old rangefinders

Kokopelli

Member
Joined
Aug 27, 2009
Messages
2
Location
Kingman AZ
Format
35mm
I recently bought a couple range finders. I found some basic info on the internet, but need a little more. One is a Clarus MS35. It still had film in it so I'm assuming it works. I would like to shoot a roll of film through it but don't have a clue on how to set it. The other is a Ricolet II I think it might not be in working order, because there is a little vane in the viewfinder that doesn't seem to turn when you turn the focus wheel. There is also a wheel that won't turn. The wheel has a pin on it and it doesn't move. I think it's for the film speed. Any help on this would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks much
 

BrianL

Member
Joined
Feb 17, 2010
Messages
538
Location
Toronto ON C
Format
Medium Format
The Ricolet sort of reminds me of a Kodak with that wheel. The Clarius looks like a nice camera. You may need to experiement as back then when it looks like this camera was made, the speed had to be set before the film advanced and shutter set.
 

Nicholas Lindan

Advertiser
Advertiser
Joined
Sep 2, 2006
Messages
4,248
Location
Cleveland, Ohio
Format
Multi Format
Your best bet would be to sell both on ebay for whatever collectible value they may have. The Clarus almost certainly doesn't (or soon won't) work and the Ricoh has small odds of working. Neither is repairable unless you want to do the job yourself. If they are made to work the picture quality will be poor.

If you are looking for an old rangefinder you will be happier with a working Yashica Electro, Minolta Hi-Matic, Canon Canonnet and the like. Some of these require battery adapters or Wein cells as the original mercury battery is no longer available.

Only buy a camera in known working condition, from someone who knows cameras, and will take it back if it turns out it doesn't work - say on APUG's classified section. Stay away from ebay cameras that are described as: "I pressed the button and it clicked so I know it works"; "I don't have a battery so I couldn't test it"; "I don't know anything about cameras, but I am sure that you will be pleased with it" and anything else that even hints that something might be wrong.
 
OP
OP

Kokopelli

Member
Joined
Aug 27, 2009
Messages
2
Location
Kingman AZ
Format
35mm
Thanks for the help guys. I only paid $10 each for these. I think I'll take the Ricoh apart, to see what makes it tick. The Clarus is the older of the two. It was built from 1946 to 1952. The Ricoh os from 1953 I think.
 

Mustafa Umut Sarac

Member
Joined
Oct 29, 2006
Messages
4,829
Location
İstanbul
Format
35mm
Kokopelli ,

You dont need to invent the wheel again , best rangefinder is Leica and Leica Mini Zoom Elmar 35-70 is 60 dollars at keh.com. I dont believe any other japanese camera can compete with it. Use 400 ASA film at winter and you will be the happiest person , these cameras were 500 dollars at 96 and it deserves every cent of your 60 dollars. Its autofocus , autowind , viewfinder change with the zoom.
In 15 minutes , I will PM two examples from Gallery and you will believe with your eyes.

Check your PM , PM is at the right top corner and appears a warning saying you have a message.
You must refresh your APUG page every five minutes so you will not miss it. I will report here , I sent it.

Umut
 

BrianL

Member
Joined
Feb 17, 2010
Messages
538
Location
Toronto ON C
Format
Medium Format
Mustafa, do you have these cameras and have you put them through their paces? If not how can you judge them? As for repair, these cameras are typically fairly simple and any competent repair person should be aboe to assess them and get them running if needing cla. As for Leica being the best rangefinder, even though I am a Leica lover and user, I can not say it it the best. It may be the better for those with interchangeable lenses but then many Contax users would still dispute it.
 

Klainmeister

Member
Joined
Jun 2, 2010
Messages
1,504
Location
Santa Fe, NM
Format
Medium Format
There was a repairmen up in Flagstaff for some time...don't recall his name, but he did test my shutter speeds about 5 years ago. I think the local lab recommended him to me, so maybe call around?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Menu
Log in
Register
Cookies are required to use this site. You must accept them to continue using the site. Learn more…