The quest for the ideal compact adventure camera??

cfrye · Sep 14, 2018

I have spent years in search of the perfect compact adventure camera, and I just cannot seem to find one that fits all of the requirements:
- Compact, obviously. Does not have to be pocketable, but shouldn't be too hefty or big.
- TOUGH. At a minimum, weatherproofed, but totally waterproof is ideal. I do not baby cameras, and I feel like one of the main parts of being an 'adventure camera' is that you don't have to worry about it all the time.
- Somewhat cheap. I do not think I would want to worry about a $500 camera in rough conditions

My nominations/experiences so far:
- Minolta Weathermatic dual 35 - Pretty cool looking and definitely tough, but image quality is really questionable sometimes.
- Olympus mju/stylus - great and pocketable, yet sometimes fragile and not entirely waterproof.

Anyone have a camera that they would take to hell and back??

Wallendo · Sep 14, 2018

Consider a Nikonos. They are somewhat heavy but, at least in my case, image quality is better than the Weathermatic-Dual (which I find disappointing by Minolta standards).

AgX · Sep 15, 2018

There are several waterproof compact 35mm cameras by different manufacturrs in the meaning that you can put them under water, though not necessarily go for a dive.
Some others seem splashproof at best.

(First time I read the term adventure camera.)

xtolsniffer · Sep 15, 2018

(First time I read the term adventure camera.)[/QUOTE]

Every time I go out with my RB67 it's a real adventure!

macfred · Sep 15, 2018

Between 1988 to 2001, Konica released a series of ruggedised cameras aimed at the Japanese construction industry ...

https://www.35mmc.com/05/08/2016/konica-genba-kantoku-28wb/

Paul Howell · Sep 15, 2018

I have a Konica all weather camera, called the Off Road here in the US, mine has 28mm 3.5, I also have a Minolta Weathermatic with 35 and 85mm lens, my Fav is the Pentax IQ zoom 95 WR for weather resistant with 38, to 95mm lens. Although on the large size for a point and shoot, it is rugged, the lens is very good, use fast film. The , Minolta is water proof, don't recall how many feet it is rated at, I have taken it down to 10 to 15 feet in salt water, held up really well. For $500 you can also get an early Nikones, for that matter a later model, saying that, it is designed for underwater and will be somewhat clumsy to use topside. I've known PJ who kept one in their kits for shooting in extreme weather. All in all unless your planning on going into the water the Pentax WR is just more vertical. I think you can pick up one of each for under a $100, add a Nkones and your still under $500. On the very inexpensive side, get a Pentax IQ and buy a roll of radiator tape and seal it up.

locutus · Sep 15, 2018

Nikonos IV with the standard 35mm lens really is a good idea, its reasonably compact, the lens works both above and underwater and its tough as hell and is actually pretty decent.

macfred · Sep 15, 2018

Paul Howell said:
I have a Konica all weather camera, called the Off Road here in the US, mine has 28mm 3.5...

Same here ...
My wife bought a Konica "off-road" Wide 28 (28mm f/3.5) a few years ago - she takes it for hiking and skiing.
(85 EUR - incl. German import turnover taxes ) - I can really recommend!

Konica "off-road" - series
http://camera-wiki.org/wiki/Konica_Genba_Kantoku_28
http://camera-wiki.org/wiki/Konica_Genba_Kantoku_28WB

There were different versions available :
1. Zoom, 28-56/ f3.5-6.7
2. 35wb Eco 35/3.5
3. 28wb Eco 28/3.5
4. 28hg 28/3.5
5. ...
and maybe many more ...

jbrubaker · Sep 15, 2018

cfrye said:
I have spent years in search of the perfect compact adventure camera, and I just cannot seem to find one that fits all of the requirements:
- Compact, obviously. Does not have to be pocketable, but shouldn't be too hefty or big.
- TOUGH. At a minimum, weatherproofed, but totally waterproof is ideal. I do not baby cameras, and I feel like one of the main parts of being an 'adventure camera' is that you don't have to worry about it all the time.
- Somewhat cheap. I do not think I would want to worry about a $500 camera in rough conditions

My nominations/experiences so far:
- Minolta Weathermatic dual 35 - Pretty cool looking and definitely tough, but image quality is really questionable sometimes.
- Olympus mju/stylus - great and pocketable, yet sometimes fragile and not entirely waterproof.

Anyone have a camera that they would take to hell and back??

How about the "Nikon Action Touch"? (check on Google for pictures and reviews)
It is waterproof to about 10 feet of depth, and is built to be rugged. I have one that I no longer use if you are interested in buying. thanks, john.

ronwhit · Sep 15, 2018

cfyre, I have a Pentax WR 90 that you can have for $7.00 plus postage - about $15.00 total I would guess. I used one of these on hikes, in the rain, in snow, and while sailing and it never failed me. The WR stands for water resistant, and it is all of that. The infrared remote on the one I am offering does not work, but I never used it anyway. Lens is 38-90 mm, and plenty sharp for a P & S. ronwhit

mshchem · Sep 15, 2018

Kodak Retina, folds, made out of metal. Strap it to your body you could skydive, doesn't work under water

Theo Sulphate · Sep 15, 2018

For wet conditions, I have a Nikonos V. The 35/2.5 W-Nikkor can be used both above and below water. The camera has both manual shutter speeds and aperture priority. Scale focusing. Water-tight down to 60 meters, I think, so rain, rivers, lakes are no problem. I carry mine on a strap.

For hiking and climbing, I have an XA2 with its tough clam shell. Unlike my XA, the XA2 doesn't have a needle or a rangefinder mechanism that could be whacked out of alignment. The XA2 is also easily pocketable.

