Looking for a decent rangefinder

[Bill Burk]

Are those tiny Chinese jobs that fit into the flash hot shoe any good?

You know what's good, Weston Master 6. They're still selenium so no battery required. But they're new enough that the cells are still good. They're lightweight made of plastic and the case is awful. Strap will be hard like dried linguini. But there is a calibration potentiometer under the hood if it needs future adjustment. They go for about twenty bucks.

 

[GregY]

You know what's good, Weston Master 6. They're still selenium so no battery required. But they're new enough that the cells are still good. They're lightweight made of plastic and the case is awful. Strap will be hard like dried linguini. But there is a calibration potentiometer under the hood if it needs future adjustment. They go for about twenty bucks.

Gossen Sixtino is another small inexpensive selenium lightmeter.

 

[MinoltaSony]

I bought a CLE in May 2024...The CLE is on par with the best vintage manual Leica at a fraction of the cost so the CLE was the obvious choice. Why? My brother is in the Fuji world and is a fan of rangefinders...he was toying around with the idea of a Leica. That is what piqued my curiosity and why I ultimately chose the CLE, my only rangefinder. I bought a kit from Japan...the camera, the 40/2 and 90/4, dedicated CLE flash, the leather pouches and camera body case. It is possible to have it CLA'd in Oakland CA by a Minolta trained expert. I opted for a new Voightlander Ultron II 28/2, (would have preferred the Rokkor 28 but they all suffer from a spotting issue). I also located the Minolta metal grip for the CLE. (The body is so small I nearly dropped it several times when I first acquired it.). The grip makes it a one hand camera. I always thought the rangefinder focusing concept was archaic, obsolete, and inferior to the TTL split circle/prism. And I still kinda do...I find it much easier to use the TTL focus circle/ring vs the rangefinder split image. However, I am getting better at it. It is a good travel camera. Everything fits in a modestly sized waist pack...Hiking and a wedding in Sonoma CA June 2024, Hiking in Norway April 2025, a couple of protest marches/street photography. I have taken some very sharp, beautifully rendered photos with the CLE. Both color and B/W. The flash with zone focus is fun. The aperture priority is another great feature. Background: All of my film cameras are Minolta: SRT101/202, XE7, XD/XD7, X700. My only digital is the Sony a7iv. And, since Sony bought Minolta is keeps it in the family Sony's autofocus has always been the best: Cybershot and 8mm video, I have been very happy with the a7iv. The Sony is also part of the Overall Scheme Novoflex adaptor and Rokkor glass on the a7iv. Starting in May 2022, I carefully curated a collection of Rokkor glass, with a couple of outliers: The Tokina ATX 90mmF2.5, and a CZ Vario-Sonnar f4 80-200. (The CZ has a CY mount so I can only use it on the a7iv). The trick now is to rotate through the TTL cameras and the CLE...currently I have color 400 asa in the XD7 with the MD Zoom 28-80 3.5-4.5. I am pretty sure that I could sell the CLE and lenses for what I paid for them, (any of the cameras actually, and most if not all of the lenses).There is more but I will stop... Good Luck, have fun...

 

[MinoltaSony]

PS: the CLE light meter is also very accurate...

 

[Kodachromeguy]

In the category of fixed lens compact rangefinder cameras, I have been amazed by the 6-element lens on my Canonet GIII QL17. I should have tried more of these cameras in the 1980s.

https://worldofdecay.blogspot.com/2025/07/seattle-with-my-1350-canonet-sea-06.html?m=1

https://worldofdecay.blogspot.com/2025/04/inexpensive-gem-my-1350-canonet-giii.html?m=1

 

[Patrick Robert James]

You should be able to pick up a Konica Hexar RF and a lens for your budget. Frankly nothing else comes close except for the CLE perhaps or an M7. I prefer mine over my Leica M3. Leicas have pizazz but the Hexar delivers with no fuss. Leica never made anything like it.

If you already have a small Pentax point and shoot there is really no point to getting a small fixed lens rangefinder. If you do it will leave you wanting like you already are with your Zorki.

