1st rangefinder recommendations?

[keithwms]

Yes, get a brand new bessa and lens. Used cameras can be great, but... why not support new products if you can afford to do so.

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

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g1 not good for street shooting.
the focus mechanism won't shoot till in focus.

Well, then put it in manual focus! I've done plenty of street shooting with my G1 and G2, and had no problem with getting the images I wanted.

 

[Rol_Lei Nut]

Hi,
If you'd like to try Leica because it is said to be lighter than a SLR, well, I can tell you that a M6 plus 35mm or 50mm lens is no lighter than a Nikon FE2 with similar lenses... or the difference is really hard to feel.

I often take my cameras with me in the mountains or on long-distance walks, so I pay careful attention to weight:

Nikon FE2 + 20mm (Russian) + 35/2.0 + 105/2.5 = 1.579 Kg.
Leica M6 + 21mm (C/V) + 35/2.0 + 90/2.8 = 1.080 Kg.
(and if I add the C/V 15mm, it adds up to 1.274 Kg.)

So while the M6 kit isn't super-light, a half-kilo less weight to carry is far from negligible in many situations.

With a Bessa, the advantage would even be greater.

 

[stradibarrius]

Does the Konica S-2 have inter-changeable lenses?

 

[Pete H]

Well, then put it in manual focus! I've done plenty of street shooting with my G1 and G2, and had no problem with getting the images I wanted.

I have to agree. My best street shots have all come from my G2. AF and hammer that focus lock button - it's placed perfectly for my thumb.

 

[stradibarrius]

Is the Bessa-L a good choice for 1st RF?

 

[Markok765]

Is the Bessa-L a good choice for 1st RF?

Only if you're using the 21mm,15mm,or 12mm lenses. EDIT: With the added finders.

 

[keithwms]

No, I'd say it's not a good choice for your first. It's a specialty piece. It is scale focusing only. Your first RF should have patch focusing IMHO.

 

[3 Olives]

This was $107.50 on ebay from Youxin Ye with a CLA, new shutter curtain, and new beam splitter. This was the last of several Leicas Youxin was selling and it flew under the radar. It's not perfect cosmetically but the VF and RF are crystal clear. Take your time and shop around.

 

[dougjgreen]

Does the Konica S-2 have inter-changeable lenses?

Nope, sorry - just a permanently attached superb 45mm f1.8 Hexanon.

 

[Rob Skeoch]

If I was getting into a rangefinder I would consider the Contax G2 or a Voigtlander Bessa.... most likely the R2M since it has lines for the 35mm and 50mm which are standard fair for many rangefinder shooters. If I felt I had to have AF then I would get the Contax. Either would be a great choice for a first rangefinder.... although the R2M would be a bit more "classic" since it's manual focus and exposure.
-rob

 

[2F/2F]

I'd try a low-end semi-point-and-shoot RF like a Canonet or a Yashica Electro 35. They will give you enough of a feel for RFs to let you decide whether or not you like them at all. Not only that, but you will get some great shots in the process, as the lenses are just fine (and then some).

 

[stradibarrius]

I am looking a 3 different bargain RF's. Canonet Q17, Konica S-2 or Minolta Hi-matic????
Opinions of these three...

 

[dougjgreen]

Which Minolta Hi Matic? My preference is the Konica Auto S-2 followed by the Canonet QL17 GIII. But it depends upon the condition of each. Assuming that they are both 100% working, the Konica has the slightly superior viewfinder and lens, while the Canonet is smaller and lighter and more elegant looking - otherwise, they are very comparable as cameras - with nearly identical features.

 

[andrewc]

Konica Auto S-2. IMHO, even better than the Canonet QL-17 GIII. You can generally find these Konicas for under $50, and they are wonderful - the lens is Leica Summicron quality.

I have to agree. This is a phenomenal camera with a most outstanding lens that, for some reason, sells for relatively low prices. This is one of the cameras in my collection of 150+ that I will never let go of.

 

[Chazzy]

I have to agree. This is a phenomenal camera with a most outstanding lens that, for some reason, sells for relatively low prices. This is one of the cameras in my collection of 150+ that I will never let go of.

What are you using for a battery?

 

[dougjgreen]

What are you using for a battery?

