Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/10/10
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]If lens quality is the first concern, which point & shoot will be your best choice? Robert --> The following are worth examining further, depending on budget: Yashica T4 / T5 (with Carl Zeiss Tessar, sold > 10 million units, a reference for value, discontinued earlier this year, surely still available in many places. Inexpensive) Ricoh GR21 ( pocketable, high quality lens, deluxe "toy") Nikon (one model uses ED glass lens design, even the lesser ones are very easy to use with wide-angle lens and beautiful extra large viewfinder, the weak spot of the lower priced Leicas IMO...) Great kid's camera. Contax TVS (and variants) -- Sonnar lens ... All titanium. Leica models like the Minilux are probably still available but they sure have smallish viewfinders ... Konica (some specific models: Hexar is a "classic" beauty, Z-Up 120VP gets me for its industrial design) Samsung (+ Rollei equivalents) are well-made and affordable Minolta used to make an "all weather" 35mm P&S that could be submerged, Weathermatic I think. Good if you ski or if you live on the beach. Flashy yellow design, though. Floatable ? Many other brands are available but these I know and would buy with confidence, depending on true needs. I expect a new Leica model to surface this Autumn that could well be the answer to your hopes, but it's vaporware till it hits the shelves in test markets. A well chosen digital camera could well meet your needs and they sure can make friends with younger users. Canon S20 is small but capable. Models with integrated 3.5" diskettes impress me for their useability factor, Sony mostly. I hope they resolve their identity crisis, v.g. made to look and handle like a camera VS still TV cameras ... Enjoy ! A J Q