Frontman
Well-known
For ultra compact and fully manual with a real rangefinder and no meter, there are few options. One camera I have which is close is the Olympus Ace. The Ace is an interchangeable lens rangefinder camera, and the first version has no meter. It is a pocketable camera, and there are 35mm, 45mm, and 80mm lenses available for it. The Ace also has a very large viewfinder, which is also nice. Unfortunately, the Ace is not a common camera. It is not ultra compact, but is a small camera, and the lenses are very compact.
The Kodak Retina cameras are also fully mechanical, and the IIIc I use takes great photos. The Retina does have a built in un-coupled meter, but it is out if the way, and I never use it anyway. The controls are a little difficult to get used to, but once you have the camera figured out, it really is fun to shoot.
The Canonet QL-17 is also a great camera, fully manual, and easy to operate, and it is relatively inexpensive, but I prefer the lenses on the Yashica, Minolta, or Olympus fixed-lens rangefinders. The lens coating on the Canonets is inferior, and prone to fungus and cloudiness.
The Kodak Retina cameras are also fully mechanical, and the IIIc I use takes great photos. The Retina does have a built in un-coupled meter, but it is out if the way, and I never use it anyway. The controls are a little difficult to get used to, but once you have the camera figured out, it really is fun to shoot.
The Canonet QL-17 is also a great camera, fully manual, and easy to operate, and it is relatively inexpensive, but I prefer the lenses on the Yashica, Minolta, or Olympus fixed-lens rangefinders. The lens coating on the Canonets is inferior, and prone to fungus and cloudiness.
HLing
Well-known
This might fit most of your ticket: http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=125382
Greyscale
Mentor
I almost forgot the most obvious answer of them all, the Kodak Signet 35. Compact, durable, with an excellent lens, and one of the coolest cameras ever made.
burancap
Mentor
This is a winner -meeting all of the requirements.
I just gave one away in this year's Christmas thread!
dbarnes
Well-known
@Grayscale: The Signet 35 has separate film advance and shutter cocking. Great lens, tho!
Peter_wrote:
Well-known
so why not the Olympus 35RC? you can switch it from auto mode to full manual mode. it fits all your requirements.
the only negative thing i could mention, is that the aperture ring is quite thin. so when you are changing aperture with a high frequency, it may be a bit quirky to use it.
shadowfox
Darkroom printing lives
Ouch! that one hurts.
I happen to think that *Canon* QL17-GIII is a so-so camera, while most of the *Olympus* rangefinders like 35 SP, 35 RD, 35 RC, etc. are superior.
So for you to mix it up like that, it tickles a bit
I took your advice Grey. Low investment 23 bucks with a French tripod. Its ebay so I expect to have to completely take it apart and rebuild it. You know one of those deals where the seller says "it should work" "seems to work" etc etc blah blah haha.. Just say you have a broken camera. anyway. When I dismantle it and put it back together I am going to detail it in black and remove that slider gage thing in the back if I can. The more I read about the signet 35 the more I liked it. Thanks for the suggestion.