Nae luck - could use some advice

stevenelawson

stevenelawson

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I seem to have little luck when it comes to old film cameras (my SLRS aside).
First, I bought a Minolta Hi-matic E without realising the batteries are an issue - and by 'issue' I mean a costly PITA or a fiddly botch-job involving tin foil.
Then, I bought an Olympus Trip 35 only to be beset by red flag exposure issues.
So, does anyone have a recommendation for a bombproof, not too expensive (sub-£100) rangefinder or vintage-style compact, as similar to the two mentioned above as possible?
I'm particularly keen to avoid exotic battery replacements - that's why I went for the Trip - so something that takes widely-available batteries and has a degree of manual control would be good.
I can't afford a Leica, before anyone suggests one.
Cheers in advance.
Steve
 
The Petri 7s is a rangefinder and works with a selenium cell like the Trip, so no battery woes there. I bought one myself for the princely sum of £6.49 so they won't break the bank either. Mine has issues which I have yet to get to the bottom of, but you see many on eBay as a Buy It Now for ~£25.
 
Have you still got the hi-matic E? I've just got some correct alkaline 640 size batteries from Batteries in a flash. ( 6 pack here: http://www.batteriesinaflash.com/alkaline-batteries-a640px-replaces-px640a-en640a-epx640a-6pk) You can then get the camera set up at Camera repair workshop. You can also use 625 batteries with an adaptor from Nobby. The hi-matic is a good camera and has a range of shutter speeds which is far, far better than many others. Mine needed light seals and the aperture system sorted at the same time so it was about £40 odd including return postage. I'm just waiting for the results from the first roll to see how good or bad it is. I'd think you could probably just get the adapters and use it straight off and use a different iso if the exposure is off.

@Strappy posted a link to Nobby's adaptor thingy somewhere.

Found it: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/371619178...d2c15dca0b5&bu=44311906321&cp=1&sojTags=bu=bu
 
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stevenelawson said:
So, does anyone have a recommendation for a bombproof, not too expensive (sub-£100) rangefinder or vintage-style compact, as similar to the two mentioned above as possible?

I'm particularly keen to avoid exotic battery replacements
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It depends on your definition of exotic, the Yashica Electro's are fantastic cameras and I can personally recommend the Yashica Guy's battery adapters, they work perfectly and his service is excellent.

Edit, It would appear the Yashica Guy doesn't ship outside the US anymore so unless you've got a friend the other side of the pond you're out of luck unless you can find a supplier over here.
 
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RaglanSurf said:
It depends on your definition of exotic, the Yashica Electro's are fantastic cameras and I can personally recommend the Yashica Guy's battery adapters, they work perfectly and his service is excellent.

Edit, It would appear the Yashica Guy doesn't ship outside the US anymore so unless you've got a friend the other side of the pond you're out of luck unless you can find a supplier over here.
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Thanks for the suggestion. Getting batteries from the US is the kind of thing I'm trying to avoid. I know the Yashicas are highly thought of, but I'm wanting to avoid any more battery problems.
 
srichards said:
Have you still got the hi-matic E? I've just got some correct alkaline 640 size batteries from Batteries in a flash. ( 6 pack here: http://www.batteriesinaflash.com/alkaline-batteries-a640px-replaces-px640a-en640a-epx640a-6pk) You can then get the camera set up at Camera repair workshop. You can also use 625 batteries with an adaptor from Nobby. The hi-matic is a good camera and has a range of shutter speeds which is far, far better then many others. Mine needed light seals and the aperture system sorted at the same time so it was about £40 odd including return postage. I'm just waiting for the results from the first roll to see how good or bad it is. I'd think you could probably just get the adapters and use it straight off and use a different iso if the exposure is off.

@Strappy posted a link to Nobby's adaptor thingy somewhere.

