best rangefinder to startout with

minolta hi-matic

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?

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Thanks to this thread I buckled down and went looking for another Yashica RF. I picked up a Lynx 5000 for $30cnd off the auction site (from a fellow Canadian, so no annoying duties).
The Minister/Lynx series is neat because they were fully mechanical cameras, the lenses were really good (lower end was 45mm F2.8, mid range was 45mm F1.7/1.8, and high end had the monster 1.4). They all used a leaf shutter, so can flash sync (pc port only, shoe was cold) at all speeds. Some had a 1/1000 shutter speed, which is normal for SLRs, but is really fast for a 60s leaf shutter.

Go for a Olympus 35RC

The Yashica Electro-35 GSN is a great first timer camera with auto exposure and a great f/1.7 lens. For interchangeable lenses, the FED-2 (with a good CLA) is a workhorse that won't let you down. Both of these cameras can be found for affordable prices and aren't too expensive for a CLA. Mark Hama is my go-to guy for my Yashicas. He really knows his stuff.

mehguy said:

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

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I wouldn't know, the only rangefinder I've owned was an M4 and presently own an M6. Unfortunately, more than $50.00. L

Here are a couple of links with good information:
http://mattsclassiccameras.com/rangefinders.html
https://www.cameraquest.com/classics.htm (scroll down to the compact 35's section)

So far, I have found rangefinders come in 2 styles: big and beautiful, or small and fiddly.

If you wear glasses, have big hands, or like the feel of a big solid camera, these are for you (in your price range). They are usually very reliable, most are fully mechanical, and they all have excellent lenses.
Konica Auto S/S2, Yashica Lynx, Yashica Electro35(no manual), Olympus 35SP(most expensive), Canon QL17 (early version with 45mm lens), Minolta Hi-Matic.

If you have small hands, good eyes, like the idea of a compact camera, dont mind compromising on some things, these are for you:
Canon QL17 Giii, Yashica 35CC(no manual), Olympus 35RC (smallest), Olympus 35RD, Minolta Hi-matic 7Sii (most expensive, Minolta Hi-Matic E (no manual), Konica S3 (no manual)

Of these I usually recommend the Canon QL17 Giii. It has full manual, is compact but has a nice bright viewfinder, canon made over a million of them, so they are easy to find.
It is has a really nice fit and finish, giving it a very luxurious feel.

*keep in mind that any vintage camera will likely (50%?) have issues.
The foam seals around the film door will need to be replaced. You can buy kits and do it yourself easily enough.
Slow speeds are 90% likely to be slower than labeled. As you are unlikely to shoot at .25 or slower, this is mostly irrelevent.
Make sure the seller will allow returns.
As soon as you receive the camera, test it fully. Make sure the shutter is quick does not have oil on it. Inspect the lens inside and out with a flashlight. Have a battery ready before the camera arrives. Point the camera at grass or other medium-dark surface at noon and the meter should read about f/16, 1/100s, at ISO 100. Check the rangefinder, make sure at infinity the lens and rangefinder agree. When focussing closer, the rangefinder patch should move immediately and have no 'delay'
Put a roll of film through it asap.

I agonized over this for some time, ended up with a Minolta HiMatic 7s. $35-$75.

It was one of the few Japanese RF's that had an accurate meter, could shoot manually with no batteries, could do full-auto for walkaround, and - big one for me - the meter functions when shooting manually. Lens is 1.8 to 22, shutter to 1/500th.

Many of the Japanese RF's have a lens mount that feels a little loose. Mine tightened up with 3 phillips screws, they're fairly easy to work on. Cleaned the shutter, iris, and RF and it hums like new. New seals and it's good to go. The lens is killer.

On the 7s your aperture/shutter speed selection on the barrel results in an EV number appearing in a window on the lens barrel, so you can judge exposure manually. The needle in the viewfinder displays EV numbers, and to shoot manual with metering, you do have to look through the VF, and then set the shutter/aperture so the EV number matches. Thing does so well on Auto that's my primary use.

Good looking camera, too.



And grabbed some of my favorite "just walking around the city" negs with it...

I came across this Yashica electro35 in a swap meet for about $10. It's kinda busted but worth a fix. It's somestimes a matter of looking

The Yashica's are plentiful and cheap. but.. they are aperture priority exposure only. The battery is discontinued and you need to make/buy an adapter of some sort. And there are some common electronic problems. -But if you find a working one and get the right batter/adapter, they are pretty cool!

Rather than focusing [pun] on a particular camera. Get your hands on each candidate camera and ask yourself

• How does it fit in your hands?
• How convenient are the controls to you?
• How does the viewfinder work for you?
• Do you like the way it focuses?
• How does it fit in your budget?
• How does is feel to you to carry it?

You are the one that will use the camera and you have to be happy with it. Not other people on the internet or APUG with their own predilections and agendas. This is all about you and no one can answer that but you.

When I sold cameras, I made more sales and had more repeat customers when I fit the camera to the person than when a particular model or brand was first chosen.