I am wanting to get a 35 mm film camera to use when I don't want to use my ni.kon slr or dslr. I am considering a 35 ti or a Contax point and shoot. Are there any others I should consider?
I'm in the lucky position of having used almost all the high end compacts that were available when these were current (I worked in a camera shop for several years when I was a student)
The 35 Ti was a really nice camera. They also had one with a 28mm lens.
Just under that, the Ricoh GR1s. Very nice.
But for my money you couldn't beat the Leica minilux with the fixed 40mm lens. I loved that camera. SO sharp.
If you want to go cheaper, the Olympus MJU 2 was a nice little camera. 2.8 lens, weather proof, sharp. Or a Ricoh R1.
I shoot 99% of the time with my Ni.kon D70s, but I can't seem to get rid of the Leica Minilux that I used before that. It's a rare day when I get it out, but I occasionally like to load up some B&W and take it for a spin. Great lens, great little camera. I imagine the prices are attractive these days, as well.
Canonet 17 is a darn fine camera. Has shutter speed priority, fast and fool-proof film loading, they are easily found for <$100, and people know how to repair them.
Only negatives are: still 35mm (med format has better IQ, of course), battery takes some working around, and ASA rating only goes to 800.
I have used the Leica M cameras for years and still love them. My father gave me his M3 30 years ago, along with a 135 and 50 lens. I traded that double stroke early body for a single stroke 1959 body, and bought a used dual-range 50mm summicron lens, along with a s5mm summaron lens. ince then, I've added an M4 body and a 35mm summicron lens, plus a 21mm Voigtlander.
Although I also use a Canon DSLR and a Pansaonic Lumix pocket-size digital, depending on the occasion, when it comes to film cameras, nothing beats the Leica for compactness, smoothness, quietness, durability, ease of use, comfort, and great picture taking. And the lenses are the best in the world, in my opinion. There is no internal meter until you get to the M5 model (which is a bit clunky, actually; if you want an internal meter, start with the M6). However, I use either a Leica MR meter atop the camera, or my hand-held Sekonic L308, which is extremely compact and can be operated with one hand. I also use my brain instead of an external light meter, which works just fine most of the time.