Unsung Point and shoots with extra features.

Ricoh used to make some of the best compact 35mm point and shoot cameras. (In my opinion )

 

Personally I think this is one of the best point and shoots ever made. I have a few of them. I think in terms of plastic 35mm cameras nothing can focus better, or expose better than this. In fact it focuses better and exposes better (advanced matrix metering) than many metal/pro 35mm cameras. I also think the 'kit' lens that comes with it is better than the lens on any other plastic 35mm camera.

One reason I'm so assertive with these statements is to challenge anyone to correct me with something better. I'll be the first to buy one! I'm always interested in cool new (to me) equipment.

 

I wish the OP had posted a picture, I had to look it up. Thanks for the review, I may pick one up if I see one for sale. I think the picture can be important because some of the best deals just indicate "35mm camera" and you have to figure out what it is by the picture. I hope this is the correct one that was reviewed as many of these types of cameras had a lot of little changes in their production and it may be important to get the exact one being reviewed to have all the important features that made it so good.

 

But they do now own Pentax.

 

I did not intend to challenge you idea of the thread, but I stopped using the smaller viewfinder-style point and shoots when I discovered the Nikon N75. If you ever get a chance to hold one you may see that it is very compact and light weight; one might mistake it for an APS camera (I was impressed by the width dimension below if it is correct). Most importantly it makes a near perfect negative more times than not in a Point And Shoot situation; it does a better job of giving a well-exposed and focused negative than any other 'compact camera' I have ever used.

Having mentioned that, the Pentax 280p looks pretty nice. 28mm is my favorite focal length; I was just scanning e-bay. I'd like to compare it side by side with the Nikon.
Pentax 280P = 143(W)x81.5(H)x61.5(D)
400g

Nikon N75 (no Lens!) 131 (W) x 92.5 (H) x 65(D)
380g

 

ic-racer I too went through a phase of using viewfinder compacts, but stopped and started using entry level Nikons, F60, F65 etc for the same purpose, I agree with your comments regarding the very good image quality of the under rated "kit" lenses.

I fancy a Nikon FG, now they are small, but not sure how reliable.

 

I have this one: the Pentax IQZoom 928. 28-90mm, a decent auto-focus, and good exposures.

I suspect it's very similar to the OP's Pentax.

As to the small, lightweight SLR, I have the Minolta Maxxum (Dynax, Alpha, pick one) 7. I agree that it can be used "point and shoot" and gives excellent results. I have gotten 36 good negatives in one roll, a feat never achieved (by me) with any other 35mm camera.

However, last year, on a trip to the National Parks in Utah (a vacation), I chose to take the Pentax because it would fit in my jacket pocket. YMMV

 

Rollei QW 35 series. Designed by Porsche, built of titanium by Samsung. Shutter speeds (auto and manual) run from seconds to 1/8000 sec. Auto, manual, program modes accessed by 3 simple dials. MF overide w focus confirmation. Meter reads from something like EV-1 to 18. Mine has the 28-60 lens, I tested it wide open and it matches up to my Leica 28 Asph (I posted the results on this site).
Few flaws - I wish the vf would auto correct for parallax, vf is a little small, camera is loud. Same size as a Leica M9. Love mine.

 

The Konica worksite series cameras - 28mm and 35mm fixed focal length, 40mm-60mm switchable dual lens or a 28-56mm zoom lens,
water, dust and sand proof - anti-shock.
A review and overview about the different models: https://www.35mmc.com/05/08/2016/konica-genba-kantoku-28wb/

 

I have a Pentax WR 90 (38/90 mm lens) for free is anyone is interested. Just pay $8.00 postage in the CONUS and it is yours. (Listed in "free stuff" classifieds.) Has spot AF, red-eye reduction, synchro-sun flash, self timer, multi-exposure, and interval shooting among other features. However, the infrared remote on this one quit a while ago.
ronwhit

 

Not sure if it is considered a "point and shoot", but the pocketable Ricoh GR-1 had:

- programmed or aperture priority exposure
- exposure compensation
- indication of selected shutter speed in the viewfinder (to 1/500)
- indication of focus distance in the viewfinder
- illuminated frame correcting for parallax in the viewfinder
- special focus modes
- self-timer
- flash enable / disable / auto
- 28mm f/2.8 (7 elements, 4 groups)
- titanium lightweight body
- easily fits in shirt pocket

 

I think the Ricoh I had was the FF9, cost me about £10 on fleabay a few years ago. Quite heavy and curvy, noisy motor but very good lens.

 

There must be something in the air these days as I am currently awaiting delivery of a 280p. I became interested in it because I had picked up a Zoom 105 in a shop and liked it's features but disliked its too-long minimum focus distance.

I used Pentaxoda site to check the specs of similar cameras in the Pentax range and settled on the 280p as the only other camera with similar features and a closer focus.

It's not the same as the 928, which is 2 years later but is very similar in specs.

I'm looking forward to checking out the 280p lens performance throughout the range, as well as an Espio 80 which I also ordered (fewer features but truly pocketable).

 

True. I would say that the interval mode and exposure compensation features are amazing for such a camera. Even most advanced SLR's don't offer an interval mode without a special back and it's a feature I would use.

 

Extra features--two shutter buttons. 24mm f/2.8 on the wide end. Viewfinder is actually pretty nice. Fuji glass. Usual customizing--flash or no flash, self timer, date stamp or not. Something called "quick shot" which I think I understand what it is but never remembered to use it. You can also lock infinity focus as well. Tiny.

 

Maybe change the title to NON-SLR point and shoot.