 

[Analogski]

You should be able to pick up a Konica Hexar RF and a lens for your budget. Frankly nothing else comes close except for the CLE perhaps or an M7. I prefer mine over my Leica M3. Leicas have pizazz but the Hexar delivers with no fuss. Leica never made anything like it.

If you already have a small Pentax point and shoot there is really no point to getting a small fixed lens rangefinder. If you do it will leave you wanting like you already are with your Zorki.

True, that's why im seriously looking in to the Hexar, Minolta, Voigtländer Bessa R and some Canon camera's.
I like the feeling and handling of rangefinders. I also owned a Kiev 4. Made some serious nice pictures worh both. The Kiev had some weird spacing issues, so I got rid of it. But the viewfinder and patch on both camera's is pretty dim. So yeah, looking for a nice, hopefully long lasting upgrade, but it doesn't have to cost an arm and lag. The 1000 euro is pretty much my max, but I don't have to touch it if it's not necessary

 

[Paul Howell]

For a 1000s euros you can find a solid user Canon 7s with working meter. The 7 has a selenium cell while the 7s had a Cdc meter. I had both a Leica IIIG and Canon 7s, they were my second body when a working PJ in the 70s to 81 or 82. The IIIG had better build quality, the reason I carried the Canon more often was built in frames for 35 to 135, much easier to load, and while not a great meter, although coupled it was not TTL, but very usable. Canon lenses are very good, in day to day shooting up to an 11X14 I don’t think you could tell a picture taken with a Canon VS Leica screw mount lens. At least here in the U.S you can get a 7s and 2 lens for $1116 or a 1000 Euros. The Konica Hextar AF is a great camera, came close to buying one when it came out, I could afford the camera but not a lens set. Top shutter speed of 1/2000 of a second, built in winder, and Konica glass is very underrated. The lenses are still very pricy. Downside is not many will work on them, and parts are very hard to find.

 

[GregY]

For a 1000s euros you can find a solid user Canon 7s with working meter. The 7 has a selenium cell while the 7s had a Cdc meter. I had both a Leica IIIG and Canon 7s, they were my second body when a working PJ in the 70s to 81 or 82. The IIIG had better build quality, the reason I carried the Canon more often was built in frames for 35 to 135, much easier to load, and while not a great meter, although coupled it was not TTL, but very usable. Canon lenses are very good, in day to day shooting up to an 11X14 I don’t think you could tell a picture taken with a Canon VS Leica screw mount lens. At least here in the U.S you can get a 7s and 2 lens for $1116 or a 1000 Euros. The Konica Hextar AF is a great camera, came close to buying one when it came out, I could afford the camera but not a lens set. Top shutter speed of 1/2000 of a second, built in winder, and Konica glass is very underrated. The lenses are still very pricy. Downside is not many will work on them, and parts are very hard to find.

Konica Hexar prices on ebay are all over the map. Quite a few with lens for 600€, while some bodies only for 1000€

 

[Paul Howell]

I have not looked in quite a while. Konica glass is some of the best, in SLRs the basic lens set, 28 3.5 35 3.5 50 1.7 100 2.8 and 135 3.5 are as good as any of Nikon, or Minolta lenses of the 70s. The Hextar Af lenses were tested to be as good or better than Leica M lenses. But once the camera body is dead I don't know if it can repaired and if so at what price.

 

[GregY]

I have not looked in quite a while. Konica glass is some of the best, in SLRs the basic lens set, 28 3.5 35 3.5 50 1.7 100 2.8 and 135 3.5 are as good as any of Nikon, or Minolta lenses of the 70s. The Hextar Af lenses were tested to be as good or better than Leica M lenses. But once the camera body is dead I don't know if it can repaired and if so at what price.

I've also been wary of electronic (expensive brick) cameras....& so sold my Mamiya 6MF..... passed on the Hasselblad XPan...
I do have Pentax 645 that was given to me. Keeps on ticking....great camera, but then again I'm not financially invested in it.....

 

[jgoody]

Another vote for the Canon 7 or P -- P is smaller but no meter; 7 is bigger and has a better finder. Both excellent LTM cameras.

 

[brbo]

Konica Hexar prices on ebay are all over the map. Quite a few with lens for 600€, while some bodies only for 1000€

Pretty much doubt you will get a working Hexar RF with a lens for 600 EUR. Maybe you didn't look close enough and those were Hexar AF? 1000 EUR sound about right for a body only Hexar RF.

