Compact rangefinder sugestions

S

sorryword

Newbie
Local time
4:14 PM
Joined
Nov 28, 2009
Messages
1
I currently have a GSN and love taking pictures with it, although I would like to know the shutter speed some times. But it is just too big for what I want to use it for. I am looking for something small and durrable to throw in a bag or stuff in a jacket pocket when ever I leave the house. Cheap would be nice too I would like it to be easily replacable so I dont mind beating it up a little. I was thinking about a ql17 but they dont seem that much smaller than the GSN. I have had an xa2 and did not like taking pictures with it much. I would like something I can focus and pick the aperture on. I know this is alot to ask but if anyone with some experience could help me out it would be great.
 
You're talking about the ideal camera-- Like Plato ideal Form or Universal of all cameras? I can suggest a contax T, the original, but it doesn't satisfy all your criteria.
 
Rollei 35. You zone focus, which is really not hard to do, plus they have a meter. Get one with a Sonnar 2.8 lens.
 
Also...Voigtlander Bessa R2x's are smaller than the GSN. Why not spend a little extra cash and get one.

I'm selling my R2A with a 35mm Color Skopar 2.5 for $650 dollars. It's in excellent condition. Send me a PM if you're interested.
 
sorryword said:
I currently have a GSN and love taking pictures with it, although I would like to know the shutter speed some times. But it is just too big for what I want to use it for. I am looking for something small and durrable to throw in a bag or stuff in a jacket pocket when ever I leave the house. Cheap would be nice too I would like it to be easily replacable so I dont mind beating it up a little. I was thinking about a ql17 but they dont seem that much smaller than the GSN. I have had an xa2 and did not like taking pictures with it much. I would like something I can focus and pick the aperture on. I know this is alot to ask but if anyone with some experience could help me out it would be great.
Click to expand...


It is a commonly-asked question, and what you're about to get is simply a rote recitation of what various members of RFF consider to fit that category. The answer of course is that there are many cameras that might fit your requirements.

The usual suspects for this category in the 'small, durable, and cheap' category tend to be the Olympus XA, RC, and the Ricoh 500G or Konica C35. I personally prefer the Sears version of the Ricoh 500G, known as the Sears 35|rf. Cheap, durable (seals usually need to be replaced, but otherwise, generally no troubles with them) and small. I have a couple, love 'em. Of course, they say 'Sears' on them, which causes some noses to be upturned. I love them the more for that, as I rather enjoy getting up the sleeves of stuffed shirts.

Not my photos, but a nice exemplar of what this camera is capable of:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/fortinbras/sets/72157594413719500/
 
there are a lot.. you can go with FSU's or olympus rf's.. here in my hometown, i often see a ql17 for street work.. i use fm2n for street work, not only because its the only cam i have, but its small, and ive learned to use it and it gets the job done for me..

though, the mirror slap is really annoying.. its so noisy!
 
Right, while Olympus 35RC can be overpriced if you don't get lucky finding one for cheap locally, Sears/Ricoh can be viable option. I didn't like smallish RF patch of Ricoh 500G, and echo of spring work when releasing shutter made me giving it away. Though it sure is smaller than GSN and has manual settings.

Alongside with recommendation of Rollei 35 which I haven't used, I would suggest to consider Yashica 35 MC - scale focus, though you don't know speed same as with GSN. Though it's small, easy to go and offers Av mode with manual focus. Want more? It runs on common cell (4SR44 or SR44x4), no tricks with diodes or hearing aid cells.
 
I recently bought a 35RC and was shocked at how good the negatives were when I got the first roll back. I'd recommend this camera without a second thought.
Best regards,
RoyM
 
Like Bill said above, you are going to get lots of different opinions so here's mine. I have both a GSN & a QL17 GIII. The GIII is more compact, feels better in my small hands & much better built than the Yashica. I bought mine in a camera store so I got to get the feel of it before I bought it. It's turned out to be my companion when I jump in my company truck. My recomendation is to do like everyone else around here, buy one of everything that your budget will allow. What you don't like sell later. Someone is sure to buy it.:)
 
A good word for Petri

A good word for Petri

The Petri 35 is a worthy competitor in the 'very compact' derby--I like it better enough to be de-acquiring two Rollei 35's very soon. The RC is a little jewel.
 
sper said:
Rollei 35. You zone focus, which is really not hard to do, plus they have a meter. Get one with a Sonnar 2.8 lens.
Click to expand...

That would be my choice. I have one with a 3.5 Tessar. A few years ago I thought I would replace it with a Contax T3. I never bonded with it though and sold it to a member here. The T3 had an extremely sharp lens but the menu-driven controls drove me nuts.

The Tessar is a great lens too.
 
What about one of the Minox 35mm cameras, like the GT? It is scale focus, but it is small and easily pocketable, since it has a collapsible lens.
 
I'll go along with the Olympus 35RC crowd. It's small and will fit in a coat pocket or small bag and has outstanding optics..
 
Hi,
I would advise staying away from the Olympus RC. After the shutter failed in mine after relatively low usage, I had it repaired at something close to the new cost of the camera. After the new shutter failed, that was it for me. Probably in the landfill somewhere east of Cleveland now.
 
The RC is a good choice, though I find the 1/15 slowest shutter speed a bit limiting, and the aperture control, when using manual exposure, is too small for me. I find the XA to be much better in terms of ergonomics, and they are surprisingly durable. But the look the lens gives is much different between the two.

I also highly recommend the Konica C35. It fits your criteria except for selecting aperture -- it's program exposure only. But the lens is superb, it is small, pocketable, quiet, and the viewfinder is very nice.

If you are willing to spend more money, the Olympus 35RD is great, though not as small as the RC, XA or C35.

As far as the Sears 35 goes, I'd love to try one of those; it's a lot like the C35 in terms of size and ergonomics, from what I recall.

One more option is the Minolta 7Sii. Great lens, I'm trying one out right now.
 
Trius said:
As far as the Sears 35 goes, I'd love to try one of those; it's a lot like the C35 in terms of size and ergonomics, from what I recall.
Click to expand...

The Sears 35|rf is actually the Ricoh 500G in all black except for the trim on the lens barrel and the shutter release button. Same-same, right down to the huge thick (and usually gooey) foam on the inside of the back door. They're good cameras, and generally dirt-cheap since they say 'Sears' on them.
 
I think the Rollei 35 is a great little camera. Fully manual. Easy to set shutter speed and aperture.

Ergonomics are a bit quirky.

And if you dial the time machine back a bit, you can get into several all-manual folding cameras: Voigtlander Vito, Vito II, Zeiss Ikon Ikonta, Contina II, Welta Welti, Agfa Solinette/Super Solinette, Kodak Retina II/IIa, etc., etc.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom