Affortable Rangefinder?

[E. von Hoegh]

Canon made quite a few rangefinder cameras in the early days. At present I only own one rangefinder camera, that being the Canon IIS2. I previously owned the Canon III, and consider both of these to be fine cameras.

Here's a list of those early Canon rangefinder cameras.

Many of these can be found on eBay in excellent condition, and at a reasonable price.

I have a IIb, it's like having a Barnack Leica with a better viewfinder - one window and three(!) magnifications. Lovely little cameras, alas mine is in such nice condition I wouldn't use it for day-to-day walking around with. The build quality of these cameras is superb.

 

[Pioneer]

My recommendation would be to find one of the CV (Cosina Voigtlander) Bessa 35mm rangefinders. They are all great cameras and they are current so you are not trying to work with cameras that are 40 to 60 years old. The Bessa R takes the older threadmount (Leica Screw Mount - LTM) lenses, though Cosina Voigtlander has built new versions as well. The rest, Bessa R2A & M through Bessa R4 use the Leica M (bayonet) mount.

I personally work with the Bessa R, the Bessa R2C (uses the older Contax mount) and the Bessa R2M. They are all great cameras and, if you keep your eyes open, come up on E-Bay as well as the Rangefinder.com forum classifieds, on a relatively frequent basis. Prices are usually around $300 for the Bessa R, and a bit more expensive for the R2 or R3.

Of course there is always the older models of Leica, Nikon and Canon, not to mention fixed lens models that were put out by Kodak, Agfa and others in the 50s, and Japanese manufactured fixed lens versions from Konica and the like in the 70s. All good cameras and all are lots of fun.

Personally, my favorite is the Agfa Ambi-Silette rangefinder that was produced in the fifties. It was known as the "Poor Mans Leica" and has one of the best viewfinders I have ever seen. There were 4 lenses built for it.

Good luck with your search and have fun.

 

[Richard S. (rich815)]

Some cheaper RF cameras I've used that are well built with decent lenses are the Konica Auto S2 and the Ricoh 519. For compactness do not forget the Olympus XA. Great lens.

 

[Lamar]

I've read the Jupiter-12 rear element will make contact with the Bessa internals so that FSU lens would not be an option. I have one I use on my Zorki's though and I like it. At ~$100 avg for a good copy with caps it isn't bad for the price.

To the OP: I just got into RF's a few months ago and decided on Zorki RF's for some of the same reasons of economy you state. I'm an SLR guy and I just wanted to play around with RF's and see how I like them. I didn't, and still don't, want to invest a ton of money into an RF system. I did entertain the thought of getting one of the LSM Canon's but decided finish out my Zorki collection and stay with all FSU equipment. Word of warning about the FSU RF's though. I've purchased 4 Zorkis, one was for parts, one was 100% functional, the other two have slow speed shutter issues and some rear curtain speed issues, but they still take great photos. In my opinion you need to be mechanically minded and able to perform some minor maintenance on these things to keep them working and be able to work around minor problems. That being said, I am told that once these things have undergone a full CLA they work like a charm again. I have contacted Fedka to set up a CLA for at least one of my older ones to see if I can't get it to functioning at 100%.

Links to photos with my Zorki's (lens info on each photo):
'56 Zorki 3S: http://www.flickr.com/photos/9565031@N06/sets/72157642781383815/
'61 Zorki 4: http://www.flickr.com/photos/9565031@N06/sets/72157642780888575/
'71 Zorki 4: http://www.flickr.com/photos/9565031@N06/sets/72157642783363733/

A Bessa R and any of the great FSU lenses would be my recommendation. I love those cameras. Build quality is NOT Leica-like, but they have an excellent meter, are reasonably priced, the shutters go to 1/2000, and the viewfinders are big and bright. Very reliable. Buy this kit and invest in a ton of Tri-X w/ the money you'd save over a Leica.

 

[TeeSquare]

If you're patient, you can get a Nikon S2 with a 50 f/1.4 lens for less than $500.

 

[TheToadMen]

If you're patient, you can get a Nikon S2 with a 50 f/1.4 lens for less than $500.

Please tell me where, I would like one too.
Seems like a very nice camera.

 

[Richard S. (rich815)]

If you're patient, you can get a Nikon S2 with a 50 f/1.4 lens for less than $500.

Yes, where?

 

[darkosaric]

Yes, where?

I will also buy one for that price !

 

[eskyone]

I just took the plunge into the shallow end of the pool after purchasing a bessa t for $202.00. The camera came with a Russian 50mm lens but needed a viewfinder. For under $300 I was operational. Unfortunately I took a few steps more toward the deep end when I picked up a voigtlander 50mm lens. I'm so far really thrilled with the quality of the bessa t.

