What Are Your Favorite 35mm Manual Focus Fixed-Lens Rangefinders? (Looking For Recommendations)

manfrominternet · Apr 8, 2023

Hi all,

I put my interchangeable lens rangefinder search (I’m looking at you, Minolta CLE) on hold for the time being after I realized that a fixed-lens rangefinder might be more suitable for my needs, particularly since I’m almost exclusively a 35mm-45mm focal length user as it is.

That said, I was hoping you guys could recommend your favorite 35mm (full frame) manual focus, fixed-lens rangefinders. In particular, I’m looking for one in the 35mm to 45mm focal length range with a decent internal light meter as I shoot a lot of slides/transparencies. The quality of the lens is obviously paramount.

Here are some of the rangefinders I‘m looking at (in no particular order):

-Olympus 35 SP
-Canon Canonet QL17 GIII
-Agfa Optima 1535
-Olympus XA
-Minolta 7SII
-Konica Auto S3
-Olympus 35 RD

I’m even looking at ‘newer’ autofocus rangefinders like the Konica Hexar AF, Nikon 35Ti, and Contax TVS III, which seem promising, but truth be told, I just don’t trust autofocus and would much prefer to focus manually.

If I can get any of your recommendations, that’d of course be very much appreciated.

Kodachromeguy · Apr 8, 2023

Add the Yashica Electro 35CC with its 35mmf/1.8 lens to your list. Excellent lens, 52mm filter mount, and it uses a modern battery. Great casual travel camera:

https://worldofdecay.blogspot.com/2020/03/small-towns-in-texas-panhandle-with.html

beemermark · Apr 8, 2023

I pretty sure I've owned and used every camera you listed. The Olympus 35 SP. Fantastic lens and great light meter that does both and average. I think (and I'm not alone on this) the lens is the equal to a Leica Summicron. Unfortunately I don't use it much any more because I have 3 Leica M bodies.

mshchem · Apr 8, 2023

I had a beautiful Fujica V2 that I bought at a thrift shop for 10 bucks. The leaf shutter was stuck I sent it to be CLA'D, cost $150, that got everything fixed, even meter and shutter priority auto setting. I sold it to a legitimate working photographer he's used it quite a bit.

grat · Apr 9, 2023

Does a Konica IIIA with a Reveni cube meter count? It's a 48mm f/2 lens, but ye gods whatta lens!

nosmok · Apr 9, 2023

The Minolta 7sII is the only one of those that has a fully mechanical shutter IIRC, so if the battery is dead you can still use all shutter speeds and f-stops in manual mode with 'sunny 16' or such. I love my XA-- it's the only battery powered camera I will keep around forever. The 35SP and Konica are great but useless without batteries. Another option would be a meterless mechanical folder, i.e. the Welta Weltini, later Agfa Karat, or Ansco Super Memar (edit: this one's not a folder, whoops). With the better lenses these are serious contenders (the Solagon that was an option for both the Memar and the Karat is exceptionally good).

bernard_L · Apr 9, 2023

nosmok said:
The Minolta 7sII is the only one of those that has a fully mechanical shutter IIRC,

??? At least the olympuses 35RD and SP can be used in manual exposure. If you watch the trapped needle before the shutter trips you can even have some meter assistance to your manual exposure.

Overrank · Apr 9, 2023

You could also add the Yashica Electro 35 GT/GS/GTN/GSN - aperture priority only by otherwise very nice.

You may find the Canonet QL17 cheaper than the Giii version - it’s essentially the same camera. Although, I’ve never been impressed with the feel of either.

I’ve owned the Optima 1035 (1535 without a rangefinder) and the build quality is very nice - it has the feel of the Leica CL / Minolta CL.

Radost · Apr 9, 2023

Between Leica CL with a 40mm sumicron and all versions of Rollei 35 “non RF” I am set.
Most fixed lens RF mentioned here are bigger than Leica CL.
Just get a Leica or Minolta CL with Leica or Minolta 40mm.
Film is expansive to be point and shooted.

reddesert · Apr 9, 2023

There are a lot of cameras in this class, and different ones have different tradeoffs that influence usability. So it helps to lay out what your priorities are. Any of them are likely 40-50 years old, so unless you plan to buy one from a guaranteed source, or buy one and have it CLA'ed, accept that the meter may be a weak point that varies greatly between examples of the same camera. (For ex, I've had the same Canonet G-III QL17 for 30+ years, I used it a lot as a travel camera, shutter works fine, but I don't think its meter is reliable across the full range any more.)

So for example if you're really concerned about accurate exposure I would either budget for getting the camera adjusted, or get one that has full manual control so you can use an external meter.

Typically in this genre of 70s RFs, if they have full manual control (shutter + aperture) they'll also work without batteries, although I am sure someone can name an exception. Examples include Canonet QL17, Minolta Hi-Matic 7 (and 9?), Konica auto S2, Olympus 35 RC and SP, Yashica Lynx-5000 and Lynx-14. Later ones often had aperture or shutter priority only, eg Yashica Electro 35, Konica C35 and auto S3, Olympus XA.

