Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/06/17

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Subject: Re: [Leica] TID>Minilux Alternative
From: "Gary Todoroff" <datamaster@humboldt1.com>
Date: Wed, 17 Jun 1998 19:38:32 -0700

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