Found it: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/371619178...d2c15dca0b5&bu=44311906321&cp=1&sojTags=bu=bu
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I still have it, yes, and have just paid a small fortune for replacement batteries from the US but the meter still doesn't seem to be working. It's a gorgeous little camera with a cracking lens, but I've no confidence in the metering. Maybe I'll give it another go. Thanks.
 
stevenelawson said:
I still have it, yes, and have just paid a small fortune for replacement batteries from the US but the meter still doesn't seem to be working. It's a gorgeous little camera with a cracking lens, but I've no confidence in the metering. Maybe I'll give it another go. Thanks.
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Is it over or under exposing or is the orange check light just not coming on when you press the shutter button?
 
srichards said:
Is it over or under exposing or is the orange check light just not coming on when you press the shutter button?
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The light doesn't come on, nor do I see any over/under exposure lights in the viewfinder, which I did when I first got it (with the same batteries I'm using now).
 
Another vote for the Olympus XA - sharp lens, distance and ISO adjustment and that's it. Perfect little cameras, no downsides.
 
stevenelawson said:
The light doesn't come on, nor do I see any over/under exposure lights in the viewfinder, which I did when I first got it (with the same batteries I'm using now).
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Hmmm. That doesn't sound good. If the lights not on it's not got enough power at all so either those batteries are a bit iffy already or the hi matic has the wiring problems that plague them. I'd check battery voltage with a voltmeter and make sure they're still in the battery compartment properly first.

I think it's going to need a trip to Dave at camera repair workshop to be honest.
 
srichards said:
Hmmm. That doesn't sound good. If the lights not on it's not got enough power at all so either those batteries are a bit iffy already or the hi matic has the wiring problems that plague them. I'd check battery voltage with a voltmeter and make sure they're still in the battery compartment properly first.

I think it's going to need a trip to Dave at camera repair workshop to be honest.
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I have spare batteries so I'll try them first and check the wiring/connection. Not sure I want to throw any more money at it for repairs. Thanks for all the tips.
 
I'm very much liking the look of the Olympus XA, so thanks for the tips guys. Does anyone want to buy a Minolta Hi-matic E? [emoji16]
 
mothdust said:
Another vote for the Olympus XA - sharp lens, distance and ISO adjustment and that's it. Perfect little cameras, no downsides.
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Wouldn't call it bombproof though... lovely little camera but so tightly packed it's hard to repair. I don't know how often they do fail but my sone had two XAs and one went bust.
 
Some of theslightly older Olympus cameras are exceptional. The 35 RC \ RD \ SP series are very eell made, neat cameras with very good lenses. I bought one for the wife recently and between them they have produced some excellent shots, including the January FPOTY winner, not that i'm bothered. :mad::D
 
stevenelawson said:
I have spare batteries so I'll try them first and check the wiring/connection. Not sure I want to throw any more money at it for repairs. Thanks for all the tips.
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Success! Gave the battery chamber a gentle clean, tried three or four combinations of 'new' batteries from Batteries In A Flash, and I have lights! First pair of the six I bought contained a dud [emoji19]
 
stevenelawson said:
Success! Gave the battery chamber a gentle clean, tried three or four combinations of 'new' batteries from Batteries In A Flash, and I have lights! First pair of the six I bought contained a dud [emoji19]
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That's not good. I'll be checking mine!
 
One of the most useful things I ever bought was a cheap voltage/multi-meter from Maplin in the sale a few years ago (about £9 I think), I regularly use it to test battery voltage and/or rule out dud batteries as a cause of problems.

As usual though, you have to read and follow the instructions to make sure don't blow yourself, the meter and/or component you are testing up! :whistle:
 
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Mr Badger said:
One of the most useful things I ever bought was a cheap voltage/multi-meter from Maplin in the sale a few years ago (about £9 I think), I regularly use it to test battery voltage and/or rule out dud batteries as a cause of problems.

As usual though, you have to read and follow the instructions to make sure don't blow yourself, the meter and/or component you are testing up! :whistle:
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Yeah, that'd be me. I shall invest.
 
I've got an Olympus XA and a Yashica Electro 35. They are both excellent cameras and I like them both, although neither could be described as 'bomb-proof' given their age. The Yashica is big and heavy, so couldn't fit in the compact category. As far as adapters go, then it's easy enough to make your own out of a bit of plastic tube and a few nuts, screws and washers. I think you can still buy such adapters on e-bay. I have read that a cut-down spent 410 shotgun cartridge makes a good adapter but as I have no knowledge about shotguns, it may be an apocryphal tale. If you have any shooter friends, then try asking them.
 
