Needing a rangefinder

Sweetlou42 · Jun 7, 2019

film_man said:
So since you can buy all that just because it sounds like you've got the cash. I'd say the most important thing for you now getting into film is to use a proper lab that does a good job vs trying to skimp and penny pinch. I'd start with some Portra 400 which is the most forgiving in both 35mm and 120 and choose a decent lab. I've seen great results from the likes of Richards Photo Lab in LA, TheFINDLAB in Utah and Indie Film Lab. I'm in the UK so never used those (I send my stuff to Carmencita in Spain) but I would say pick one, send a couple of rolls, get the feedback, give *THEM* feedback on the look you got vs what you expected and repeat 3-4 times. After a handful of orders they should have nailed the look you want and you will have a proper working relationship with them. All these places are not cheap, you're looking at $15-20/roll for dev and high quality scans but after you've worked out the look you want the only editing you'll do any crop/straighten and you can spend your time shooting vs in front of a computer or messing with checmicals in a bathtub (unless that's your thing of course).

Really good advice, thank you

Huss · Jun 8, 2019

Sweetlou42 said:
Those are really nice looking, so Zorki are ok, just not Leicas called Zorki , what lense is that on the Leica m3

In one pic the M3 is wearing a Zeiss Planar 50, in the other a Leica Summicron 50 DR (dual range i.e. it can focus super close)

Huss · Jun 8, 2019

Sweetlou42 said:
What do you do with it, take a picture of film?

Yep, you put the film in the front (it comes with a film holder), hold the camera to a light source (I use an LED light panel - $20 on Amazon), use the auto focus in LiveView mode (in order to focus on the grain of the film) then snap away.
Shoot in raw, convert in whatever program you use. I use Lightroom and negativelabpro.com for the film conversion plug in.

Gives results like this, shot with the Fed2 and Fuji C200 film:

KN4SMF · Jun 8, 2019

I'm really happy with my Moskva 4, the first and probably only Soviet camera I'll ever own. I apparently ended up with a good one. I'm much happier with it than the Kodak Medalist II that I previously had.

John51 · Jun 8, 2019

One rf to look out for if cheap enough is the Kodak Signet 35. It can be easily used while wearing gloves and is my favourite winter camera. As is often the case with certain Kodak cameras, the shutter is unreliable. Mine has a sticky shutter on all speeds but 1/300. Compared to my Oly 35SP, that 1/300 is more like 1/100 but hey, it works. I use Sunny 16 with it's single speed and it makes for a fun snapshot camera with negs that be printed up large thanks to the Ektar lens.

The viewfinder is squinty but that doesn't bother me as with a rf, squinty doesn't effect focus. It's made to be repaired in the field. Just as well with that shutter. Americans that visit thrift stores can get plenty of them for repair practice. I'm in the UK and am still waiting for a 2nd one to turn up at a reasonable price.

Sweetlou42 · Jun 8, 2019

Huss said:
Of course seeing you like RFs, you need to get a Fuji GW690III

I have a Mamiya 7ii, that’s gonna have to work for now

markjwyatt · Jun 8, 2019

Sweetlou42 said:
I’d love to be able to do that some day, but not yet. Just wanna try to use cameras enough and make some decent pics.
Can you develop color at home, or is it usually only black and white

I do not have interest in developing color film at home. B&W development is pretty easy, and forgiving, color becomes a chore, and I would rather just send it out.

bunip · Jun 9, 2019

Sweetlou42 said:
I think I went in with an overkill. Bought six rangefinders at once
Leica M6 ttl
Mamiya 7ii
Canonet gs III (need battery)
Olympus 35 sp
Yashika
And not sure if it’s a rangefinder Contax G2 (played with today)

I’m still looking at others but need to settle down a bit
Taking my Nikon d810 and Contax to daughters graduation tomorrow!

My suggestion is to look for the Olympus 35 RC, the smallest, lightest among yours and really hi quality. You’ll find good examples for less than 100$

John51 · Jun 9, 2019

Your splurge on rangefinders has given me the idea of collecting by format. I currently have rf in 35mm, 120 and 620.

