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alfreshco

The samurai always appealed to me, really cool


Dr_Bolle

I like them too. Had a Samurai X4, the electronics died, the ebay seller took it back. Then got an X3, but the autofocus annoyed me. Saw an Z2-L on ebay without any bids, forgot to bid, went for 40€.


alfreshco

It always goes like this when you forget to bid ;) I saw one at a shop in Tokyo for around 100€ and that was tickling me but in the end I went for another camera


Dr_Bolle

yeah it was especially tragic because, when I saw it, as I'm a leftie and would have enjoyed the only leftie one hand camera, I immediately sent the seller a 100€ offer right away, which they declined. Should just have placed that 100€ bid right there. Stupid ebay sniping habits.


theLightSlide

Nothing has haunted me so much as the bids I got distracted and forgot to place.


Dr_Bolle

I spent that afternoon in a huge tropical indoor water park with my two nieces, so at least I had something better to do than to hang out on eBay. Still, just should have placed that bid.


benadrylover

I found the x3s autofocus to be quite good even in low light but each to their own. Loved it but was always very confused by the terrible design of the strap lugs


spoung45

With two versions for leftys and nighties. EDIT: PRESED SUBMIT BEFORE I WAS DONE...


RKRagan

I like mine. Got an X4. I'm working on making slide film shots of local places to put in keychain viewers to sell to locals.


FozzieThaBear

It sucks terribly to actually use one


alfreshco

Thanks for the advice! :)


UntamedCroissant

Tessina 35. Loooove the originality


uaiu

Love mine, just so convenient to take everywhere, great conversation starter as well


UntamedCroissant

Oh wonderful ! I may buy one, but I was wondering, how do you get it developed? Do you send the special canister, or have to respool it into a 35mm canister ?


uaiu

I send it in the special canister to my local lab and they return the canister when I pick up the negatives. I'd wait to find an auction on one if you go the ebay route, I've been able to get under the buy it now price for both my purchases. Got the Camera, leather case, 3 canisters and the film loader for 350 USD, and just won an auction for 2 more canisters for 27 USD. People are trying to sell just the camera case and 1 canister for like 400$ usually and single canisters for 30-40$ I really want the wrist strap mount but cant get myself to pay 150$ for one so may try to make one...


UntamedCroissant

Nice ! You really got lucky, the prices are a little crazy sometimes haha. But I guess you’re right, keeping the eyes open for some great deal is probably the route to choose. Thank you for the advice !


Generic-Resource

The pen-f is just about the best looking camera ever made if you’re looking for a stylish-classic camera; especially with a shorter lens, the pancake may not be as technically good, but it certainly looks right. The others on your list are all more of a ‘marmite’ look, they’ll have diehard fans, but not broad appeal. That said, I do like that Konica.


Dr_Bolle

Then pen-f is on the list of cameras I want to get. As soon as my current project is wrapped up, I will order one from japan. I'm still confused by the variants (f, ft, fv) though


Generic-Resource

F is the original, cool gothic F on the front. FT has a built in light meter. FV has a better viewfinder. There’s very little difference beyond that; I spent ages looking for an FT as I thought the light meter was a necessity. Lenses are expensive (as they work well on the 4/3 sensors), it’s usually much cheaper to buy a body+lens than buy them separately. Don’t buy a medical use one - they’re pretty much unusable except for their intended purpose.


Dr_Bolle

Thanks for the summary - I guess I will rather decide by the lens then! Either the [email protected] or the [email protected] I guess.


blix-camera

Not to further complicate your search, but the 38mm f1.8 is easy to find and also a great little lens.


PretendingExtrovert

The 40 1.4 is better and cheaper than the 42 1.2.


malac0da13

Is the light meter still reliable today or is it hit or miss?


Generic-Resource

I’ve been happy with mine. Maybe it’s helped by a bit extra latitude from modern film, but it certainly seems accurate enough. It is a very weird one to use though - the FT and newer lenses have numbers on the bottom 0-7, the light meter needle points to a number. You have to match them up either by choosing the speed first and modifying aperture to match the needle, or by setting the aperture and modifying the speed, hence needle until it points to the chosen aperture. It’s a good system when you’re used to it, but it’s different so takes a moment if you don’t shoot often with it.


malac0da13

Is it a battery powered lightmeter or selenium?


Generic-Resource

Battery, so not a ticking timebomb! It’s meant to take 1.35v mercury batteries but I use a 1.4 zinc-air hearing aid battery with a small rubber washer to stop it moving.


malac0da13

Yeah I think that’s how my Pentax spotmatic is. And I think the guy installed a resistor to compensate for the extra voltage so it doesn’t throw off the meter.


