Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/06/17
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Best bang for the buck P&S - the Yashica T4! I have had two Yashica T's (one was $25 used and I couldn't pass it up) for several years and just recently bought the T4 for $99 as a factory refurb from my local camera store. It carries the Zeiss 35mm Tessar - an exceptionally good lens with color results that are hard to differentiate from a Leica optic. The earlier T's had fairly limited focus steps, but the T4 seems to zero in on much smaller focus differences. At around $100, you can carry it on your bicycle or out on a boat without feeling like you're risking the family fortune. You don't sweat bullets when handing to a stranger to take a picture of yourself and the family. The detail in the T images is remarkable. I also have a Rollie 35, usually in the glove box and loaded with Tri-X. Found it at a garage sale for only $50 because "it takes lousy pictures," the owner said. Sure enough they really were horrible. Turned out to be a shim out of adjustment that allowed the lens to pull out too far (would have been a good macro if you knew what the focus was). A $30 repair put it in great shape. Best all around "average" P&S - The Ricoh 105 Shotmaster Zoom. Optics are average at most settings, but flexibility as a little travel or party camera is tops. Has 35-105mm zoom with an extra feature - a fixed 28mm setting. Plus the flash is on the right hand side of the camera. With normal vertical composition (right hand on top of camera for most right-handers), the flash is also on top, so you have minimum shadows showing behind people. I bought one 3-4 years ago for my oldest son, who has brought home great 4x6 color prints from all over the place and has also enlarged a few very nice 11x14s. These two P&S cameras have one other great feature - they get *used* all the time! Gary Todoroff