When I can afford it, I'm going for a real cutie, the Kodak Bantam Special. 828 format but there's a work around to use 35mm.

https://cameraquest.com/superban.htm

Any other formats that had rf cameras?

Sweetlou42 · Jun 9, 2019

John51 said:
Your splurge on rangefinders has given me the idea of collecting by format. I currently have rf in 35mm, 120 and 620.

When I can afford it, I'm going for a real cutie, the Kodak Bantam Special. 828 format but there's a work around to use 35mm.

https://cameraquest.com/superban.htm

Any other formats that had rf cameras?

What is 620 format?

MattKing · Jun 9, 2019

Sweetlou42 said:
What is 620 format?

Same size film and backing paper as 120, however the 620 spools are smaller at the core and to the edge.
A Kodak developed size that:
1) permitted a slightly smaller size camera; and
2) "encouraged" people to buy 620 Kodak film instead of competitors' 120 film.
The Kodak Brownie Hawkeye Flash and the Medalist are two of the best known 620 cameras, but there were lots at one time.
There hasn't been a new 620 camera for decades, and the various types of colour and black and white 620 films haven't been made for years, but as many of the 620 cameras were both good and very durable, people do various things to permit them to use 120 film in their 620 cameras.
I have two 620 cameras - a Kodak Tourist and a not yet tried out Kodak Brownie Hawkeye Flash.

Theo Sulphate · Jun 10, 2019

Sweetlou42 said:
What is 620 format?

It's 120-format film on different sized spools, essentially.

Kodak Medalist is the ultimate 620 rangefinder camera. Some have been converted to 120. Either way, it produces 6x9cm negatives.

The Medalist:

https://kenrockwell.com/kodak/medalist-ii.htm

(don't take Ken Rockwell too seriously - he is often bombastic and entertaining; sometimes educational)

John51 · Jun 10, 2019

The Kodak Medalist has a split image rangefinder. Some don't like it but I much prefer it. I did read of a 35mm rf that uses split image but have forgotten the make and model.

markjwyatt · Jun 11, 2019

John51 said:
...

Any other formats that had rf cameras?

How about a Speed Graphic Pacemaker 4x5 (or 2 1/4x3 1/4) with a Kalart rangefinder ?

Sweetlou42 · Jun 18, 2019

bunip said:
My suggestion is to look for the Olympus 35 RC, the smallest, lightest among yours and really hi quality. You’ll find good examples for less than 100$

Just got the Olympus 35rc today

Sweetlou42 · Jun 18, 2019

Theo Sulphate said:
Nikon S2. Wasn't planning on getting one, as I'd handled an SP before and didn't like it. Two guys on this site started chatting about their S2's a few years ago, posted videos, I got hooked...

Contax is IIIa; meter works and 1/1250 works. Never knew about these things; I became captivated by Cameraquest...

Just received my Olympus 35 crazy, waiting on Zorki 4, Contax Iiia, Minolta highmatic , and Leica summicron m 90 mm

Theo Sulphate · Jun 18, 2019

Rangefinders are fun - compact ones you can carry in a large pocket and many will work without batteries.

At a camera show about 15 years ago I spotted a Canonet 28 for $1 - The shutter worked without a battery (1/30sec) and I could adjust the aperture. That's how I used it for a while, though eventually I'll actually try it with a battery.

Theo Sulphate · Jun 18, 2019

Be glad you've not been hooked by the Goose - the Polaroid 600SE - great rangefinder camera and the ability to select shutter speeds, apertures, and interchangeable lenses. Unheard of for Polaroid! It was a pro model. You can buy them, and they'll use the absolutely exquisite Fuji pack film, but...

...that film has been discontinued. You can find expired packs (10 shots) for $80 on eBay...

Sad.

http://camera-wiki.org/wiki/Polaroid_600/600_SE

Needing a rangefinder

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