I need a Rangefinder

stevco · Mar 24, 2010

Hi,
I need a camera for general casual purposes, a camera that is small, light and has quick and good lens, and also a cheap one with fixed/changable lens, and also accurate meter and with batery (or not disctontinued one)

Over many reviews i got down to several models:

Yashica electro 35 (gsn)
Minolta hi-matic 7s (II)
Canonet ql-17 (III)
Konica auto S2/S3
Olympus 35 RC/SP

So, Konica and Olympus might be the best light/small/good cameras, while many people says that Yashica might be the best for quality and money, but it's a bit larger and havier and closer to my Minolta SRT 101 which is really heavy for everyday.

Does someone here sell (or knows someone that sell) some of theese models or might recommend me another models

Thanx,
Stevco

Brian Legge · Mar 24, 2010

I just went through this recently and picked up several.

Try to get your hands on models you are interested in before making a decision. The size difference alone could make a big difference in when you want to carry one around. Also be sure to check out the rangefinder patch brightness before buying a specific model.

Do far I've shot with the Canonet 17 and the Olympus 35DC. I have a Lynx 14 awaiting light seal work but the extra bulk of it will definitely impact when I decide to use it.

At least around here, I see more Canonet 17s and Yashica gsns than other models. I also find lots of Olympus models, but very few manual ones. I haven't seen an RC or 7sII yet.

Edit: Aside from big differences like camera scale or specific features that are important to you, the condition of the camera will likely have a bigger impact than the model. Unless you specific want a project camera, you might focus more on camera condition than model. Don't underestimate the size part of it - for me as part of the appeal of a rangefinder was something smaller than a SLR with a 50mm 1.8 lens. The Canonet size camera was a better fit for me than the Konicas for that reason alone.

stevco · Mar 24, 2010

Brian,
thanx for answering.
You are right that for trying some of them first, also it's more safe that way.
The problem is that I barelly can't try a rangefinder (this models) here in Macedonia, because i really don't believe that someone have some of them, it's quite rare here. Because of that i search over internet, ebay etc..

mablo · Mar 24, 2010

Yashica Electro 35 is perhaps easiest to get, but unfortunately they tend to be broken (PAD etc.) because of age and the camera is quite costly to repair. If you find one that's in good shape it's a good camera with which you can make wonderful photos. You need a battery adapter of some sort. In my view Canonets are usually overpriced for their looks and coolness factor. Konicas are great cameras but quite rare and popular, so pricy. My first pick would be Olympus RC. It's relatively cheap, pocketable, lens is good and it can be used manually as well as in automatic mode. You can use a 1,4V cheap hearing aid (zinc air) battery in it.

nsurit · Mar 24, 2010

Olympus XA is light, clamshell design, great lens and flash available. Choice of apertures. I've printed 16X20 from scanned negatives. That is not too bad. Bill Barber

Jeff Kubach · Mar 24, 2010

I have a Konica S2 which works great. I highly recommend it.

Jeff

stevco · Mar 24, 2010

Jeff Kubach said:
I have a Konica S2 which works great. I highly recommend it.

Jeff

I could buy KONICA S2 from ebay, but the shutter wasn't working. I've also heard that it was a bit hard to found really working Konica s2..?

Zuikopath · Mar 25, 2010

I have also been through this recently.

It's difficult to recommend which one would suit you best - it's quite personal. All of these will take good pictures, some are very small and compact (Olympus 35RC), some are quite large (Auto S2, Electro 35) so that may help make your decision.

If you can find one cheaply, I would recommend the Olympus 35RC - it's fairly easy to find one available, very compact, has a great lens and will work without batteries if you get one with electrical problems.
I liked mine so much, I bought a second one...!

fotch · Mar 25, 2010

I have a couple Minolta H-Matic F and a Minolta 7s, one was CLA by Greyhound Man. I have not used them yet but my immpresion is they are very serviceable and good cameras.

stevco · Mar 25, 2010

Zuikopath said:
I have also been through this recently.

It's difficult to recommend which one would suit you best - it's quite personal. All of these will take good pictures, some are very small and compact (Olympus 35RC), some are quite large (Auto S2, Electro 35) so that may help make your decision.

If you can find one cheaply, I would recommend the Olympus 35RC - it's fairly easy to find one available, very compact, has a great lens and will work without batteries if you get one with electrical problems.
I liked mine so much, I bought a second one...!

Zuikopath,
Oly 35 rc or sp are very nice small compact and light.
I'm looking more forward to Minolta 7s/7sII, and also Oly 35 and maybe Canonet ql-17 III because are really smaller, light and have great optics.

