G9 - Film equivalent?

[Lizzy7]

Hi there,

I have a G9 which I do like but I take a lot of photos and I just really don't have the time or patience to flaff around with files for snapshots. Anyway, I'd like to get a film compact for those days when I really don't want to carry around the SLR (not often!) but does anyone know if there is a film equivalent to the G-series. In other words, a compact camera but with the option to do AV/TV, flash off etc...

I'm not even sure if such a camera ever existed and obviously it would have to be second hand.

Any help would be great.....I'm UK based :)

Many thanks, Lizzy

[CJinAustin]

Such cameras were made: http://www.adorama.com/US%20%20%20%20348504.html

But I don't know if Canon made any.

[denncald]

These links may provide more info on range finder cameras.

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/tutorials/rangefinder.shtml

http://kenrockwell.com/tech/rangefinder-vs-slr.htm (compares range finders to SLRs)

Dennis

Edit: You may also want to read this article;

http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/why-we-love-film.htm

[2mnycars]

I used to read a lot at www.photo.net (http://www.photo.net) and bought a Yashica T4 when I wanted a go-anywhere film p&s. Incredible lens. It was fixed focus. I forget--40mm?

It had 2 finders; one was a waist level finder that I loved.

Olympus had some small p&s that just didn't feel as good to me. YMMV. One had a zoom lens.

And one of the ultimate film p&s was the little Rollei 35. We're spoiled now, with the features in the G9.

By the way, my favourite camera of all time was my Leica M3. It was stolen from me. Absolutely manual; no built in meter.

Regards,
DaveL

[GordonSBuck]

...
I have a G9 which I do like but I take a lot of photos and I just really don't have the time or patience to flaff around with files for snapshots. Anyway, I'd like to get a film compact for those days when I really don't want to carry around the SLR (not often!) but does anyone know if there is a film equivalent to the G-series. In other words, a compact camera but with the option to do AV/TV, flash off etc...


But won't you have to take the film to a local processor to get those snapshot prints? Couldn't you just take the G9 memory card to that local processor instead?

[CJinAustin]

But won't you have to take the film to a local processor to get those snapshot prints? Couldn't you just take the G9 memory card to that local processor instead?

Good point...

[tkbslc]

Problem with film compacts is the main reason we don't have FF compacts today. IN order to get a small zoom lens with 35mm coverage that can still be made small, the lenses were SLOW. I mean my 4x zoom minolta was a 35-140 f5.7-f9. So you get a slow lens, or a faster fixed prime lens that sticks out from the camera and makes it less compact.

Film is not easier. You have to buy film, load the right speed of film for the conditions, change the film ever 24 shots, take the film to be processed, go back the next day (or hour) to get the prints.

If you don't want to process your shots, don't. Shoot Jpeg in your favorite picture style, delete the ones that suck, and have the ones that don't printed. You can even upload them to an online printer and they can mail them to you within a few days. No need to leave the house. That's what my MIL does. I bet she has never even opened a photo editor in her life.

[Lizzy7]

Thanks everyone, really helpful and I'll check out all those links :)

But won't you have to take the film to a local processor to get those snapshot prints? Couldn't you just take the G9 memory card to that local processor instead?

Yes, I would have to (although I walk past one on the way back from dropping my daughter off at school) If I take a roll of film in I'm generally happy with what I get back, whenever I have taken digital files in though I'm always disapointed. Dark, flat, horrible prints! I know that this is their issue because I take those files somewhere else and I get better prints but still not as good as I know they should be.

I will put my hands up here to being incredibly fussy :lol: I started my working life in a one hour photo lab and then went on to pro-lab printing.

If you don't want to process your shots, don't. Shoot Jpeg in your favorite picture style, delete the ones that suck, and have the ones that don't printed. You can even upload them to an online printer and they can mail them to you within a few days. No need to leave the house. That's what my MIL does. I bet she has never even opened a photo editor in her life.

Again, the inner fussiness in me takes over......I don't have to PP but if I can I will. Actually it's not so much the PP, I'm getting quicker now but then it's all the backing up palaver and storing files.

I have just sent a load off to photobox and I'll see how they come out. Meanwhile I'll check out ebay for a Contax maybe and see what I can find.

Thanks again,

Lizzy

[denncald]

Meanwhile I'll check out ebay for a Contax maybe and see what I can find.



If you didn't see this link at one of the above links, then you might be interested in this article on the Contax G2, as well as a link there comparing to Leica systems.

http://www.kenrockwell.com/contax/g-system.htm#g2

EDIT: I just did a quick check on ebay and found what you might be interested in. Click HERE (http://cgi.ebay.com/CONTAX-G2-w-45mm-28mm-90mm-lenses-Flash-Excellent_W0QQitemZ230379879355QQcategoryZ15234QQr dZ1QQssPageNameZWINQ3aPOST0Q3aRECOQ3aBIDQQcmdZView Item).

Dennis

[jr_senator]

Earlier this year I sold my G2 outfit. Wonderful camera, but I only shot one or two rolls a year and wanted a T/S 24 L instead. They just don't come any better built or take better pictures. Have you held one? You may find it to be somewhat larger than you think and it's a heavy camera.

[2mnycars]

My Yashica T4 has quite a fast lens, but it's not a zoom. I remember my first Nikon zoom--a 43-86 that has a reputation for not being the best.
We're quite spoiled now with the range of focal lengths that we can enjoy. Several makers have an 18-200 and this range is incredible.
I've never owned a Contax G (1 or 2). I believe it is an incredible camera.
Interested in hearing what your choice is.

Regards
DaveL
Toronto