Film Small film camera?

wt21

Hall of Famer
I have a Canon QL-17 G-iii, and while it's a lot of fun, it's big and heavy.

Anyone have a recommendation for a small and light film camera that has a bright lens?

My preferences would be:
- high quality fixed focal length lens
- Bright lens. Prefer brighter than 2.0. 2.8 might be OK.
- near normal focal length, say 35-58 range.
- has a light meter
- aperture control
- I guess RF focusing would be fine. AF might also be fine

Right now, I'm thinking Olympus XA, but am wondering if there are other options, too.
 
I have an extra Canonet28 that might the bill for you. It's f2.8 and a rangefinder focusing camera with a 40mm fixed lens. I am done with film and would like to find it a home. pm me if it interests you.
 
i've been investigating this too recently
aperture control is tough to find on the little'uns
the GRs go for mad money over here
 
Maybe I could drop aperture control. I guess what I meant was not a fixed aperture.

but if you don't have aperture control, can you add an ND filter?

Any rate, that Epic looks interesting. Is the lens reported to be good? I'm guessing yes, given it's an Oly.
 
No aperture control means that you cannot set the aperture manually, it is set automatically by the camera.

Most AF P&S cameras have programmed-mode operation, the camera selects shutter speed and aperture depending on light level.
 
I meant to say that I think the Ricoh 500 series rangefinders have a metered-manual mode.
I have my eyes open for one of these myself at the moment. Ideally I want an XA but they seem to go for premium prices over here.
The UK seems hideously expensive for any sort of camera gear, whether new or used, compared to what I see stuff going for at APUG or even ebay.com
 
Minox 35 or Rollei 35. Both can be found in thrift stores for < $20. Both were and are very good cameras. But film is dead as far as the public is concerned so they sell for junk prices now.
 
Hello All,
Lot's of good information here so far.
If it has to fit in a pocket it's going to be difficult to match the xa.
While they are a bit pricier I have a soft spot for the Contax T.
Keep Eager.
JH
 
I have a leica minilux- great lens fixed 35mm fully auto or manual takes great photos but a good secondhand one can be expensive €200 euros- dont get a minilux zoom as their pretty crappy!!!
 
I meant to say that I think the Ricoh 500 series rangefinders have a metered-manual mode.
I have my eyes open for one of these myself at the moment. Ideally I want an XA but they seem to go for premium prices over here.
The UK seems hideously expensive for any sort of camera gear, whether new or used, compared to what I see stuff going for at APUG or even ebay.com

pdh, I have a Ricoh 500G sitting in my drawer for more than two years, as I have other cameras I like more (Olympus 35SP, Yashica Lynx and Minolta XD7, for example). Last time I used it everything worked, but probably should be checked again, I cannot guarantee completely for it. But if you want to play with it and would pay the shipping cost, I will send it to you.
 
Maybe I could drop aperture control. I guess what I meant was not a fixed aperture.

but if you don't have aperture control, can you add an ND filter?

Any rate, that Epic looks interesting. Is the lens reported to be good? I'm guessing yes, given it's an Oly.

The lens is reputed to be equivalent to a very good 35mm 2.8 SLR lens. I have not used mine in many years, but my recollection is that the image quality was very good. Nice little camera.

Cheers,

Antonio
 
My preferences would be:
- high quality fixed focal length lens
- Bright lens. Prefer brighter than 2.0. 2.8 might be OK.
- near normal focal length, say 35-58 range.
- has a light meter
- aperture control
- I guess RF focusing would be fine. AF might also be fine.

Oly XA would be a nice choice (it is a great cam and I have one of my own but let's be clear that the lens is not razor sharp by any means). So I'd urge you to also consider (now these are sharp):
- Ricoh GR1 series
- Fuji Klasse S (that 38mm lens is truly superb and as a current model so no service and parts issues)
- Konica Hexar AF (35mm f2. Would be perfect albeit it a little larger....it is the film version of the Fuji X100). I will have one of my own soon. I MUST!!

Otherwise anything from Steve Gandy's (CameraQuest) Compacts Guide....There's some beauties on there. Just got the Konica Auto S3 myself. It's 38mm f1.8 - 6‐Element, 4‐Group lens was tested by Modern Photography and at ALL apertures demonstrated center values between 64 to 82 lines per mm resolution. This is Leica‐class performance, and so was written up as “one of the best semi‐wide angle optics of its speed we have ever tested".

Oh she is a beauty to behold - in her stealthy black - but I will know more about her capabilities once the seals arrive from Jon Goodman in the US. :yahoo:

Best of luck mate....there's a few out there though.
 
I kept the Minolta Hi-Matic 7s-II and a Canonet QL17l. The "l" and "GIII" are the same body, same lens. Biggest difference: the GIII using a lamp for the battery test.
 
Back
Top