Which camera to have CLA'd?

Which camera to have CLA'd?

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Brennotdan

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I have recently aquired these cameras, and I would like to get one of them CLAd to become a trusty user camera. I don't know much about the Retina, but it seems solid. I haven't handled the Z4 yet, as I just bought it from *bay. I was hoping to gather from others experience which one would be the best choice to have overhauled considering :

1. This will be my first rangefinder
2. I will shoot mostly color negative film
3. I own a handheld lightmeter
4. I would like to experiment with street style shooting
5. I don't have a favorite priority

Also, let me know which you would choose for yourself, if you were in my shoes.

Thanks!
 
Brennotdan said:
I have recently aquired these cameras, and I would like to get one of them CLAd to become a trusty user camera. I don't know much about the Retina, but it seems solid. I haven't handled the Z4 yet, as I just bought it from *bay. I was hoping to gather from others experience which one would be the best choice to have overhauled considering :

1. This will be my first rangefinder
2. I will shoot mostly color negative film
3. I own a handheld lightmeter
4. I would like to experiment with street style shooting
5. I don't have a favorite priority

Also, let me know which you would choose for yourself, if you were in my shoes.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

The Retina I, II, and III models are fine cameras. Frankly, I think the other Retinas suck though. The Yashica is a good camera, but it is aperture prioprity autoexposure only. I don't know much about Vivitar cameras, but the Russian rangefinders are usually either very good or very bad, with nothing much in the middle. I'd have to see yours and handle it to know whether it is good. My vote would be for the Yashica.
 
I've got a Vivitar 35es, and have to say that it's a fine little camera. Folks on this forum will tell you that it's a near-twin to a couple highly appreciated cameras.

Haven't owned any of the others, but there's a large body of info on this forum...just wait for the opinions to roll in!

Regards!
Don
 
I'd say the Yashica. If you want a couple of closeup filters for the Retina though let me know, I somehow ended up with a set...
 
I am in the middle of a test roll with the vititar right now, checking for light leaks...it really needs some new seals, and I think the rf is misalligned.

I really like how both the vivitar and yashica handle. Both need cleaning and adjusting. I have been researching how to do it myself and came upon this site http://feuerbacher.net/photo/frame.html?repair/InfinityFocus/InfinityFocus.html~Main I also have the Rumney book. Seems easy enough, but I would still like a pro to do it, since with the yashica I took out the self timer completely and in the process messed up the focus ring.
 
Brennotdan said:
I am in the middle of a test roll with the vititar right now, checking for light leaks...it really needs some new seals, and I think the rf is misalligned.

I really like how both the vivitar and yashica handle. Both need cleaning and adjusting. I have been researching how to do it myself and came upon this site http://feuerbacher.net/photo/frame.html?repair/InfinityFocus/InfinityFocus.html~Main I also have the Rumney book. Seems easy enough, but I would still like a pro to do it, since with the yashica I took out the self timer completely and in the process messed up the focus ring.
Click to expand...

Can't tell you anything about the vivitar, but if you google "Yashica Guy" you'll find what is probably more than you really wanted to know aobut the Yashica. Matt's Cameras (google Matt Denton) also has a good bit to say about them. I think Rick Oleson probably has a good bit about them on his site too.
 
Wouldn't this decision depend on which camera you end up using most?

If I were you, I'd wait for the Zorki, it may need a CLA even before you try using it 🙂
 
it would depend on that, but they all need adjustments. Could anyone recommend a place to send one of these fixed lens rfs to be worked on?

edit: realized I posted the same link above
 
Last edited:
looks like the yashica is in the lead. I will wait for some more votes before shipping one out. The vivitar test roll turned out pretty good. The light meter seems accurate in most situations, however after shooting realized that aperture priority is the way to go for zone focusing and street shooting.

also, I'm not sure if it is realized but the retina is the less popular non folding type.
 
Brennotdan said:
new question: is an electro 35 worth the price of the overhaul?
Click to expand...

Depends on what you mean and on whether you are any good with it. It is never going to be worth a lot of money, because they made so many of them that they have no collector value. None of the cameras you listed are particularly valuable, for that matter. However, the Yashica G-series are great user cameras. You'll get your money's worth out of it if you are a halfway decent photographer.
 
I am not yet comfortable with cameras that are not fully manual. I've never used automatic anything. One of the features of the vivitar that works for me is metering an area, opening the aperture to that reading and then to reframe. The Yashicas meter is in control unless I adjust ASA.

I wish that I had discovered this forum earlier. Unfortunately, I went on a spree of buying cameras when I should have just sent the first one in to repair, or bought a working rf from the classifieds here. oh well! My goal is to not invest too much untill I find out whether I even like rangefinders, then take it from there. The vivitar seems to be in good shape, chunks of light seals on my film aside.

It has been so cold here that not being out shooting has led to extensive camera gear research and compulsive buying!
 
Brennotdan said:
I am not yet comfortable with cameras that are not fully manual. I've never used automatic anything. One of the features of the vivitar that works for me is metering an area, opening the aperture to that reading and then to reframe. The Yashicas meter is in control unless I adjust ASA.

I wish that I had discovered this forum earlier. Unfortunately, I went on a spree of buying cameras when I should have just sent the first one in to repair, or bought a working rf from the classifieds here. oh well! My goal is to not invest too much untill I find out whether I even like rangefinders, then take it from there. The vivitar seems to be in good shape, chunks of light seals on my film aside.

It has been so cold here that not being out shooting has led to extensive camera gear research and compulsive buying!
Click to expand...

I'd suggest something like a Yashica Lynx 14 or Lynx 5000 next time, if there is a next time. They are ruggedly built, have great lenses, are easy to work on, and are strictly manual.

That guy Jon Goodman sells $6 light seal kits on ebay, if you're interested. They are easy to install, come with detailed instructions, and you can easily do it yourself. Heck, a retarded chimp could do it.
 
woah, so much for PC...


The features that drew me into a rf in the first place are quiet shutters, small size, and the fact that I have been looking at alot of Bresson as well as Riboud. Also my favorite, Eggleston used a leica. My aim was el cheapo untill/if I decide I like the style. Because I like precise framing, I'm reluctant to spend alot of money (That, and I am dirt poor right now!)

What is meant by "fast into action"?
 
I have had and used 3 of the 4 listed and the Retina III is by far the best. Made in Germany for Kodak, mine is a gem. I don't know anything about the Vivitar but among the others its no contest IMO.
 
Do any of them actually need a CLA? Sounds like you need to use them first and then decide which one you like the best and/or which one needs the CLA the most.
 
Replacing the light seals on both the Vivitar and the Yashica is a piece of cake with Jon Goodman's material. Adjusting the RF on the Vivitar is also easily done at home - if nothing else is wrong with those cameras, no need to get a professional CLA on them.

I do not know the Retina.

As you are very happy with fully manual cameras, I'd suggest you get the Zorki CLA'd. The Jupiter 8 is a very fine lens.

Cheers,
Uwe
 
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