What are the best non-SLR film cameras?

Question

I'm looking for something under $200, preferably under $150. Most important consideration: High image sharpness/quality, and proper color/exposure. Everything else is secondary. I would also like the ability to take nice pics in less-than-ideal lighting in addition to great shots in bright light. Suggestions?

To clarify for Ponies: No, I don't mean digital, I mean film, and I don't mean just a simple point-and-shoot. I mean anything from point-and-shoot to a loaded prosumer. But extra features are secondary, what's most important is great image quality. Also, sensitivy and proper exposure doesn't just depend on film. A "used anything" won't do.

NOTE: If anyone can recommend SPECIFIC MODELS, that'd be great!

Answer 1

If you can live without a zoom, sounds like you would really like the Olympus Stylus Epic. Fantastic image quality, small and portable, cheap, weatherproof and has a f/2.8 lens that is good for low light. What more could you ask for? It's the camera pros carry when on vacation! ;-)

The Yashica T4 is another good camera, if you're able to find a used one (they've been discontinued). Unfortunately, most small film cameras are no longer being made and are getting harder to find new. Minolta and Canon are no longer producing any. Pentax is still making some very nice cameras with good optics if you absolutely must have a zoom.

There's a good discussion on choosing a good quality point and shoot here:
http://www.photo.net/equipment/point-and-shoot/intro
Just be aware that most of the cameras mentioned are no longer being produced.

Answer 2

First of all, I'm in a similar quandary so I've done a lot of research into this.

I have a digital SLR and though I love it to death it's too heavy to carry around. Same goes for my film SLR, too big, too loud, too obtrusive. Digital compacts nowadays also have really crappy zoom lens that suffer greatly or can't handle low light at all.

My question to you is, how advanced are you in photography? Are you willing to make some sacrifices for great image quality? Is portability important to you? Is autofocus and exposure important to you? I see that price is a factor and guessing from your specificly saying non-SLR, i'm guessing noise (the loud shutter slap) and size is also important to you.

For those reasons I would definitely recommend a 35mm RANGEFINDER camera. Rangefinders don't have through-the-lens viewfinders, meaning that what you see in the window isn't 100% what you get, especially if you focus on things too close to you (<1 meter / 3 feet). Also, most rangefinder cameras are manual focus, meaning you have to fiddle a bit before you take a picture.

If money was no object, Leicas and Contax rangefinders are the cream of the crop, with interchangeable lens systems (like an SLR) but with compact super-durable bodies (almost pocketable), and super-quiet operation. Rangefinders are considered the best for candid street photography because they are very quiet and barely detectable when snapping shots.

However, since money is an object, I think you should look into fixed-lens rangefinders. Unfortunately, most of the best ones in this genre died out in the 1980s, with the best examples being from the 1960s-1970s. Some excellent cameras include: The Canon Canonet QL17, Konica S2, Minolta Hi-matics, Yashica Electro 35 series, Olympus SP, Olympus RC and RD and XA, Rollei 35, among others.

Check out this site for more information:
http://www.cameraquest.com/com35s.htm

More info here too:
http://www.photoethnography.com/ClassicCameras/index-frameset.html?focusing.html~mainFrame

They list a whole range of compact 35mm rangefinders made in the 60s and 70s, many of them with incredible optical and build quality. The only issue with many of them might be that their batteries are hard to find (though adapters exist to correct that). Most of them can be had on ebay for LESS THAN 100 dollars. Sadly most of them died with the advance of full-auto, plastic, crappy zoom lens point and shoots in the 1980s and 90s.

If you have REALLY DEEP pockets, look into the Leica M mount cameras or the Contax G series.

A camera is only good if you bring it along with you, and so compact rangefinders are probably your best solution. Good luck!

EDIT: Make sure you know that these are NOT point-and-shoots! Though most all of them have metering, you are in control of them via aperture or shuter priority modes. A couple might have full auto exposure mode, but they are almost all manual focus!

Answer 3

Wait a minute... you're looking for a "non-SLR film camera"?? You mean a 35mm point & shoot?
Well, in that case, proper color and light sensitivity depend on the film you use and not on the camera. Get a used anything really. $30 bucks should suffice.
If you meant digital, try a basic Canon or Kodak.

Answer 4

Great for the money...
Olympus Stylus 100 = $130. Zoom from 28 to 100 mm.

Great quality lens...
Olympus Stylus Epic = $80. FIXED LENS - non-zooming, but f/2.8 lens is good in low light.

Really, any Olympus Stylus or any Canon Sure Shot is decent. Check them out in a store and see which amount of zoom you like. They are all under $200.

Answer 5

Al ... Let's get real. New for $200 and high image quality don't exactly go together. A 35mm Leica Range finder would fit the bill but not your bills. A new Leica is $1,000's. Finding a new 35mm point and shooter in today's market is mission impossible.

If you're set on film, look at used 35mm SLR's. My local camera shop is literally giving their used inventory away. I picked up a used Canon EOS 50E body in mint condition for cheap, cheap, cheap. Very similar capabilities to the Canon 300D (Digi Rebel) but for a lot less dough.

Answer 6

SONY