Looking for a decent rangefinder

Analogski said:

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!

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Since you are in NL, here are some offers from one of your well known shops, all within your budget:





They also offer a Leica M3 with lens for 100EUR/week. Why not treat yourself to that for Xmas?


I have no connection with that seller. But instead of ruminating on the internet, going there and have some hands-on experience is probably the best idea.

Or is that too practical?

RezaLoghme said:

I just read the Macfilos review of the Bessa T, they call it an "oddity", I agree.

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That camera has a rangefinder, but no viewfinder, and I agree would be an unusual choice for the OP. I don’t think anyone has suggested it.

warden said:

That camera has a rangefinder, but no viewfinder, and I agree would be an unusual choice for the OP. I don’t think anyone has suggested it.

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Sure.

What do you think about the camera offerings I posted above, in relation to what the OP is looking for?

RezaLoghme said:

Sure.

What do you think about the camera offerings I posted above, in relation to what the OP is looking for?

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They're all solid choices, and have viewfinders which is a plus. ;-)

The only camera on that list that would give me pause is the Contax due to its age and tech forward design. I'm not sure what the service options for that camera are in 2025. I owned two of them though and they're top-flight cameras - and this one has one of the finest lenses you could get in 35mm format at the time. The OP would probably get bored with laser perfect focus anyway.

warden said:

They're all solid choices, and have viewfinders which is a plus. ;-)

The only camera on that list that would give me pause is the Contax due to its age and tech forward design. I'm not sure what the service options for that camera are in 2025. I owned two of them though and they're top-flight cameras - and this one has one of the finest lenses you could get in 35mm format at the time. The OP would probably get bored with laser perfect focus anyway.

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Its an alternative and now the OP has a variety of appropriate choices, in a bricks and mortar shop in his country, within his budget and defined specs.

Thanks for all the nice comments and tips! The Contact is really nice, I'll look into this one. I only het a plastic vibe form this camera. Maybe totally wrong, but I'll have tot take a real look at this one. Otherwise, I'll save up some more for a Leica M3 or Zeiss.

M3 does not have an internal rangefinder.

You wanted a CL or CLE, and I send you a link for a nice deal.

FYI, Contax G1 from that link above is not a rangefinder.

Analogski said:

Thanks for all the nice comments and tips! The Contact is really nice, I'll look into this one. I only het a plastic vibe form this camera. Maybe totally wrong, but I'll have tot take a real look at this one. Otherwise, I'll save up some more for a Leica M3 or Zeiss.

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Not plastic (titanium if I recall correctly) and they feel great in the hand. There’s a ton of info on them on the net

warden said:

Not plastic (titanium if I recall correctly) and they feel great in the hand. There’s a ton of info on them on the net

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I see, there is a lot of electronics in this camera. Is the repairability not an issue? If something goes wrong and stop working, is this camera easy to fix? I have my doubts...

On the other hand, my Zorki-6 is a tank and can be used as a weapon if needed. And still be working.
I was reading about the effective base length (EBL). Because I like my focus to be correct, also withe the lens wide open and use the camera for portraits, the EBL is important I think.
The Kiev 4 and Contax ii/iii have 72mm and 67.8mm, while a M2 has a EBL of 49.3mm. I had a Kiev 4 rangefinder, but that one had some weird spacing issues... What are the thoughts on these rangefinders?

Are you looking for a modern camera or a vintage collectable toy to tinker with?

RezaLoghme said:

Are you looking for a modern camera or a vintage collectable toy to tinker with?

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Is Leica a vintage toy? My Rolleiflex is very vintage, not a toy! Also I don't know what you mean with "modern". I don't think fimcamera's are very modern in these digital times.... Also the possibility to service and repair is important. When something breaks, it's nice to be able to sent it in for repairs.

Do you want a relatively modern rangefinder with an internal exposure meter? That would be a Leica M6/MP. You can buy these from some good dealers, mostly with a warranty. You can even buy them new. If something goes wrong you can send your camera to the manufacturer, or to the many independent experts.

Or do you want a 1950s-1960s retro camera, to tinker with, to save money, to enjoy the "hunt" for a rare camera, with unclear reliability? There are plenty of options. You already own such an ioption. "Sending in" such cameras might be not that easy, but in NL you have the technicians from Amsterdam Camera Repairs you could ask them if they are able and willing to work on some niche model.

Both is fun and ok.

Analogski said:

I see, there is a lot of electronics in this camera. Is the repairability not an issue? If something goes wrong and stop working, is this camera easy to fix? I have my doubts...

On the other hand, my Zorki-6 is a tank and can be used as a weapon if needed. And still be working.
I was reading about the effective base length (EBL). Because I like my focus to be correct, also withe the lens wide open and use the camera for portraits, the EBL is important I think.
The Kiev 4 and Contax ii/iii have 72mm and 67.8mm, while a M2 has a EBL of 49.3mm. I had a Kiev 4 rangefinder, but that one had some weird spacing issues... What are the thoughts on these rangefinders?

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Yes, the Contax cameras were advanced for their time and did things that other cameras did not, but there are and were drawbacks. Most notably, the lenses are autofocus and proprietary, and so will not fit on other cameras. That’s is a limitation some people don’t like.

Also, they make an unmistakable sound in use while you autofocus and release the shutter, which then triggers the automatic film winding. It’s a high-quality sound to my ear and not loud but entirely different from a rangefinder “snap”. I miss that Contax sound and the very high-quality overall feel of that camera fwiw. And the lenses are top-tier.

Servicing will eventually become an issue with that camera if it is not already. You will have to do some googling there to see what your options are. Unlike other cameras, the Contax requires batteries to operate, and if something goes wrong with the brain, your camera can’t function any longer. Contax stopped making those cameras decades ago, and the brand itself no longer exists as far as I know.

Ultimately with older electronic cameras like this, I think it’s healthy to consider what that camera is going to owe you after purchase. If you can get a properly functioning older camera for a good price and then get several years of heavy use out of it I think that’s a reasonable investment in a hobby, regardless of whether the camera is serviceable or not.

If I was in the market for Contax I would look for a cheap one that shows significant cosmetic wear on the camera body, but with a perfect lens and buy as inexpensively as possible. Then have a ball with it, and if the camera dies it dies but you’ve had a ball and captured some memories.

RezaLoghme said:

M3 does not have an internal rangefinder.

You wanted a CL or CLE, and I send you a link for a nice deal.

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The M3 does have an internal rangefinder.... it does not have an internal light meter.....

And what are your thoughts on the Nikon SP?