Coolest Rangefinder

[TheFlyingCamera]

Contax G2. Best 35mm optics for the money; the Leica f1.4 ASPH lenses may be better, but not enough to justify the price. I'll give up the stop of speed to save myself $2-4K per lens. $4K buys a LOT of 400 speed film . Plus it does just look sexy in its titanium finish with the control wheels on top and the manual focus knob on the front.

 

[OliMonster]

Unless I missed it, I'm surprised nobody's mentioned the Nikon SP. Great looking thing. Shame I'll never be able to justify dropping that much on a camera...

 

[Dismayed]

Wow - what a dorky thread.

A camera can only be cool if it matches you shoes and belt.

 

[graywolf]

Well, since this thread is not limited to format size as was the medium format version, I will add what I consider the coolest camera of all: The 4x5 Linhof Super Technika IV or V with the Zeiss Optima lens set (75mm Biogon, 135mm Planar, & 250mm Tele-Sonnar). They used to advertise it as stopping at nothing photographic short of cinematography. The range of accessories was truly mind boggling.

It is interesting that none of the cameras I have listed, here, or in the other thread (3RF & 1VF), are SLR's. SLR's just have too much shutter lag for me to be truly happy with them.

There are, of course a lot of really cool RF cameras. Some cool for their precision (Leica M2, M3), some for their differences (Robot Royal), some for their compactness (Retina IIa), and some for their junkiness (Kodak 35RF) (examples). The Argus C3 was an Art Deco masterpiece, and may be a winner on that basis.

 

[cliveh]

Wow - what a dorky thread.

A camera can only be cool if it matches you shoes and belt.

http://www.independent.co.uk/migration_catalog/article5121331.ece/ALTERNATES/w380/rodchenko.jpeg

 

[whowantstoast]

Ditto on the Koni-Omega. Wonderful beast that is. I am also in love with the Kiev 4m with the Helios 50mm lens. That camera punches way above its weight class, and there are a ton available for cheap.

 

[hugopoon]

For me, a camera isn't cool unless it's one I'd be happy to use on vacation for 10, 12 hours a day. So right now it's the Ricoh 500G – tiny, great lens, bearable VF and flash sync at all speeds. The last one really makes it a great street shooter at night with a small flash.

For build quality and lasting design (no foam seals to scrape) however, I'd choose the Kiev 4AM with either a 50 1.8 (Helios 103?) or J12 with the Yashica 35/50 VF.

MF, I have yet to decide.

 

[mhcfires]

Leica M2, hands down. Not only cool, but a masterpiece.

 

[T-grain]

Wow - what a dorky thread.

A camera can only be cool if it matches you shoes and belt.

well said! that's why I am proud of my "new" Yashica Lynx 14E- a bit bulky and heavy, but with some amazing lens (not leica glass though), rich in microcontrast....and it's cheap too (actually I got this one for free)

 

[Red Robin]

COOLEST? For my tastes it's a Canon P.The Canon III is nice, my Canon IV is also a nice carry. I do have a 7and a Canon VI-T, but it's the P that I usually have with me. Cool. .. ... and built like a tank, built to last and looks great too! Did I tell you, it takes good pictures also.

 

[kivis]

Oh so cool

 

[choppastyle]

The coolest RF is obviously a FED (I like the 2). It's named after Felix Dzerzhinsky and you can't get cooler than that.

 

[cliveh]

What can possibly be cooler than this -

Dead Link Removed

Only because I haven't got one.

 

[Spicy]

Contenders: M3, Olympus XA, Nikon S2

 

[one90guy]

Another vote for a Argus C-3. And you are left with film money.

 

[deeslexia]

Maybe being saved from being scrapped , with history and continuity across two decades and two ideologies , not to mention a dash of originality , signals a cool rangefinder .

This Contax II was so rough that it was sold as spares .

I sent it to Ukraine where it was rebuilt by the Arsenal Technicians who built the Kiev clones . Generally , the body and shutter etc are orignal 1930s Contax II .
The back is pre-1959 Kiev which fits perfectly , the current lens is a 1980 Jupiter 8 [ Sonnar clone ]

The self timer was removed for a smoothed look .

What was left of the black paint was stripped and the bare metal polished for the overall silver look , textured tan leather completes the camera of 1936-1980 .

That's COOL !

 

[sangetsu]

This one is pretty cool, and it actually takes great pictures.

 

[yokelgibes]

I think Mamiya 7 is the best one

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

If I mentioned it before, I apologize. But I'll put in a vote for the old Kodak Retina II with the 50mm f2 lens. Why not the III? The addition of the built-in meter makes it clunky and big, whereas the meter-less one can be slipped in a jacket pocket.

 

[EASmithV]

Speed / Crown graphic!

 

[Nicolaii]

M5!

 

[2WK]

Another vote for the Mamiya 7ii in black. I dig the blue window
Also a chrome M6 ttl. (because they are both mine!)

I also think the Bessa R3M (black paint) is a very cool looking camera.

 

[Skulls Road]

Kodak Signet 35.

 

[Gerald C Koch]

What about a Bessa R I have a silver one, they take all LTM (Leica Mount) lenses, Black / silver canon's look cool on it, so does any vintage leica glass They can be had for between $200 and $300 with out a lens.
Johnkpap

I have three, they have been my camera of choice for some time now.

 

[nicholai]

The Speed Graphic!