Then you should consider size and ease of operation. For ex the earlier ones like Konica auto S2, Minolta 7, Yashica Lynx, and first Canonets are bigger than the QL17, Olympus 35RC, Minolta 7s2, and especially the XA. But the bigger ones often have nicer viewfinders (the Konica S2 finder is especially nice). Another operation aspect is that for many, you only get metering in auto mode. So you have to move the aperture ring to A, meter, then move it back to the aperture value if you want to override the meter.

IMO, most of these have good lenses (a lot like an SLR normal lens), but an issue more than lens X vs lens Y is, how well are the RF and the lens/film in alignment, or, how many times has the camera been dropped? Again, they are 40-50 years old.

BobD · Apr 9, 2023

Retina II and III series. My favorites are the IIa and IIIC. The IIIS too but it's not a fixed lens.

Yashica · Apr 9, 2023

Kodachromeguy said:
Add the Yashica Electro 35CC with its 35mmf/1.8 lens to your list. Excellent lens, 52mm filter mount, and it uses a modern battery. Great casual travel camera:

https://worldofdecay.blogspot.com/2020/03/small-towns-in-texas-panhandle-with.html

I second that. Using it since decades. But beware of the PoD, "Pad of death", google it. It does happen quite often with this model.

OAPOli · Apr 9, 2023

Olympus XA
Pros: pocket size, auto-exposure, good lens
Cons: too small, no filters, no manual override (mine overexposes and it's hard to troubleshoot because needle display and shutter speed are independent)

Hassasin · Apr 9, 2023

VOIGTLANDER Vitessa barn door

Kodachromeguy · Apr 9, 2023

Yashica said:
I second that. Using it since decades. But beware of the PoD, "Pad of death", google it. It does happen quite often with this model.

Are you referring to the 35CC (a compact body) or to the larger Yashica Electro GS GT series with the 45mm lens? I have read of the pad problem with the latter. The GS GT series can fit wide-angle and long adapters, which could be handy on a trip.

Huss · Apr 9, 2023

manfrominternet said:
I’m even looking at ‘newer’ autofocus rangefinders like the Konica Hexar AF, Nikon 35Ti, and Contax TVS III, which seem promising, but truth be told, I just don’t trust autofocus and would much prefer to focus manually.

If I can get any of your recommendations, that’d of course be very much appreciated.

those aren’t RF cameras at all, they are AF P&S cameras. If you include those you might as well include all P&S cameras. And for the prices that they go for, just get a CLE which is an RF camera.

Out of your list I use the Agfa Optima 1535. Small, super lens, big exposure range. Negatives are the only way to manually control your exposure is by changing the ISO, and they are very hard to come by. The 1535 is the only one in that range that has the rf.
Very cool bauhuas design!

An advantage of the 1535 is it exposes properly w modern batteries - no need for an adapter or messing w the electronics.

Taken w my 1535:

Sharktooth · Apr 9, 2023

I find the Konica S3 has one significant design flaw, namely no manual exposure control. If the battery dies, or the meter doesn't work, the camera is basically bricked. You'll have no control over the aperture. Look for something that has full manual control options.

Donald Qualls · Apr 9, 2023

I'd have to say my favorite fixed-lens 35 mm RF is my Canonet QL17 GIII -- but these are desirable cameras and likely to be priced up on the market these days. The older Canonet models (no QL or GIII) are similar optically, just a little more work to load and with lower maximum film speed setting, and of course the Canonet 28 or 21 are less expensive than a 17 because other factors equal, slower lenses cost less.

These are battery dependent for metering, but can be modified to use modern silver oxide batteries that will last a couple years (the battery only runs the meter). Shutter and aperture are fully manual with optional auto aperture (works only with a battery of course). Very compact and light, even with the fastest lens option, nice sturdy strap lugs, and a hot shoe.

Drop back a tech level, and I'd point to the Petri 7s. Selenium match-needle meter (after sixty years, it's a crapshoot whether these still work, of course), full manual shutter and aperture, excellent lens (f/1.9 on mine, but also sold with f/2.8 as I recall), hot shoe, and there was a tele/wide add-on lens set (fits the filter ring) if you can find one.

Both of these cameras have cable sockets on the shutter release and standard tripod sockets, auto-reset frame counters. Things to watch (other than dead selenium cells) is condition of the half-silvered mirror in the RF (if the patch is dim, it's hard to use in lower light).

Edit: after rereading up the thread -- if you can find a working Weltini with the f/2 Xenon at a reasonable price, GRAB IT! I have one; the lens is awesome, and fast enough to hand hold indoors with ISO 400 film. Originally, there was no flash sync on these (production ended before those were added to the Compur shutters) but mine was retrofitted (at the cost of the cable release socket; I'd rather have the cable capability, but these aren't on eBay in the dozens at any given time). This camera is small, about the same size as a Rollei 35 (but has an RF!), barely bigger than an Olympus XA -- but you'll never be stuck by a dead battery. It'll fit in a large pocket, though I quit carrying mine that way because it kept opening in the pocket and tripping the film advance release or double exposure lock.

