Your most recent RF purchase

[Ronald Moravec]

A silver and a black Leica M6 around 1985. They are made to last 10 lifetimes so that is all I will be needing.

 

[cosmonaut1959]

My latest is a M3. I sold one a couple of years back and never got over it..

 

[ColdEye]

Canonet ql17 giii. Small, cheap, and gets the job done. Plus no exchangeable lenses to counter G.A.S.

 

[alkanphel]

Just bought a Konica Hexar RF! Fitted it out with a CV 35/1.4 SC, quite excited to go out and shoot with it

 

[guitstik]

I haven't gotten it yet but I am in the process of purchasing a Nikon S2 with the 5cm/1,4 and a 13,5/2 from the local camera shop. They have it on consignment along with an F and several lenses but I am just getting the S2.

 

[peter_n]

An M2. A really nice camera!

 

[X. Phot.]

This last weekend I found a minty Tower 45 (Nicca 5L) w/ Nikkor-H 50mm f/2 lens in a local antiques stall. After the 20% discount the final price came to 11 dollars plus tax.

Then the next day, Sunday it was, in an antiques stall about a city block distant from the previous, I acquired a minty Zeiss Ikon Contax IIIA w/Sonnar 50mm f/1.5 in it's original leather case. Even the meter on this one works properly. That one came to just 30 dollars plus tax.

It's was a wonderful and strange weekend. But now, I sense another dry-spell is on the horizon. The last one lasted about five years.

It would be funny to think that both of these cameras originated from the same source. ie; estate. It's not unlikely around these parts.

 

[Vsanzbajo]

A Nikon S2 and a Leica M3, now I need a 50mm Leica lens.

 

[BokehBurgher]

I just purchased a Zeiss Contax IIIa and a Sonnar-Opton 50mm f=1,5. Its my first rangefinder and I'm very excited to learn how to shoot it. I have a roll of Tri-X sitting here waiting to be loaded in once I've had a chance to read the manual.

I've been a DSLR shooter for awhile yet but have had a crush on rangefinders ever since I first saw them on display at my local camera store. Seeing images online shot with rangefinders sealed the deal for me. I wanted the Leica yet I couldn't talk myself into the startup and maintenance cost. Obviously worth every penny, yet a bit out of my price range.

About a month ago I purchased a Zeiss Contina IIa. After I got my first roll of film back from the photo lab I knew I absolutely had to have a rangefinder. I was happy enough with the results of the Contina that I began to research Zeiss and after a good deal of learning, made my purchase this weekend through KEH. The camera and lens arrive today and look to be in very fine shape. The kit appears to be a "user".

I'm from the Seattle area as an introduction, and I'm interested in meeting fellow rangefinder enthusiasts from this area. I look forward to participating in this community.

 

[brianentz]

New purchase and canonete question

I'm the proud owner of a new (for me) canon canonete ql17 giii can't wait to play with it. Right now it's still in France (eBay, ya know) but soon it will hop the pond and start capturing California scenes.
One question: with it's metering can I get away with a linear polarizer or must it be circular?

 

[OldBodyOldSoul]

Fell ass-backwards into a Leica IIIa together with Elmar 35/3.5, Xenon 50/1.5, Summar 50/2, Summitar 50/2, Elmar 50/2.8, Elmar 90/4, Hektor 135/4.5 and Telyt 200/4.5. There was also a Zorki-4 and various Jupiter lenses.

edit: cost was exactly zero...

 

[guitstik]

I just purchased a Zeiss Contax IIIa and a Sonnar-Opton 50mm f=1,5. Its my first rangefinder and I'm very excited to learn how to shoot it. I have a roll of Tri-X sitting here waiting to be loaded in once I've had a chance to read the manual.

I've been a DSLR shooter for awhile yet but have had a crush on rangefinders ever since I first saw them on display at my local camera store. Seeing images online shot with rangefinders sealed the deal for me. I wanted the Leica yet I couldn't talk myself into the startup and maintenance cost. Obviously worth every penny, yet a bit out of my price range.

About a month ago I purchased a Zeiss Contina IIa. After I got my first roll of film back from the photo lab I knew I absolutely had to have a rangefinder. I was happy enough with the results of the Contina that I began to research Zeiss and after a good deal of learning, made my purchase this weekend through KEH. The camera and lens arrive today and look to be in very fine shape. The kit appears to be a "user".

I'm from the Seattle area as an introduction, and I'm interested in meeting fellow rangefinder enthusiasts from this area. I look forward to participating in this community.

Welcome to APUG and the wonderful world of RF shooting. What part of Seattle? I grew up in the Burien/White Center area. Having the Cascade randge and Mt. Rainier as backdrops make me wish that I were back in that part of the country. There are a bunch of people here that live there And you should be able to hook up with some one, good luck and happy shooting.

 

[GRHazelton]

I'm the proud owner of a new (for me) canon canonete ql17 giii can't wait to play with it. Right now it's still in France (eBay, ya know) but soon it will hop the pond and start capturing California scenes.
One question: with it's metering can I get away with a linear polarizer or must it be circular?

As I remember the circular polarizer requirement is for SLRs using a beam splitter for through the lens metering, or for autofocussing systems using beam splitters. Since the Canonet mounts its CdS cell external to the lens, a linear polarizer should be fine, and the exposure increase should be automatically accomplished, since the cell reads through the filter.

Looks like a sweet little camera!

Any other members care to comment?

 

[brucemuir]

I just purchased a Zeiss Contax IIIa and a Sonnar-Opton 50mm f=1,5. Its my first rangefinder and I'm very excited to learn how to shoot it. I have a roll of Tri-X sitting here waiting to be loaded in once I've had a chance to read the manual.