I use 675 Zinc-Air hearing aid batteries in my Auto S-2. I put a #9 Rubber O-ring in the chamber to keep the battery centered. These batteries wear out quickly (typically in around 6 weeks after activation in the dry San Diego climate) but they are also dirt cheap - they sell for around 60-70 cents each in packs of 12 or 18 at places like Costco or Walmart.

The voltage of Zinc Air batteries is a close match for the 625 mercury cells - much better than 625A alkaline batteries.

 

[gerryyaum]

I know you said no Leica but heck they are really coming down in price now and if you end up liking the 35mm range finder format your bound to want one in the future, why buy a cheaper camera your not going to use later? I would suggest getting a Leica and then reselling later (should get a good price) if you do not like working with a range finder.

I shot my M6 today with a 50mm 1.4 lens and just love the thing, it is such a joy to work with. There is also something beautiful about working with the rolls royce (no more excuses, it is up to you to get the shot).

Gerry

 

[stradibarrius]

Mostly cash flow! I just don't want to invest the better part of $1,000 to try a RF. I may very well end up with a Leica but I just bought a Minolta Hi-Matic 7S for next to nothing and I am trying to find a Konica S-2 or a Canonet Q17. these are easy painless ways to test RF's and then if I really like it then I can go the Bessa or Leica route.
I n RF's is glass more important than the body?

 

[keithwms]

Is an RF's glass more important than the body?

I'd say yes of course; the next guy may say, well, my Zeiss Rolleicaflex fits into my hand just right and makes me warm and fuzzy and inspires me to take better pictures just so that I can prove my worthiness of owning it.

Decide for yourself

 

[John Koehrer]

Life is just better if the camera makes you feel warm & fuzzy. Lens quality is the biggest difference.
Put a great lens on an inexpensive body & you have most of the benefit.
What you get in a better body is long term reliability. If you buy a Bessa & like it you can pick up a Leica & keep the Bessa as a second or backup camera.
PS I have no camera with a working meter & would go for M2,M3,M4 series in Leica if you step up.

 

[Chaplain Jeff]

I have 35mm, MF and digital but have been thinking about trying a rangefinder.
I know that Leica's are the Rolls Royce but I just want to give it a try without breaking the bank.
What would you recommend for a 1st rangefinder?

How big is the bank we can't break?


If you just want to see what shooting with RF is like, then get a cheap non-interchangeable lens RF like the Minolta 7s / 7sII, etc. It will give you a feel for what it's like to shoot RF vs. SLR.

But if you're wanting the FEEL of shooting a "Leica-type" RF, they are in a diffferent class than the little cameras you can pick up for $15 on ebay and at thrift stores. You can try a "clone" (Canon, Minolta, USSR, etc,) but even that is not the same - so just save up and get a Leica.

The nice thing is that it won't go down in price (much, if any) if you decide you don't like it. Get a cheap user M body and a Summicron and either shoot sunny 16 or clip on a meter. Doing so, you will again remember what is like to actually TAKE the picture - no matrix metering, no aperture preferred, no nuthin' but you and the all brass, tougher-than-nails / nigh indestructible camera. THAT's the joy of shooting Leica RF - and you don't get it from new, plastic wannabe's or "lesser" clones.

Just get it. You'll love it. And if you don't - you can always sell it for what you paid for it.

 

[dougjgreen]

f you buy a Bessa & like it you can pick up a Leica & keep the Bessa as a second or backup camera.
PS I have no camera with a working meter & would go for M2,M3,M4 series in Leica if you step up.

Why would you use the lesser camera and keep the better, more useful one as a backup?

 

[Rol_Lei Nut]

Why would you use the lesser camera and keep the better, more useful one as a backup?

<Rollei Nut remains silent and just tosses a dead fish under the bridge for someone to chew on....>

 

[Robbedoes]

If you are in for a real small rangefinder you can look on Ebay for a Minox III or a Minox B.
I bought both some years back and send the to Dave Goldberg of Dag Camera repair for CLA.
I’m now shooting with much pleasure, develop my 8x11mm films in a Minox Day light tank and make enlargements with a Minox enlarger.

Some call me a stranger but I really like this stuff.

Robert

The netherlands