 

[Richard S. (rich815)]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/16123919685...l?_sacat=0&_from=R40&_nkw=161239196857&_rdc=1

As-is, "final sale no-returns" eBay auctions are not to my appetite at this price point. If it worked for you that's great news.

 

[darkosaric]

---

As-is, "final sale no-returns" eBay auctions are not to my appetite at this price point. If it worked for you that's great news.

On top of that - shipping to US only.

 

[markaudacity]

Canon QL17, Minolta Hi-matic, Olympus 35SP. You can pick one of these up for under 200USD (under 100 if you shop around), and they all have tack-sharp lenses on them.

 

[kintatsu]

I like my Canonet QL17 GIII and my Voightlander Vitomatic II. I've gotten some good stuff, and the Vitomatic was 39 Euros, the Canonet was free. A premium pricetag doesn't always mean the best gear!

 

[Xmas]

Minolta himatic 7s @ 40GBP, needed new foam otherwise Ex condition. Full programme or manual transfer of meter EV reading.

 

[Xmas]

Yes, where?

http://www.peterloy.com/stock-list.php

scroll down...

 

[vpwphoto]

Russian lenses, and Canon LTM. I really liked the P and the VL's aren't bad.
I had a Fed that was good enough too. Although the Canons have various fame lines.


^^^^ also agree the QL17 is a dandy handy camera, nice and sharp.

Warning... Leica CL.. the only camera(s) to let me down. Damn shutter damn the CL to hades!

 

[cliveh]

How about a Retina IIa. I picked one up not so long ago for about £35. It has a Retina-Xenon F2/50mm and is a folder. The only 35mm camera I have that even in it's case fits in my coat pocket.

 

[vpwphoto]

How about a Retina IIa. I picked one up not so long ago for about £35. It has a Retina-Xenon F2/50mm and is a folder. The only 35mm camera I have that even in it's case fits in my coat pocket.

^^^ OP titled thread "Affordable Rangefinder". To me that means under $200, perhaps $60. USD. Those Retinas are almost in Leica territory over at e-bay. Not that they are selling.

 

[cliveh]

^^^ OP titled thread "Affordable Rangefinder". To me that means under $200, perhaps $60. USD. Those Retinas are almost in Leica territory over at e-bay. Not that they are selling.

Well as mentioned I bought mine for £35, which equates to about $59 and I thought cameras were a lot cheaper in USA.

 

[vpwphoto]

Sorry ... I wasn't familiar with the Retina you mentioned... found several on ebay with asking prices well north of what you mention. Sorry... and thanks for the information.

 

[chip j]

Contax G system

A rangefinder with autofocus?? Interesting. How does that work? Sounds like a contradictio in terminis to me.

Google Contax G @ Ken Rockwell. He says the G2 has it all over any Leica.

 

[Muihlinn]

Google Contax G @ Ken Rockwell. He says the G2 has it all over any Leica.

Another gratuitous overstatement from Ken. Sure it's a fine camera with top notch lenses, but all over is a bit unfair, I'd say in pair.

 

[Rolfe Tessem]

The Konica Hexar RF is unloved, but very capable.

 

[Regular Rod]

Surely if low cost is of prime importance and in despite of this, high quality is desired too, then is it not best to concentrate of medium format rangefinder cameras?

AGFA Record III, Mamiya - 6 folding, Zeiss IKONTA 524/2, MOCKBA-5 and so on are not expensive even now and all have very good lenses to deliver high quality results that will compare well with those from more expensive 35mm rangefinder cameras.

RR

 

[GRHazelton]

Voigtlander Vitessa L?

Excellent f2 Ultron, coupled rangefinder with parallax correction, excellent ergonomics - left hand advances film with plunger, right hand focus and shutter, coupled depth of field scale on top panel, flash MXV connector on left hand barn door. Incredible "cool" factor, engendered with plunger, "barn door" lens closure, superlative build/finish quality.

Minuses - (and ALL cameras have them, even the sainted Leicas! Think cloth focal plane shutters and the sun!) Age. Mid to late '50s. My understanding is that any rangefinder work is hideously expensive. That &^%$*I)(*(*& LVS EVS interlock system, although it could be disabled. And who though that a fully removeable back was a good thing? Grrrrrr..... Filters use a sort of bayonet system, which makes them rare and consequently expensive, when available. Same for the "proper" lens hood. Many have a built in selenium cell meter, which may or may not work; in any case rely on your hand held Weston or Norwood Director, to be in "style."

But there are a lot of them out there. Figure about $200 for a decent example. Not a bad price for a true icon.

Still. If a Vitessa L needs shutter work it should be "cheap," comparatively. It is a delightful user. All you need is a '55 Chevy Bel Air convertible to really rock in style.