First Rangefinder...choices choices choices

[gerbilthemistake]

i've been reading up on street photography and trying to do some of my own with a nikon em and 28mm. i find it to be a bit loud and would like to benefit from using an rf. i am willing to spend $800-900 for the rf body as well as a decent 35mm lens. i need something reliable, with meter, manual shutter desireable, quiet, and good vf since i wear glasses. i have been reading up on the r4m and am interested in buying one but have no clue what it goes for on teh used market nor do i know of a dcent 35mm lens for it.

any suggestions on a body or lens would be well appreciated.

Thanks

 

[shadowfox]

With that kind of budget I'd go for either a Hexar RF or Bessa R2A (??) and pick one of the Voigtlander-Cosina 35mm lens available in M mount. Probably can't get Hexanon or Leitz lens with that budget.


OTOH, If you like 50mm, I an vouch for the quality of the Leitz Elmar-M 50/2.8.

 

[gerbilthemistake]

budget lowered

budget lowered

my budget unfortunately has lowered quite a bit to 500-600 for the time being because i am having trouble withdrawing all the money from my college fund (don't worry its only like 100 -200 dollars in tehre) 🙂

 

[LuckyKarma]

That's quite a nice budget for a college student! I would love to blow the money going into my bank account for living expenses next semester on an M4 or something, but I'm afraid I'm looking at something more like a Kiev or Fed 😛

I've never used a rangefinder (hoping to buy a cheap one not too far in the future) so I can't really help out there. Don't forget to figure in film expense too, which I would expect to be a bit higher than usual after buying a nice rangefinder 😉

 

[thomasw_]

Hmm, with that limited a budget you could still get a screwmount leica barnack II or perhaps a IIIc with an old elmar 50/3,5 lens. I would go that route if I were in your shoes.

 

[Big Hairy Bee]

I bought my first RF two weeks ago. My budget was about the same. I bought a IIIF with a Summitar for less than $600. I just received a 5cm brightline and a barndoor hood to complete the basic kit. I wanted an M but it would have been twice the price.

 

[cmedin]

Yeah, you can definitely get a nice Barnack and a decent lens. Figure $200-250 for a body, $100-150 for a lens, and another $100 for a CLA of both of 'em.

 

[jmi]

35mm, limited budget, quiet... hmm, Hexar AF? Yes, I know it's a P&S 🙂

I guess you're probably after something with interchangeable lenses OTOH.

Actually I rather like the Olympus XA too, and that would barely make a dent in your budget.

 

[shadowfox]

my budget unfortunately has lowered quite a bit to 500-600 for the time being because i am having trouble withdrawing all the money from my college fund (don't worry its only like 100 -200 dollars in tehre) 🙂

Actually, the lower budget opens up more options.

The barnack route is very cool especially if you like vintage look (see pictures taken with the Summar lens, you'll see what I mean).

Also if I were you knowing what I know now, I'd get an Olympus 35 SP (google it if you're curious). It goes for about $100-150 in working condition. Spend $100 for a professional CLA and battery conversion, and you basically get an amazing camera and lens for half your budget.

Of course, a CLA'd Fed 2 and the myriad of excellent Jupiter lens is yet another route. And they cost less than the barnack route.

 

[mike goldberg]

Hi there,
Will, above, for sure knows what he's talking about!

I had a $22- Fed-2c CLA'd by Oleg. With the J8, 50/2... this is an economical combo. The Fed-2 has a 'Barnack Leica feel.'

Another option is a Zorki. The finder is brighter than that of the Fed-2, however the small dial knob for the shutter speeds is hard on one's fingers, and the body is heavier than the Fed-2.

As for an Olympus rangefinder, I also have the Oly 35 RC, a small, quiet and light in weight R/F... with its superb 42/2.8 Zuiko fixed lens.

Whatever your choice, good luck.

 

[wolves3012]

A Barnack Leica is easily got for your budget and a great camera that will hold value quite well. Before jumping in though, you could get a cheap FED or Zorki first to see if you like the RF experience. Something like a Zorki 4 has a great VF and is very cheap. That way, if you find RFs aren't for you you haven't lost much money. It'd also stand you in good stead for a backup body if you then decided on another LTM body. The FED 2, mentioned above, is also a good starter and a reliable, simple camera.

Plenty of other choices in that budget though, I'm sure other suggestions will follow. Whatever you decide, good luck & enjoy!

 

[lex]

the canon P or 7 is a nice LTM body. keh.com has a P for $254 and 7's starting at $140

 

[pesphoto]

Bessa R and 35mm color Skopar wouldnt break your budget.

 

[Back2theFuture]

If you havent decided yet: Id def throw my vote in for a Bessa, and if youre willing to pay 800, I just bought an R2A, Sidegrip, and Nokton 50....you can def get a new R2A, which Id recommend for your first, simply because it has aperture priority, and Id vote the 35 Skopar as well, you cant beat it, if money leftover, pick up a sidegrip and a Nokton 50mm, youll be set for a long time ahead!
Bryan

 

[Big Hairy Bee]

There is a Bessa R with a Russian lens in the classifieds today. Might want to check it out...