Smallest fully mechanical rangefinder

[Deleted member 88956]

But if you want a better camera it would be the Olympus 35RC, an added advantage of which is that if you choose to you can put a battery in it and have a meter and an 'Auto' option. I will now annoy everybody by adding a link to our favourite camera reviewer

https://www.kenrockwell.com/olympus/35rc.htm

Let me go against this one: Olympus 35RC is NOT better than Kodak Retina IIc. In fact it feels so cheap by comparison, not a contender. It can take great pics though, like countless others. But everyone can have their own favorite.

 

[250swb]

Let me go against this one: Olympus 35RC is NOT better than Kodak Retina IIc. In fact it feels so cheap by comparison, not a contender. It can take great pics though, like countless others. But everyone can have their own favorite.

Sorry, my mistake I was focusing on the word 'small' in the OP's question, I didn't see the update about it also needing to be expensive and absolutely adorable to fondle. For the record Retina IIc (W)122mm x (H)85mm x (Depth) 90mm open, 47mm closed. Olympus RC35 (W) 110mm x (H) 70mm x (D) 50mm, on that basis I think the Olympus wipes the floor with it, but yes you wouldn't want to be seen among other photographers with anything cheap.

 

[eli griggs]

The Olympus XA, and the RC types line are pretty small and give quality results with those great lenses.

I have fairly large hands and confident handling of smaller rangefinders becomes an issue as we age, IMO.

Godspeed to all.

 

[jtk]

Unfortunately there don't seem to be any newish rangefinders that shoot film.

 

[Huss]

I try to ignore threads like these because they used to result in me buying stuff I didn't know I needed.

 

[Donald Qualls]

The Olympus XA, and the RC types line are pretty small and give quality results with those great lenses.

I have an XA (somewhere, presuming it hasn't been destroyed by battery leakage -- hadn't been used in a good while and now it's been packed for six and a half years from my last move). Definitely not all mechanical. Yes, it's one of the tiniest rangefinder cameras on 35 mm -- but it won't work at all without a battery.

 

[4season]

I’d be curious to know how Ducati Sogno compares: 35mn half frame, using proprietary (and tiny) film cassettes. Tends to be kind of pricey though, which is why I only have the film cassette.

 

[Sirius Glass]

I try to ignore threads like these because they used to result in me buying stuff I didn't know I needed.

Congratulations you finally figured out how this website works and generates money for Sean. Now please continue to be influenced to binge buy and keep Photrio operating properly. You will receive an email soon asking for your credit card numbers, so please comply and you will be able to continue to post here. Thank you.

 

[Bill Burk]

I know these aren’t RF but mention them because the need I often have to fill is best categorized as ‘pocketable’, ‘spare body’ and/or ‘backpacking’.

For the collection.. The one I like: Retina I with Ektar 3.5 is 39mm (85mm open) x 78mm x 122mm (not RF) and 460 grams.

The Rollei 35 is 40mm (57mm open) x 67mm x 99mm and 350 grams, and includes a light meter.

I wouldn’t call the 35 RC cheap but other small cameras I have considered I would call cheap: the pentax pc35 af and olympus xa and (horrors) minox.

So 100 grams or 22mm on a dimension doesn’t break a camera out of “small” for me. I don’t want much bigger than Retina I so not rushing to get a II.

But what kills it (makes it bad) for me is the mechanical issues (ratchet gear breaking, electronics age, whatever causes the Minox to be scary) or image quality problems (my Rollei 35 flare).

 

[eli griggs]

I have an XA (somewhere, presuming it hasn't been destroyed by battery leakage -- hadn't been used in a good while and now it's been packed for six and a half years from my last move). Definitely not all mechanical. Yes, it's one of the tiniest rangefinder cameras on 35 mm -- but it won't work at all without a battery.

True, I forgot the all mechanical part, thanks for the correction.

 

[Huss]

Congratulations you finally figured out how this website works and generates money for Sean. Now please continue to be influenced to binge buy and keep Photrio operating properly. You will receive an email soon asking for your credit card numbers, so please comply and you will be able to continue to post here. Thank you.

The last mission I accepted from Sean was to sell a bunch of spools. That has not gone well.

 

[Sirius Glass]

The last mission I accepted from Sean was to sell a bunch of spools. That has not gone well.

This tape will destruct in 30seconds ...

 

[madNbad]

If you need service there's a nice fellow on the West Coast who works on these machines. Did an excellent job on my IIc.

The Retina IIa is at least seventy years old and will require service. I've had several Retinas (IIa, IIc and IIIc) serviced by Advance Camera in Portland, Oregon. Service takes between twelve and sixteen weeks and cost about $125 but is well worth it.

 

[Bill Burk]

Ok I like the Retina I because I can service it myself in the field with only things I have in my first aid kit. I once fixed a mainspring issue waiting for a plane. I think I used a needle.

 

[Huss]

This tape will destruct in 30seconds ...

excellent!

 

[Cholentpot]

The Retina IIa is at least seventy years old and will require service. I've had several Retinas (IIa, IIc and IIIc) serviced by Advance Camera in Portland, Oregon. Service takes between twelve and sixteen weeks and cost about $125 but is well worth it.

https://kodakretina.exposure.co/the-story-of-the-kodak-retina-camera

Mr. Paul Barden did an excellent job on my IIc with a quick turn around.

 

[madNbad]

https://kodakretina.exposure.co/the-story-of-the-kodak-retina-camera

Mr. Paul Barden did an excellent job on my IIc with a quick turn around.

Thanks. If I find myself falling down the Retina rabbit hole again, I'll keep him in mind.

 

[choiliefan]

Olympus XA is about as compact as it gets.

 

[gone]

Ok I like the Retina I because I can service it myself in the field with only things I have in my first aid kit.

A pocket knife would probably fix a Retina Ia in the field, but I've never had one break. They're bullet proof cameras, and only the film advance needs to be treated gently. A little bit on the heavy side because they're all metal and glass, but very compact, and you can leave the filter on when you close it back up.

I think we have the winner below. Thanks for the heads up on the little Ducati camera!

http://rick_oleson.tripod.com/index-17.html

 

[flavio81]

Olympus XA is about as compact as it gets.

"Smallest fully mechanical rangefinder"

 

[mrosenlof]

Agree that Oly XA is probably the smallest rangefinder. The Leica LC is awfully nice. bigger than many, but very nice, and small enough for many situations.

 

[NB23]

The one and only Leica II black paint, with a nickel elmar.

Extra tIny. Yet Powerhouse quality.

Two of those in two pockets and I could travel
Around the world.

 

[grat]

Not quite the tiniest or lightest, but I really, really like my Konica IIIA. Great lens, fantastic viewfinder. Or maybe the other way around.

 

[Bill Burk]

How about the smallest 6x9 mechanical rangefinder? I kind of like the Bessa II and the Ikonta C.

 

[Steve Roberts]

Perhaps the Olympus 35RC

Another vote for the 35RC. Great lens and take-everywhere smallness, which has enabled me to capture many shots when I didn't want to be lumping a bigger camera around.
Steve