Also, for what price did you bought them (if it's not a secret ) ?

stevco · Mar 25, 2010

fotch said:
I have a couple Minolta H-Matic F and a Minolta 7s, one was CLA by Greyhound Man. I have not used them yet but my immpresion is they are very serviceable and good cameras.

Fotch,
What's your opinion on Minolta hi-matic F when compared to 7s and maybe 7sII (if you have tired this one) ?
And maybe, do you sell any od this (or you know someone that do) ?

I found many Minolta 7s on ebay, and rarely and quite more expensive 7sII.
I'm more on founding a good 7s or 7sII, and i'm a Minolta user indeed also

Zuikopath · Mar 25, 2010

Hehe - no secret - one was a gift so was free! and the other was around £25 but was advertised as 'no guarantee, sold as seen' so I took a chance and it turned out to be working.

The problem with the Minolta 7s-II and Canonet QL17-III (certainly here in the UK) is they are becoming quite collectable and prices are rising. The Minolta 7s is generally cheaper along with the Olympus 35RC.

A very cheap option, if you can find one more easily, is the Konica C35 or C35 Automatic.
They have a great lens too and are highly portable.

fotch · Mar 25, 2010

Stevco, although I have not used them yet, I expect image quality to be the same, and both are RF. The difference then is this. The F is smaller, maybe 2/3rds the size of the 7. I kind of like that.

But, its auto exposure only. While this is OK for many shots, I like to have control and be able to override this. Like shooting something that has a bright background or is backlit. I prefer a handheld meter. If I cannot meter, or dont have the meter with me or cannot get close, or no time to do any metering, my experience will lead me to take an educated guess and it will always be better than the auto exposure.

So, my first choice would be the 7. The F, well, its more of a P&S with a RF. Nice, small, would not throw it away but the 7 that is what a camera should be. If the batteries die, it still works. The F, youre dead.

I also have a couple of Yashica GSN, and a Yashica MG1, also not used yet. They are also automatics. Without a battery, I think they fire at one speed, sort of like the Nikon has one speed that works without a battery. Better to have than not.

So, the Minolta 7 would be my first choice by a mile.

Shipping would probably be expensive so if you can find anything local, you may be better off.

Good luck.

stevco · Mar 25, 2010

Zuikopath said:
Hehe - no secret - one was a gift so was free! and the other was around £25 but was advertised as 'no guarantee, sold as seen' so I took a chance and it turned out to be working.

The problem with the Minolta 7s-II and Canonet QL17-III (certainly here in the UK) is they are becoming quite collectable and prices are rising. The Minolta 7s is generally cheaper along with the Olympus 35RC.

A very cheap option, if you can find one more easily, is the Konica C35 or C35 Automatic.
They have a great lens too and are highly portable.

Thanx for the info!

Konica c35 has slower lens then c35 auto and S3 (which is better and doesen't have Manual when comapred to let's say - Minolta 7s)

I can't find much infor when Minolta 7s and 7sII compared, and on ebay there's lots of 7s and are very cheaper.

Zuikopath · Mar 25, 2010

Stevco - this might interest you:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280480564395&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

stevco · Mar 25, 2010

Zuiko,
Yes i saw that one, it is in very very nice shape, it's quite bigger than 7s/ql-17/RC but good, there are a lot of bidders, and i dont' see any info for shipping to Macedonia so i'll have to ask there first. Thank you.

Also, many people over forums claim that S2 to be quite better than S3..?

Leighgion · Mar 25, 2010

I can't speak for the other candidates, but I've got a Canon QL17 that's been a good sidekick for small rangefinder activities. Very tough, the film quickload system is excellent and the lens quite sharp if conditions are right. My particular sample's coating is worn, which I expect contributes to extra flare when there's light sources in frame. A lens in better condition would likely be more resistant.

elekm · Mar 25, 2010

I like the Yashica Electro, but it's a physically large camera.

Among those that I like are the Olympus 35 RC (because it has manual speeds) and Konica C35 Automatic (nice small-bodied rangefinder).

There also are some German cameras available, but I don't want to drive you nuts with all of that.

By the way, you'll almost certainly have to replace the foam seals on any Japanese camera from the 1970s or earlier, unless you're lucky enough to get a camera that's already been serviced.

Zuikopath · Mar 25, 2010

How about this:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Olympus-35RC-...CS&otn=10&po=&ps=63&clkid=8750123323544822334

stevco · Mar 25, 2010

elekm said:
I like the Yashica Electro, but it's a physically large camera.

Among those that I like are the Olympus 35 RC (because it has manual speeds) and Konica C35 Automatic (nice small-bodied rangefinder).

