The perfect point and shoot for backpacking

[bonk]

I am going. on a looong backpacking trip where I will be walking (by foot) all the way through Europe from Germany to Spain.

Based on my prior trips have come to the conclusion that it’s not worth for me to take a fully featured camera because most of the energy and focus goes into walking. Taking occasional pictures along the way must be as quick and easy as possible, otherwise I won’t do it.

So I am looking for a compact auto-focus, auto-exposure point and shoot camera for 35mm film (I am taking Kodak Tri-X and Kodak Pro Image with me) that would be the perfect companion. It should have these properties (ordered by priority - the further down on that list, the more I am willing to make compromises):

1. superb image quality
2. reliable and somewhat robust
3. not too expensive (below 200€ in good condition)
4. fixed focal length lens between 30-50mm
5. nice to have: possibility for exposure compensation
6: nice to have: integrated flash

Can you help me out, and make some suggestions?

 

[Huss]

Fuji Work Record. It has a 28mm lens which I think is a bonus.

 

[Paul Howell]

There are a couple of Fuji versions, first version is zone focus with manual wind, second AF with motor wind, and last a version with a short zoom. I've been looking for second version, many from Japan, not many from U.S, still looking. Second a Minolta Weathermatic, I have one which I took to Iceland, many hikes here in the U.S, it has a duel lens, a 35mm and 80mm, not a zoom, it is waterproof down around 12 feet. Also water proof Olympus with duel lens. Smaller than the Minolta version. Konica Off Road, was offered under a few different names, like the Fuji version it was made to document progress and compliance with building codes for the construction industry. The Off Road has a fixed 28mm 2.8 lens. All 4 have built in flash, will work as fill in flash, all well made. The duel lens feature of the Minolta and Olympus is great when traveling, short tele tele, but the Fuji and Konica lens are perhaps a bit sharper. Although I don't know how rugged it is my current fav is a Chinon 35 35F-MA
intrafocus. Fixed 35mm 2.8 lens, built in flash, non DX coded meter, you set the meter manually from ASA/ISO from 50 to 400, by adjusting the ISO you can fool the meter when shooting a back lit subject. It has a scale in the viewfinder that shows the distance the AF has picked, useful to know where the camera is focus on. And it takes a 46mm filter and lens shade and uses 2 double a batteries. I can say that the lens is sharp, but as first generation AF point and shoot, not sure how rugged it will be. Also by Konica the Merimade, 35mm 3.5 lens, somewhat rare, don't know much about it.

https://www.thephoblographer.com/20...-an-unexpectedly-rare-underwater-film-camera/

https://www.cameramanuals.org/minolta_pdf/minolta_weathermatic_35dl.pdf

 

[pentaxuser]

The Olympus Mju II which I have, has all your features with the exception of your feature 5 as it has no exposure compensation. It fits in any pocket being 10cm long. about 4.5 cm wide and about 4cm deep. It weighs 150 grammes and has a protective slide that you move over the lens when not in use

It has superb optics and is autofocus. It has no means of fitting a filter on the lens for b&w film but this is largely unimportant for colour and may not matter for b&w

pentaxuser

 

[Paul Howell]

I know it is off your radar, but I would think about a simple 35mm SLR, in the auto focus world the Minolta 3, Pentax MZ 6, Canon Rebel, not much larger than a fixed lens point and shoot, these are last generation made in the late 90s and early 20s, so 10 years newer. With a 40mm pancake lens, pretty small package with lots more flexibility. All have manual exposure mode and program modes that can set to what conditions you are shooting, landscape, night, close up. And they are cheap, but a 40mm lens might cost more than you are willing to spend. The 50 1.7 AF is not as compact, with cheap, Minolta made a lot of them, takes 49mm filters and lens hood. All have small built in flash, not sure how good they are as fill in flash. For the price of a Minolta 3, buy 2, toss one in your luggage as a spare.

 

[bonk]

Fuji Work Record looks a bit bulky and doesn’t have the lens I‘m after, at is already too wide. 35mm focal length would be preferable.

Olympus Mju 2 would be the perfect camera but it looks like it will be hard to get one below 200€.

I have walked with a SLR before (Pentax P3) it’s definitely too bulky. I need to optimize my backpack for size and weight and I need to stay below 15kg, including sleeping bag and camping mat.

