Suggestions for First Rangefinder

[rpsawin]

Thanks everyone for the feedback and recommendations

I think I'm very close to making a decision.

Spend some time reading up...this is a great resource:

http://www.cameraquest.com/classics.htm

Good luck!

Bob

 

[rpsawin]

Thanks everyone for the feedback and recommendations

I think I'm very close to making a decision.

Spend some time reading up before you finalize your choice...this is a great resource:

http://www.cameraquest.com/classics.htm

Good luck!

Bob

 

[R gould]

Try a voightlander vitomatic or perhaps a folder like a Kodak retina 11c,I have one of each and they are both great shooters, Richard

 

[vbarniev]

Start with something easy and ligth; carry them in your pocket. Most of mines have 40 or 45mm lenses; 1.4 to 2.8. See if you like them first and by then, you'll have a better idea of what you want. My favorite is a Yashica Lynx 14e IC f/1.4, fixed

 

[R gould]

If you don't mind an uncoupled rangefinder then a great user for street photography is a Zeiss Ikon contina 2 very small and pocketable,and light, but great for street photography,If you can find one with the tessar lens and compur shutter then that is the best, but those are hard to find, the nova lens and prontor shutter are more common, but they are very good indeed, stoped down to around 8 the nova is a very good lens,worth trying,Richard

 

[thelawoffives]

I'd get a Yashica Electro 35. They are a dirt cheap way...

I second this, enthusiastically! I have only begun analog photography in the last few years, and I have tried a lot of cameras to see what is fun to shoot and what is tedious. I have picked up 4 Electro 35s, some of the GSN and some of the original. All together, I have paid about $50 for the whole bunch, and I have had a hell of a lot of fun. Rangefinders take some getting used to, but it is easy to slip one in any bag that I am carrying with me, so I will often have a box/tlr and an Electro when I am out and about. The other bonus to an Electro is the ease with which you can crack the sucker open and play with it's guts. Matt Denton has a great page on this camera and some links for basic repairs. I keep reading in forums that rangefinders are the only way to go, that they allow for the best focus, etc. I don't see that myself, maybe because I am a beginner, but I do think that cameras like this are a blast, and people (especially strangers) don't react to having them stuck in their face in the same way that they do with SLRs, in my experience.

 

[Exeter2010]

lilmsmaggie - There sure are a lot of good suggestions here, but I think you might follow the road a little less traveled and just go straight for the Leica M. I shoot all the different formats, as you do, and for 35mm I don't even use my SLRs anymore with only the very rare exception of "on-the-move" formal, telephoto type headshot portraits that the Hasselblad is too cumbersome for. I agonized for awhile, read a lot and went through the motions of "which RF?" and finally just broke down and got a used M6 and 50 Summicron and I have never regretted it. You can do a lot of reading on Stephen Gandy's "cameraquest.com" if you like, as the previous poster mentioned, this is a wealth of RF and classic camera info.

It finally cost me almost $2K for my kit (I added a new Voigtlander 35/2.5 later for $250), but I have never looked back and in four years now have not even thought about needing any other 35mm gear. Totally cured my GAS did the M6! It is so elegant, so fine and solid, so 'purpose built' and does everything it is supposed to do so flawlessly - and I'm not one of the cult Leica worshippers either - and it will probably be the last 35mm camera I will ever buy. The moment you hold one in your hand you will know that this camera is built for the long haul and for life.

If you are interested in a 35mm camera other than an SLR and you are thinking about street, discreet candid, or any kind of reasonably close up, available light, natural type photography, I don't think you would ever regret the initial pain of shelling out for last camera you'll probably ever buy. I have nothing against Voigtlander, Ziess, or any of the myriad other Russian, Japanese, what-have-you RFs out there, I just know that no matter what route I would choose, I would never be happy until I got the real thing in my hand and just went that way in the first place. Oh, and you can always, easily sell a Leica M - probably at a profit; certainly not a loss if you buy right - at any time if you change your mind.

 

[guitstik]

I have several RF that I always carry with me. I started with a Konica Auto S2 with a 45mm Hexanon 1:1,8 lens that takes awesome shots. I then added two Yashicas, an MG-1 with a Yashinon 45mm 1:2,8 lens and a GS with a 45mm 1,7. Both very fine cameras. Later I added a Voigtlander Bessa R from an APUG member with an Industar-50 3,5/50 lens. Having come down with a severe case of RFitis, I then followed those up with a Minolta Hi Matic 9 (instead of the 7sII) a Konica C35 and a Minolta CLE. I have to say tho, that of all the RF, the Yashica GS with the Color-Yashinon DX 45/1,7 lens and the Hi Matic 9 with the Rokkor-PF 45/1.7 take the best pictures. Those two being the least expensive fixed lens tend to end up in my camera bag along with the Bessa R (second to most expensive, I haven't received the CLE yet).

I would say that if you are looking for a GOOD, inexpensive RF I would recommend one of the three. Either the Minolta Hi Matic 9, better than the 7sII IMHO and easier to find. Konica Auto S2 or the Yashica GS/GSN. The upside of these three is they have fantastic lenses, good high visibility RF/VF and they can be found relatively inexpensive. The down side is that they are quit hefty in the weight department and I believe that the Yashica is battery dependent. For more information check out http://www.mattdentonphoto.com/index.html http://www.photoethnography.com/photoethnographers.html or http://www.cameraquest.com/index.htm

 

[darkosaric]

lilmsmaggie - There sure are a lot of good suggestions here, but I think you might follow the road a little less traveled and just go straight for the Leica M.

Amen.

+1

 

[lilmsmaggie]

lilmsmaggie - I agonized for awhile, read a lot and went through the motions of "which RF?" and finally just broke down and got a used M6 and 50 Summicron and I have never regretted it.

From my readings so far, seems to be the (Gulp) consensus of many RF owners who have owned various flavors or RF's including Voigtlander Bessa's. Well, if anything, there are at least some reasonably priced Voigtlander glass if one can't afford Leica glass.

 

[Exeter2010]

lilmsmaggie - You definitely do not HAVE to have the most expensive Leica glass to get the goods on the Leica M. Regardless of what people say about "they're only light tight boxes" and such, you WILL notice the difference in this little black box, with or without the brand name glass. I am perfectly happy shooting with my 35/2.5 CV lens and there's no big obvious difference hopping off the prints to distinguish it from my Summicron.

Just go for it lilmsmaggie, you'll never be happy if you go with something else and you'll "itch" until you finally get that M in your hands. Good luck!

 

[guitstik]

I have a large collection of various types/format cameras with a lot of glass to go with them. If I had gone the way of the Leica pushers I probably wouldn't have most of them. I'm not knocking Leica or those that worship them but I have more fun trying to decide which camera to shoot than I would if all I had to choose from was the one Leica. My Bessa R has several features you won't find on a Leica until you get to the high end M8. I may buy a Leica one day but the M3/M4's that I haves used did not impress me enough to forgo my inexpensive collection. I still say that my QL17 GIII takes pictures on par with any Leica/lens combo even with a fungus infected lens, that is why it was FREE.

 

[lilmsmaggie]

My Bessa R has several features you won't find on a Leica until you get to the high end M8.

I've read that The Bessa's rangefinder needs constant adjustment. Curious to know what has been your experience?

 

[elekm]

It's really best if you can try a camera before you lay down $1,500 to $3,000 for a camera. A rangefinder isn't for everyone, and it's best to start inexpensively. People will say that you don't lose money on a Leica, but there's no guarantee that you'll recoup your initial investment.

 

[lilmsmaggie]

People will say that you don't lose money on a Leica, but there's no guarantee that you'll recoup your initial investment.

They definitely seem to have a cult following reminiscent of Apple owner's

I'm not really looking for an investment or a collectible. Just a honest to goodness reliable RF.

I had a similar experience when I bought my first LF camera. Lot of recommendations for Ebony and Linhof and Graflexes too! Nothing wrong with these. Gets ya to thinking :confused: about what you really want to use the camera for.

I settled on a Chamonix 45n-2 -- wonderful camera - I love it! --but I spent the better part of a year reading and researching and asking questions before buying.

Its hard to make an informed choice unless you can get feedback from people like that have actually been there, done that

So keep those comments coming ...

 

[keithwms]

Mamiya 6 or 7ii, or a folder.

 

[guitstik]

I have spent countless hours going over pages and web sites reading everything I could and can on every camera I have in my collection. I did all of that before I even posed the first question on a forum because I knew I would get a lot of different opinions. Get on epay and look for rangefinders, when you find one you like google it and see what some of sites have to say about it. I have my opinions and that only goes so far when it comes to another persons tastes and experience. I buy cameras to use not sit around and look good so when I call my conglomeration a "collection" that is in the most general of terms because they share a common purpose. Check out some of those site that have been suggested to you they are all good informative sites.

 

[lilmsmaggie]

Get on epay and look for rangefinders, when you find one you like google it and see what some of sites have to say about it.