 

[grain elevator]

Another vote for the Canon 7 or P -- P is smaller but no meter; 7 is bigger and has a better finder. Both excellent LTM cameras.

Seconded.
With your budget, I would also be very tempted to look into Nikon rangefinders. I'm not very well informed but I'm under the impression that you could easily get one with a 50 for under 1000, but lenses tend to be more expensive than ltm.

 

[Hassasin]

Fujica V2

 

[Paul Howell]

Seconded.
With your budget, I would also be very tempted to look into Nikon rangefinders. I'm not very well informed but I'm under the impression that you could easily get one with a 50 for under 1000, but lenses tend to be more expensive than ltm.

OP is looking for a camera with built in meter. For a 1000 euros a user grade Nikon S2 can be had.

 

[chuckroast]

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?

I will chime into this thread late with a several observations:

• Many good choices have been suggested but you have to take note of what can- and cannot still be repaired and adjusted. If you are sinking 1500 Euro into a new (to you) system, you want to make sure your hefty investment has a future.
  
  
• An on-board meter is, in my view, an unnecessary distraction. These older cameras have meters that were not great in the first place and age has not improved them. You are far, far better off with something like a Keks that can be (but does not have to be) shoe mounted, or a decent mid-range spotmeter like a Sekonic 409. I keep a Kecs with me on a short lanyard that can either allow the meter to slide into the shoe, or hang freely from the strap ring if I have an auxiliary viewfinder on the shoe.
  
  
• In general, I would avoid anything with a significant electronics footprint unless you are certain parts and repair are readily available.
  
  
• Accessories and lens choices should figure strongly into your selection criteria. At that price point, you likely do not want to be locked into a single choice of lens, particularly.
  

For all these reasons, my first choice in this category remains the venerable Leica IIIf. (Or IIIg if you want to spend the money.) These are dead simple cameras that can still be serviced, for which parts remain widely available (at least in the US, I don't know about the EU/UK), and for which there are many, many fine lens choices. Best of all they are not insanely expensive. A IIIf with a 50mm or 35mm Color-Skopar should be able to be found right at- or below your 1000 Euro mark, with many other lens choices to be had.

I have a variety of cameras at my disposal, but my "go to" - especially when traveling - is my Leica IIIf and 2 or 3 lenses. I mostly have Voigtlander Color-Skopars and have been entirely happy with their performance with this camera. So much so, that I also use the 21mm f/4 Color-Skopar on my M bodies with an adapter ring.

 

[1957ExaktaVarexIIa]

With regards to...

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'd also recommend:

A Contax IIa when serviced is a very reliable precision manual camera

I've been using such a IIa camera (together with a IIIa and a II and the Zeiss Ikon pre-war universal finder which can be replaced by a Soviet one) for several years. It's a real pleasure. Even on the street.

Service should definitely include a cleaning of the rangefinder: Oleg Khaliavin has done a very good job on my Contaxes.

Sure the aforementioned IIIa selenium meter is pretty old - but I got quickly accustomed to use an external Gossen Lunasix F . (Even me who had always preferred an SLR with TTL measurement before.)

 

[grain elevator]

OP is looking for a camera with built in meter. For a 1000 euros a user grade Nikon S2 can be had.

Right, no meter, but that's a criterion I'd strongly advise to reconsider. I unnecessarily narrows the range, and using a hand-held meter is no bother once one realises that not every photo requires a new light reading.
1000 € or $ can buy an S2 and one to two lenses.

 

[John Wiegerink]

Advice on forgoing the meter is wise advice. It's just one less thing to go wrong. Meters and their internal workings are one of the most delicate parts in any camera. Just jostled the wrong way can be the end of a meter. Given the choice when buying an older camera I'll forgo the meter every time. Like I will always take a meter less Contax rangefinder or Super Ikonta B anytime over one with a meter.

 

[MinoltaSony]

Advice on forgoing the meter is wise advice. It's just one less thing to go wrong. Meters and their internal workings are one of the most delicate parts in any camera. Just jostled the wrong way can be the end of a meter. Given the choice when buying an older camera I'll forgo the meter every time. Like I will always take a meter less Contax rangefinder or Super Ikonta B anytime over one with a meter.