 

[ruilourosa]

Xa?

 

[Bill Burk]

You need something that will just work. Rollei 35 is about the ultimate backpacking camera. That or an Olympus OM-1 with 35mm f/2.8 is what I would take, with a pound of film

 

[reddesert]

Those look like a reasonable set of requirements. I would add one, that it should have batteries that either last forever or are very easily available (like AAA or AA). You don't want to go hunting around for batteries. Maybe it's still possible to buy a CR123 in any convenience store in Europe, but I don't know and wouldn't want to assume.

The P+S cameras with high end lenses and even the Stylus Epic/mju II have gotten kind of pricey. I don't know if you need a boutique lens if you stick to P+S with fixed ~ 35mm lenses: those are usually f/3.5 or f/2.8 and generally pretty decent. There are Stylus variants with zooms that are less pricey, but I disfavor P+S zooms - very slow in aperture, slower and bulkier in operation.

The Olympus XA and XA2 are great (not AF; manual ISO setting, allowing exposure ccompensation), but have also gotten a little pricier, maybe not to the mju-II level. The original Stylus/mju before the mju 2 has a 35mm lens, is a little less slender, might be more affordable. I have an Olympus Infinity Jr (AF-10 Super) with 35/3.5 that is a bit less compact than the mju, seems very reliable, and takes 2xAAA batteries (or a CR123). I don't think those are fashionable/expensive yet.

 

[Paul Howell]

For a flyer, Vivitar PS 35, first generation AF, 35mm with 3.8, like the stylist has a slide open case, built in flash, manual set ASA, 50 to 1000, takes 2 AA, cannot use a filter or lens shade. the lens is pretty good. I found my wife's, when a newspaper feature writer she carried one, just in case the newspaper photographer did not show for a story she was working. Not much in the way of electronics, mechanical frame counter. Not as rugged as the Weathermatic, I've seen them go for around $10 U.S, maybe $20 for one in great shape. Have no idea who made it for Vivitiar, maybe Consia who made the Vivitar line of 35mm SLR? When the Super bowel was here in the 90s her paper covered it, she had the paper's photographer take her picture with it, she was behind the end zone.

My guess is that the PJ used the flash as fill in, the lens is quite sharp, the film was Fuji 400 press.

 

[freecitizen]

Contax TVS is worth looking at …….

 

[Huss]

Pentax 90WR. Water resistant, crazy sharp lens, dirt cheap.

 

[John Wiegerink]

Pentax 90WR. Water resistant, crazy sharp lens, dirt cheap.

Yes, it’s one great camera. More features than you can shake a stick at. Plus, if it gets dirty you can just rinse it off under the faucet. I bought my wife one when they first cam out and she loved it. Very rugged and very sharp, contrasts lens also. This would be my favorite pick also. JohnW

 

[bernard_L]

Bring two cameras. So that should #1 fail (this happens) you can still have a record of your trip.

Test your camera(s) before you leave.

 

[perkeleellinen]

Because of the huge interest in fixed focal length P&S cameras with superb image quality, your challenge will be finding a good one under 200. Many models are now double their original sale price; the Mju II, which I bought new for 99, now routinely sells for 200+.

 

[bernard_L]

Most of your requirements (numbered list) can be met if you drop "point and shoot". E.g. Olympus 35RC. Konica C35. Or Rollei35 suggested above by Bill Burk.

Please place "superb image quality" in context of final destination: 5x7" print; blog, full-size computer screen, 16x24" exhibition print. Different levels of technical requirements.

 

[Paul Howell]

Yes, it’s one great camera. More features than you can shake a stick at. Plus, if it gets dirty you can just rinse it off under the faucet. I bought my wife one when they first cam out and she loved it. Very rugged and very sharp, contrasts lens also. This would be my favorite pick also. JohnW

No, No, and No, read the manual, it is not shock resistance, the manual advises to put it on a pillow while driving in a car. I have one as well, really like it, bought before I downloaded the manual.

 

[Paul Howell]

Most of your requirements (numbered list) can be met if you drop "point and shoot". E.g. Olympus 35RC. Konica C35. Or Rollei35 suggested above by Bill Burk.

Please place "superb image quality" in context of final destination: 5x7" print; blog, full-size computer screen, 16x24" exhibition print. Different levels of technical requirements.

