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

[Terence]

If you can find a functioning Kodak Retina IIF, they're Hardy viewfinder cameras, with a good lens, at an affordable price. They usually go for less money than the earlier, folding Retinas (which are also great). Unfortunately, the selenium meters are rarely working/accurate anymore, but they aren't needed to operate the camera either.

 

[StanMac]

If you can find a functioning Kodak Retina IIF, they're Hardy viewfinder cameras, with a good lens, at an affordable price. They usually go for less money than the earlier, folding Retinas (which are also great). Unfortunately, the selenium meters are rarely working/accurate anymore, but they aren't needed to operate the camera either.

I've had a Retina IIf since the late 60s. I took a lot of slides and color film with that camera. As long as I got the focus right and centered the meter the images were excellent. It hasn't been used much in the last 45 years, the shutter speed ring is a bit stiff, but the meter still responds (accuracy hasn't been evaluated). I should send it out for a CLA . . . .

Stan