Your favourite non-Leica camera

[dickgrafixstop]

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Pentax spotmatic with the Takumar 85mm f1.8 lens. I enjoy it even more since the

lightmeter failed and sent me back to the gossen.

Second choice, Contax RTS with the Zeiss 85mm f1.4.

[bruniroquai]

Rolleiflex 2.8F, Contax T3 and Ricoh GR1s

[DaveyA]

I find I have the urge to buy a film camera. Preferably a decent quality point and shoot model that is easy to carry around. At first after picking up a bit of information here I looked at maybe a Nikon F3 or FE, but I just know that would lead to the collection of more lenses etc. So I thought that a good quality PAS would satisfy my urge but prevent the inevitable future expense of buying extra lenses that I would no doubt only use very very occasionally. There are two cameras that have caught my eye, the Ricoh GR1 and the Olympus XA. These are the sort of thing I would like. What are peoples thoughts on these, and would you have more suggestions for something similar. I had a Ricoh film camera about 25 years ago and it was a great camera, I can't remember what model it was but the display on the top packed in. I guess this is the risk in buying a camera from that era nowadays.

Another thought. I own an Olympus OMD EM5, if I was to buy an Oly OM and a lens or two I could use them on the EM5 with an adaptor which might make it a good route to go down.

It is only courtesy to ask whether Leica made anything that would suit my needs:) If so, I imagine the prices would probably exceed what I am wanting to spend.

Many thanks.

[gberger]

Leica CM Out of production, but may be available on eBay.

[Nick_S]

There are two cameras that have caught my eye, the Ricoh GR1 and the Olympus XA. These are the sort of thing I would like. What are peoples thoughts on these, and would you have more suggestions for something similar.

 

The Olympus XA is cheap enough to try and then pass on, if you don't like it. The rangefinder works fine outdoors, while indoors it is dim and you may as well guestimate a pre-focus setting if you are in a hurry. I am a fan see my post above. The lack of any significant shutter release lag makes it good for capturing fleeting moments. The A16 flash is a better option than the more common A11 unit which is not much smaller but less powerful. I tend to use it without flash with Ilford XP2 super film and just increase the ISO as I move indoors. The Ricoh GR1 appears to be more expensive and it is an autofocus point and shoot that many folks seem to like. The former is 35mm while the latter is 28mm which may affect your choice.

 

Nick

[DaveyA]

Thanks for the suggestions. The CM looks very nice indeed but as I thought a little pricey for me just now. The more I read about the XA the more it seems like the sensible option. It won't break the bank and if find I enjoy using film then I could look for something a bit more exotic if I felt the need. The XA looks like a fun sort of camera to carry around. I am not going to buy anything straight away so if there are any more possible candidates please let me know.

[Peter_S]

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I find I have the urge to buy a film camera. Preferably a decent quality point and shoot model that is easy to carry around. .

 

Have a look at the Minilux - I use one (and also a Contax T3, for reference), and it is a neat little camera. Yeah, the viewfinder is not stellar, but you see what you need to see. Annyoing is that flash is default mode, but that on the plus sides are: stellar lens, very quick and responsive (feels snappier than my T3), low priced.

[DaveyA]

Thanks, sounds interesting. I'll have a look around.

[leicajockel]

Plaubel Makina 67

[visoflex]

Olympus OM2n.

 

I had all the pro OM's apart from the OM3, but the one I enjoyed the most was the OM2n. I put a brightscreen in it, and it was all but perfect. It did everything I wanted a camera to do, quickly, simply, consistently and no more. No functions I never used and quiet to boot. I had 5 lenses ranging from a 21 to 135mm. I later had 2 x OM4ti's, but even with their titanium bodies and clever metering, they just weren't the same.

[kanzlr]

I find I have the urge to buy a film camera. Preferably a decent quality point and shoot model that is easy to carry around.

 

Konica Hexar.

[wlaidlaw]

For a P&S film camera, I think it would be difficult to beat a Contax TVSIII. Good zoom Vario-Sonnar lens and accurate autofocus, albeit a bit slow and occasionally fussy on picking a subject on which to focus. The III is better than the 1 or 2 because it avoids the troublesome guillotine automatic lens capping. These tend to stick if they get any dust in them. My son had problems with these guillotine shutters on his ContaxTix (The APS version) when on a project trip to northern Thailand. He found that a quick swish in Thai 85% alcohol moonshine washed the dust out.

 

If I had not gone over to using a digital for P&S, I would have replaced my Minox GT with a TVSIII.

 

Wilson

[Guest]

Mostly Contax T and rarely, when AF and motor-drive needed the T3.

It doesn't get much better than a T and I have a home-made lens-hood, that attaches to the tripod mount, without obstructing the tiny RF. Have not closed the camera for a while.

[bill]

...The rangefinder works fine outdoors, while indoors it is dim and you may as well guestimate a pre-focus setting if you are in a hurry. ...

 

There is a surprisingly simple and effective cure for this. Cut a piece of black insulating tape approx 2mm by 3mm and stick it in the centre of the viewfinder at the front. This increases the contrast between the two rangefinder patches and makes it much, much easier to use in good as well as dim light. I have had a couple of XAs over the years and this little trick transforms their usefulness.

 

Regards,

 

Bill

[IkarusJohn]

Nikon F5

[Adetokunbosmith]

Well i have a Panasonic Lumix and i guess whenever the Leica is not around..it does a great job..and clicks some decent photos..

[Accacibì]

Hi, this is my first post, nice to meet you!

 

My favourite non-Leica camera is Asahi Pentax Spotmatic SPII. Why?

 

I have the Nikonos system (15, 28, 35, 80)because sturdy and underwater, Contax N1 (24-85, 70-200)because zoom and autofocus,Rollei 35S because small and mechanic, I have had Olympus OM-1n (21/3,5,24/2,8,28/2,8,50/3,5,50/1,8,75-150/4,200/4,35-70/3,5-4,5) and the possibilty to test Nikon F5 with 80-200/2,8 Contax-Yashica (just a little) too:

at my eyes (testing with slides and Pradovit 2502 with colorplan 90) S-M-C Takumars are the closer to ® Leica lenses, the camera is great and small , the system is cheap, sturdy, so if I want to save my beloved Leica systems (Leica CL system,Leica SL2 with all R lenses of '70s and Angenieux 35-70 and 70-210, and Leica M5 with all M lenses of '70s) I take my beloved Spotmatic too: Leicas are too precious for me!!!

 

P.S: I am a "motorbike photographer", so camera must be bullet-proof...

[Nena Kerner]

Minolta X 700 MPS – the "blue sun" 's still very close to Leica (Minolta XD7 is the sister in construction of Leica's R4). Between this Minolta created some different lenses for Leica.

[Lee Martin]

I've just brushed the dust of my old OM2n and exchanged the 50mm f1.8 who's aperture blades were sticking slightly for a 35 f2.8. Looking forward to using it again after being idle for too long and using assorted digital alternatives. Just had a roll of b+w processed out of an old Contax T, which has fired up my interest in film again. Must be my age, but there's something about it.

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Hallo,

Look here: Interesting Leica gear

[Torquinian]

I know this is a Leica forum, but I'm interested what the Leica community uses aside from their Leicas. I'm specifically thinking about film cameras here. What is your favourite non-Leica film camera? And why?

 

I have a Rollei 35 bought new in 1971 for £116-4-6 from Wallace Heaton of 127 New Bond Street London.

It is very compact and has never let me down, [ Unlike the Minilux bought in 2009!]