Analog film photography and cameras

On another note, anyone used a Ricoh GR1s? Or can recommend something good in the same size?

Looking for a good quality small 35mm camera to carry everywhere. Got a GRDI that I really like so thought the film version should be a good choice

Also read good things about Contax T's, though the Ricoh has autofocus going for it, + the easy to set aperture priority

Of course there's the Olympus XA but not sure a rangefinder is what I'm after, think I want something more point and shoot y

Yes, get the Ricoh. Great cameras. Really nice feel to them.

just what i wanted to hear :)

I find they break, but Ricoh Europe will still repair them (at a cost). They are great to use and that lens is unreal. I can spot shots taken on these cameras a mile off and I wish I still had one. It's funny because I didn't like the GRD1 or 2 much. The GRD3 though is now pretty sorted.

Although quite a different lens – the Olympus Mju II is an amazing camera. It does nothing but the important bits... spot metering, slow flash, Zuiko 35mm f2.8 lens and is fast to use. And it's tough, doesn't need a case and is (a bit) waterproof.

They're also a bargain compared with the Ricoh or XA.

...Ricoh has autofocus going for it, + the easy to set aperture priority...

The Mju II shoot at f2.8 (it's max) whenever it can. Like it's permanently in AP.

That's interesting. Found a Mju II in my moms old stuff a while ago, will give it a go

Shame to hear the Ricoh's break. My GRDI has been through a lot, even had a shot of sambuca pored over it, and it's still working fine. Never really liked the shots from it that much, but really like using it. If that makes sense

The Mju II in question is the 35mm f2.8, rather than the useless zoom version. If that's what you've got then bingo!

I don't know if the GR1s are particularly unreliable. They are old cameras with a lot of electronics to go wrong. I've owned 2. I had the lens motor and screen go. And the display in the viewfinder was always faulty.

I've broken a couple of Mju IIs. One of which involved someone doing a Fosbury flop onto it. No camera's gonna survive that!

bummer, it's the zoom version

Would you recommend any other cameras in the same size range? Price can vary, don't mind paying if it's worth it

And thanks for the input so far, much appreciated!

The XA2 is pretty good. It's quicker and easier to use than an XA. A lot cheaper as there are still loads around.

It's not as sturdy or slick as a Mju II and doesn't have a built in flash. It's flash is an odd little screw on module that almost brings the size of the thing upto that of an old SLR.

If you've got the budget for it then I would buy a GR1 with a case from a dealer and treat it well.

Then buy a Mju II on eBay if you want a camera knocking around in the bottom of your bag every day.

Or (as I have) buy loads Mju IIs and break them one by one!

I'd recommend a Yashica T4 or T5. If you're lucky you could get one for cheap.

couple from my last roll. fuji 400 film, xa2

Never really liked the shots from it that much, but really like using it. If that makes sense

Totally know what you mean. I love using the Lomo L-CA, but had to give it up because the images just aren't that great. Must learn to love cameras by their results rather than the process of shooting...

Phil, really like the second one, first one too.

Some shots - also from an XA2 - taken in Leeds over the weekend. Either expired Fuji 800 or Fuji Reala 100.

Got a bunch more to scan tomorrow, some more here and here.

After breaking my xa i've been using an xa2. The shutter sensor isn't perfect and the lens isn't as sharp but it's much better for getting candid shots. Still looking for a replacement xa might get a yashica electro though. Any recommendations.

All fuji superia 200

I really like this one.

And I like this one

+1 to both those above, also like this one a lot. off to the darkroom today! woo!

^ +1, lighting on the hands is great

**Question:
**
What are my options for a cheap camera that takes 120 film? Is it just the Holga?

why 120 and cheap? it's expensive to dev and scan

that said, i've got some ektachrome to sell if you're interested

nope.
tlr's like the yashicamat and mamiya can go fairly cheap, rolleicord if you're lucky.

the slr's (mamiya/hasselblad) go for a lot more money...

why 120 and cheap? it's expensive to dev and scan

Because I want to shoot some 120. And I don't want to spend much money on a camera.

nope.
tlr's like the yashicamat and mamiya can go fairly cheap, rolleicord if you're lucky...

A yes, the mat I've had a play with and forgotten it existed. I'll check out the rolleicord too. Aren't Mamiyas still quite pricey?

Aren't Mamiyas still quite pricey?

the slr's definitely are yeah.
i thought their tlr's had dropped to pretty affordable prices, but i haven't been paying much attention to them recently..

Zenit E, Fuju something-or-other film. I'll scan the negatives properly when I go back to uni, these were just scans of the prints with the worst flatbed scanner in the world.