NickT said:
I've got an Olympus XA and a Yashica Electro 35. They are both excellent cameras and I like them both, although neither could be described as 'bomb-proof' given their age. The Yashica is big and heavy, so couldn't fit in the compact category. As far as adapters go, then it's easy enough to make your own out of a bit of plastic tube and a few nuts, screws and washers. I think you can still buy such adapters on e-bay. I have read that a cut-down spent 410 shotgun cartridge makes a good adapter but as I have no knowledge about shotguns, it may be an apocryphal tale. If you have any shooter friends, then try asking them.
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I live in Glasgow, where "shooter friends" has an altogether different meaning [emoji16] Bombproof is probably asking too much, I'll settle for 'works most of the time' without too much faffing about with bizarre battery modifications. Olympus XA2 is my current favourite option. Thanks guys, been a big help.
 
stevenelawson said:
I live in Glasgow, where "shooter friends" has an altogether different meaning [emoji16] Bombproof is probably asking too much, I'll settle for 'works most of the time' without too much faffing about with bizarre battery modifications. Olympus XA2 is my current favourite option. Thanks guys, been a big help.
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Steve IIRC only the XA is an actual rangefinder, I think the rest are zone focusing...
 
NickT said:
... Yashica Electro 35. ... The Yashica is big and heavy, so couldn't fit in the compact category.
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The Yashica Electro 35 GX and CC are much smaller than the other Electros, approaching pocketable size. The GX has a 40mm f/1.7 lens, the CC has a 35mm f/1.8 lens. I went for the GX as the out of focus areas seem more harsh on the CC, judging from the results I've seen on flickr.

Back when I got mine a few years ago they were extremely hard to find but now there's a selection of both on ebay for under £50.
 
I love my Electro 35 GSN, it's a beauty of a camera and takes great photos. Only downsides I can see is that the battery needs an adapter, and the viewfinder is a bit dim, although I only became aware of how dim once I compared it to various "better" ones at the Peaks meet (I think I have @Andysnap to blame for that mostly?? :P )

I was never too bothered by my XA, but reading through this thread it seems to be very popular and well thought of. so perhaps I didn't give it enough of a chance. I'm away this weekend though so I might take it with me and try it again.
 
Carl Hall said:
I love my Electro 35 GSN, it's a beauty of a camera and takes great photos. Only downsides I can see is that the battery needs an adapter, and the viewfinder is a bit dim, although I only became aware of how dim once I compared it to various "better" ones at the Peaks meet (I think I have @Andysnap to blame for that mostly?? [emoji14] )

I was never too bothered by my XA, but reading through this thread it seems to be very popular and well thought of. so perhaps I didn't give it enough of a chance. I'm away this weekend though so I might take it with me and try it again.
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I've ordered a couple of battery adaptors from Nobby's site which can be used in the Minolta Hi-matic and, I believe, also fit the 35 GSN, so I may have a look again at the Yashicas
 
I think it's the 35 GL/GX that takes the same batteries as the Hi-matic, most of the other Electro 35s require a much larger battery in a different adapter. Might be worth double checking to save you more battery related woes.
 
I've always gone by the motto that if I have battery that doesn't fit any of my cameras then buy a camera to fit it.
 
sketch145 said:
I think it's the 35 GL/GX that takes the same batteries as the Hi-matic, most of the other Electro 35s require a much larger battery in a different adapter. Might be worth double checking to save you more battery related woes.
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Thanks for the heads-up, I ordered them for the Hi-matic, so they'll be useful anyway
 
sketch145 said:
I think it's the 35 GL/GX that takes the same batteries as the Hi-matic, most of the other Electro 35s require a much larger battery in a different adapter. Might be worth double checking to save you more battery related woes.
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The GX uses two PX640, which is why I bought the adapters to use LR44 instead. I haven't developed a film shot with those batteries yet so can't tell if the increased voltage is causing any exposure adjustments. The CC uses a 6v 544 battery, which is still available as a 4LR44 (PX28A).
 
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