Well...having taken some beautiful images with my CLE and its very accurate aperture priority meter (senses off the film and through the window), it is very convenient to not have to use my Sekonic for every shot. BTW: the meter is easily utilized with full manual. And there is the 28/40/90mm frame lines, which I prefer to 35/50/135. And the CLE is 1/5 the cost of Leica kit (body and particularly the glass). Another point to consider is the rangefinder clarity and ease of use. The Leica is tops, but the CLE is a close second. A lot of range finders are very tricky , particularly in low light. Not a problem with zone focus, but I mostly focus every shot unless I am in a zone focus situation. Oh...and the CLE can be CLA'd in the US by a Minolta trained technician. Whichever way you go, enjoy. Take photos

 

[Analogski]

It's been a while...
I've had some time to look around and reflect on myself what I want and why I want it.

Recently I looked/I'm looking for a Pentax 67 (I know, a whole other ballgame). I love medium format. But it has shortcomings. Not only it's big, bulky and loud, but it's also not very good for fast photography such as family photography, or street photography.

I thought.... Why? What is my motivation to buy another camera? What do I want to shoot?

After thinking about it, I came to the conclusion that I mostly shoot family photography, family portraits and street photography. Also from time to time I love to shoot architecture photography.

But most of all family photo's and portraits are most important to me right now.

As I look at the work of Matt Osborne (Mr. Leica), I realized that a rangefinder in 35mm is capable also for portraits.

So again, my enthousiasm for a rangefinder has woken.

My budget is around 1000 to 1600 euro (incl. Lens). I'm thinking about a Voigtlander Bessa R(2). Is this a good camera for the job(s)?

Thanks for the ad
vice in advance!

 

[chuckroast]

It's been a while...
I've had some time to look around and reflect on myself what I want and why I want it.

Recently I looked/I'm looking for a Pentax 67 (I know, a whole other ballgame). I love medium format. But it has shortcomings. Not only it's big, bulky and loud, but it's also not very good for fast photography such as family photography, or street photography.

I thought.... Why? What is my motivation to buy another camera? What do I want to shoot?

After thinking about it, I came to the conclusion that I mostly shoot family photography, family portraits and street photography. Also from time to time I love to shoot architecture photography.

But most of all family photo's and portraits are most important to me right now.

As I look at the work of Matt Osborne (Mr. Leica), I realized that a rangefinder in 35mm is capable also for portraits.

So again, my enthousiasm for a rangefinder has woken.

My budget is around 1000 to 1600 euro (incl. Lens). I'm thinking about a Voigtlander Bessa R(2). Is this a good camera for the job(s)?

Thanks for the ad
vice in advance!

Personally, I'd look for a good, clean Leica M2. You don't have to mount Leica glass on it right away. Both Voigtländer (Cosina) and Zeiss make very fine M mount lenses and are widely available in the used market.

I own/have owned several Leica's both thread mount and M mount, and I find the M2 to be my consistent favorite. Mine has been CLAed by a master Leica technician and I expect it to continue running for a very long time.

The M2 has framelines in it for 35, 50, and 90mm lenses, all of which are appropriate in various settings for family and architecture type photos. I also use a 21mm Color-Skopar on mine with an auxiliary finder and it is magnifient lens for pictures of buildings and places. For example:

Clarification, I took this with the 21mm but not the M2. I used an M4 for this one.

 

[loccdor]

A rangefinder is capable for portraits but it can be argued that an SLR is more capable as it allows you to preview and align the portrait's background with the subject. This is an often neglected aspect from people engaging in portrait photography. I see portraits all the time with distracting background lines intersecting the subject. They are never quite as good compared to ones where this detail is given attention.

 

[mshchem]

Find something that has an m mount. Cosina Voigtlander lenses are wonderful and inexpensive used. Cosina Zeiss too. A Voigtlander body in good condition has meter and is a nice camera. Save your pennies and someday buy a newer Leica M6 - MP. This way you get into a wonderful universe of cameras and lenses without breaking the bank!