Poisson Du Jour · Sep 15, 2018

In my overly-adventurous, incident-riddled bicycle touring days, assorted cameras that I deemed essential implements for my distant adventures came and went.

The Olympus OM10 (first camera), was followed soon by the OM 1N, OM2N, OM4. As the years went on, more followed: a Nikon F3HP, FE2, FA and F90X. Then I took a liking to Canon's T90, ditching that in 1994 to take up the EOS 1N, 5 and 50E. So which one is the best adventure camera? All of them. But none of the OMs or Nikons are weather/waterproof (though the Nikon F3HP was drenched more than once). For compactness and technical versatility, the OM4, followed later by the F90X. Today's personal fav for 35mm is the EOS 1N: weatherproof (L-series lenses too) -- absolutely, reliable, yes, but it's also very heavy... This camera has been through a lot of grief weather-wise.

If it all sounds far too extreme, there is always one ever-reliable, "sprinkle-proof" stand-in: The Olympus XA, always in my Crumpler and ready for action. And the XA is cheap!

John Wiegerink · Sep 17, 2018

ronwhit said:
cfyre, I have a Pentax WR 90 that you can have for $7.00 plus postage - about $15.00 total I would guess. I used one of these on hikes, in the rain, in snow, and while sailing and it never failed me. The WR stands for water resistant, and it is all of that. The infrared remote on the one I am offering does not work, but I never used it anyway. Lens is 38-90 mm, and plenty sharp for a P & S. ronwhit

+1 I'll second the pick of the Pentax IQ zoom WR90. I bought one when they first came out for my wife. I found it to be an outstanding "do all" camera with great features and a very sharp, good contrast lens. You can't go wrong for the offer of $15.00 above. JohnW

film_man · Sep 17, 2018

Another vote for the Nikonos. Can deal with any weather, has autoexposure and is actually a very smooth camera to operate. Yes, it is manual focus but give it a day or so and you can guestimate distances pretty well. The lens is sharp even wide open, I just love it.

Cholentpot · Sep 17, 2018

XA2 and original Mju are my go to.

However for water resistant I have an Epic Zoom. I don't like the shutter feel of it though and it is a bit chunky compared to the Mju or the XA.

CMoore · Sep 17, 2018

Basically ANY plastic SLR or Point/Shoot...like a Canon T-70...and one of those disposable shower caps that you find at many Hotels for free.....or a plastic bag and a band.

Les Sarile · Sep 17, 2018

The Pentax MX will certainly be tough and fully mechanical only using batteries for the meter. It has the largest brightest full info viewfinder of any SLR ever and still be similar in size to a compact camera in size - jacket pocket size.

sissysphoto · Sep 18, 2018

cfrye said:
I have spent years in search of the perfect compact adventure camera, and I just cannot seem to find one that fits all of the requirements:
- Compact, obviously. Does not have to be pocketable, but shouldn't be too hefty or big.
- TOUGH. At a minimum, weatherproofed, but totally waterproof is ideal. I do not baby cameras, and I feel like one of the main parts of being an 'adventure camera' is that you don't have to worry about it all the time.
- Somewhat cheap. I do not think I would want to worry about a $500 camera in rough conditions

My nominations/experiences so far:
- Minolta Weathermatic dual 35 - Pretty cool looking and definitely tough, but image quality is really questionable sometimes.
- Olympus mju/stylus - great and pocketable, yet sometimes fragile and not entirely waterproof.

Anyone have a camera that they would take to hell and back??

A Nikkormat. Forget the waterproof idea. Any camera with a drop of water on the front lens is useless.

AgX · Sep 18, 2018

You can shade a lens from dropping rain. (But then you also could cover a regular camera...)

guangong · Sep 18, 2018

sissysphoto said:
A Nikkormat. Forget the waterproof idea. Any camera with a drop of water on the front lens is useless.

Ditto! The idea of gettinga water proof camera used to cross my mind now and then but always came back to my senses. Dunk any camera except for a Nikonos(provided seals are in perfect condition) will have problematic results.
My minimalist bad weather method: keep camera close to body and/or under jacket or scarf and wear hat with very broad brim. Smaller cameras easier to keep dry than larger ones, although my usual choice for really bad weather is Sissyphoto’s Nikkormat.
Plastic bags and shower caps are just something else to get in the way. In 1970 there were plastic covers made for specific camera models but wouldn’t keep water off of front lens. Called EWA?

I actually prefer photographing in rain and snow. More interesting than nice days.

tezzasmall · Sep 18, 2018

CANON SURE-SHOT A1.

I've had one for years and have used it both out in the all weathers and underwater. Good exposure and auto-focus system. Great little camera. Widely available and cheap now.

Terry S

AgX · Sep 18, 2018

guangong said:
Plastic bags and shower caps are just something else to get in the way. In 1970 there were plastic covers made for specific camera models but wouldn’t keep water off of front lens. Called EWA?.

Not for specific cameras but generic ones that would fit several kits. I got one pressure tight model for diving I bought from them as unused old stock, but the plasticizer is sweating out.

johnha · Sep 18, 2018

John Wiegerink said:
+1 I'll second the pick of the Pentax IQ zoom WR90. I bought one when they first came out for my wife. I found it to be an outstanding "do all" camera with great features and a very sharp, good contrast lens. You can't go wrong for the offer of $15.00 above. JohnW

I'd recommend one of these too - weather resistant, great zoom Lens, very rugged camera in a compact package.

Theo Sulphate · Sep 19, 2018

Les Sarile said:
The Pentax MX will certainly be tough and fully mechanical only using batteries for the meter. It has the largest brightest full info viewfinder of any SLR ever and still be similar in size to a compact camera in size - jacket pocket size...

That's a convincing and dramatic photo. The 40/2.8 lens seems just perfect!

The quest for the ideal compact adventure camera??

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