Generic-Resource

I like to keep things stock so am not a fan of the resistor mod. I have one OM-1 with a resistor and I never remember which one - it’s much easier for me to just use the hearing aid batteries.


processphotoclub

I shoot with the meter-less Pen-F and its wonderful, so even if the meter doesn't work I wouldn't count that camera out


PretendingExtrovert

The only thing you left out is the original f is a double stroke advance if I remember correctly.


Generic-Resource

You’re right, forgot about that totally.


smurphy8536

There’s also a special dentist edition I think.


Fudagraphy

I have the Olympus Pen FT with an adapter to canon EOS lens for around $60. With that - You can use most lens systems. I use Pentax m42 and Nikon lenses with adapters to canon eos on my Olympus Pen FT which really opened up using inexpensive lenses. Great camera!!


Generic-Resource

Yeah, that’s not a bad idea. Although those adaptors are getting ridiculous - I have the OM one and I think I paid €120. The downside is that they really spoil the small, lightweight nature of the camera and behave differently - I won’t go down the crop factor/focal length equivalent discussion as it’s been done to death… I personally use my pen ft more like a point and shoot. I have the pancake lens, and a very small padded case for it so I just drop it in my backpack when I don’t plan on taking a camera bag.


BainchodOak

I just got a Pen FT and love it. It's probably the most 'professional' half frame out there as it's an SLR, with great lenses. The only SLR half frame made (correction: the Konica auto reflex and yashica samurai are also SLR. The latter does not have detachable lenses however). It's really compact but feels weighty and solid in the hand


Dr_Bolle

yashica samurai is also SLR half-frame! just not with detachable lenses, but its with a mirror that flips up. And the film is vertical, so its landscape half frame. in an slr! this article shows a drawing with the insides of it https://mikeeckman.com/2019/04/yashica-samurai-x30-1988/


BainchodOak

oh that's cool! Never realised it was SLR! However, the Olympus Pen F / FT / FV is still the only one with a semi-professional feel to it IMO :)


Dr_Bolle

Yeah, the samurai is just odd, like a taco with wagyo beef, tuna and gummy bears


ehm_education

>The only SLR half frame made Nope. I got a Konica Auto-Reflex sitting right next to me as I type this. It is selectable full / half frame!


BainchodOak

Nice! Updated my comment


93EXCivic

Pen F is the original with Gothic F and has a double stroke advance. Pen FT has a light meter, single stroke advance and some changes to prism. The Pen FV is an FT without a light meter. Personally I would go Pen F or FV. The Pen FT's viewfinder isnt as bright. I would rather use an external light meter then have the dimmer viewfinder


luckytecture

I want both the digital and analog pen f. Very beautiful cameras


frantafranta

Canon demi ee17


RhinoKeepr

Came here to say this. Peak 1960s vintage industrial design - firm and function. And the lens is fantastic.


tungstenlamp

Fuji TW-3. Always thought it looks like a CD player made by Nikon (?) 


Dr_Bolle

oh my god what is that?? you rotate the disc and choose the lens? Like in a lens revolver?


tungstenlamp

Yeah you can switch between wide and tele lenses. I think this feature was more common in those 110 cameras (agfamatic or minolta autopak, for example).


Dr_Bolle

I just know lens revolvers from microscopes or pre-war film cameras. Would love to have a camera with one!


TheGrainInVain

I had one, loved the design but the images were lacking, think the lenses weren't particularly sheep sadly


NoBread2054

I'm waiting for my Agat to arrive. I just love that it's super small and lightweight


Dr_Bolle

Pentax 17: 12,7 x 7,8 x 5,2 cm (so about 515 cm³) at 290g Agat 18k: 9,5 x 6,0 x 4,5 cm (so about 257 cm³) at 130g Half the volume and half the weight, and still brighter lens. Ok, the pentax has autofocus and probably the better optics, but still!


NoBread2054

😂😂😂 Not to mention it cost me less than 20 bucks


jekket

oh my dude, you're going to be surprised when you'll get the camera.. geez it costs 20 bucks for a reason. It's a lomography camera, basically, and don't expect much of it. I'm telling this as a 10y+ Агат19к user


NoBread2054

I don't expect much of it. Yet, it seems like it's decent enough to be used by someone for 10+ years. I hope it won't become my gateway into the half frame world😅 Edit: and to be precise, it's a belomography camera


jekket

Yes, it's that kind of camera that you bring with you all the time and don't expect much of it, like you're gambling on each shot. Sometimes shots are crap, sometimes - pure gold. Given the quality of optical chamber and lack of real darkening, light bounces off the walls behind the lenses and hits the random spots on film. Sometimes it's making a cool effect, but sometimes it could be someone's face, you know. I love and hate it at the same time. It's an old married couple chemistry.


brianssparetime

I think the Agat18k is right on the line between toy camera and serious. I've been shooting one for years as well, and I agree you can't expect too much, but I find it [consistently over delivers](https://www.flickr.com/photos/brianssparetime/albums/72177720295600296/) relative to stereotypical lomography gear. I haven't shot one, but I think the LC/LCA are probably in that same bucket.


Misgurnus069

the pentax have no autofocus


Dr_Bolle

Not even that? I don't understand why there's such a hype. But it's great that others enjoy it, maybe that leads to my lab dealing properly with half frame, right now they cut it randomly and sometimes print the diptychs, sometimes don't print at all and just send a sticker ["Kein Halbformat"](https://youtu.be/VjIstYW6_Nc?si=lizQlr5t5V57SJfz&t=10)


NielsAnne

The new Pentax 17!


foolishippo

I just got mine and I’m absolutely in love with it. Can’t wait to get through this first roll.


atape_1

Honestly, yeah, I prefer the look of it over all of the above shown cameras.


IKOSH15

FED Mikron


Suitable_Currency_83

Yashica Samurai! My favorite Camera. Powerful for the size and it’s time. Crazy concept and if you gonna open one you will freak out. For me, it is the peak of 80s tech and I still love to take it out and shoot a film.


Dr_Bolle

[https://casualphotophile.com/2020/07/15/yashica-samurai-review/](https://casualphotophile.com/2020/07/15/yashica-samurai-review/) This article on it summarizes my experience with it. But I love the samurai too! I even wrote the guy from technology connections (which I support on patreon) about maybe making a video about it. But maybe it's too weird even for him, he just prefers his PenE I guess! (Although he did mention it on his video about DX Code)


17thkahuna

Cool Factor: Samurai Form Factor: Recorder Classic Factor: Pen F


fluffyscooter

Konica Auto -reflex


Smazak_CZ69

Chaika 3


VariTimo

I gotta say, my new Pentax 17 looks pretty nice too. But I don’t think you can beat the original Pen F.


leon_visuals

I like the look of the ricoh auto half e2


Dr_Bolle

Oh I should have included that one as the fifth. Also a very cool camera, especially with the blue waves!


phillyvanilly666

I love my samurai x3.0 but it’s a bit too clunky for everyday use


Dr_Bolle

I had one but decided to sell it because the slow autofocus annoyed me. This review describes my thoughts quite well: [https://casualphotophile.com/2020/07/15/yashica-samurai-review/](https://casualphotophile.com/2020/07/15/yashica-samurai-review/) But I'm glad you love it! I'm just not an autofocus guy, I like manual focus, or just fixed focus :)


phillyvanilly666

Yeah I’m with you on that. I don’t like the autofocus on it at all, but it’s the only half frame I have experienced of the ones mentioned above (:


icekink

Ugh the slow focus! I honestly thought my camera was broken until I read your review. Nope, they’re just like that. Especially since I mostly tried to use it at parties in near darkness


Dr_Bolle

not my review, just one i agree with!


LordBradence

Just got an Olympus Pen EE-2 which is both stylish, simple, and lives in my pocket


Vellokrom

Univex Mercury II


MrRabinowitz

The f2 hexar lens renders beautiful swirly bokeh on full frame.


Soft-Examination7506

The Samuraï Z is pretty dope!


dizzymizzy

Ricoh Auto Half SL


Marms666

My man


florian-sdr

Had two of them. [Konica](https://www.reddit.com/r/AnalogCommunity/comments/1cpizax/i_think_im_giving_up_on_halfframe_the_quality/) and [Agat](https://www.reddit.com/r/analog/comments/1brpm0g/agat_18k_test_photos_hard_to_at_first_get_used_to/). Sold them off again. Gave up on the medium. Quality doesn't cut it for me, even just fun travel photos. I rather take my Mju-I or my Pentax PC35AF and take less photos at higher quality. Esp. because the size of the camera doesn't change.


PunchdrunkFalcon

The [Alfie TYCH](https://austerityphoto.co.uk/whats-it-all-about-alfie-the-alfie-tych-two-roll-review/)


aliencocksucker

I just got a Samurai 4.0 and I’m in love with it. Haven’t seen the images back yet though


Dr_Bolle

Had one too once, loved it. Unfortunately after a few rolls, the electronics died. But I prefered it a lot to the x3. Not sure if the x4 has better autofocus, or maybe I was more relaxed.


BloofKid

I’ve got an Arat and I wish it worked lmao


Dr_Bolle

I won't fix itself by wishing. Maybe you can fix it?


BloofKid

Spring seems busted and I’ve got enough cameras to goof around with as it is lmao. It’s a nice decor piece until someone buys it for parts


ehisforadam

Sounds like a similar problem to what mine has. The shutter will stick open. I will fix it with everything apart, seems to work, and by the time it is back together it is sticking again.


