Author Topic: Pocket camera: Same, new or drop it (Read 2241 times)

Kai-san · « **on:** July 03, 2018, 05:56:40 PM »

Last night I processed a Tmax 100 film and as I pulled it out of the tank my fears were confirmed - my Nikon 35TI has serious problems. Many times when I press the shutter button it starts "stuttering", like it's trying to fire the shutter many times over before it succeeds. The result is a lot of overexposed frames on the film. These cameras are most likely not possible to repair any more. I know that many do not like this camera, but it has been a very good tool when I need a good camera that fits into a pocket. I'm not using it as a point & shoot, for that purpose I have an Olympus Mju. The 35TI has the best lens I've seen in a pocket camera, and more important to me it has aperture priority. I must confess that it is not my most used camera, but neither the least used. I'm not sure that I really want to replace it, but anyway I'm checking out my options. The first two that comes to mind is to buy a "new" 35TI or go for a Contax T. Both can be had for under 400 pounds, and I do not want to spend any more than that. That rules out the Contax T2 and T3 that now sells for ten times of their real value. Are there any other pocket cameras out there that has built-in light meter and has aperture priority / manual settings? Autofocus or manual focus is of no big importance. And there is no point in suggesting the Olympus 35 RC or other variations of it, I'm not keen on wearing parkas or baggy pants.

I've had the 35RC, but it was too big for my pockets and too small to sling over the shoulder. I sold it.

Francois · « **Reply #1 on:** July 03, 2018, 09:01:04 PM »

Have you thought about the Konica Hexar?

Indofunk · « **Reply #2 on:** July 03, 2018, 09:22:49 PM »

I will be watching this thread as well, as ever since I dropped my XA (and subsequently had it repaired twice by 2 different people) it has not been the same. Its main problem is that the shutter fires when the clamshell is closed, so if I advance the film right after taking a shot (as I always do out of habit), there's a good chance the shutter will fire while it's in my pocket

That said, Kai, maybe an XA?

The only requirement it doesn't fill is that it has no full manual setting. The +1.5EV switch is nice, but I wish it also had a -1.5EV switch

Kai-san · « **Reply #3 on:** July 03, 2018, 09:47:36 PM »

I think the Hexar is far too bulky for my needs. The Olympus XA may fit the bill, and it's cheap. How is the lens on the XA? I'm not very impressed by the Mju zoom lenses, they show up some nasty distortions at the edges.

Bryan · « **Reply #4 on:** July 03, 2018, 10:17:41 PM »

I have the XA and the Contax T, I like the Contax T a little better. The Contax T is a solid chunk of metal so it’s heavier than the XA but it’s well built. I think the Contax T has a better lens, I was surprised at how sharp it is. The one thing that I don’t like about the Contax T is focusing, you have to reach your fingers around the door under the lens so you don’t block the rangefinder window.

Contax T with Velvia 100.

Vespa by Bryan Chernick, on Flickr

EarlJam · « **Reply #5 on:** July 03, 2018, 11:03:55 PM »

How about one of the Rollei 35's - T, TE, S, or SE? Other than needing regular exercise to keep the shutter limber, they're as robust as any small camera I've used. Here's a recent-ish one from my 35SE.

Aksel · « **Reply #6 on:** July 04, 2018, 08:49:26 AM »

Sorry to hear about your Ti.
Does the replacement have to be with a 35mm lens?
I love the GR1v - any GR for that sake, with a bit of luck they are still possible to be had for less then the Ti. Slimmer, lighter, just as good lens and with the superb "snap mode" If you get your hands on the "v" - iso adjustable with no dx-hacking.
Another alternative, the Contax TVS, it´s really 90% of the T2 at 1/6 the price. I can lend you mine over the summer, if you like to check it out.

Francois · « **Reply #7 on:** July 04, 2018, 03:08:52 PM »

I would have added the minox 35 series to the list but considering how fragile they are, I would be tempted to add instead a model made by voigtlander that is similar in many ways. I can't remember the exact model name but I know one of us has one...

EarlJam · « **Reply #8 on:** July 04, 2018, 05:08:42 PM »

Quote from: Francois on July 04, 2018, 03:08:52 PM

I would be tempted to add instead a model made by voigtlander that is similar in many ways. I can't remember the exact model name but I know one of us has one...

You might be thinking of the Vitessa line. Not particularly small, but when folded the body is about the same size as a Leica M without lens. Other possibilities in this category would include the Zeiss Contessa and Kodak Retina IIa.

Kai-san · « **Reply #9 on:** July 04, 2018, 06:18:18 PM »

Bryan, I'm quite tempted by the Contax T. The focusing might not be a problem since I'm quite "longfingered" (don't use that expression in Norway, if you're "longfingered" it means you're a thief). The Rolleis are cute, but I would have to carry a light meter or guesstimate the exposure; I'm not very good at that. I've had a GR1, but the display failed and then they're useless. That happens to a lot of the GR's unfortunately. The T VS is a very good suggestion Aksel, I wouldn't mind trying it out. I'm quite surprised that Canon never made any "executive" compacts, or did they?

Francois · « **Reply #10 on:** July 04, 2018, 08:59:58 PM »

I know some of the cameras in their SureShot line are quite nice, as in well designed with pretty good ergonomics. I particularly like their function wheel that allows you to have the flash off as soon as the camera is turned on. But they don't offer any particularly useful other user selectable features, they are not exactly small and the lenses are nothing exceptional.

