small tough 35mm cameras

[altanner12]

I'm looking for a camera which can be in my bag or pocket at all times. Being a user of medium format, I have never really looked into what is available on the market.

It must be 35mm.
Smaller than 10cm across would be nice.
Manual is preferred, especially for focus.
Flash isn't necessary, but useful.
Classic or modern (though secretly I prefer classic).
Good quality lens and mechanics a must.
But above all, it must be hard as nails and utterly reliable. Metal bodied especially.

Suggestions?

[another view]

How about a Nikon FM2n or FM3a with the 45 f2.8 P lens? Not sure of the exact dimensions but it's pretty small - and should last about forever. Otherwise there are the legendary Leica M series rangefinders...

[altanner12]

How about a Nikon FM2n or FM3a with the 45 f2.8 P lens? Not sure of the exact dimensions but it's pretty small - and should last about forever. Otherwise there are the legendary Leica M series rangefinders...

I'm just looking for an FM2n at the moment, as you mention. But I'm talking small, proper small small. So when I say I want good optics I really mean acceptable optics. I have a Pentax MX with 40mm pancake lens, which takes great pictures and is tiny for an SLR. I'm talking tiny.

[Dzerzhinski46]

Another option is Voigtlander. Same design concept as Leica, but doesn't cost as much. I have never personally tried one, but I hear that they are acceptable for a Korean copy of a classic German camera. In your case, since you are looking for small, I would suggest that you stay away from SLR. The whole apparatus takes up space, and tends to make the camera bulky. If size is an issue, head for the rangefinder category. On the other hand, if you are not to prejudiced, I might suggest any of the older Canon A or F series. I messed around with an old Ftb once and found it quite nice. Not exactly small, or tiny, but a good solid camera.

Dzerzhinski

[Van A]

I'm looking for a camera which can be in my bag or pocket at all times. Being a user of medium format, I have never really looked into what is available on the market.

It must be 35mm.
Smaller than 10cm across would be nice.
Manual is preferred, especially for focus.
Flash isn't necessary, but useful.
Classic or modern (though secretly I prefer classic).
Good quality lens and mechanics a must.
But above all, it must be hard as nails and utterly reliable. Metal bodied especially.

Suggestions?

How about the Rollei 35? Here's a link:

http://www.rolleiclub.com/rollei/35/...35_cameras.htm

There's a few available at keh.com. Another that comes to mind, although not metal bodied is the Olympus XA. Both of these cameras are classics.

[justpaul]

I'm looking for a camera which can be in my bag or pocket at all times. Being a user of medium format, I have never really looked into what is available on the market.

It must be 35mm.
Smaller than 10cm across would be nice.
Manual is preferred, especially for focus.
Flash isn't necessary, but useful.
Classic or modern (though secretly I prefer classic).
Good quality lens and mechanics a must.
But above all, it must be hard as nails and utterly reliable. Metal bodied especially.

Suggestions?

Two small manual cameras that don't break the bank are the Olmpus 35RC, and the Petri Color 35. Both are reviewed at cameraquest.com. I own the Petri and love it but it is scale focusing where as the Oly is a rangefinder.