I spent the better part of this weekend doing just that, e.g. eBay, CameraQuest, you name it, I probably been there

Ironically, the one site: http://www.rangefinderforum.com that may have been the most helpful, seems to be the least moderated. Joined a few days ago and I still can't post a question.
Their administrator email doesn't seem to work either



All I can do is search posts which can be a bit frustrating. I've been more successful here and on photo.net than the above RF site. At least I can post and people have responded.

Actually, I don't mind the opinions and feedback - I do find it helpful. Bottom-line, I think most of us have a camera or two, or three in mind when we pose questions to forum participants.

All I ask is that you don't start flaming one another

 

[guitstik]

It sounds like you are going at it the right way, research. We can all suggest the cameras WE like but unless we have used every RF ever made our opinions are skewed. I have yet to shoot the Canon P/SP/S/S2/S3 or all of the Kodak Retinas (I have two) or the Contax' and that barely scratches the surface of possible RF cameras. I know a guy in the local camera club that is a Leica snob, that is all he will have and I feel sorry for him because he is missing out on a lot of good cameras. I have fun with my cameras and they all get used on a regular basis without the fear of damage or loss because there is not a lot if money tied up in them, they can easily be replaced. My budget for camera/equipment is $50/wk, if what I want cost more than that I have to save up. That is the criteria that I have set for my self and that allows me to buy an inexpensive camera or three once a week. If I wanted to buy a Leica or a Contax G2 with a lens I would have to save for about a year and I am just to impatient for that. It all comes down to what you want and can afford.

 

[sangetsu]

Get a Yashica Electro GX. These are simply excellent little cameras. They have a 40/1.7 lens, aperture priority auto operation, and parallax correction in the viewfinder. They come in black or silver, but the silver version is a little harder to find. The GX is a little hard to come by, but you can find them on the big auction site, I sell 2 or 3 there every month.

I own most of the cameras which have been mentioned in this thread, and I have experience with all of them, but the GX remains one of my all-time favorites.

 

[stevebrot]

...Ironically, the one site: http://www.rangefinderforum.com that may have been the most helpful, seems to be the least moderated. Joined a few days ago and I still can't post a question.
Their administrator email doesn't seem to work either...

That was my experience there as well. There was an issue with my e-mail address and I pinged the admin...no response.


Steve

 

[keithwms]

Rangefinderforum is where I used to spend a fair amount of my discussion time. The main problem I encountered wasn't moderation, it was that the site was constantly embroiled in brand wars, and certain personalities were allowed to dominate. The m8 issues were front and center and some people became quite prickly. They also started allowing SLR shots in the gallery, and all manner of advertisements etc. So I lost interest and have had a monogamous relationship with APUG ever since.

Anyway... my suggestion is to consider a MF RF for scenic, environmental, travel, that kind of thing. I definitely do not deny the special powers of 35mm RFs for available light, street and impromptu stuff, though. And I seldom leave home without an xa in the pocket.

I will admit having impure thoughts about an m7 and then a (new) zeiss ikon.

 

[lilmsmaggie]

That was my experience there as well. There was an issue with my e-mail address and I pinged the admin...no response. Steve

IMHO RFF seems to be an auxiliary site for Stephen Gandy and CameraQuest.
His ads and threads dominate the site.

I had the same problem trying to sign-up as well, then I took a look at the site's FAQ and found this little tidbit:

"RFF does not allow registrations using emails such as yahoo, hotmail etc ..."

It's just as well, I've found a lot of info here and other places. Everyone here on APUG has been terrific as always.

 

[lilmsmaggie]

Well, I think I got lucky. Stumbled upon a used Bessa R3M 250th Anniversary edition with 50mm Heliar on KEH.com.

The price was right. Should be here in a couple of days. I spoke to my camera repair tech. just in case to see if he could do adjustments. Luckily, he's performed adjustments on Leica's and a few other rangefinders. Normally, he doesn't work on film cameras that much anymore but he said to bring it by and he'll take a look at it.

The camera was listed as being in Excellent condition but I really won't know until I get it in my hot little hands.

 

[guitstik]

If KEH listed it as excellent, it is. You shouldn't have any problems with it. The Voigtlander Bessa R3M is a good camera that covers the 40,50,75 & 90 frame lines. Usually a 40/1,4 Nokton comes in a kit, do you know if is the f2.0 or the f3.5? I have been happy with the R that I have and I haven't noticed any problems with the RF but then I haven't run a lot of film through it yet.