Your first rangefinder ... would you buy it again?

Paul Howell · Jan 17, 2018

My first rangefinder was a Retina III C big, it was a gift from my aunts, 1965, still have it, primary lens is good, axu lens do not couple to the rangefinder, uses EV system that locks the shutter speed to the aperture, light meter is uncoupled but accurate, somewhat fussy to load film and set the frame counter. On occasion I use it, with good results, but if I could use Mr. Peabody's way back machine and whisper into their years, get him a Canon P.

TenSpeed · Jan 17, 2018

canonet ql17, eh probably not

Pentode · Jan 17, 2018

Heck yeah! Petri Color Corrected Super 1.9.

$10 at a flea market, working perfectly.
Smallish, quiet, very nice lens... what’s not to like?

Several years later I got an inexpensive CLA done on it - the slow speeds had gotten a little sluggish - and it’s been fine ever since. I still use it from time to time.

Would I buy it again? You bet! Hell, given inflation I’d even pay up to $25 this time!

Craig · Jan 17, 2018

My first was a Fuji GW690III, which I still have, so yes, I'd buy another one. I have used a friends Leica M6 and the M cameras just don't work for me, I much prefer an SLR in 35mm.

Sirius Glass · Jan 17, 2018

Craig said:
My first was a Fuji GW690III, which I still have, so yes, I'd buy another one. I have used a friends Leica M6 and the M cameras just don't work for me, I much prefer an SLR in 35mm.

I agree about 35mm. My range finder camera which I like the best is my 4"x5" Pacemaker Speed Graphic.

Lee Rust · Jan 17, 2018

I was lucky enough to inherit my dad's Zeiss Ikon Contax IIIA, which served as my only camera for nine years... high school, college and beyond. It was superseded by an Olympus XA and since then many others, but I still have the Contax and it still works well. The knob film wind is a little awkward to use and the rangefinder a bit dim, but yes, I would buy one today. The shutter makes a very pleasant sound and the Sonnar 50mm lens is as good as they come.

Alan9940 · Jan 17, 2018

Don't have to buy it, again, because I still own it; a Leica M6 0.85! But, if the "money gods" bestowed a few thou on me for no reason I'd certainly not be averse to picking up a Leica MP!

LeftCoastKid · Jan 17, 2018

Without a moment's hesitation! My first rangefinder was an M6 with 50mm Summicron. I enjoyed the camera so much I bought a several more bodies and additional lenses. A little pricey, I'll admit, but no regrets. Besides, as a committed single, I don't have to answer to an SO or explain myself.

msage · Jan 17, 2018

I pickup a Voigtlander Bessa R2 a few years ago and never felt comfortable with it. The rangefinder that is, it is a good camera but just never liked the rangefinder thing. So I would not buy it again.

blockend · Jan 17, 2018

Yashica Minister D, maybe not. Leica M5, yes. Kiev 4A, definitely.

TheRook · Jan 17, 2018

My first rangefinder was the Fujica 35 Auto-M, which I still have and use occasionally. Should it break or get lost, I probably won't replace it as I also have several other rangefinder cameras.

btaylor · Jan 17, 2018

Ha! I forgot that my Baby Speed Graphic is a rangefinder. I think I was 11 years when I bought it-- I think I paid $40 for the outfit: camera, lens, flash, holders and a leather bag. I learned all about using sheet film-- so many ways to mess up a shot! I still have it but haven't shot anything in years; I did buy a Century for the Graflok back and may try to fit some roll film holders to it and use it again.

Hatchetman · Jan 17, 2018

Kodak Signet 35 and yes.

Scott Micciche · Jan 18, 2018

My first was actually the Fuji GW690III and I still have it, so I won't have to buy it again It produces some of the nicest negatives!

darkosaric · Jan 18, 2018

Minolta Hi-Matic F: beautiful lens, but no manual control, battery dependant.
I would not buy it again - once when you have Leica...

Laurent · Jan 19, 2018

I still have it, it's my trusty M4. I had it CLA'ed and it works and feels perfect.
But yes, I'd buy an M4 again, should I need it, this camera is really the right tool for me in 35mm. It make me reconsider many things, I now have "only" 3 lenses, and consider a consolidation to on general purpoose 35mm, as the less equipment I carry, the better my photos are.

I'm not exempt from GAS, so I'm planning on adding a IIIf to the little family.

Ko.Fe. · Jan 19, 2018

darkosaric said:
...once when you have Leica...

And once when you'll face first repair cost...

darkosaric · Jan 19, 2018

Ko.Fe. said:
And once when you'll face first repair cost...

I was thinking about this - I will never repair my Leicas. When they broke - on auction site for spares.
Right now I have M3, M6, M1 and IIIf - so far so good, all are working good (no CLA, nothing since 2009 - since I purchased my first one).

Kodachromeguy · Jan 19, 2018

My first rangefinder was my dad's Leica IIIc. I recently had it cleaned and overhauled by DAG in Wisconsin, and it is as good as new again. I wish my dad was still alive to see it still being used. So I do not need to buy a IIIc again - I still have it! The only LTM lens I have now is the 50mm Summitar. Even though I am always tempted to get more, I agree with Laurent above, "the less equipment I carry, the better my photos are."
When I was about 11 or 12, I bought a Kodak Instamatic 500. It was one of the few Instamatics with manual control of f-stop and shutter speed, but it was zone focus, so it does not fit in this category of rangefinder cameras. It was reasonably good optical quality.

Ko.Fe. · Jan 19, 2018

darkosaric said:
I was thinking about this - I will never repair my Leicas. When they broke - on auction site for spares.
Right now I have M3, M6, M1 and IIIf - so far so good, all are working good (no CLA, nothing since 2009 - since I purchased my first one).

You are lucky one!
I've had three M. Two needed service, repair. Sold one which was needed only minor service (sold after service), sold another one which need no service and keeping one which was in service three times and might go for fourth one and most expensive one (new curtains). But I like it most...

NJH · Jan 19, 2018

My answer to the OP is No. My first was a Leica M8. Lost loads of money on that camera but it was the thing that brought my into film, bought an M6 about a year after the M8, decided I much preferred the M6 and film. Never selling my M6.

Pioneer · Jan 19, 2018

First rangefinder was an Agfa Super Isolette. Excellent camera and I do not have to buy it again since I still use it.

esearing · Jan 19, 2018

No, but I haven't sold my Bessa R3M yet either. Since shooting and printing 4x5, 135 roll film seems so puny and not worth the effort to adjust the enlarger to print. I'm slowly leaning toward digital for the rangefinder/small camera experience, I may sell for an A7II or M(240).

Saganich · Jan 19, 2018

Still have it. M2

DWThomas · Jan 19, 2018

I'm in the same boat with this thread as the one on SLRs; if I had to go back in time, I would probably still buy the same camera, the best camera MY money could buy at that time. I bought an an Argus C-3 circa late 1957, still have it, and still use it at least once a year for Argus Day, so I don't have to make that decision. I tend to prefer SLRs for quick all purpose shooting, so I've not found myself lusting after rangefinders in my recent history. I am fairly confident I could find something I would like better than my Argus if I looked, but for non-SLRs I'm pretty happy with my Yashica TLR and a couple of folders doing the medium format thing.

Your first rangefinder ... would you buy it again?

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