Purchasing a Poor-Man's Leica Soon

Visually Conscious · Jan 25, 2017

Hey Everyone,

I'm going to purchase a poor man's Lecia soon and narrow down a list of cameras which might fit that list. I use to have a Canon Canonet QL17 GIII but I sadly lost it. I enjoy using a rangefinder in photography because of the ease of use and I believe I got some of my best shots from using a rangefinder in the past.

Here's some examples I took with a Canon Canonet QL17 GIII

https://www.flickr.com/photos/133517056@N05/22924601233/in/album-72157659256562643/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/133517056@N05/24503764353/in/album-72157659256562643/
Dead Link Removed

Besides the Canon Canonet QL17 GIII, I also heard the Olympus RC 35 is also good. I would also like to add the Rollei 35 series but I have a budget below $250 but might consider of just saving. I also noticed with the Canonet after using it constantly, day by day it start breaking down after a couple of months of wear and tear. In the end, should I wait to buy a Leica or do you have any recommendations of anything similar but durable.

Helinophoto · Jan 25, 2017

Why not go for a 'Barnack' ?

The screw-mount Leica's are cheaper and the related optics can be cheaper to buy. In time, you can use all screw-mount lenses on the M's with the use of a simple adapter-ring.

You can find many Leica III cameras online, some with optics, others without.

The absolute cheapest way into RF's in general, is the FSU gear.
I own a Zorki 1 with an Elmar look-alike and I must say that I am pretty impressed how that combo performs. The Zorki is smaller than my Leica IIIf, but heavier.....and clunkier ^^

With proper adjustment, most FSU lenses can perform well on the Leica as well, I have both Jupiter-8's and Jupiter-3's that works very well on all my Leica-gear (both M and LTM).

A 'Barnack' with a FSU-lens to start with, is most likely the cheapest way you can start, even though 'Leicaphiles' tend to get pretty angry when they see FSU lenses on these cameras. ^^

darkosaric · Jan 25, 2017

I had LTM Leica, and QL17 and RC35. All 3 cameras are capable of producing superb picture quality.
RC35 is really very very small - that is best feature that gives advantage to RC35 against QL17 and Leica LTM. For fast use, and fast load - QL17 is the best. For best tactile feel, use and build quality - LTM Leica is simply the best.
The question is - what do you want ?
All 3 cameras can be found below 250$.

R.Gould · Jan 25, 2017

Why not look for something like a Werramatic, you should be able to find a good one plus the 2 lenses (100 and 35) for £100 to £150, another good one is a Agfa Ambi Sillette, which are reasonable in price and can take 90 and 35 lenses, plus, if you can find one a 130, or look for fixed lens Voightlander vitessa barndoors, or vitomatic, both reliable or a Vitessa t which again has 3 lenses, 35,100,and 135, These are suggestions from my personal experiance, I have them all and use them a lot, Or one of the Retina@s, such as the IIIc, I was using one today, very reliable, even the meter still works and is spot on

Paul Howell · Jan 25, 2017

Although Canon, Konica, Minolta and Olympus all made fixed lens rangefinder cameras with fine lens, they were made for the consumer market and at their price point not intended to hold up with hard daily usage. I recommend a Canon screw mount which can be found in your price range. As mentioned by RGould my other thought is a Kodak Retina IIIc or if you are lucky a IIIS, the shutters are complicated and there there are only a few folks left who will work on them, but they are well made. I was given a Retnia IIIC as a high school graduation present in 1966, I still have and use it. I have shoots hundreds of rolls of film though it over the decades and other than CLA still going strong. The IIIS takes a range of lens from 28 to 200 although the 200 will not couple to the rangefinder. Of the classic 70s vintage fixed lens the Konica 3S has a great lens.

michr · Jan 25, 2017

Just curious, what is your reason for wanting a "poor man's Leica" as you put it? Is it interchangeable lenses + rangefinder, is it the size, compactness, or quiet shutter? What makes it compelling? The reason I ask, is there's lots of options out there for less than $250, even more if you aren't set on getting a Leica clone.

narsuitus · Jan 25, 2017

Visually Conscious said:
I also noticed with the Canonet after using it constantly, day by day it start breaking down after a couple of months of wear and tear.

I used the Canonet until I could afford the Lecia. Please keep in mind that the Leica can also break down after using it constantly.

Wallendo · Jan 25, 2017

The two cameras mentioned in the original post (Canonet and 35RC) both have some type of automatic exposure mode. If this is an important feature, the "Barnack" and early M-series Leicas as well as most of the Japanese clones would not be appropriate. I had a 35RC which was a great camera until I dropped it on the floor a few times too often and broke the meter and it developed a light leak.

