35mm Rangefinder suggestions

[André E.C.]

Please yourself with one Yashica 35 GSN, excellent meter and superb optic!

Cheers

André

 

[Lee L]

Without some more specific parameters for what your needs and wants are, I suspect we'll keep going until nearly every extant rangefinder has been mentioned.

That said, here are my comments.

I've used and sold a number of Canonets over the last 30 years. I've not seen or heard of a dog (or a mediocre lens) among them from friends or customers, as long as they are decently cared for. The 40mm f:1.7 I have now rivals the Summicron 50 and 40's that I've used for over two decades for contrast and resolution, especially at mid apertures. So I can't see it as performing poorly relative to other good glass from Yashica, Konica, Olympus, or others. I'd check those bad samples for poor service, fungus, etc. The QL film loading system on the Canons is very nice. I miss that in SLRs after trading my FTb's.

I'm with rbarker in recommending the current and recently discontinued offerings from Cosina Voigtlander, the Bessa R, L, T, R2, R2A, and R3A. There's a lot of good information on them at cameraquest.com, so read that carefully and see if any strike your fancy and fit your working style. Their lenses are very fine performers, especially at their prices.

I also like the Agfa Isolette and Record III that I have. Smaller and lighter than an SLR, and fit in a large pocket when folded, plus the larger negative is a big positive. I use them with a Gossen Digiflash meter that's small, fast, and accurate.

Lee

 

[Woolliscroft]

I tried the Canonet (GIII QL 1.7) and I wasn't too happy with it. I can't quite figure out why this seems to have become a cult camera. The images were light in contrast. Recently I started using a Kodak Retina IIIc and have been much happier with it. It is smoother in operation and the quality of the negs is much more superior that those coming out of the Canonet... crisper and more contrast Unfortunately, the Retina is heavier.

As (almost) always, I agree with Gnashings. You may have had a duff one, because this has not been my experience over decades with two different GIIIs. That said, no camera suits everyone, so go with what you are happy with.

David.

 

[BrianShaw]

... You may have had a duff one, because this has not been my experience over decades ...

David.

Yup, there's a possibility that mine isn't performing optimally. At first I was quite pleased with it (I bought it for 'really cheap' at a thrift shop about a year ago)... but became less pleased with the neg quality the more I used it. Maybe something has jiggled loose. After getting the Retina I gave up any thoughts of checking out the focus or rangefinder alignment. Maybe that can be a winter project for me! The one thing I REALLY liked about the Canonet was the light weight. I generally travel with a Nikon F-3 and motordrive, couple of extra lenses, etc, etc.

Brian

 

[rbarker]

 

[gnashings]

Without some more specific parameters for what your needs and wants are, I suspect we'll keep going until nearly every extant rangefinder has been mentioned.

I had a pretty good laugh when I read this, as it was the exact thought going through my head

BUT,

I then realized... ITS FUN! Lets admit it guys:

"Hi, my name is Peter and... I like talking endlessly about cameras, even if it serves no particular purpose."

Everyone say:"Hi Peter..."