On Sat, 28 Jan 2006 18:18:31 -0800, pegguru wrote:

I'm looking for a small camera to take with me on the road (line haul
trucking, to be exact). I might take my digital (I know, anathema to
this group), but I'd just as soon take a 35mm camera.

I'm aiming for general use - some landscapes, some people, whatever
catches my eye when I'm NOT behind the wheel. Think of it as a PJ
exercise.

Ideally, it should fit in a coat pocket and not weigh too too much.
I'm considering a new Voigtlander or perhaps a used G1 or maybe a used
Rollei 35 (I had one once and love it, but it died when I dropped it),
but I'm not set on anything. I just want to be able to have a chance
at catching those memorable images that pass me by.

Suggestions? FWIW, I hate non-standard batteries (I managed to buy AA
batteries in the middle of nowhere in Uganda - try that with something
nonstandard) and love manual settings.

If you're looking for a really small, all mechanical, manual 35mm SLR --
"standard" battery only needed for the meter -- the smallest one I know of
is the Olympus OM-1. Been discontinued for years, but if you can find a
low mileage one, it might just fit your criteria. I have a friend who
bought his along with 3 lenses in the late '70s. Still using it. No
complaints. If you have doubts because of its age: The OM-1 was made to
measure up to the standards of the professional photographer. So, it's
durable with excellent lenses and accessories, including a motor drive,
all equally small and well-made just like the camera. Plus, UPI (United
Press International news agency) considered it good enough and of
significant advantages to replaced all their Nikon equipment with them.

A little larger, but a good, all manual, all mechanical choice would be
the Nikon FM2 or FM2n, both of which discontinued along with their
replacement FM3. I'd stay away from the original FM model. It is so old
-- 25+ years -- that if it breaks, you can't get parts anymore. I
have two broken bodies that I use as paperweights. (They're too light to
use as doorstops. ;-)) Although, I still have left a well-worn, but
functional one, purchased new in 1978 and used professionally for 20 years
before retiring it, that I use with a Sigma 24-70 f3.5/5.6 lens as a
glorified point-n-shoot.

As to Voigtlander: I've tested the Bessa R rangefinder model and found it
satisfactory. About the same size as the FM body. It's no Leica, but it
is well-made and the optics are very good. My only complaint was the
film advance had more drag than I was accustomed to compared with my
Nikons or a Leica M4 I borrowed for comparison purposes, but it wasn't
overly objectionable. Film wasn't scratched, so I assumed it was just the
advance mechanism itself that was causing the drag. Metering was
excellent. I was impressed. Better than my Nikon FM2n. Exposures never
varied more than 1/3 or so stop from what my Gossen Luna Star F
incident meter and 30 years of pro experience indicated the "correct"
exposure should be. If you decide on this camera, this place has good
prices and lots of info: http://www.cameraquest.com/

As to the Rollei 35: It was a good little camera. Almost bought one.
But it has become a collectors' camera. Good ones are outrageously priced.

Have no experience with the Contax G series other than by reputation.

Good luck with your search.

Stef