The flipside is, I can't get used to the handling on the Olympus 35 RC and am thinking of getting ride of mine, the aperture ring ergonomics just do not make it enjoyable for me. If the meter worked on mine, I wouldn't mind shooting it in shutter priority instead..
Apart from the silly money Leicas which don't float my boat at all I had an Olympus SP which was absolutely terrific. I sold it when I went over to exclusively Nikon but have regretted it. That Zuiko lens it was fitted with was a right cracker. I have not seen one for sale for a few years now.
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.
I think the best fixed lens range finder is a Leica CL with 40mm sumicron that you never take off!
I agree with the aperture ring ergonomics of the Olympus 35RC, I can't change it without taking it off my eye and then putting my hand over the lens and pinching my fingers in. If it had a little tab that would be great. I love that it is a truly pocketable (for my pockets at least) fully manual range finder.
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.
I'd have to say my favorite fixed-lens 35 mm RF is my Canonet QL17 GIII -
Agreed. The Retina IIIC (type 028) is one of the best compact rangefinder cameras you can own.Kodak Retinas have Leica-grade glass. Assume the meter cells are dead by now on any of the Retina III models, but otherwise fantastic cameras.
Until the more-or-less volatile components from the helicoid lubrication do their thing again (how do i know?) IMO it's necessary to re-lube the helicoid with, e.g. Helimax-XP.Olympus 35RD- These took a bad rap for sticky shutters but CLA takes care of that
That's a lovely shot Radost!
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