best rangefinder to startout with

mehguy · Aug 21, 2015

Ive been trying to collect and use different types of cameras and the rangefinder is next on the list. also looking for a budget friendly unit (20-50 bux). ideas?

ciniframe · Aug 21, 2015

Twenty to fifty dollars? Yes, it's possible, toward the high end of that range. If you don't mind ebay then look for a Ricoh 500G, they are within this price and are a good value for the money. If they are working. Thats the rub you see. Look for a listing with someone who knows cameras and can assure you the camera is working correctly. It has a built in meter but will also operate with out it because the camera is fully mechanical and does not need a battery for the shutter speed and aperture to work.

Paul Howell · Aug 21, 2015

Konica S2 or C35, also sold as Wards other house brands from Sears, Kmart (focal) then Petri, Canon, and for very old school Agus C33.

trythis · Aug 21, 2015

Second the s2.

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jimjm · Aug 21, 2015

There's lots of choices out there - some in your price range, but plenty more if you're willing to go up to $100. As others have noted, the trick is getting one that's in good functional condition. An older RF like a Canonet, Yashica or Minolta may have been sitting in a closet for decades and will need some type of service to bring it back to 100%.

If you buy from the Classifieds here on APUG or on RFF, you stand a better chance of getting a camera from a seller who is knowledgeable about the condition and if the camera has any problems. There's a lot of junk on eBay where the seller claims no knowledge of the condition and sells the camera "as-is".

The Cameraquest site has a good overview of RF cameras here: https://cameraquest.com/com35s.htm

Good Luck!

Chan Tran · Aug 21, 2015

Today used cheap RF's like the Canonet have relatively high price tag. Many are sold for almost the brand new price while the SLR's are dirt cheap.

Sewin · Aug 22, 2015

Chinon 35 EE, great little rangefinder. Just check the light seals

foxhole99 · Aug 22, 2015

I was able to get a Yashica MG-1 35mm Rangefinder for around $20 with shipping on ebay. It works great.

Xmas · Aug 22, 2015

Zorki I or Fed I?

mehguy · Aug 22, 2015

Chan Tran said:
while the SLR's are dirt cheap.

do people only like RFs or what? no love for SLRs?

gzinsel · Aug 22, 2015

SLR's were for the "lite" crowd, like I-pod mini!!!!!!

Xmas · Aug 22, 2015

mehguy said:
do people only like RFs or what? no love for SLRs?

There were more SLRs made, there are more SLRs now, supply and demand controls price.

Some of the early '50 canon rfdr production series ~5,000 Nikon F ~750,000.

Peltigera · Aug 22, 2015

My recommendation would be to go for a German rangefinder. Both Zeiss Ikon and Voigtlander made them and they were well enough engineered to stop be in good nick today. My favourite is my Voigtlander Vito CLR with my Vitomatic a close second. Both have a coupled light meter as well as the coupled rangefinder.

Ko.Fe. · Aug 23, 2015

mehguy said:
do people only like RFs or what? no love for SLRs?

Yes, I like RFs, no love for SLRs.

I would'n take any SLR for free and any RF for 20-50 bucks.

narsuitus · Aug 24, 2015

mehguy said:
"best rangefinder to startout with"

The relatively inexpensive rangefinder film cameras that I recommend are:

1. Argus C3
2. Minolta Hi-Matic 9
3. Canon QL17 Giii

However, I am not sure if they are still available for 20 to 50 Canadian dollars.

Argus C3 by Narsuitus, on Flickr

Rangefinders by Narsuitus, on Flickr

cuthbert · Aug 24, 2015

mehguy said:
Ive been trying to collect and use different types of cameras and the rangefinder is next on the list. also looking for a budget friendly unit (20-50 bux). ideas?

Dear Akira, with this budget is almost impossible to find a decent RF, if you are available to spend more my suggestion is to try to get a GOOD soviet rangefinder (Fed2 or Zorki 6 or 4) with a nice Jupiter 8.

With 80 dollars you should be able to get a decent working camera to start with.

one90guy · Aug 24, 2015

The Argus C-3 IMHO is great camera and can be had for the lower end of your budget. They are very basic and easy to work on, and most will have a decent lens. Good luck in your quest.

David

trythis · Aug 24, 2015

I found the C3 lenses to be very nice but could not manage to shoot correctly with it, my hand and the shutter release were always getting in each others way.

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zanxion72 · Aug 25, 2015

Olympus 35RC is the best to start with. Get a working one and you will enjoy miles of film with great shots.

sagai · Aug 25, 2015

mehguy said:
Ive been trying to collect and use different types of cameras and the rangefinder is next on the list. also looking for a budget friendly unit (20-50 bux). ideas?

FED2 and thereafter you will appreciate any rangefinder

MattKrull · Aug 25, 2015

The only camera I regret selling is the Yashica Minister 700. The contrast patch was dim, but the lens was fantastic. I really wish I'd kept it. Including shipping, I think I paid $60 for it on the big auction site.

mehguy · Aug 25, 2015

cuthbert said:
Dear Akira, with this budget is almost impossible to find a decent RF, if you are available to spend more my suggestion is to try to get a GOOD soviet rangefinder (Fed2 or Zorki 6 or 4) with a nice Jupiter 8.

With 80 dollars you should be able to get a decent working camera to start with.

hahaha... u actually regonized my avatar.

Luis-F-S · Aug 25, 2015

mehguy said:
Ive been trying to collect and use different types of cameras and the rangefinder is next on the list. also looking for a budget friendly unit (20-50 bux). ideas?

Is this budget for a single camera or a collection?

mehguy · Aug 25, 2015

Luis-F-S said:
Is this budget for a single camera or a collection?

a single camera. im not that crazy. u cant buy a huge collection of cameras for 50 dollars.

cuthbert · Aug 26, 2015

mehguy said:
hahaha... u actually regonized my avatar.

Of course I did, it's one of the most emblematic movies of the 80s, in 2013 for the 25th anniversary I went to the cinema to watch it, and of course I've the entire comic collection in colour and B&W.

best rangefinder to startout with

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