Looking for a 35mm rangefinder to use with a single lens

super_claret · Aug 24, 2023

As the title suggests, i'm after a rangefinder but haven't got a clue which! I want an M3 but finances say otherwise, especially when I need to budget for a lens also.
Been looking at Canon LTM, Contax III, Voigtlander Bessa (although these seem to be very near M3 prices), Nikon S2, Olympus 35 SP etc etc.

There are times when I just want to take out a single camera and lens for casual/street photography. I want something reasonably small and inconspicuous,
quick to use and most importantly, a fast lens which gives decent quality images wide open.

I realise it's a minefield and after reading about the Olympus 35 SP, I'm thinking this may be all I need. I prefer slightly wider than 50mm or even 35mm.
As others, I do lust after quality but quality costs!

If you were in my shoes, what would you choose and why?

Don_ih · Aug 24, 2023

If you want only one normal lens, why not get a single-lens rangefinder like a Canonet or Minolta Himatic F? Definitely not infringing on Leica M territory in terms of price - but you can take excellent photos with them.

super_claret · Aug 24, 2023

Don_ih said:
If you want only one normal lens, why not get a single-lens rangefinder like a Canonet or Minolta Himatic F? Definitely not infringing on Leica M territory in terms of price - but you can take excellent photos with them.

Yes, that was what I was thinking, hence mentioning the Olympus 35 SP. Thanks for mentioning those 2, I'll do some research.

Nicholas Lindan · Aug 24, 2023

The usual recommendation is the Canon Canonet QL17 G-III. The 35SP is harder to find in good working condition.

xkaes · Aug 24, 2023

super_claret said:
There are times when I just want to take out a single camera and lens for casual/street photography. I want something reasonably small and inconspicuous,
quick to use and most importantly, a fast lens which gives decent quality images wide open.

If you were in my shoes, what would you choose and why?

http://www.subclub.org/minman/leanmean.pdf

BobD · Aug 24, 2023

A refurbished Konica Auto S2.

Nitroplait · Aug 24, 2023

There are loads of competent 1970’s rangefinders out there with good 40mm lenses.
Many have some sort of aperture automation, I recommend one with the possibility to override it in the rare cases it is needed.

They are all theoretically good (other people can’t really do the research for you) - the challenge is to find a good sample where meter and shutter is in good health.
Buy stuff you can return.

Good luck.

Don_ih · Aug 24, 2023

Or keep an eye on the classifieds here. Decent little rangefinders get posted for cheap here often.

xkaes · Aug 24, 2023

Nitroplait said:
There are loads of competent 1970’s rangefinders out there with good 40mm lenses.
Many have some sort of aperture automation, I recommend one with the possibility to override it in the rare cases it is needed.

The OP wants a fast lens. If s/he wants manual & auto exposure, there are only three -- see the link above.

Nitroplait · Aug 24, 2023

xkaes said:
The OP wants a fast lens. If s/he wants manual & auto exposure, there are only three -- see the link above.

No

Paul Howell · Aug 24, 2023

In terms of best almost wide lens is the Konica S3, downside is that prices have gone up and it does offer full manual exposure controls. The S2 has a good lens and and has manual exposure. The Canon IIIGL has a very good lens, shutter speed priority exposure, it does have manual exposure option as well, but once in manual mode the light meter does not work,. The ASA (ISO) only goes to 800 if you like to use Tmax or Delta 3200. Retina III big, although the front element is interchangeable for a 35 and 80mm the supplemental lens do not couple with the rangefinder. The exposure is EI linked meaning by changing the aperture or shutter speed the camera automatically changes one of the other, it take sometime figuring out how to compensate for a backlite subject. The 50mm normal lens is very good, coatings are good for the day. Off the wall the Argus Brick, C3, cheap, good 3 element lens, very basic, but still gets the job done.

Ballinderry-Michael · Aug 24, 2023

If the OP wants an M3, then maybe they would be attracted to a Leica II. Peter Loy has one for £348 and several Summars and Summitars. Worth a look at peterloy.co.uk (I'm a customer of his).

xkaes · Aug 24, 2023

The Canon QL17 GIII, Olympus RD35, and Minolta Hi-Matic 7sII -- all with f1.7 lenses, and manual & auto-exposure in a COMPACT body -- sell for under $100. Come to think of it, you could get all three for the price of a Leica II.

Donald Qualls · Aug 24, 2023

For about the same money (these days) as a QL17 GIII you can get a Kiev 2 or 3, CLA'd, with a 50 mm f/2 Jupiter 3 lens (copy of an early Sonnar). You'll have the option to change lenses later, and the Kiev-oriented Contax mount lenses are quite reasonable (and many of them are very good by non-Leica standards). What you're getting is essentially a Contax II or III (pre-War version, able to use the 35 mm Jupiter 12 without issues) without the Contax price tag. I've got one, with the Jupiter 9 (135 mm) and Jupiter 12, and including three almost-working newer Kiev bodies (purchased while chasing the good one) I still only have about $700 into the outfit. I'd recommend buying direct from a repairer in Ukraine -- you'll get the best likelihood of a good one on the first try.