Aksel · « **Reply #11 on:** July 06, 2018, 10:05:32 AM »

Quote from: Kai-san on July 04, 2018, 06:18:18 PM

I've had a GR1, but the display failed and then they're useless. That happens to a lot of the GR's unfortunately. The T VS is a very good suggestion Aksel, I wouldn't mind trying it out. I'm quite surprised that Canon never made any "executive" compacts, or did they?

The display can (now?) be fixed for about £100, and should be good for another 20 years.
I have a few frames left on a roll in the TVS, will finish it over the weekend and drop it in the mail next week. I believe it´s the best cost/quality out there and it takes 30.5 filters.

zapsnaps · « **Reply #12 on:** July 06, 2018, 02:25:45 PM »

Sorry to hear about the Ti - I've never had one, but it's on the wish list, just for the funky meters!

A thought about pocket cameras: do they need to be in your pocket? I wear mine on my belt, in a case which holds the camera horizontally, rather than vertically. I wear it like that under a suit jacket when travelling for work or it sits under a shirt if the shirt is untucked when off duty. I find access easy and there is no chance of it falling out of a pocket. The only downside is most that most camera cases with belt loops hold the camera vertically, which I find cuts into my middle age spread uncomfortably.

Just a thought and part of my Friday afternoon work-avoidance behaviour

Kai-san · « **Reply #13 on:** July 06, 2018, 06:38:24 PM »

Quote from: Aksel on July 06, 2018, 10:05:32 AM

Quote from: Kai-san on July 04, 2018, 06:18:18 PM
I've had a GR1, but the display failed and then they're useless. That happens to a lot of the GR's unfortunately. The T VS is a very good suggestion Aksel, I wouldn't mind trying it out. I'm quite surprised that Canon never made any "executive" compacts, or did they?

The display can (now?) be fixed for about £100, and should be good for another 20 years.
I have a few frames left on a roll in the TVS, will finish it over the weekend and drop it in the mail next week. I believe it´s the best cost/quality out there and it takes 30.5 filters.

Aksel, that is very nice of you! I'll have to give you something in return, how about some film? My fridge is well stocked.....
Tell me more about the GR display, I've heard that some of these die because the flexible print circuit connector fails.

Kai-san · « **Reply #14 on:** July 06, 2018, 06:53:54 PM »

Quote from: zapsnaps on July 06, 2018, 02:25:45 PM

Sorry to hear about the Ti - I've never had one, but it's on the wish list, just for the funky meters!

A thought about pocket cameras: do they need to be in your pocket? I wear mine on my belt, in a case which holds the camera horizontally, rather than vertically. I wear it like that under a suit jacket when travelling for work or it sits under a shirt if the shirt is untucked when off duty. I find access easy and there is no chance of it falling out of a pocket. The only downside is most that most camera cases with belt loops hold the camera vertically, which I find cuts into my middle age spread uncomfortably.

Just a thought and part of my Friday afternoon work-avoidance behaviour

My jackets usually have pockets with zippers or a button, so I'm not so worried. In addition I always use a wrist strap for these small cameras. I seem to remember that I once had a belt holder for my mobile phone, but I ditched it very quickly. I found it to be in the way, and at the time I associated it with something that old men wear (says an old man....

). But yes, the TI is a funky camera, it's like wearing a nice watch.

zapsnaps · « **Reply #15 on:** July 08, 2018, 05:47:11 PM »

You got that correct - I am an old man!

Kai-san · « **Reply #16 on:** July 09, 2018, 09:05:47 PM »

Sorry, I did not mean to imply that you're old. If you're middle aged you are not old. I am way past middle age, so I can rightly be called old!

Aksel · « **Reply #17 on:** July 10, 2018, 07:28:28 AM »

Quote from: Kai-san on July 06, 2018, 06:38:24 PM

Aksel, that is very nice of you! I'll have to give you something in return, how about some film? My fridge is well stocked.....
Tell me more about the GR display, I've heard that some of these die because the flexible print circuit connector fails.

No need for anything in return, next time you might be the one lending out something to another filmwaster

PM me you details and I`ll send it your way, asap. Several good DIY online, this one might be of help - https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Ricoh+GR-1+LCD+display+missing+segments+repair/54771

Criscam, among others are able to do the job for you - https://www.criscam.com

Kai-san · « **Reply #18 on:** July 22, 2018, 04:14:14 PM »

I just scanned the last roll of film from the Nikon 35TI, here is one of the few usable frames. It wasn't a bad camera.

chris667 · « **Reply #19 on:** September 30, 2018, 11:22:13 PM »

If you want to try an Olympus XA, I have one that takes pictures but has been dropped and now doesn't give you shutter speed readings. Still, you get aperture priority! It would be one of my favourites if it wasn't so delicate.

Pay for postage and it is yours.

Kai-san · « **Reply #20 on:** October 01, 2018, 06:21:03 PM »

Chris, that is very nice of you! Especially since you seem to have your plate full at the moment. Maybe I can offer you something less fragile in return?

I'll PM you.

johnha · « **Reply #21 on:** October 13, 2018, 12:17:45 PM »

Quote from: Aksel on July 10, 2018, 07:28:28 AM

Several good DIY online, this one might be of help - https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Ricoh+GR-1+LCD+display+missing+segments+repair/54771

Criscam, among others are able to do the job for you - https://www.criscam.com

Thanks for the info, my GR-1s is working OK at the moment (working on delicate cameras like this is full of risks - you should take precautions against static shock as there are probably static sensitive components in there). It's not something I think I'd attempt.

John.