We must be talking about two different cameras. The RD and the RC have basically the same body, but the lens is larger on the RD, of course:
View attachment 402822
Here's what CameraQuest has to say:
https://cameraquest.com/olyrd.htm
You should add that the RD is 2 ounces heavier than the RC. Now that's a real deal breaker!
Want something smaller and lighter that the RD with the same features? Check out the Minolta Hi-Matic 7SII.
Hi,
I'm looking for a new rangefinder camera. I have a Zorki 6. I like the camera, but the viewfinder is bit dank and sometimes difficult to focus.
I would like to buy a camera for some fast shooting in street photography and family shots (I have a toddler....).
I also find it important do have a built in lightmeter that is reliable.
So fast focusing a good lens and lightmeter are important for me.
Unfortunately I don't have a Laila budget, so I don't want to spend more than a 1000 or max 1500 euro on the set.
I started to read up on the Minolta CLE and Voigtländer Bessa. According to chatgpt the Minolta has better spects. But I rather have some good advice from the community.
So, anyone advice?
Nice camera if you like lugging around a light meter.
Are those tiny Chinese jobs that fit into the flash hot shoe any good?
Nice camera if you like lugging around a light meter.
Hi,
I'm looking for a new rangefinder camera. I have a Zorki 6. I like the camera, but the viewfinder is bit dank and sometimes difficult to focus.
I would like to buy a camera for some fast shooting in street photography and family shots (I have a toddler....).
I also find it important do have a built in lightmeter that is reliable.
So fast focusing a good lens and lightmeter are important for me.
Unfortunately I don't have a Laila budget, so I don't want to spend more than a 1000 or max 1500 euro on the set.
I started to read up on the Minolta CLE and Voigtländer Bessa. According to chatgpt the Minolta has better spects. But I rather have some good advice from the community.
So, anyone advice?
Here are the top three -- with your budget, you can get one of each!
https://www.subclub.org/minman/leanmean.pdf
Yashica made a fine line of fixed lens rangefinders, some with 35mm lens and one with a fast 1.4 lens. They seem to be holding up pretty well, don't see a lot of posts of folks asking about repairs. Any issue with using a 6 volt replacement for the mercury 5.6?
I've always had reservations to the older, retro fixed focal-lenzed rangefinders. Their lenses seem to cloud up, deteriorate with time in ways interchangeable lenses won't and I think it's simply the lack of movement, being stuck or fixed in the same place over time doesn't allow for "good breathing" or even simple cleaning.
Anyhow, speaking of Minolta, and If you've got $$ to spend, Minolta CLE & it's companion Rokkor rangefinder lenses are enticing....
i'm always reticent about older electronic cameras.....
One of the problems with SOME of the older 35mm viewfinder/rangefinder cameras is their dependence on a battery for the shutter -- or the shutter being dependent on the meter which is dependent on the battery. And, of course, just about ALL newer cameras are totally useless without a battery.
One of the many good things about the Minolta 7SII, Olympus RD, and Canon QL GIII, is that they work fine WITHOUT the battery.
I've always had reservations to the older, retro fixed focal-lenzed rangefinders. Their lenses seem to cloud up, deteriorate with time in ways interchangeable lenses won't and I think it's simply the lack of movement, being stuck or fixed in the same place over time doesn't allow for "good breathing" or even simple cleaning.
Anyhow, speaking of Minolta, and If you've got $$ to spend, Minolta CLE & it's companion Rokkor rangefinder lenses are enticing....
............and the IIIs Retina isn't as heavy as say the Konica III, Konica IIIa with its shoe meter or the IIIM with its built in meter. In fact it might even give the Yashica GSN a run for its money in the weight department. I'm with you Paul, I probably won't buy another unless it comes to me for a super cheap price or for free. I have toooooooo maaaaany 35mm rangefinder cameras sitting on the display shelf now. My only user 35mm rangefinder style camera is a Contax G system, which I don't use much at all. I'm a more 120 and bigger kind of guy. Still, the OP has a wide variety of really good old cameras to pick from and it's going to be a matter of searching out what he likes and whether it has a fairly good dependability record in these modern times.The odd duck is the Kodak Retina IIIS, uses the same shutter and meters as the earlier IIIC but has true interchangeable lens. I think it was the only mount that could be on either the rangefinder or the SLR, in this case the Retinaflex. Some of the flex lens had cams for the rangefinder 28 to 135, and when installed the lens bought up the correct matching frame. The 200 can mount but is not coupled to the rangefinder, scale focus. I think the 28mm required a seperate viewfinder. I have a IIIC big, the lens are quite good, but by modern standards it is fussy camera to use. And the meter is not coupled and uses EV system. Over the years I have come close to buying one, maybe a 3 lens set. What has kept me is the low top shutter speed and having a IIIC not sure if want to go down the fussy road of use. Still underrated and has nice German glass.
Your budget might get you an M5 and a a screw mount Leica lens or a third party m mount. Your way past reflex and canonet budget. Both of which I have and enjoy. LV metering on the reflexes isn’t my favorite though.
SorryI meant the 35RD.
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