The Others: Some Alternatives To New Camera Releases.
We are gathered here today to discuss some alternatives to the new built in lens film cameras being offered on the market. Two specifically.
While I believe both are being traded at a reasonable sum considering they are fresh sheet analog camera designs from an industry that has not created such in some time. Look at the new Leica M6. It is arguably a refresh of existing film cameras, not a completely new design and far more expsensive. That being said $400 plus is a big ask regardless. Here I will take a look at some less expensive options on the used market.
Right off the bat, I want to say that this is not an exhaustive list. There are plenty of cameras other than the ones listed here. I have owned some of the others. Some I have never tried. I am sure there are even more that I have never heard of. Here I will constrain myself to cameras that I have actually used, and still own.
I will not be discussing the Instathreadface darlings costing many hundreds or a thousand or more. One example is the Contax T2…
…which I had for a while, but there are others. If you spend that much you may as well buy the brand new offerings.
Ok, the random list of attributes I will discuss for each:
- Built in metering if not Auto Exposure.
- Solid focusing if not AF.
- Small size.
- Good IQ.
- Low price.
- Cons.
All of these meet these minimum requirements although it looks like the Canonet is getting noticed because they seem to be more expensive every time I look. If you think you want one it is likely a good idea to get on with it. I have seen many film cameras rise in value but none have ever come down as far as I have seen. And with examples likely dwindling over time due to unceremoniously packing it in over time this will not likely change. I even threw in one new camera example, the Kodak Ektar H35.
The contenders. No particular order came to mind so I will arbitrarily choose. Will use the spec list above followed by thoughts and some sample pics.
Kodak Ektar H35
I like this camera even though it offers control over only two things. ISO by way of film chosen and whether you use the flash or not.
- Built in metering if not Auto Exposure.
- Ok, not really a thing here… there is no metering at all… but $50. And as much as makes no sense due to the wide exposure latitude film offers it proved to be no issue here.
- Solid focusing if not AF.
- …Ok… It does not do this either. Wait, wait! Hear me out! $50. And once again it oddly works in this use case.
- Small size.
- Check. Light? Check. But with a build quality only a mother can love admittedly. I am pretty sure I could crush this camera with my bare hands. Could definitely rip it apart with no troubles. But why would I do that? It is so stinking cute.
- Good IQ.
- Check. The plastic lens in this thing does far better than it has any business doing.
- Low price.
- $50.
- Cons.
- Feels awful in hand. Makes the light in the pants Pentax 17 feel like a high end luxury item by comparison.
I cheated putting this camera on this list, but I do not care. Especially because, unlike the supposed rules I made up, it is a new camera. But, I like it. It is a fun camera to just run some film through. And with twice as many frames available who cares if you miss a pic here or there. Plus you get easy access to one of my favorite things about half frame cameras. Diptychs. A perfect way to dip a toe into film for not a lot of spend. Here are some sample pics.
Petri 7S
Are you not quite a newbie, but interested in a film camera? Perhaps a rangefinder piques your interest. Might I recommend the unfortunately named Petri 7S.
- Built in metering if not Auto Exposure.
- If you are lucky enough to find a copy where it’s selenium meter is working far past its prime built in exposure is on the table. But I would have no issues using an inexpensive hotshoe mounted meter or just Sunny 16 winging it also.
- Solid focusing if not AF.
- Not the brightest of rangefinder patches but serviceable.
- Small size.
- Check. Surprisingly well-built and not a bad looking thing either.
- Good IQ.
- Check. This no provenance having lens did just fine.
- Low price.
- Paid about or less than $50 for my copy years ago and they still seem to be going for the same price. The beauty of a no name contraption I suppose.
- Cons.
- For reasons I can not nail down, it is just not a camera that calls on you to pick it up.
This could be seen as a same spend alternative to the Ektar above for those who want a bit more control and something that feels like an actual camera,…
…rather than a disposable camera you can put film into. I never use it admittedly, but keep it around anyway because I like it. Here are some sample pics.
Konica C35 AF2
My favorite thing about this camera is that it is a camera meant to take pictures, not take pictures of it. It will not ever be an instathreadface darling because it is a humble looking all plastic thing.
Which is a good thing. This way there is little chance some social media person will put the world on to it so the prices may stay reasonable. Like any camera, it has its shortcomings here or there. But what it does do is create a phenomenal image in nearly any circumstance.
- Built in metering if not Auto Exposure.
- Auto exposure is the name of the game here. The camera selects everything. All you have control over is whether to deploy the flash or not. But fortunately, the camera does not miss a beat. An off exposure pic is nearly impossible.
- As an added bonus the light meter sensor sits within the filter ring so the camera will compensate on its own.
- Solid focusing if not AF.
- Check for sure. With a caveat. Focus and recompose is not a thing here. If you want it in focus it better be in the center of the frame. Same goes for metering now that I think about it. But when deployed correctly with this limitation in mind it does not miss.
- Small size.
- Check. And fairly robust also. I dropped it onto concrete before I got one roll through it. I caught it on the bounce and it worked just fine. Only a small scratch on the bottom betrayed my clumsiness.