There are many rangefinders that are quite compact, the Vivitar ES 35 is very nice, good build quality, shutter speed preferred exposure, top shutter speed of 1/500, manual advance, but no integrated flash, need to carry small flash. Fast lens 40mm 1.7.

 

[Nitroplait]

Olympus Trip 35. Not auto focus but quick to use zone focus icons. Great 40mm lens. Prices are climbing when buying from the usual sources, but with 10 million units made, they can easily be found at flea markets, goodwill stores and local classifieds for very little money.

 

[John Wiegerink]

No, No, and No, read the manual, it is not shock resistance, the manual advises to put it on a pillow while driving in a car. I have one as well, really like it, bought before I downloaded the manual.

I think Pentax had invested interest in either a pillow company or chicken farm for its feathers. My wife used hers for years and it never sat on any pillow in the car. In fact the County Road Commission where my wife worked had me buy them three Pentax IQ 90wr cameras and they used them on the road for years until they switched to digital. No problems for them all that time and those employees don't baby any equipment. About three years ago I bought a box of ten IQ 90wr cameras off the big auction site for next to nothing. When I got them they were in various cosmetic conditions and showed plenty of use. The cases all had white paint letters that said, the State of Washington on them. Best of all, I tested every one of them and they all worked as they should. So much for riding on a pillow. Ha-ha! I now have enough IQ zoom 90wr cameras to last two lifetimes. If I sound like I'm won over by these P&S IQ90wr's I am. I keep one in my fishing boat and one on my pontoon. Try one and see what you think. It won't cost much just to try anyway. JohnW

P.S. If you want super-simple with a great lens get a Minolta AF2 camera. So simple a 4 yr. old kid can run it. It takes double AA batteries you can get anywhere. Of course it maybe to simple for you.

 

[ronwhit]

Another vote for the Pentax WR90, or the newer WR105. Over the years I owned both, and they were my backpacking, bike riding, sailing cameras. Not fixed focal length, and no exposure compensation, but rugged and capable of very nice photos. None of mine ever rode on pillows, but all survived much use. One downside is the cost of the batteries. The WR90 takes two, the WR105 takes one. (CR123? not sure)
You can likely pick up a camera for less than the cost of a pair of batteries.
ronwhit

 

[John Wiegerink]

Another vote for the Pentax WR90, or the newer WR105. Over the years I owned both, and they were my backpacking, bike riding, sailing cameras. Not fixed focal length, and no exposure compensation, but rugged and capable of very nice photos. None of mine ever rode on pillows, but all survived much use. One downside is the cost of the batteries. The WR90 takes two, the WR105 takes one. (CR123? not sure)
You can likely pick up a camera for less than the cost of a pair of batteries.
ronwhit

Yes, I think batteries are its biggest con. Of course lithium batteries last a very long time, but they aren't available at every quick-stop/party store. JohnW

 

[Paul Howell]

OP wants fixed lens, so both the 90 and 105 are not on his list. The only camera that comes close is the Minolta Weathermatic with duel lens or the Konica Mermaid with fixed 35mm lens. The Mermaid has a 35mm 3.5 lens, Panorama mode, built flash, should be easy to handle. Not sure how deep it can be taken, the Minolta Weathermatic is good to about 12 feet. I don't have one, so cannot really vouch for it. Some I've seen have come with detachable underwater sports finder.

 

[Paul Howell]

Going through my box of point and shoots, I keep coming back the Olympus Stylus Epic Zoom 80 Deluxe, other than a fixed it has everything OP is looking for, great lens, compact with slide cover, integrated flash with several modes, a backlight mode, the deluxe is "all weather." My example is the short 38 to 80 zoom, 4.5 to F8, should not be problem with ISO 400 films. What is not stated in the manual is the top shutter speed. But with non DX coded films the speed is set to 100. Uses a standard CV 123 battery, take a spare, more expensive than others at around $200 U.S, I guess I'll need to take care of mine.

https://www.butkus.org/chinon/olympus/olympus_stylus_epic_zoom_80/olympus_stylus_epic_zoom_80.htm

 

[Jon Buffington]

Olympus XA4 (28mm/3.5) or followed by Olympus XA (35/2.8, rangefinder but can easy to focus on the distance scale and use as P&S).

Oly XA4 writeup I did about 5 years ago.
http://jpbuffington.com/?p=143