5 Sub $200 USD 35mm RFs w/ Lightmeters: "Poor Man's Leicas"

cooltouch · Jan 16, 2017

Like you, I'm quite fond of Canon FD glass (and several FL models also) and I've noticed some price increases on some focal lengths. But they've remained relatively soft with others. Heck, speaking of 50mm f/1.8 FD lenses, I've got a couple of nice old breechlock ones I practically can't give away. I've mounted one on an AT-1 -- a nice little manual-only camera -- just to increase the chance of selling the camera, but I'm still not having much luck. So I'd have to say that you can still pick up 50/1.8 FDs for next to nothing. Using eBay as a source, the prices are still soft on the 50/1.4s as well.

Visually Conscious · Jan 25, 2017

Ugh damn, I just made a thread asking about this. I use to owe a Canon Canonet QL17 GIII but I noticed after months of constantly using it that it started to break down on me. In the end, is it worth it buying these or saving up for a Leica?

Theo Sulphate · Jan 25, 2017

I have two M3's and two M6's and while I use them less than my other rangefinders, I will say that one advantage is the clear viewfinder and bright, sharp rangefinder patch that makes focusing effortless. Operation of the Leicas is very smooth.

...and there are the lenses, too, in their favor.

Trower · Jan 25, 2017

I would throw in the Yashica Lynx 14e. It's a fully manual rangefinder with metering.

Has a killer 45mm f1.4 lens, though the camera is quite big! The shutters are a nice quiet copal, but a lot of them are sticky. It's an easy fix, as is the metering adjustment.

You can find them for quite cheap and could fix one yourself, or send it away and still be under 200.

Would get my vote!

Russ - SVP · Feb 18, 2018

Russ - SVP · Feb 18, 2018

faberryman · Feb 18, 2018

Do any of these RF accept diopters for the viewfinder?

Russ - SVP · Feb 18, 2018

faberryman said:
Do any of these RF accept diopters for the viewfinder?

Not that I am aware of.

polka · Feb 19, 2018

If you need it, go with your camera to your optician (who sold you your glasses) make him find the exact diopter correct for your viewfinder and sight, and order that lens in the adapted size. I did it for some of my cameras, it was relatively cheap and very convenient.
Polka

Sirius Glass · Feb 19, 2018

faberryman said:
Do any of these RF accept diopters for the viewfinder?

I solved the problem by wearing contact lenses when I use any camera, slr or range finder.

rangefindersreviews · Feb 19, 2018

I try many of them but love canon rangefinders, one of the best Brand <3

cliveh · Feb 19, 2018

cooltouch · Feb 19, 2018

Cool. I have an Oly Trip.

Helios 1984 · Mar 3, 2018

faberryman said:
Do any of these RF accept diopters for the viewfinder?

A while ago, I've seen a Leica with an odd looking diopter attachment. It was mounted on the shoe and reached all the way to the eyepiece, a simple device which could be replicated (Tinkered) for rangefinders which don't have a mount for eyepiece attachment.

nosmok · Mar 3, 2018

That Vivitar 35ES is virtually a clone of the Konica Auto S3, at a third the price or less (IIRC consensus is that Cosina built both cameras). I have had both and there's not a dimes worth of difference in the images. In fact I may still have the 35ES-- I have kind of given up on cameras with batteries though. Of this sort of camera, is the Minolta HiMatic 7sII the only one with a full manual shutter, ie more than 1 speed without a battery? I seem to remember that too.

blockend · Mar 5, 2018

Did anyone mention the Kiev 4? It has a light meter and interchangeable lenses.

zanxion72 · Mar 5, 2018

cliveh said:

Awesome one!

Russ - SVP · Mar 6, 2018

cooltouch said:
Cool. I have an Oly Trip.

I have yet to play with one of those.

Ko.Fe. · Mar 6, 2018

blockend said:
Did anyone mention the Kiev 4? It has a light meter and interchangeable lenses.

Well, even Canon FD and 5D was mentioned here.

OP was just starching surface with Google search with clueless statements about M6 anyway.

So, I'll drop FED4 and FED5 here.
And where are FED Mikron-2 and FED-35.

And who knows how many old and not so German cameras with RF and meter.
All are under 200$. And might still work. Just like OP SLRs.

blockend · Mar 6, 2018

Ko.Fe. said:
Well, even Canon FD and 5D was mentioned here.

Yes, I sometimes bet myself how many posts it'll take until someone completely fails to answer the OPs question.

TheFlyingCamera · Mar 6, 2018

There was also a Mamiya RF with a 50 f1.5 lens. I could be off on the lens specs - I have one of them, have never used it because it takes one of those funky mercury batteries that are hard to find replacements for.

sabredog · Mar 6, 2018

Kiron Kid said:
I have yet to play with one of those.

Grab one and have a play. You will not regret it. Plenty for sale still with prices steadily going upwards.

Often you can buy a real cheap one that the seller advertises as not working. Nine point nine times out of ten a camera tech can put it to rights quickly and inexpensively.

Russ - SVP · Mar 6, 2018

sabredog said:
Grab one and have a play. You will not regret it. Plenty for sale still with prices steadily going upwards.

Often you can buy a real cheap one that the seller advertises as not working. Nine point nine times out of ten a camera tech can put it to rights quickly and inexpensively.

sabredog said:
Grab one and have a play. You will not regret it. Plenty for sale still with prices steadily going upwards.”

I’ll do that.

ArtScar2 · Mar 8, 2018

Own Olympus SP, RD, RC and XAs. Good cameras all, but the RC is the one that shocked me the most. I have a print that I thought was made from my Fujica 6x9, until I found the negative for it. I was stunned. Plus as others said, it feels sturdier than the SP.
For me though I am most comfortable with the XA because it was my first camera. No substitute for experience.
My favorite is the Fuji G690BLP. Also have 2 Yashica Electros, a very capable camera.
The main thing is I slow WAY down with these, so my shooting is different than say Gary Winogrand and such. Shooting style will make or break your camera choice.
More than relative sharpness I believe.

Russ - SVP · Mar 10, 2018

ArtScar2 said:
Own Olympus SP, RD, RC and XAs. Good cameras all, but the RC is the one that shocked me the most. I have a print that I thought was made from my Fujica 6x9, until I found the negative for it. I was stunned. Plus as others said, it feels sturdier than the SP.
For me though I am most comfortable with the XA because it was my first camera. No substitute for experience.
My favorite is the Fuji G690BLP. Also have 2 Yashica Electros, a very capable camera.
The main thing is I slow WAY down with these, so my shooting is different than say Gary Winogrand and such. Shooting style will make or break your camera choice.
More than relative sharpness I believe.

5 Sub $200 USD 35mm RFs w/ Lightmeters: "Poor Man's Leicas"

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