- Good IQ.
- Check, check, and check. This hexanon lens sings. And teamed with the accurate AF and exposure you will be very happy with the resulting images. One pic was so sharp I was convinced that I had to be looking at a digital image. But, nope.
- Low price.
- Paid $50 for my copy years ago. Would happily pay more.
- Cons.
- Other than the lack of focus and recompose absolutely nothing.
- Adjusting the recessed and nubbed?.. nibbed?… ISO dial is a nail shredding exercise of near impossibility for someone with beef mitts like myself. But thanks to the internets I found that a squash ball is quite handy and adjusting the dial.
I had trouble picking just five sample images for this one. I even cheated a bit by slipping in the sample image above. These are my arbitrary rules so I can break them. Here are the sample pics.
Ok, one more.
See that camera above? Now take it and:
- Make it better looking and better built.
- Add a rangefinder.
- Lose the flash.
- Add a hotshoe.
And you have the…
Konica C35 Automatic
There is no denying it, this is a good looking little camera.
It is also wonderful to use. If you like rangefinders (and I do) this is a wonderful choice. The categories below are largely a cut and paste from the C35 AF2 above.
- Built in metering if not Auto Exposure.
- Auto exposure is the name of the game here. The camera selects everything.
All you have control over is whether to deploy the flash or not.But fortunately, the camera does not miss a beat. An off exposure pic is nearly impossible. - If you are so inclined flash could be added as well. I have yet to bother.
- As an added bonus the light meter sensor sits within the filter ring so the camera will compensate on its own.
- Auto exposure is the name of the game here. The camera selects everything.
- Solid focusing if not AF.
- Solid rangefinder focusing. I rarely miss with it.
- Small size.
- Check. And fairly robust good looking thing as well.
- Good IQ.
- Check, check, and check. This hexanon lens sings. And teamed with a solid focus experience and accurate exposure you will be very happy with the resulting images. These hexanon lenses are impressive.
- Low price.
- Paid $50 for my copy years ago. Would happily pay more.
- Cons.
Other than the lack of focus and recompose absolutely nothing.- Adjusting the recessed and nubbed?.. nibbed?… ISO dial (Same part number as the AF2 above it seems.) is a nail shredding exercise of near impossibility for someone with beef mitts like myself. But thanks to the internets I found that a squash ball is quite handy and adjusting the dial.
I have gushed enough about this camera. Here are some sample images.
Sneaking in a couple extras here.
<Inhales sharply> Canon Canonet QL17 GIII
Jokes aside what is with that name Canon? Feeling a little full ourselves are we?
A dang fine camera. Looks good while it is at it. The one with the most gravitas of the cameras listed here. But for good reason. While it used to cost much less not that long ago, and is now the most expensive camera on this list, it is still a relatively good deal for what you are getting.
- Built in metering if not Auto Exposure.
- Check. Internal metering on deck. And like the Konica twins a sensor inside the filter ring means that the camera will sort the exposure when using a filter. My first go around I used a variable ND filter to allow for an f/1.7 aperture in bright daylight.
- Solid focusing if not AF.
- Rangefinder, rangefinder, and in conclusion rangefinder.
- Small size.
- Check. Along with being a good looking thing.
- Good IQ.
- Check. Canon optics showing out on this one.
- Low price.
- Well… it was the first time I bought one. Then I lost my mind and sold it. Recently rectified this when a clean copy showed up at my local camera shop. I paid more than I wanted to spend, but far less than the lowest priced new contestant in the opening.
- Cons.
- The most expensive camera on this list by a good margin.
- In my experience, it seems to struggle with nailing the exposure in low light more than the Konica twins above. Have noticed this with two copies now, but it may just be me.
A fine cameras. Sample images.
Wrap Up.
My favorite? I am glad I imagined you asked.
No beating around the bush, the Konica C35 Automatic.
It rings all of the bells for me.
- Solid rangefinder experience for not a lot of spend.
- Rock solid Auto Exposure.
- Impeccable optics.
- Solid build and good looks.
The Canonet is the people’s choice it seems. It is more expensive but I must say that if the prices were the same I would still pick the Konica C35 Automatic.
My pick for newbies?
Easy. The Konica C35 AF2.
- A true point and shoot with rock solid AF and AE.
- Well built if not conventionally attractive. It does appeal to me in a utilitarian way.
- Same impeccable optics as its cousin above.
That being said there are many similarly spec’d options from other camera makers in this era that follow the same formula. This is just one example.
The Canon Canonet is still a solid choice though.
And the Petri 7S also punches above its weight and is capable of a nice image for a very reasonable sum along with its rangefinder appeal.
The Kodak Ektar H35?
I still like it and would happily recommend it to someone. Just load the thing with ISO 200 or ISO 400 film and have at it. Point, shoot, wind, keep it moving, and see what happens when you get the film back.
There is not a bad choice in the bunch as far as I am concerned.
Ok. Enough of my ramblings for now.
Happy capturing.
-ELW
Eric L. Woods 
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