I am thinking about a rangefinder.

photomem · Nov 26, 2009

As a college student, January is money time. Start of a new semester brings a check from Financial Aid. I dearly love my Canon AE-1 and carry it everywhere, but I am thinking about a 35mm rangefinder to add to what Donna calls "The Fleet."

I cannot afford a Leica, and was thinking about an Olympus Pen. What do you guys think and can you offer some suggestions on any other good rangefinders that I will not have to sell my Dog to an animal testing lab to pay for.

removed-user-1 · Nov 26, 2009

The Contax G1 is available for much less than a Leica and is a much more recent model than the Olympus Pen series (which are actually half-frame cameras and are SLRs as far as I know). Maybe others here have more information on the Contax - I've never owned one. Voigtlander (Cosina) also offered the Bessa series of 35mm rangefinders, the Bessa T and some other models. Here's some info on the 35mm Voigtlanders.

Or you could go for an Argus C3! It has a 50mm lens as standard (but other lenses were available). I recently saw one on Craigslist for $15.

photomem · Nov 26, 2009

I just found out that my prof. was wrong when he said that the PEN was a rangefinder.

I will check out the Contax. Might be fun to have a camera I know nothing about!

removed-user-1 · Nov 26, 2009

There were two G-series Contax rangefinders - the G1 and the G2 (logical, yes?). You also see G1s that have been modified to accept the 35mm and 21mm lenses that were released with the G2 but don't fit the original G1, which had 28mm, 45mm, and 90mm lenses. I think there was a zoom as well, and there was a 16mm ultrawide (that one is really expensive). The optics are supposedly excellent and KEH has them for reasonable prices. If I shot enough 35mm to justify it, I'd love to have the 35mm and 90mm lenses and a G2.

John W · Nov 26, 2009

Also consider the various options for older Leica bodies, and newer Voigtländer (recent, Cosina-made) bodies and lenses. Depending on the models, these are either LTM/LSM (Leica Thread Mount/Leica Screw Mount) or M-mount. LTM lenses will work on M-mount bodies with a simple adapter for the lens; many used copies sell with an adapter included.

This can be a great way to get a sense of the Leica working style, without committing to the Leica price point. Also, there are some exceptional and unusual variants in the line, such as the R4A/R4M bodies with a very wide-angle viewfinder; the framelines start at 21mm, and the R3A/R3M bodies with a 1:1 VF -- no magnification for outstanding two-eyed shooting. And a bunch of interesting lenses...

Tons of info on the Voigtländer stuff available over at www.cameraquest.com.

Erik Petersson · Nov 26, 2009

I am very happy with a couple of soviet rangefinder, but you should get one that has recently been cleaned and tested. Some of these do not work at all. They are cheap and have very nice lenses, at least for black and white. The viewfinder is worse than Leica's.

Rol_Lei Nut · Nov 26, 2009

photomem said:
I will check out the Contax. Might be fun to have a camera I know nothing about!

Not being an autofocus fan, in my opinion the Contax Gs are out of consideration just for that reason.

Word had it that the autofocus on the G1 was dodgy to say the least and the even G2 has it critics in that respect.

My own suugestion would be a Zorky 3 or 4 (Soviet Leica "copy").
If you get a well-working one from a good source, they can be very nice indeed!
(And cheap!)

Rol_Lei Nut · Nov 26, 2009

Erik Petersson said:
I am very happy with a couple of soviet rangefinder, but you should get one that has recently been cleaned and tested. Some of these do not work at all. They are cheap and have very nice lenses, at least for black and white. The viewfinder is worse than Leica's.

RE: Viewfinders... It depends on which model.
The Zorky 3 & 4 series viewfinders are *much* better than Leica LTM viewfinders in all respects.

mablo · Nov 26, 2009

Consider a nice Canon P. They move in range of appr. 200-250 USD. I like it better than a M2. It takes M39 so you can use FSU lenses. You can buy an unused Jupiter-8 lens for 50 USD from Moscowphoto/eBoy.

Erik Petersson · Nov 26, 2009

Rol_Lei Nut said:
RE: Viewfinders... It depends on which model.
The Zorky 3 & 4 series viewfinders are *much* better than Leica LTM viewfinders in all respects.

Interesting. I was referring to my FED, that has a viewfinder that only works with 50mm lenses. It is true that the Kiev4s are much better. Still only for 50mm. Have not tried Zorkys, probably should.

Rol_Lei Nut · Nov 26, 2009

Erik Petersson said:
Interesting. I was referring to my FED, that has a viewfinder that only works with 50mm lenses. It is true that the Kiev4s are much better. Still only for 50mm. Have not tried Zorkys, probably should.

Apart from the Leningrad (and maybe the very rare Drug), all the Soviet viewfinders are 50mm only.

But the later Zorkys have big, bright ones containg the rangefinder patch (probably very similar to the Kiev's).

davela · Nov 26, 2009

Canon P or similar Canon (like the VT, VI-L, 7, etc). A more modern choice is the Voigtlander Bessa R. The essence of the rangefinder is a small, light, all-mechanical camera with superb lenses.

