cost a tremendous amount. I've heard good things about the Japan-only newer Fuji P&Ses, but I'm unwilling to pay the prices for them.

 

[Chaplain Jeff]

Hello,

Minolta 7sII is very fast, VERY NICE glass and will fit in a coat pocket no problem.

For a "modern" camera, I'd recommend one of the Olympus mju/Stylus models. Don't know if they still make them or not, but I'm sure you can find them around.

My mom asked me the same question a few weeks ago. She is camera illiterate and wanted a no-brainer, takes-great-pictures film p/s. I told her to watch the Salvation Army / Goodwill and pick up anything that said Canon / Nikon / Olympus / Minolta on it. It would only cost pennies on the dollar and will be great for what she (and maybe you?) want it for.

Good luck and let us know what you decide.

 

[mjs]

I think that I'm going to look for an Olympus Sylus Epic, the one with the fixed focal length lens. Sounds like a good combination of cost and capability. Thanks for everyone's help; you've been a gold mine of information!

Mike

 

[mjs]

Well, this has certainly been an education! Three cameras, none of which worked longer than a week. I suppose I shouldn't be all that surprised; these things are all rather old by technological standards. Who'd expect a 15 or 20 year old computer to still work? *Sigh* Maybe I'm better off going to disposable route. Some of them are almost as small as a Stylus.

Mike

 

[Nicholas Lindan]

Three cameras, none of which worked longer than a week.

Good reason to buy from KEH or a local camera store. I have found it is always worth paying premium for used equipment that is in really good condition.

 

[firecracker]

Well, this has certainly been an education! Three cameras, none of which worked longer than a week. I suppose I shouldn't be all that surprised; these things are all rather old by technological standards. Who'd expect a 15 or 20 year old computer to still work? *Sigh* Maybe I'm better off going to disposable route. Some of them are almost as small as a Stylus.

Mike

You mean, you bought three used Stylus/Mju P&Ss and they all died within a week?

 

[removed account4]

Good reason to buy from KEH or a local camera store. I have found it is always worth paying premium for used equipment that is in really good condition.

we replaced our T4 ( whose zone focus mechanism broke after too many
rolls of film was put through it ) with a olympus stylus epic bought
from keh. it cost us about 20$ plus a few dollar shipping.
supposedly it was "bargain" rating, but it was new in an unopened box.

keh is a great place to shop.

 

[iamzip]

Good luck finding a camera that meets all those qualifications - maybe you'll find a goose that lays golden eggs as well.
One of the problems is that most point and shoot cameras have rather slow lenses - f5.6 or so. There is of course the Olympus Stylus Epic, as many have mentioned, which is available with a fixed f2.8 lens. There is the Fujifilm zoom date f2.8, with a zoom of 24-50 or something like that. And the near legendary Fujifilm Natura, with a f2.8 or maybe you can find the original with an f1.9. There's also the Minolta TC-1. Or maybe the Fujifilm Klasse (identical to the already mentioned Rollei AFM35).

None of these cameras is cheap of course - I think the Olympus can be found for less than $100, the Natura and Rollei around $300. The Klasse and Minolta are maybe $800-1000? And I haven't been able to find the zoom date f2.8.

Of course, the good news is, if you're willing to make a few compromises, like a slower lens, then you can find many really nice point and shoots dirt cheap. I have two Fujifilm zoom date 1000s, max. aperture f5.6, 28mm-100mm, really sharp super EBC coated lens. I think these cameras were over $200 new, I got two of 'em for maybe $30-40. So cheap it's worth a try anyway. The Rollei P&S cameras are quite nice as well.

 

[mjs]

You mean, you bought three used Stylus/Mju P&Ss and they all died within a week?

Only one was a Stylus, purchased online. The other two were local purchases (one from Craigslist, one from an acquintance.) Two were Olympuses, one was a Nikon. Not much money involved, just wounded pride and disappointment! I'm thinking about what to do next as I try to catch up in the darkroom. Maybe the disposable route.

Mike

 

[timing]

You know going back to the very first reply to the OP - a Trip would be would be the ideal solution.

ok they are not new but from this supplier they are as good as....http://www.tripman.co.uk/..actually this link was posted to day on another forum.

They are sexy looking things.

 

[mjs]

You know going back to the very first reply to the OP - a Trip would be would be the ideal solution.

ok they are not new but from this supplier they are as good as....http://www.tripman.co.uk/..actually this link was posted to day on another forum.

They are sexy looking things.

The Trip is certainly a cute camera, but I don't think it's really very pocketable with the lens sticking out the front. I have Yashica Electro's, which I think are fabulous for the price (I paid $20 for one, years ago: I overpaid. I've since been getting them from estate auctions for $3-$5. It's amazing how many folks around here seem to have bought them.) I really like the Stylus's form factor but if I buy another it may be from KEH or someone similar.

Mike

 

[flatulent1]

Years ago I had an Olympus Infinity Jr that was marvelous. I've never been impressed with the output of the typical P&S, but this one was great. Granted, I'd never enlarged anything beyond 5x7, but the color was outstanding.

 

[darinwc]

Sorry this has been so hard for you.

I'm quite surprised actually.. the local thrift store here has quite a few P&S cameras that I think would work. Fuji endeavor, canon sureshot, minolta freedom. Sorry no olympus.

Speaking of olympus I picked up a pretty beat up stylus epic. It seemed to have intermittent problems until I poped a brand new battery in it. -so have you tried the obvious and replaced the batery on the one you have?

 

[mjs]

Sorry this has been so hard for you.

I'm quite surprised actually.. the local thrift store here has quite a few P&S cameras that I think would work. Fuji endeavor, canon sureshot, minolta freedom. Sorry no olympus.

Speaking of olympus I picked up a pretty beat up stylus epic. It seemed to have intermittent problems until I poped a brand new battery in it. -so have you tried the obvious and replaced the batery on the one you have?

None of the cameras I got came with a battery, so I bought new. I really, really like the Stylus's form factor and it feels "right" in my hand. I just need to get a working one. Since I'm bottom feeding (these things have been selling for $60 and up on Ebay lately,) it will just take a while. But we'll get there. I'm grateful for all the suggestions I've gotten from this forum: it's been very helpful to me.

Mike

 

[ajuk]

I think there are a few made by Cosina sold under various brands, also there are Russian Lomos ETC. I think Olympus still do the MJUII apart from that there are a few high end compacts aimed at the less fickle end of the market from Fuji and Leica.