Most of them have been upgraded with a PC sync socket (X sync speed 1/25), so you can use flash if you choose. Some modification (of either lenses or body) are needed to use actual Contax or Nikon lenses, but that's an option.

super_claret · Aug 24, 2023

Ballinderry-Michael said:
If the OP wants an M3, then maybe they would be attracted to a Leica II. Peter Loy has one for £348 and several Summars and Summitars. Worth a look at peterloy.co.uk (I'm a customer of his).

Thank you, never heard of Peter Loy but had a look at stock and interesting stuff he has.

super_claret · Aug 24, 2023

xkaes said:
The Canon QL17 GIII, Olympus RD35, and Minolta Hi-Matic 7sII -- all with f1.7 lenses, and manual & auto-exposure in a COMPACT body -- sell for under $100. Come to think of it, you could get all three for the price of a Leica II.

I’m in the UK and the models you mentioned are £200 upwards for a decent copy. You don’t know how lucky you are in the USA

super_claret · Aug 24, 2023

Donald Qualls said:
For about the same money (these days) as a QL17 GIII you can get a Kiev 2 or 3, CLA'd, with a 50 mm f/2 Jupiter 3 lens (copy of an early Sonnar). You'll have the option to change lenses later, and the Kiev-oriented Contax mount lenses are quite reasonable (and many of them are very good by non-Leica standards). What you're getting is essentially a Contax II or III (pre-War version, able to use the 35 mm Jupiter 12 without issues) without the Contax price tag. I've got one, with the Jupiter 9 (135 mm) and Jupiter 12, and including three almost-working newer Kiev bodies (purchased while chasing the good one) I still only have about $700 into the outfit. I'd recommend buying direct from a repairer in Ukraine -- you'll get the best likelihood of a good one on the first try.

Most of them have been upgraded with a PC sync socket (X sync speed 1/25), so you can use flash if you choose. Some modification (of either lenses or body) are needed to use actual Contax or Nikon lenses, but that's an option.

Thank you for your input. I have a Kiev 4 and it fell to bits after 1 roll of film. Once bitten, twice shy!

Don_ih · Aug 24, 2023

I'd recommend a Fed or Zorki long before I'd recommend a Kiev. Kievs are great if you like mystery shutter speeds and the likelihood of ripped film (although a good service would fix both problems).

cliveh · Aug 24, 2023

M2 with 50mm, as it is slightly better in design than an M3. Or, even better, a Leica IIIF.

Paul Howell · Aug 24, 2023

super_claret said:
I’m in the UK and the models you mentioned are £200 upwards for a decent copy. You don’t know how lucky you are in the USA

What models are the most common in your price range?

Brad Deputy · Aug 24, 2023

Wanting an inconspicuous camera for trips or other reasons drove me to seek a small rangefinder like the OP. I ended up with an Olympus RC, with 42mm F2.8 with full manual mode (as well as a reputable auto exposure). There are several examples to be found in near new condition.

I preferred this over the SP and others because they can still be serviced at zuiko.com, in case it needs repairs or a CLA.

xkaes · Aug 24, 2023

Brad Deputy said:
Wanting an inconspicuous camera for trips or other reasons drove me to seek a small rangefinder like the OP. I ended up with an Olympus RC, with 42mm F2.8 with full manual mode (as well as a reputable auto exposure).

The RC35 is the baby brother of the RD35. The Canon QL17 GIII, Olympus RD35, and Minolta Hi-Matic 7sII each had baby brothers -- just with slower lenses. Having an f1.7 -- +1.5f faster -- is GREAT for available light.

Cholentpot · Aug 24, 2023

Kodak's Signet line of rangefinders. I have the IIa and IIc and they're gems. Not everyone's cup of tea but they can throw down with the big guys.

super_claret · Aug 25, 2023

xkaes said:
http://www.subclub.org/minman/leanmean.pdf

Thanks for that, really interesting and informative.

super_claret · Aug 25, 2023

Paul Howell said:
What models are the most common in your price range?

I don’t necessarily have a budget, my comment was referring to the difference in prices between US and UK market.

There are lots of cameras to choose from but finding a good copy is the hardest part. I’ve bought cameras from eBay, which have been described as mint, only to find they are falling apart, so I’m very cautious now and will only buy from sellers who accept returns or warranty the cameras.

Looking for a 35mm rangefinder to use with a single lens

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