What's a good 35mm point-n-shoot for around $50?

[Jim Moore]

I have a friend that is wanting to get a 35mm point and shoot and has asked me for recommendations.

Since I haven't used one in years I'm not sure what to tell her. I know that you probably couldn't go wrong with any of the name brands, but thought that I'd ask for opinions.

Thanks!

Jim

 

[ann]

the last time i was in my dealers waiting for my "sales person" , a couple were looking for the same thing and i over heard some of the discussion. THere aren't many of these film cameras on the market anymore. If i remember correctly, Olympus still made one but that is about it, unless of course they find something that has been on the shelve for awhile. THis is truly second hand, so don't take this as the last word on the subject.

 

[Julian Hart]

An Olympus Mju2

Simple, with a fab lens

Julian

 

[BradS]

You can't do much better than the Olypus stylus epic in that category. The fixed focal length (35mm, f/2.8.) lens is very highly regarded. It will set you back about $80.00 though. I think the previous post recommends this same camera by it's British name.

 

[John L]

Third the Stylus/Mju recommendation. We've had two of these - conveniently designed little cameras that take nice pictures.

 

[Jeremy]

a fourth for jumping the budget up about $30 (a little for more the shipping) to buy an Olympus Stylus Epic (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=131332&is=REG)

It has a very sharp 35mm f/2.8 lens that negates the need to use flash for the deer-in-headlights look all of the time. Two presses of a button on the back of the camera and you are in no-flash mode, I just wish you could set the camera to always use no flash.

If you're looking for something with a zoom, my brother always liked his Minolta Freedom Exploere, but I have never used a P&S with a zoom.

 

[eric]

Olympus Stylus.

 

[jovo]

Yet another for the Oly Epic. A terrific little companion. Here's an example taken in Woodstock, NY.

 

[tomtom]

jim - spend the extra $30 and go for the stylus epic. it's one of the few 35mm point and shoot cameras we still sell regularly every month.

tomtom

 

[Steve Roberts]

Konica Lexio 70W - without having tried any others, I went straight for the Lexio 70W for the times when I don't want to hump around the usual wagonload of 35mm kit. I bought it mainly because of its wide 28mm lens - most P & Ss are only 38mm and I don't tend to do much with long focus lenses, so not bothered about the other end of the focal length. There is a Pentax with a wide zoom lens, but these cost three times as much as the Konica. The lens shows a bit of distortion at the wide end, but for the uses I'd put it to and the price, I can live with that and I'm not sure that the Pentax would be three times as good!
Steve

 

[Max Power]

Does a Canonet QL17 GIII count as P&S? That's what I use with great results.

Kent

 

[Brac]

There are still quite a few people manufacturing 35mm point & shoot compacts such as Fuji, Samsung, Canon, Konica Minolta, Rollei, Halina etc etc. You can't really go wrong with any of them and if you want to get one for next to nothing and in nearly new state then you will find literally hundreds for sale on ebay. And after Christmas there will be even more as people who've been given a digital compact rush to unload last year's 35mm compact on ebay!

 

[zenrhino]

Does a Canonet QL17 GIII count as P&S? That's what I use with great results.
Kent

Count me in the Canonet G3 Fan Club.

 

[bobfowler]

As has already been mentioned, there are a ton of inexpensive P&S cameras on the market. My only concern is how good of a lens you will (or won't) get at the $50 price point.

 

[ChadHahn]

Nikon L35 AF

I have picked up a few of these absolutely wonderful cameras for just a few bucks at thrift stores.

Of course it might take some looking to find one.

 

[elekm]

Rollei USA is selling off a couple of their Prego models. You can buy new directly for about $75.

You also should check out your local Ritz store. Some are selling off P&S cameras at very cheap prices. In general, most should give you photos of adequate quality.

 

[Matthewt]

Hands down...Olympus Stylus Epic!!! I almost sold mine as some of you know right here on APUG. I'm glad I didn't. To me, it is the best compact 35mm made.

 

[Sean]

i just got an epic off of the NZ auction site, looking forward to giving it a try with some downtown auckland street photography..

 

[Mike H]

Buying a 'sleeper' for under $20

The Epic is indeed a good camera for the price.

But one camera I have from the 80's that matches it in picture quality is the first Nikon OneTouch (fixed lens, not the later zooms). These can be had for $5 to $10 on EBay, and the excellent condition ones are a steal. Camera was made back in the days when P/S cameras hadn't yet miniaturized too much, so it's not shirt pocketable. But it's got a nice heft to it - there must be a lot of metal inside or thicker-than-normal plastic. It has a very good 4-element lens and a larger flash than the Epic. Runs on AA batteries.

Back to the Epic: As mentioned by a post above, the Epic has a bias toward wide apertures and fast shutter speeds. It's therefore best to use it with 400 ISO films to ensure adequate DOF in case the focus is slightly off.

 

[mikebarger]

Second on athe nikon one touch, my wife, and two daughters each have one and still use'm

Really cheap off the bay


mike

 

[T42]

I will echo Chad Hahn's sentiments about the Nikon L35 AF. Excellent five element 35mm "Nikon" lens. A real filter ring. Meter reading through the filter, but not through the lens. Backlighting compensation. Fill flash if needed. This link is Ken Rockwell's glowing assessment of it: http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/l35af.htm

I have had very good results from this really inexpensive little 35. Found mine at a yard sale for a buck.

 

[Chan Tran]

Does a Canonet QL17 GIII count as P&S? That's what I use with great results.

Kent

The Canonet, while a great camera, is not considered as P&S because you do have to focus manually.

 

[jolefler]

I love the L35AF, but I REALLY love the Yashica T's. The Tessars are sharp and contrasty and the bodies fairly reliable metering. The original T and T2 can still be had for under $50 including shipping from eBay. If your friend can't wait, though, you can contact me as I have MANY and am still buying 'em up. I can't resist firing off a shot with 'em as I spend 20 minutes getting the LF gear set up!

 

[Michel Hardy-Vallée]

I've been pretty happy with a Pentax Espio. Nice lens, not too many controls, small size, etc. I'm sure you can find a used one for your budget.

 

[EdGreene]

PENTAX WR-90 or WR-105.
WR = Weather Resistant (down to 5 feet underwater!)

All the bells and whistles plus that fabulous Pentax SMC multicoated lens.