A real compact

[andym911]

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When I don't want to take an M but want a camera with me, literally in the pocket I often use the Minolta TC-1.

The controls and lens quality is second to none.

Can't recall how many compacts I used until I found the right one.

 

Anyone else out there use this little beauty?

 

best

 

andy

[tgray]

I'd love to have a go with one. I got a GR1v though which is pretty great.

[Allen in Montreal]

..... I got a GR1v though which is pretty great.

 

Me too, great little camera!

 

That Minolta TC-1 looks very cool too.

[NZDavid]

Erwin Putts admires this camera, too. Tab down to read his Blog

[PasMichiel]

I do like the Minox 35gl More:

 

Or the nice CL:

[stephen.w]

In a similar vein, has anyone used a Yashica Electro 35? I have a chance to pick one up for around 50 Euros.

[andym911]

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stephen

 

the yashica is a very capable camera....go for it IMO

Andy

[too old to care]

I once owned a Electro 35, nice camera, but is big and if my memory has not left me, it lacks full manual control and relies on batteries working to take photos. However, the photos it took were great, a real glass lens and a real rangefinder.

 

This is my travel camera. I bought it in the early 80s and it has traveled the world many times. Mine is a Singapore version, but that does not detract from the photo taking capabilities. Rollei 35 with 40mm 2.8 Sonnar lens.

[stephen.w]

stephen

 

the yashica is a very capable camera....go for it IMO

Andy

Thanks Andy, and sorry for hijacking your thread. My only concern with the camera is being stuck in aperture priority mode. In low light situations I mostly tend to underexpose my shots rather than attempt a handheld shot longer than 1/30 sec. My reasons for wanting the camera are similar to those you give - I don't always want to walk around with something as big or expensive as my M6.

[stephen.w]

I once owned a Electro 35, nice camera, but is big and if my memory has not left me, it lacks full manual control and relies on batteries working to take photos. However, the photos it took were great, a real glass lens and a real rangefinder.

 

This is my travel camera. I bought it in the early 80s and it has traveled the world many times. Mine is a Singapore version, but that does not detract from the photo taking capabilities. Rollei 35 with 40mm 2.8 Sonnar lens.

Thanks, I've been on the lookout for one of these. I read somewhere that the later Singapore models are actually better user cameras than those made in Germany, although the latter fetch higher prices with camera snobs.

[too old to care]

Stephen, there are several Rollie's on ebay right now with prices all over the place. A couple of things that I have learned over the years. The grease in the gear train often dries out and can be cleaned and replaced by anyone with a small screw driver and a pair of needle noise pliers. That is all I have done to my Rollie since I bought it new and it has taken thousands and thousands of photos.

 

Second, the battery is no longer made (works the light meter only since the camera is mechanical), but you can use 3 #357's in series with a small flat washer in the middle to fill in space. I put the batteries in a small plastic tube that I made. The LEDs are a little dimmer in the view finder, but the light meter is still accurate.

 

The rangefinder is a best-guess version, since it is only used to view the object, you guess the distance. Mine has taken wonderful photos and has never failed me. I still use it from time to time, but less now since I picked up an LX3 a couple of years ago.

 

I also liked my Electro 35, but again if my memory serves me right, it is bigger than my Leica M6. I sold the Electro years ago.