There also are some German cameras available, but I don't want to drive you nuts with all of that.

By the way, you'll almost certainly have to replace the foam seals on any Japanese camera from the 1970s or earlier, unless you're lucky enough to get a camera that's already been serviced.

Yes, Yashica it's quite bigger for the issue here

Olympus 35 RC it's really small and clever option, i'm onto that camera.

Also to find a camera that have been serviced is quite a luck, but I'll make a research.

Thank you!

stevco · Mar 25, 2010

Zuikopath said:
How about this:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Olympus-35RC-...CS&otn=10&po=&ps=63&clkid=8750123323544822334

That's good item, and have been checked by Olympus agents before (as it says), maybe have slower lens - 2.8, but it would be cheaper i guess.

thank you very much!

maderik · Mar 25, 2010

stevco said:
Yashica electro 35 (gsn)
Minolta hi-matic 7s (II)
Canonet ql-17 (III)
Konica auto S2/S3
Olympus 35 RC/SP

You have several different types here:

* Yashica Electro GSN/Minolta Hi-Matic 7s/Konica Auto S2/original QL17 are all larger bodies - an OM-1 or similar SLR with 50mm f/1.8 lens is about the same size or smaller.

* Hi-Matic 7SII, newer and G-III QL17, S3, Olympus SP are smaller bodies with fast 1.7 lenses

* 35RC is smallest but only f/2.8 lens.

All of are designed for obsolete mercury batteries and require adapters for other batteries (which can be as simple as an 0-ring and a hearing-aid battery.)

Some of the key differences other than size are:

* automatic only: Yashica GSN, Konica S3. These also have limited operation w/o batteries

* Aperture priority: Yashica GSN. The others are shutter priority.

* In auto, will it take a photo if outside of AE range: Minolta 7SII & Yashica

* Viewfinder display: nothing but over under (Yashica), both shutter and aperture (Olympus 35RC), the others just show aperture

* Parallax correction: Yashica, Canon QL17

* ISO range (too lazy to look)

Of the ones I own and shoot (Yashica GS, original QL, Hi-matic 9, Konica S2, 35RC + Petri ES1.7 & Olympus 35 DC) all have very good lenses (sharp but watch for flare). I'd say the actual operating condition of the one you want to buy is a larger factor than anything else other than personal preference for controls & feel.

stevco · Mar 26, 2010

Maderik

Thanx for your post, i'ts very very helpful comparishion.

I would say now that i'm more focused to the smaller body sized camera like Minolta 7sII, Canon ql-17 GIII, and Konica c35/s3.

But as you say, it's very important to find a camera in working condition na also that suits in my eyes and hands.

thank you again.

pantelis adiavastos · Mar 26, 2010

i have a fed 3b, with an industar 61 50mm 2,8 which is pretty much a good platform for 30 euros, that i bought them . and its interchangeable, but the viewfinder sees only 50mm, then you need a turret finder for different lenghts

you could also see yashica lynx series. 14e goes with a 45mm F1,4 lens 6-7 elements (suposed to be pretty cool) and a cds meter (ATL)
the 5000 model has a 1,8 lens, and they alla got leaf shutters. these models i think go to 1/1000 which is extraordinary for leaf shutters. and of course they are fully manual
and they are pretty cheap too.

the canon ql III is also suposes to pe an advanced model, with newer technology, also the hi matic.

you can also check on olympus xa2. some folks that i know say that is superb. and i think it might be the smalles of the above.

the yashica gsn, is aperture priority, and is huge....
i dont know the others you say

stevco · Mar 26, 2010

pantelis adiavastos said:
i have a fed 3b, with an industar 61 50mm 2,8 which is pretty much a good platform for 30 euros, that i bought them . and its interchangeable, but the viewfinder sees only 50mm, then you need a turret finder for different lenghts

you could also see yashica lynx series. 14e goes with a 45mm F1,4 lens 6-7 elements (suposed to be pretty cool) and a cds meter (ATL)
the 5000 model has a 1,8 lens, and they alla got leaf shutters. these models i think go to 1/1000 which is extraordinary for leaf shutters. and of course they are fully manual
and they are pretty cheap too.

the canon ql III is also suposes to pe an advanced model, with newer technology, also the hi matic.

you can also check on olympus xa2. some folks that i know say that is superb. and i think it might be the smalles of the above.

the yashica gsn, is aperture priority, and is huge....
i dont know the others you say

Hi,

Yashica lynx 14/14e looks pretty nice, tough it's bigger and heavier than electro 35 but has Manual mode and very interesting f/1.4 lens, which is rare.

thanx.

I need a Rangefinder

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