Want to Buy WTB: Pretty much any compact fixed-lens rangefinder

cptrios · Mar 8, 2021

Hi all,

For months, I've had my heart set on a fixed-lens rangefinder as a travel 35 camera. I've gone through 4 of them now, and they've all had problems, and I'm starting to feel like reliability is going to be an ever-present risk. They were: an Oly 35RC, an Oly 35SP (too big anyway), a Konica C35, and a Vivitar 35ES. The last one has probably been my favorite, but unfortunately my copy had metering and shutter issues. Sigh.

So, does anyone have one lying around? I'm open to a lot of them, as long as they've got a good lens! My only real 'requirement' is a sub-500g weight, which rules out the Canonets, the larger Olympi, the Electro 35, etc. Well, and obviously that it works! My preferences would be: Konica Auto S3, Minolta Hi-Matic 7sii (or any of its 'sister models'), or a Ricoh 500g.

If someone does respond...I've been burned a lot lately beyond the aforementioned cameras, so please don't be offended if I balk at a price!

Donald Qualls · Mar 8, 2021

Olympus XA would fit your bill, though they are known for shutter release contact problems (apparently easily repaired, but still not good if it quits on you in Paris or Rome). In fact, you'd come in under 500g even with the flash.

cptrios · Mar 8, 2021

Donald Qualls said:
Olympus XA would fit your bill, though they are known for shutter release contact problems (apparently easily repaired, but still not good if it quits on you in Paris or Rome). In fact, you'd come in under 500g even with the flash.

Yeah, I looked into those a lot. Unfortunately, from samples I've seen, the IQ just isn't up to what I'm looking for. I have a Minox 35EL that seems to have a markedly better lens than the XA series...if only it had a rangefinder!

Donald Qualls · Mar 8, 2021

I was always very happy with the images from my XA (which I haven't found since my move, probably packed right next to my Jubilette -- I hope!). It's an unusual lens design, with focus via a moving middle element or group (4 elements, 3 groups, but not a Tessar type, as I recall).

If you don't mind a folder that's right on the edge of your weight limit (might be over, I haven't weighed mine) you can find Weltini with Xenon f/2.0 lenses -- same lens that's so good on a Retina. It's heavyish, though, and ergonomically odd (left handed design) -- but folded, it fits in a coat pocket, the lens and shutter are well protected, and it's unit focus rather than front element (hence ability to mount lenses other than triplets and Tessar type).

MattKing · Mar 8, 2021

The XA does suffer from a bit of distortion, but I think that its biggest challenge might be related to how light and small it is. It requires that attention be paid to holding it still, in order to avoid resolution damaging camera movement at the time of exposure.

Kino · Mar 8, 2021

If you want reliability, you're going to have to up your weight limit. The Yashica Electro 35 is only 624 grams; not a burden for the durability.

Down Under · Mar 8, 2021

The big minus (I was tempted to say 'negative', ha!) in your plan is you are looking at cameras dating to the period from 1970 to 1990 - almost all were great in their time, but now suffer from old age and reliability problems.

I've tried almost all of them and one after the other broke down or malfunctioned - two, yes TWO Canonets seized up during a wedding shoot, an Olympus froze with the shutter open in Bali, and several other models of the same vintage let me down with problems while I was in the field and unable to devote time to try to find out what the dickens had gone wrong. The two Canonets disaster won the cigar for me for unfortunate photo events - fortunately I had a Nikkormat with two lenses in the car so I was able to finish the shoot - carting an SLR kit along with the smaller cameras quite defeats the purpose of 'portability' in the first place, doesn't it?

After a number of trials (and failures) I bit the bullet and bought a Contax G1 with a wonderful 35mm f/2 Zeiss Planar lens which has been my carry around film camera since the late 1998. Admittedly this is somewhat 'side topic' but the G1 is a rangefinder camera tho' with interchangeable lenses it may not fit your requirements (the cost of G1 and a Zeiss lens may be another factor against it), but for me it has been a consistently reliable outfit and I have used it a lot in the past 23 years.

All this to say sometimes we have to accept that what we consider to be a 'must have' requirement in film shooting may not fit the bill for many reasons, in this case the age of the cameras, reliability issues and lack of spare parts if a repair becomes a necessity. Of course you can always pick up another at low cost from Ebay or a used camera shop, but the risk is the same problems may and will likely recur.

I liked my Canonets and especially a Canon rangefinder which was small and had the legendary f/1.7 lens, but my G1 and the 35mm lens gives me the convenience and versatility I want. Something like it may well be worth considering, especially if you want to travel post-Covid and prefer to go super light.

craigclu · Mar 8, 2021

I've got a friend's Minolta Hi-Matic E. These have very well regarded lenses. I offered to sell it for him when I got around to posting some things. Your message reminded me. I had put fresh batteries in it a few months back and it seemed to function correctly. PM if you're interested in it. It's clean with a small corner dent so not collector material but a nice, clean user.

cptrios · Mar 8, 2021

Kino said:
If you want reliability, you're going to have to up your weight limit. The Yashica Electro 35 is only 624 grams; not a burden for the durability.

Unfortunately the Electro 35s are all too bulky, weight notwithstanding. The CC is an option, though...but 1/250 max shutter speed is a bummer!

ozmoose said:
...but my G1 and one lens gives me the convenience and versatility I require. Something like it may well be worth considering, especially if you want to travel post-Covid and prefer to go super light.