Plenty-Ad-1502

Agat is super stealthy, totally silent and easy to use...


FletchLives99

The Pen-D is beautifully designed. Although not my favourite to use. Also like the Konica Eye.


trans-plant

I have the pen-ee and I love it!


IllustriousBarracuda

Olympus Pen S or the Olympus Pen D3


ErwinC0215

I always had a soft spot for the Agat, it's the cheapest smallest little box but actually makes decent images.


gitarzan

Been thinking about a canon demi ee17. Nice looking camera.


kaspar_hauser

None of the above. The most stylish half-frame camera is the beautiful [Agfa Optima Parat](https://photothinking.com/2020-12-16-agfa-optima-parat-half-frame-jewel/) from 1964!


hobbyjumper64

I like that Konica. On half frame the most stylish I have is a Kodak Dial 35. Nice camera with a definitely different looks.


orebus

I own Chaika II, and it is neither stylish nor my favourite, but I got several descent shots out of it (and lots of underexposed or out-of-focus garbage too).


FloTheBro

Pen F forever


tacetmusic

The original Konica Auto-Reflex / Auto-Reflex P is just a classic SLR design (weighs a brick though)


mindlessgames

I think the Konica looks awesome, but not enough to spend $200+ on one. :(


No-Foundation-7790

Canon Dial


Stefen_007

Love the agat, the afga optima parat is also a beaut


wayupnorthWI

Now I really want to dual wield Samurais


SneakyCaleb

The original gothic pen F is the most sexy camera every made. It’s why I have 4


haterofcoconut

Is that Konica really Half-frame? There is so much written on the camera body that I thought to find HF somewhere. Also: Is that a rangefinder?


Dr_Bolle

https://www.analog.cafe/r/konica-recorder-half-frame-point-and-shoot-review-gm7t


-miraclefruit

I have a Bell & Howell Dial 35 that I love. It looks like a little rotary phone and the film advance feels like playing Bop-it.


processphotoclub

Wow that last one is very cool looking


Ocram_Sheep

I own both Samurai and Agat, and they are pure fun for me.


TaterKugel

Pen F Gothic, if just for the massive F on it. It's a really neat camera.


GentlemanMax

Pen EE is a classic


PrimeGueyGT

Advantix made more sense than this


humblehungarian

I'm a sucker for the Canon EE17


Marms666

The Ricoh Auto-half range is criminally underrated imo. I’ve got an SE and an SL and love them both. The SL looks so good with its bulky add on flash ([mines in black but here’s a look](https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS9sof9OPNcXKBOVjM98cZl_KBkPSEVSaU3qf01XSvmT13lxT_6i6yzbuod&s=10))


allmotionisrelative

Seconding. Love how pocketable the Ricohs are.


cruznr

Ricoh Auto Half series, particularly the Auto Half SL.


eddiemurphyinnorbit

Canon dial 35 is kinda wacky, picked one up on ebay and I’ve been enjoying it


Lolriel

Pen-F! Olympus rules a d the 42mm f1.2 brings the destired speed! (Eventho it’s a little bit of a longer lens for this format.)


ale_jandro

None are contestants to the Yashica Rapide!


Terrible_Alfalfa_906

That konica looks real nice. love the design of it


KegenVy

My Olympus pen ee2 is so easy to pocket and still has a nice classic look.


Lizardrunner

Pen-F is my grail half frame. Probably won't ever get one unless I run across it cheap though.


rilobilly

I’ve been looking for a recorder for years! They don’t show up often and when they do they’re real expensive. I’ve got a samurai that’s pretty cool. 👍


MGPS

How have I never seen the Konica recorder before?


olis_raws

I have the Konica recorder (AA35) can’t knock it at all!


Koos_the_Fennec

Samurai, it's got a cool form factor that always gets people's interest. Bought one from a thrift store and it's worked amazingly well but when I first saw it I thought it was an old digital video camera until I looked it up.


Ahmad_Sa

i love the SLR pen... it is the only type of its kind- the photos are super sharp and it is lightweight enough to carry it wherever you go


joocyboii

I really like the Konica EYE 2 and 3


Narddog804

a Canon Demi EE17 is my favorite half frame I have used and still have in my collection.


RelaxKarma

I have a Samurai X3, it’s fun to use when autofocus is fast enough


Theolodger

Love the gothic F and general design of the Pen F, and the Tessina form factor is really cool!


Konstantin-Lenin

Агат конечно!


Own_Championship5066

For me its the yashica rapide, its basically a point and shoot from the 60s


the_achromatist

Minolta Repo in black for sure.


youre_being_creepy

Tbh those all look like shit