Yashica · Apr 9, 2023

Kodachromeguy said:
Are you referring to the 35CC (a compact body) or to the larger Yashica Electro GS GT series with the 45mm lens? I have read of the pad problem with the latter. The GS GT series can fit wide-angle and long adapters, which could be handy on a trip.

I meant the 35CC(N), and i have both, also the black 35 Electro GT..that issue also happens here.

Yashica · Apr 9, 2023

OAPOli said:
Olympus XA
Pros: pocket size, auto-exposure, good lens
Cons: too small, no filters, no manual override (mine overexposes and it's hard to troubleshoot because needle display and shutter speed are independent)

Yes, not the best lens, but a good one at least. My 35mm Point & Shoot, which i often have at my side on the go, digital, the Nikon V1 since 2012, with mostly the 10-30 PD VR zoom, also the 18.5/F1.8 prime. Still good enough, 10 MP, CX (Type 1.0) Sensor size. Some good shots over the ages with both cameras.

Yashica · Apr 9, 2023

manfrominternet said:
Hi all,

I put my interchangeable lens rangefinder search (I’m looking at you, Minolta CLE) on hold for the time being after I realized that a fixed-lens rangefinder might be more suitable for my needs, particularly since I’m almost exclusively a 35mm-45mm focal length user as it is.

That said, I was hoping you guys could recommend your favorite 35mm (full frame) manual focus, fixed-lens rangefinders. In particular, I’m looking for one in the 35mm to 45mm focal length range with a decent internal light meter as I shoot a lot of slides/transparencies. The quality of the lens is obviously paramount.

Here are some of the rangefinders I‘m looking at (in no particular order):

-Olympus 35 SP
-Canon Canonet QL17 GIII
-Agfa Optima 1535
-Olympus XA
-Minolta 7SII
-Konica Auto S3
-Olympus 35 RD

I’m even looking at ‘newer’ autofocus rangefinders like the Konica Hexar AF, Nikon 35Ti, and Contax TVS III, which seem promising, but truth be told, I just don’t trust autofocus and would much prefer to focus manually.

If I can get any of your recommendations, that’d of course be very much appreciated.

Funny thing, these are the "usual suspects" which came into mind quite often. Mind you, the Auto S3, as well as the 35 SP, 7S II, are overrated in my eyes. The 35Ti does have a great lens, Contax TVS series is with a zoom into all TVS I-III. (I am shooting Contax/Yashica since 1989...) But don't own everything, of course not.
I could add the Revue 400 SE, also the Vivitar 35 ES, and also the Rollei XF 35.

250swb · Apr 9, 2023

Olympus 35RC, it has everything. Auto exposure, manual exposure, and if the battery fails manual exposure but without the meter. Not to mention a typical Olympus lens that puts to shame some of the SLR efforts from some manufacturers. Even if it's not a 35RC any other of the Olympus small rangefinder clan are superb cameras. If you want to go full battery power or nothing if it fails how about the XA, one of the best designed cameras ever.

guangong · Apr 9, 2023

I use Rollei 35 (no rangefinder, but nice bright viewfinder), has meter but not battery dependent. Also Retina folders, and Zeiss Contessa folder. All of these cameras are small but of substantial construction, so not really pocketable unless wearing canvas jacket. For relatively small, pocketable, and light I use XA. I’ve taken some very nice pics with XA.
Another favorite of mine, although battery dependent, is Contax T3, but these are selling for ridiculous prices now.

manfrominternet · Apr 9, 2023

beemermark said:
I pretty sure I've owned and used every camera you listed. The Olympus 35 SP. Fantastic lens and great light meter that does both and average. I think (and I'm not alone on this) the lens is the equal to a Leica Summicron. Unfortunately I don't use it much any more because I have 3 Leica M bodies.

My top contenders, in this particular order, are the Olympus 35 SP, Canonet QL17 GIII, Minolta 7sII, Agfa 1535 (per Huss's usual excellent recommendations), and the Konica Auto S3. I'm not worried about the size of the camera. (Coming from large and medium formats, all 35mm cameras are tiny to me, haha.) The lens is, by far, the most important thing to me.

It's really tough choosing between these five since they're all excellent (as are the other ones I mentioned including the Yashicas).

I guess the real question is, which of these has the very best Leica-like lens and which one - if CLAd properly- has the best internal light meter?

beemermark · Apr 9, 2023

35SP most Leica like lens and best light meter. I like the Canonet QI17 but both of mine need the light seals replaced.

What Are Your Favorite 35mm Manual Focus Fixed-Lens Rangefinders? (Looking For Recommendations)

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