Hah! Funny you should mention the G1. If you like, you can read about my short walk down that road here.

voceumana · Mar 8, 2021

Just get a Leica rangefinder or Cosina and one lens. A screw mount in working shape shouldn't be excessively expensive, and you can get a used Leica or one of the Cosina lenses. Weight will be heavier than you want.

If you're OK with zone focusing (no rangefinder) maybe a Rollei 35?

Donald Qualls · Mar 9, 2021

If you find an Electo 35 too bulky, are you sure 35mm isn't just too big a format? Perhaps you should look at a Pentax 110 SLR or Kodak Tele-Ektra (one of those has a good RF, along with the slide-in teleconverter and auto exposure with speed sensing for 100 and 400 -- K batteries can be improvised).

cptrios · Mar 9, 2021

Donald Qualls said:
If you find an Electo 35 too bulky, are you sure 35mm isn't just too big a format? Perhaps you should look at a Pentax 110 SLR or Kodak Tele-Ektra (one of those has a good RF, along with the slide-in teleconverter and auto exposure with speed sensing for 100 and 400 -- K batteries can be improvised).

The Electros are just too bulky for this particular use! I want something jacket-pocketable for travel that doesn't sacrifice IQ, and it'll probably only be used for travel. I actually have a broken Electro 35 GSN that I bought 7-8 years ago just to try to fashion a hot shoe VF out of its rangefinder. It's essentially the same size as my Pentax K2, which would be even shallower than the Yashica if I had the 40mm pancake. I have a Yashica FX-D and Pentax ME Super on the way as well, and if I can't find a compact that works out, I think either of those will come close to fitting the bill. Don't think I haven't thought about a Pen F, though!

4season · Mar 9, 2021

Chances are your collection of cameras is really just in need of maintenance. Most of the small RF cameras that I've acquired over the past few years have been in dire need of it.

Minolta Hi Matic E is an interesting suggestion and certainly ought to meet your weight criteria. I forget what the original (probably obsolete) battery was, but it works fine with modern LR44 types via improvised battery adapter.

Kino · Mar 9, 2021

Explore the Olympus 35 RC or EC rangefinder family. If this doesn't fit your needs, I can't help you...

Donald Qualls · Mar 9, 2021

I say again, look for a Weltini with the Xenon. It may exceed your weight budget a little, but it's small. Or a Retina -- automatic cock on advance is a nice feature, but the camera is more likely to need work before you depend on it. A slightly smaller and lighter alternative might be a Super Jubilette or similar -- there were several RF versions of more common 35mm folders just before WWII, they're all very small when folded, though few have f/2 lenses.

You might also consider 6x4.5 RF folders -- these can be barely bigger or heavier than a 35mm folder, but with three times the negative area. Konica Pearl III is a fine example.

Huss · Mar 9, 2021

I've got a very nice Zeiss Ikon Contessa and a Voigtlander Vitessa with the 50 2.0 lens that I would sell.
Give you good price!
But that is going old school..

https://www.cameraquest.com/contessa.htm

Honestly I wouldn't get hung up on getting an RF camera. Don't rule out zone focus ones or even P&S cameras. If you stay away from the famous ones that everyone on youtube wants, you can get a super camera for very little money.
I have lots of them that I don't use. Because I have lots of them..

removedacct1 · Mar 9, 2021

I'm sure they're heavier than 500 grams (you're going to have difficulty meeting that requirement and still get a reliable, well-built camera, IMO) the Kodak Retina IIIC (big C) is extremely well built, has an excellent large, bright viewfinder/rangefinder, and folds to be pocketable. Its my favorite rangefinder.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50986306142_9f1e825f1a_c.jpg

mgb74 · Mar 9, 2021

Donald Qualls said:
If you find an Electo 35 too bulky, are you sure 35mm isn't just too big a format? Perhaps you should look at a Pentax 110 SLR or Kodak Tele-Ektra (one of those has a good RF, along with the slide-in teleconverter and auto exposure with speed sensing for 100 and 400 -- K batteries can be improvised).

The Electro 35 is (IIRC) significantly larger that similar RFs from Minolta, Canon, and Olympus of the same period. Also the Konica S2. Though they did have a faster lens than many.

Bill Burk · Mar 9, 2021

For 460 grams you can put a Retina I with 50mm f/3.5 Ektar in your pocket.

Scale focus and “inconsistent” frame spacing (because it stops the winding by locking the sprocket wheel as you advance).

Can’t complain about image quality and not much bigger than a Rollei 35

Donald Qualls · Mar 9, 2021

Bill Burk said:
Retina I with 50mm f/3.5 Ektar in your pocket.

Scale focus and “inconsistent” frame spacing

OP is after a rangefinder, though at least that camera meets his weight budget (over by 6 grams shouldn't be a big deal).

cptrios · Mar 9, 2021

Appreciate the suggestions everyone! I've decided to go for an aforementioned Hi-Matic E. Looks appealing!

4season said:
Chances are your collection of cameras is really just in need of maintenance. Most of the small RF cameras that I've acquired over the past few years have been in dire need of it.

Unfortunately, two of the ones I've tried were "freshly CLA'd," one by the seller and one by a respected repair guy. Thinking more on that, I believe the best course of action is to stick on the cheaper end and then not cry when something goes wrong.

Donald Qualls said:
You might also consider 6x4.5 RF folders -- these can be barely bigger or heavier than a 35mm folder, but with three times the negative area. Konica Pearl III is a fine example.

Once I finish selling off all of my old, unused stuff, I think a GS645 might be in the cards. Doesn't fit this thread, but I want one!

Want to Buy WTB: Pretty much any compact fixed-lens rangefinder

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