I am thinking about a rangefinder.

[Leighgion]

For that budget, a Bessa seems like where you'd want to be. You get access to Leica M-mount glass should you ever choose to pay the usury for them, but have plenty of non-Leica options.

I should look at those again myself, really...

 

[iamzip]

The Rollei 35RF is just a rebadged Cosina Voigtlaender. I don't think its sold anymore.

 

[jpberger]

If the budget is 3-500 even with a voigtlaender that won't get much more than a body or a lens. For my money one of the really fantastic fixed lens rfs like the olympus 35rc, yashica electro etc would be the way to go. They make really nice take anywhere cameras, so even if you strike it rich a pick up a complete M outfit with gilt trim and ostrich leather accents, you'll still have a handy backup. For all practical purposes the pictures are just as good, and in the meantime you'll have lots of cash left over to buy film or another canon fd lens. RF's are a love it or hate it proposition and while if you hate it you can usually recover the investment, it's still better not to invest to much on an unknown proposition. YMMV

 

[Joachim_I]

When Voigtlander was still a German company, they produced the very nice Vito BR. This would be my suggestion.
JP: I know many M users. None of them uses a camera with "gilt trim and ostrich leather accents."

 

[Rol_Lei Nut]

Just a clarification: Does the OP want interchangeable lenses or not?
That makes a huge difference!

If a fixed 50mm lens is o.k., I'd also add my vote to a Kodak Retina.

For interchangeable lenses, Soviet or Voigtländer seem to be good starting points.
Someone suggested saving and starting with Leica Ms. I disagree: Maybe using a less expensive rangefinder is a vital first step to decide whether rangefinders are one's cup of tea or not. If one get bitten by the bug, then a Leica M is a very good choice (though good arguments can be made for the Zeiss-Ikon as well).
The AF Contaxes, in my opinion, seem to go against the basic premises and philosophy which underly the use of rangefinders in the first place...

 

[mr rusty]

I have a superb retina iiis - the forgotten retina. not a folder, but it has a bright viewfinder and terrific interchangeable lenses - I have 35mm & 50mm which are great and also have a 135, but its really too long IMO and awkward to compose and focus. Upside, its a jewel of a camera. downside its not the lightest! They do have a weakpoint - a cord to connect the meter to the speed/aperture settings - if it breaks you apparently need a knowledgeable expert. (mind you, the OM1 has a cord as well, and no-one comments on those)

 

[elekm]

Kodak A.G. was the former Nagel Camera Werks run by Dr. August Nagel, who at one time had been an employee of Zeiss Ikon and before that had his own camera company that later merged with Contessa Werks.

Kodak bought Nagel Camera Werks. Several other cameras came out from Nagel Camera Werks under the Kodak name, including the Pupille, Ranca, several Vollenda models, the Duo 620 and the Recomars, in addition to the Retinas and Retinettes.

 

[Christopher Walrath]

Hey, Tommy. If you wanna go fixed lens, then I would like to suggest my own 35mm RF. Zeiss Ikon Contina III. EV3-18. 1/500-1 sec and B. f/3.5- (I beleive) 22. Photo cell light meter. Indicator needle on easy to operate dial on top of camera housed on the film crank. Quick and nice camera for little quid to get your feet wet. Leaves about 260-460 to play with if you choose to proceed.

 

[jtzordon]

I went the Bessa R route. I picked up a used one and a Jupiter 8 50mm for under your budget. I'm sure it's not a Leica, but it's been a good little camera.

 

[photomem]

Well then Chris, send me yours to check out. Is it odd that I choose thanksgiving night to show my friends the naked city?

 

[John Koehrer]

Not to contradict anyone. But the Olympus had over 3 dozen rangefinder cameras.
The Pen F, FT and FV were the only SLRs.