Alan W · Nov 26, 2009

photomem said:
As a college student, January is money time. Start of a new semester brings a check from Financial Aid. I dearly love my Canon AE-1 and carry it everywhere, but I am thinking about a 35mm rangefinder to add to what Donna calls "The Fleet."

I cannot afford a Leica, and was thinking about an Olympus Pen. What do you guys think and can you offer some suggestions on any other good rangefinders that I will not have to sell my Dog to an animal testing lab to pay for.

Kodak Retina's are cheap and plentiful and being folders are very pocket friendly.Also the kreuznach lenses are top notch.I bought a CLA'd IIIc recently for $66 dollars and carry it everywhere.The viewfinder itself is a little on the dim side and correcting for parallax takes some practice on close ups but the contrast and sharpness of the lens makes up for any "problems" I've encountered.

agfarapid · Nov 26, 2009

photomem said:
I just found out that my prof. was wrong when he said that the PEN was a rangefinder.

I will check out the Contax. Might be fun to have a camera I know nothing about!

Contax might be a bit pricey. Look at the Voigtlander/Cosina products. You might be able to get a used one for under $300. Not knowing what your price range is, it's a bit hard to make specific recommendations. Try to go for a model that's not too old. Also, check out rangefinderforum.com; it's a great place to find out all about rangefinders. Good Luck!

gerryyaum · Nov 26, 2009

I know you said you could not afford a Leica. I would suggest thou you wait till you can afford a leica and then purchase it. M6 bodies are currently selling on ebay for 1000-1500...M4-Ps cheaper....lots of Leica options. If I was you I would save for a Leica, then save for the lens one by one. It is much better to buy and use the best, the camera feels different, is more mechanically reliable and has the finest optics. I recently bought Leica M6 bodies and now am purchasing a series of fast lens 50mm f1.4...28mm f2 and now saving for a 35mm F1.4. Do it slowly and in stages.

Joe Grodis · Nov 26, 2009

I own what some may say as a "Boat load" of range finders. If cost is an issue take a look at the Zorki's. The Zorki-6 is a fairly modern all mechanical range finder that is easy to use and isn't a bottom loader. Bottom Loaders can be a Royal pain to load. If you want a Leica look and feel the Zorki-3 is pretty darn close. I bought a Zorki-3 about 4 years ago in like-new condition which isn't that all hard to find. I'd have to say the Zorki-3 is best for a classic look and feel where the Zorki-6 is more utilitarian. My personal favorite cheap range finder is the Zorki-3 it's built very well and is easy to maintain. I have mine all done up with Leica glass, finder, and sweet little Leica-M light meter. A like-New Zorki-3 can be purchased at Fedka.com for about $139 USD.

Christopher Walrath · Nov 26, 2009

Tommy's got G.A.S. Is there a doctor in the house?

keithwms · Nov 26, 2009

A G2'd G1 is perhaps the most outrageously good deal on the market. However it is not a manual rangefinder, and that may or may not matter to you.

An original XA (not the XA2 or later) might be a very nice, compact intro to the manual RFs. I can tell you that two kids, aged 9 and 12, received them very enthusiastically and consider them to be the coolest accessory ever.

How about a medium format folder....

Joe Grodis · Nov 26, 2009

Alan W said:
Kodak Retina's are cheap and plentiful and being folders are very pocket friendly

I almost forgot about the legendary Retina!! I think this is the only Kodak camera that is German made? I have a Retina IIa (Type 016?) that completely amazed me with it's B & W contrast and resolution. The Retina IIa is an amazing little camera that is the easiest one to tote along. I've actually enlarged photos from this little gem up to 20" & 30" that looked very good.
On the down side it is a fixed lens camera.

frank · Nov 26, 2009

leica cl's can be had for $300-400 these days. they often have a non-functioning light meter, so just treat it like a meterless camera. you CAN afford a leica. pm me if interested.

removed-user-1 · Nov 26, 2009

I had also forgotten about the Retina... I almost bought one once at a flea market for $10... I do not recall the model but it did have a Schneider lens.

iamzip · Nov 26, 2009

It's hard to make a recommendation without knowing what price range you are looking in. Are you looking for something really cheap (around $50)? Then look for an old Japanese fixed lens RF, like a Fujica compact deluxe or a Canonet. Got some more to spend? Many people are quite pleased with the modern Voigtlaender Bessa cameras made by Cosina of Japan. These are interchangeable lens cameras which use the same mount as Leica, so you could buy a Bessa body and lens, and then late you could buy Leica glass for it if you want.

photomem · Nov 26, 2009

Thanks for the suggestions. I have been busy cooking Thanksgiving Day dinner. Have a pound of Bacon frying right now to make Colcanon. I am looking to spend between 300-500.00. Only thing I would really like to have is auto exposure, if possible. However, an added light meter would work just as well.

FilmOnly · Nov 26, 2009

...many fine suggestions here...now you have me thinking rangefinder (again). I admit that I look at those Bessas at the cameraquest site about every month or so. Too bad they no longer offer the R3A in gray. That would be the one I would want.

dpurdy · Nov 26, 2009

If I was going to shoot 35mm I would get one of these:
http://www.rollei.jp/e/pd/35RF.html

I am thinking about a rangefinder.

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