Cheap vintage compact film camera search

thecornflake

thecornflake

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Simon
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So I'm looking for a compact 35mm (or 120) camera that I can carry around with me when I'm out and about and don't want to lug around an slr, but still want something with quite a vintage look\feel to it that gives good results.
I'm also not looking to spend a lot on it, so I've ruled out things like the Ricoh GR1, Nikon 35ti etc.
I'm not planning to do a lot of 'fast' street photography as such, so taking a little time over getting settings right\estimating distances isn't a huge issue.
I've seen a lot of Kodak Retinas on Ebay but not sure about the focusing. Despite the point above I do still want a good chance at getting a decent picture and it sounds like these can be quite hit and miss?
I like the look of Agfa Silettes but image quality seems quite poor.

So my main two I'm looking at are -

Olympus Trip 35 (most likely option) seems like a very good option and lots available. Has a nice vintage look.
Rollei 35 - Some go reasonably cheap on Ebay (Singapore models) and although I think it would take some getting used to the lens is very good and it's capable of some very good quality shots. Plus I love the look of it.

If there are any other options that can be had for say up to £50 I'd be interested to hear about them, or opinions on the ones I've mentioned.
 
Scout about and you ought to be able to pick up an Olympus XA for £50.

I have both an XA and a Rollei B35 (with a f/3.5 Triotar lens) as pocketable carry anywhere film cameras and the XA gets out more. It's quicker to operate by snapping the case open rather than having to slide out the lens and it can be a bit fiddly to retract the lens afterward (there's an interlock which means it can only be retracted when the shutter is cocked).

The XA has a rangefinder instead of scale focus on the Rollei, together with a shutter speed indicator in the viewfinder, which is very handy.

Being a bit smoother in shape, the XA is also a bit more pocket friendly (my B35 lives in its original case, though).

I think the Tessar and Sonnar lenses on the better R35s are reckoned to be better than the Zuiko on the XA, but you will pay more for them.
 
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I actually meant to mention the XA, after finding Ken Rockwell's site. I don't like the more modern look of it but it is one I'm considering.

Is the XA1 ok, because there's currently an exceedingly cheap one on Ebay - not confirmed to be working but got to be worth a punt if it goes for a couple of quid?

EDIT: Seems to only have f4 lens and only ISO options are 100 or 400.
 
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The XA1 is cut-down, cut-price model with fixed focus.

The XA2 is closer to the Trip, in that it has zone focus.
 
there's a yashica rangefinder for 30 quid in the sales bit here
I got a small ricoh but its got a hair of fungas on it :-(, never got round to using it actually :-(
 
If you want something small and portable you can't go wrong with the a Trip, also check out the Ricoh 500GX and Konica C35, both semi-automatic rangefinders and work very well. Kodak Retinas are great cameras but are a little quirky. You can find a review on these cameras on my stalled blog 52cameras.co.uk
 
+1 for the richo, I have a 500me and it's very capable.
 
Olympus Trip 35mm
Superb
 
I have a an Olympus trip 35 (4element lens), an XA (6 element lens), an XA2 (4 element lens),
A super solinette 35mm rangefinder folder with solinar lens (4 element at least as good as a tessar)
A 16 0n 120 Ensign selfix2 with Ross express (4 element lens)
All are pocketable. all are very capable cameras.
 
Hi, Here's another vote for the Oly XA. A truly excellent little camera.
 
I really like the. Olympus XA and The Rollei 35, I own and shoot with both and both will yield great results in my view. If you want something else to throw in the mix it might be worth thinking about the Olympus Mju-1, they are cheap as chips, I have 2 and they both cost less than a tenner, not as good as the XA in my view but really quite goo and definitely cheap and cheerful.

A couple of shots below:
10632468906_a9e53e16ac_z_d.jpg


10632459194_cfacf07e72_z_d.jpg
 
Another vote for Olympus trip. It ticks all your requirements and really is a lovely little camera
 
One more thing to consider with some of these old comapacts is film.
when they were out film was not as good as it is now oddly enough.

I popped a ilford BDubbya in my Trip and the results were shockingly good.
 
Right, lots of the same thing here,so for you alone here is one of the great compact sleepers.

This camera is as good if not better than the infamous Trip SP and I know I have one.

You can if you wait,people are beginning to understanding it,s brilliance,starting to push the price up and I have seen models going for over £100.00,but,be patient and this can happen.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vivitar-3...058584?pt=UK_Film_Cameras&hash=item19e7bc4858

This is between me and you. :)

PS. It is a f1.7 40mm lens of the highest quality.
 
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Hi Simon
I have a spare Olympus XA if you are interested, for free!

PM me if you would like it.
 
kendo1 said:
Hi Simon
I have a spare Olympus XA if you are interested, for free!

PM me if you would like it.
Click to expand...
That's a very kind offer Ken. What a nice place The F&C section is, full of generosity and good will to all filmies :thumbs:
 
Ah well, I have two not being used at the moment :)
It seems a shame to have them getting dusty...
 
Kendo - PM sent, thanks for the very kind offer.

Jao - Love the colour in the pictures, what film was that with?

Medywaygreen - Damn! Didn't see your post until after it ended. But will stick that on my list of 'grab if you see a cheap one'.

Everyone else - Have hunted down a reasonably good Trip 35 on Ebay having heard nothing but good things about them. Am also looking out for a Rollei 35 because I love the design and how the camera looks and feels is an important part of the experience for me. And I like the Ensigns, both design wise and having a compact medium format. Luckily it's bonus month in April... :)
 
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