I've been a DSLR shooter for awhile yet but have had a crush on rangefinders ever since I first saw them on display at my local camera store. Seeing images online shot with rangefinders sealed the deal for me. I wanted the Leica yet I couldn't talk myself into the startup and maintenance cost. Obviously worth every penny, yet a bit out of my price range.

About a month ago I purchased a Zeiss Contina IIa. After I got my first roll of film back from the photo lab I knew I absolutely had to have a rangefinder. I was happy enough with the results of the Contina that I began to research Zeiss and after a good deal of learning, made my purchase this weekend through KEH. The camera and lens arrive today and look to be in very fine shape. The kit appears to be a "user".

I'm from the Seattle area as an introduction, and I'm interested in meeting fellow rangefinder enthusiasts from this area. I look forward to participating in this community.

Yes welcome,
I shoot Contax IIa and am on the lookout for a 50 1,5 in one of it's iterations.
I also have a Kiev 4a with some Jupiters but the Kiev is really no match for the Contax as far as build quality.

Have fun.

 

[brianentz]

Great. Saves me a bit o' $ !! I'll use the savings for a canolite D flash and carrying pouch.

 

[wotalegend]

I'm the proud owner of a new (for me) canon canonete ql17 giii can't wait to play with it. Right now it's still in France (eBay, ya know) but soon it will hop the pond and start capturing California scenes.
One question: with it's metering can I get away with a linear polarizer or must it be circular?

I concur with GRHazelton. Circular polarizer is only required for auto focus cameras.

 

[artfoto47]

Just got a Kiev 4a, my first RF since my Leica M3 was stolen some 20 years ago. I was looking for a 'beater' IIIc or IIIf, but even those were more than I could afford. Then I read the Kiev story and was fascinated by the whole thing. Still haven't got any film through it, but I have a good feeling about this camera - 50 years old and both camera and case look nearly new. My only reservation is a little bit of 'play' between the back and body - does anyone know if this is normal? I guess I'll find out once I shoot a roll of film.

 

[CD55]

Just got a Olympus 35 RD from a local thrift shop for $10. Case it came with was pretty beat up so I've had to throw it away but the camera's shutter speeds seem okay. Aperture and focus seem a bit harder than my SLRs but I'm not sure if this is normal or not since this is my first rangefinder. Outside is very nice and the flash hotshoe cover is still on it. The seals look like they need to be replaced but aren't falling apart yet. Again since this is my first rangefinder I can't say whether the viewfinder is too dark or is normal. I'll run a test roll through it to see how it performs.

 

[X. Phot.]

Just got a Kiev 4a, my first RF since my Leica M3 was stolen some 20 years ago. I was looking for a 'beater' IIIc or IIIf, but even those were more than I could afford. Then I read the Kiev story and was fascinated by the whole thing. Still haven't got any film through it, but I have a good feeling about this camera - 50 years old and both camera and case look nearly new. My only reservation is a little bit of 'play' between the back and body - does anyone know if this is normal? I guess I'll find out once I shoot a roll of film.

I recently acquired a mint condition Contax IIIa. It has that same play or "slightly loose fit" of the back. I wouldn't say it's normal, but it is noticeable. In my case it hasn't been cause for any troubles.

 

[artfoto47]

Thanks X.Phot. - Just processed a test roll, no light leaks; the only problem is how bad I've gotten at judging exposure.....

 

[GRHazelton]

Judging Exposure

Time to look for a used Weston or Norwood. I scored a clean Norwood Director - ratty case, but no big deal - for $15 at a camera yard sale. At 50 or 60 years old it agrees perfectly with my Minolta Autometer. Plus it goes so well with my Vitessa L.

 

[artfoto47]

Yeah, well I have a Gossen Multibeam meter that I used part of the time and I thought I could kinda wing it especially with Fomapan 400, but not so.

 

[brucemuir]

Thanks X.Phot. - Just processed a test roll, no light leaks; the only problem is how bad I've gotten at judging exposure.....

Hey Art,
consider yourself lucky.
I have a 4a that has the "common" lightleak that is coming from the rangefinder window. At least thats where I suspect it is coming from. Same streak everytime in the same position radiating from a lower sprocket (would be the top sporcket in camera due to lens image is inverted.)

I see the fix at a Kiev site that mentions the sealing for the top/sproket drive can fail.

I will have to take the top off for closer inspection.

 

[Aristophanes]

Yashica GSN in flawless condition. Sat in a storage room for 30+ years after maybe 2 rolls of film went through it.

 

[Alan_Cohen]

A nice haul...

I just picked these up from an estate sale collection:

Konica:
FT-1 (3), one in black
FS-1 (2)
Autoplex T (2)
Auto S2
Auto S1.6
Konica III

Canon QL17 (3) and a Bell & Howell 19

Pentax P3

Yashica
Electro 35 GSN (2) and a GT in black (mint)
Zoom 90
EE

Minolta XG-A and a HiMatic 11

Olympus XA and two 35 RCs.

Pentacon w/ Zeiss Biotar 58mm/f2 lens.

Argus C44 w/ 50mm and 100mm lenses.

Zeiss Ikon Contaflex (3 vintages) and a Tenax

Voightlander Vito BL

and a Werra 3 w/Zeiss Tessar 50/2.8 (really neat little camera.)

Oh yeah..and a Kowa Six w/ an 85mm/ f2.8

There were also a bunch of lenses including a Konica Hexanon 58/1.4 and an 85mm/1.8, both sold already for 1/3 of what I paid for the lot. Oh yeah...about 60 filters as well.