Patrick Robert James · Jan 25, 2017

These rf threads come up quite often and people recommend the weirdest things I swear. I have used just about every rangefinder you can think of and if you want to get into rfs and want something that is good get a Canon 7. You can put a ton of Leica thread mount lenses on it, which include even newer Voigtlander lenses, and FSU lenses which can be pretty darn good for cheap, and the Canon rf lenses are top notch. I think the Canon 7 is one of the best rangefinders ever made, and you can get one in your budget with a Canon 50 1.8 which a lot of people think is just as good as the Summicron. A lot of cameras are fun to use, but like you have found out, aren't made to last. The Canon is. In fact some aspects of the Canon are better than Leica even.

If you want to stick to an auto exposure camera like the Canonet the best one I have used is the Minolta 7sII.

The last recommendation I have for you if you want to spend a little more money is to get the completely underrated Konica Hexar RF. They seem to be selling for around $400 these days and for an everyday camera it is hard to beat. Titanium covers and all. I have had mine close to a decade now and the paint is totally worn off the corners and the on/off switch. It still hums along perfectly. I have dropped it a few times and I couldn't tell you how many times it has smacked into something yet there is not a dent on it, nor has it ever needed to be adjusted. Can't say that for a Leica.

Hope that helps you.

Theo Sulphate · Jan 25, 2017

Patrick Robert James said:
These rf threads come up quite often and people recommend the weirdest things I swear.
...

Yes, it amazes me.

Here is a link where numerous common rangefinders are described and reviewed. All of them are much less than $250 and are easily found.

https://www.cameraquest.com/com35s.htm

Visually Conscious · Jan 26, 2017

Theo Sulphate said:
Yes, it amazes me.

Here is a link where numerous common rangefinders are described and reviewed. All of them are much less than $250 and are easily found.

https://www.cameraquest.com/com35s.htm

Honestly like all the recommendations. I appreciate all the help!

Trower · Jan 26, 2017

A Voigtlander bessa r and a Russian lens would be top of my list!

mynewcolour · Jan 26, 2017

Patrick Robert James said:
The last recommendation I have for you if you want to spend a little more money is to get the completely underrated Konica Hexar RF. They seem to be selling for around $400 these days...

Where should I be looking for $400 Hexars?

mynewcolour · Jan 26, 2017

You can still pick up good Canon P bodies within budget, but finding good LTM lenses (that don't need cleaning or shimming) isn't cheap/easy. The Canon 50 1.8 is worth a look (watch out for haze in these). It should be nice for BW film. This should be a more durable camera than a QL17 or similar.

If the function and durability of a Leica really appeals then make that happen. Just try not to lose it!

mynewcolour · Jan 26, 2017

narsuitus said:
I used the Canonet until I could afford the Lecia. Please keep in mind that the Leica can also break down after using it constantly.

I guess the difference is;

i/ if it breaks down after 50 rolls or 500 rolls
ii/ whether or not repair is possible/practical

macfred · Jan 26, 2017

mynewcolour said:
Where should I be looking for $400 Hexars?

I would take one too for that price ...

Nick Merritt · Jan 26, 2017

There have been a couple in the $450 range over at rangefinderforum in the last several weeks. I agree, it's a wonderful camera, solid and a beautiful thing to use and behold.

moto-uno · Jan 26, 2017

^And we're off !!! Start at $250 max and in a day we're up to $450 . Peter

Cholentpot · Jan 26, 2017

Daily usage with my Argus and no sign of it breaking down.

kwm · Jan 27, 2017

The "real poor man`s Leica" is a Zorki or a FED from Russia!

jgoody · Jan 27, 2017

Canon 7 is a very nice camera with a good viewfinder/RF -- but it's not small -- if that's an issue for you.

R.Gould · Jan 27, 2017

Just got another of the original Poor Mans Leica, an Agfs Ambi silette,working perfectly, for the princely sum of £49 GBP, I have a couple of then now, complete with the full set of lenses, that is 35,50,90 and 130mm, I guess I paid around £250GBP for the lot

frank · Jan 27, 2017

If you're not looking for interchangeable lenses, a Retina like the IIa are very nice.

seezee · Jan 27, 2017

Visually Conscious said:
I would also like to add the Rollei 35 series but I have a budget below $250 but might consider of just saving.

These sell for far below your budget with some regularity on the big auction site.

frank · Jan 27, 2017

Interested in a Rolleiflex Automat 2 instead?

Purchasing a Poor-Man's Leica Soon

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency