Favorite compact modern film camera

[steve_mareno1]

A Konica C 35 is about as compact as I like. They have so-so build quality, but have very user friendly AE with focus lock, classic styling (it looks like a camera should look), and a sharp Hexanon lens. Great cameras.

[Dave Luttmann]

My fave is still my little Rollei...

[rick_drawbridge]

One of my favourites, the beautiful Agfa Optima Sensor, a series of cameras that seem to be almost unknown in the US. A radical mainly-metal design from the 1960's, there were five models in the series. The Sensor 1035 at the rear of the pic below has selectable apertures from f/22 through f/2.8 and an automatic shutter that provides speeds from 1/1000 down to about 20 seconds. The top of the range model, the Sensor 1535, has a coupled rangefinder and sells for prices well beyond my pocket. Add a huge, brilliant viewfinder and a very good Solitar lens, and you have camera that's well-suited to street photography and excels as an all-round picture taker. I'll attach a sample image from a Fuji Superia 200 negative.

 

Agfa Optima Sensors

 

 

Once Was a Cafe

 

[charles_stobbs3]

Rick, I also have an Optima with the built in flash. The only roll of film (color) I ever put through it came back from processing with a very silvery cast to all the images which I attributed to the silvery finish of the interior of the lens mount instead of the common matte black. Otherwise a very likable camera and I might have sprung for a 1035 (more compact). What has been your experience as far as color is concerned?

[rick_drawbridge]

Rick, I also have an Optima with the built in flash. The only roll of film (color) I ever put through it came back from processing with a very silvery cast to all the images which I attributed to the silvery finish of the interior of the lens mount instead of the common matte black. Otherwise a very likable camera and I might have sprung for a 1035 (more compact). What has been your experience as far as color is concerned?

 

Charles, I don't recall having experienced any problems with "silvery casts"; the silver lens surround on the Optima Sensor Flash is a little unusual and isn't featured in the other versions of the camera, but it doesn't appear to have caused problems on the couple of films I've run through this model. Some years ago I posted some information on the Optima Flash; it's looking a little dated in the old CMC format but you might find something of interest. I'm not aware of many other members owing an Agfa Optima Sensor!

 

The Ultimate Optimas