Winedemonium Posted January 15, 2015 Share #21 Posted January 15, 2015 Advertisement (gone after registration) Minolta TC-1 - very compact, and manual aperture priority approach with stunning 28mm lens. Your choice of T3 should give you a lot of pleasure I hope - superb camera too. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted January 15, 2015 Posted January 15, 2015 Hi Winedemonium, Take a look here Choice of high quality film compacts?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
MarkP Posted January 15, 2015 Author Share #22 Posted January 15, 2015 Thanks, I will enjoy the T3 as I've really missed the one I sold before. Funny you mention the 28mm Minolta - I've just been thinking about a small collection of HQ film compacts but I really wanted to start with the T3 both because I had missed it and also before the prices rise even further. A 28 certainly interests me, either the Ricoh or the Minolta. The other option would be a Contax TVS III with 3.7-6.7/30 to 60mm lens (close enough to 28mm wide and covers my most used focal lengths of 28/35/50mm and a bit more) especially with ISO 400 film. It would go nicely also when out with the T3 and it's faster 35mm lens. In fact I decided to go with the T3 rather than the new D-Lux. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephen.w Posted January 15, 2015 Share #23 Posted January 15, 2015 Kyocera in Japan is still servicing Contax T3s.That's good to know, and may tip me over the edge towards getting one of these too. I currently use an Olympus mju 2, which though nice, lacks any manual overrides, other than turning off the sodding flash on powering up. Still, it has taken a beating over the years and still works. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wattsy Posted January 15, 2015 Share #24 Posted January 15, 2015 The other option would be a Contax TVS III with 3.7-6.7/30 to 60mm lens (close enough to 28mm wide and covers my most used focal lengths of 28/35/50mm and a bit more) especially with ISO 400 film. It would go nicely also when out with the T3 and it's faster 35mm lens. No doubt I'm sticking my oar in where it's not wanted:D but isn't the point of a 35mm compact to relieve yourself of the mental and physical burdens of carrying too much gear. Isn't it refreshing to just stick a compact (and nothing else camera related) into your pocket and be done with it? Once you go down the road of carrying more than one compact camera you might as well take a film M body and a couple of little M lenses. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkP Posted January 15, 2015 Author Share #25 Posted January 15, 2015 No doubt I'm sticking my oar in where it's not wanted:D but isn't the point of a 35mm compact to relieve yourself of the mental and physical burdens of carrying too much gear. Isn't it refreshing to just stick a compact (and nothing else camera related) into your pocket and be done with it? Once you go down the road of carrying more than one compact camera you might as well take a film M body and a couple of little M lenses. Ian, stick that oar in . I didn't mean to imply that I'd be out and about all the time with two compacts, just that these two would cover a lot of options either singly or paired. And perhaps I have a mild attack of compact-Contax GAS . You're right about the 'refreshment' of one small light camera with an excellent lens and sensor (film), and reduced variables such as no zoom which is what brought me back to the T3. I would not usually take two film compacts but one or the other, and it does give me the very compact option of a slow zoom and the faster lens of the T3 if required in a combined package of just over 500gm. The T3 weighs 230gm and the TVS 310gm which are less than almost any Leica lens (combined weight less than some Leica lenses). So the equivalent Leica kit would be my M7, 35mm Summilux FLE (the only Leica 35mm I have) and 4.0/28-50 MATE. My usual 'lite' kit for the M7 is any combination of 2.8/28 Elmarit 2.8/50 Elmar-M, and 4.0/90 Macro-Elmar. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted January 16, 2015 Share #26 Posted January 16, 2015 An inspiring conversation, I may have to load my Olympus XA. Anybody interested in the 'serious' work possible with a 35mm compact camera should have a look at Stephen Shore's 'America Surfaces' book, an extensive road trip all shot with a compact 35mm Rollei. Not only did it precede his large 8x10 work in a very direct and identifiable way, but it also beat the Facebook trend for photographing your food by 50 years! Right at the back of the book is a photograph of William Eggleston in the back seat of a car holding a glass of (presumably) Bourbon, and I think you can easily imagine the excitement and ideas that were being exchanged at the start of a new era of colour photography. Steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephen.w Posted January 16, 2015 Share #27 Posted January 16, 2015 Advertisement (gone after registration) Another fine example is Anders Petersen. Cf this interview: Arterritory.com - Baltic, Russian and Scandinavian Art Territory :: A True Amateur - Anders Petersen - Interviews - Texts You always have just these small cameras? Yes, always. And never any big ones? No, never. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkP Posted January 16, 2015 Author Share #28 Posted January 16, 2015 Another fine example is Anders Petersen. Cf this interview: Arterritory.com - Baltic, Russian and Scandinavian Art Territory :: A True Amateur - Anders Petersen - Interviews - Texts You always have just these small cameras? Yes, always. And never any big ones? No, never. Very interesting interview (and three small contax cameras - QED ) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wattsy Posted January 16, 2015 Share #29 Posted January 16, 2015 Interesting interview – I'd forgotten how old Petersen is (born 1944). Although at the back of my mind I knew he was working in the 1960s, for me his photography has always had a very contemporary, younger man's feel about it. Great photographer and one of the few who have been consistently good throughout a long career. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonnyboy Posted February 21, 2016 Share #30 Posted February 21, 2016 Bumping up this old post to raise some questions... Like many of us I got to the point where I'm thinking to buy a point and shoot for film... I thought to get my hands on a Contax T3 which seems very compact and 35mm lens which is my favorite focal. I mean, WOW. Prices for those little cameras are beyond crazy...just wondering if it's really worth spending 500£+ (i was looking one on ebay just now ended for 570£!!) or is just the 'cult' that makes those so expensive? I mean I could buy myself another M6 with those money (ok, without lens) but I still got something which I know is going to last for a while. Searching online there is a lot of experiences with faults and problems with those point and shoot and in all fairness if I spend that amount of money I definitely want to carry my camera everywhere (bike ride, under the rain etc etc) and not sitting in a cupboard for collection. I dont know, I really love my M6 but sometime I just want to go out with friends and have something small with a flash as well... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted February 21, 2016 Share #31 Posted February 21, 2016 The Minox cameras (there are various slightly differing models) are amazingly compact for a 35mm camera, well made and the lens was reputedly made for them by Leica - certainly it produces nice results. However, they aren't auto focus and you have to guess the focus, the controls are a bit fiddly and the shutter is prone to failure. I have had one fail, I bought a couple of others on ebay and one has a tiny crack in the folding front which I didn't realise at first and have therefore made it worse with opening and closing the front. But there's still something about them I find very appealing. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
honcho Posted February 21, 2016 Share #32 Posted February 21, 2016 Recently rediscovered my T5 in the loft. Unused for at least 10 years, fortunately I removed the battery before I put it there. New battery installed and it's working perfectly. Really enjoying the simplicity of using it again. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/239365-choice-of-high-quality-film-compacts/?do=findComment&comment=2994059'>More sharing options...
ferdhart Posted February 25, 2016 Share #33 Posted February 25, 2016 I still have a Contax G2. I love its compact size and rugged build Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjans Posted February 28, 2016 Share #34 Posted February 28, 2016 There is also the Minolta TC1 which had an excellent reputation in its day. I've owned the T2, T3 and Minilux and if I was buying again I'd probably plump for the T2. Although the T3 probably has the best lens (certainly it's the most contrasty and possibly the sharpest), I have had reliability problems with two of these cameras and I didn't care for the more fussy user interface compared with the T2. The Minilux is decent but I hated the tiny tunnel viewfinder and I wouldn't want to spend much money on one of these because of the infamous E02 error (I saw this happen when I tried out a black Minilux at one of London's well known dealers:o) which I don't believe Leica will fix. In fact, my understanding is that Leica will no longer support the CM either which, whilst it doesn't surprise me:mad:, it is nonetheless disappointing when you consider that this camera was still being sold new less than ten years ago – at a hefty price. Concerning the E02 error on the Minilux and the support for the CM I've found this information: http://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/240717-minilux-q-regarding-e02-error/?p=2760988 It is in Portugal. I also noticed that a repair service for the Minilux and CM is offered on eBay. It is also in Portugal. I don't know if this concerns the same service provider. Best Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonnyboy Posted March 6, 2016 Share #35 Posted March 6, 2016 I think I will get a Minilux...I think I can get one for 180£. Really wanted to get a Contax but the price these days is just too much....not even mention the T3 (almost as expensive as an M6 body!) I'm just a bit worried about the viewfinder of the Minilux - I never had 1 in my hands but online there is a lot of debate. My second option would be a Yashica T4....any difference (apart from the specs which I read) which one would you guys recommend? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonnyboy Posted April 19, 2016 Share #36 Posted April 19, 2016 I end up buying a Minilux few weeks ago - I got it for very cheap on eBay... I never seen one and when I opened the box I was actually very pleased with the feeling in hand, i knew about the viewfinder but I thought wasn't too bad. I loaded it with a Tri-X and I went out shooting some frame....I have to say I had a good feeling around it if it wasnt for the E01 it start to shown after few days. After few more frames E02, camera become a brick. It didnt even lived 1 roll, pretty upset. It's a pity...it feels like a decent camera. I definitely want to have a point&shoot for those days when you just want to be out there and grab some flicks without too much thought.... I've seen one for sale with a 6month warranty from the store (350 EUR...sigh!)...not sure if I should give it another chance or jump into a Contax T2. There is just too many bad experiences I read online to the point it almost feel like it brick for sure! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
masjah Posted April 24, 2016 Share #37 Posted April 24, 2016 I end up buying a Minilux few weeks ago - I got it for very cheap on eBay... I never seen one and when I opened the box I was actually very pleased with the feeling in hand, i knew about the viewfinder but I thought wasn't too bad. I loaded it with a Tri-X and I went out shooting some frame....I have to say I had a good feeling around it if it wasnt for the E01 it start to shown after few days. After few more frames E02, camera become a brick. It didnt even lived 1 roll, pretty upset. It's a pity...it feels like a decent camera. I definitely want to have a point&shoot for those days when you just want to be out there and grab some flicks without too much thought.... I've seen one for sale with a 6month warranty from the store (350 EUR...sigh!)...not sure if I should give it another chance or jump into a Contax T2. There is just too many bad experiences I read online to the point it almost feel like it brick for sure! Sorry to hear this. My bet is that it was at least intermittently faulty when you bought it, and the seller knew it. I passed on mine to a friend after I "upgraded" to a CM, and then bought an unused out of the box black Minilux which I use very occasionally because I love the way it looks! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkP Posted April 24, 2016 Author Share #38 Posted April 24, 2016 The T3 is an outstanding camera and to me worth the price considering it's features and quality in such a compact form - especially that lens. It's cult status is well deserved but unfortunately has pushed up prices for what was an expensive camera even when I bought my first one new from B&H. It was my go-to film camera for years when I only wanted a 35mm lens. In my pre-Leica days the lens was far superior to any of the the Nikkor AI-S lenses I had form my FT/3 including my two 35mm lenses. The second hand Contaxes from the Japanese on-line stores tend to be of excellent quality. However, it is no longer serviced by Kyocera as of last year. I sent my newly purchased replacement T3 in the month before support service was discontinued by Kyocera for a full CLA, replacement of light seals, etc., in fact I asked them to replace anything they could, and they even threw in a spare battery compartment cover. There are some independent repairers around who will attempt to repair old Contax T series compacts but depending on the problem it may quickly go from cult status to paperweight status. The T2 is certainly cheaper but older and has a few annoying features. I love mine and have no regrets whatsoever having replacing the one I stupidly sold some years ago. As per my post #25 above. I subsequently sold the TVS III that I bought at the same time, fortunately for a bit more than what I paid for it. The form-factor of the flip down door on which the lens extends drove me up the wall - very awkward to hold. Beyond me why Contax went for that stupid retro design when the ergonomics of the TVSII where one could hold and manually adjust the zoom the lens (and fit filters) was far superior. There was also too much barrel distortion at 30mm in what was otherwise an excellent but slow lens. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonnyboy Posted April 27, 2016 Share #39 Posted April 27, 2016 Thanks for the input guys I appreciate the advices. Funny enough I managed to sell the Minilux for almost the same price I paid...apparently there are a lot of people out there buying broken Minilux! Yesterday I ordered a good condition Contax T2 which hopefully will show up today. I will see how it goes with this one Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkP Posted April 27, 2016 Author Share #40 Posted April 27, 2016 Fabulous camera - enjoy it and please post your photos in Doc Henry's "I love Film" thread. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.