What's the Best UNDER $50 Ebay Rangefinder?

[s124am]

pocket rangefinder Olympus XA

pocket rangefinder Olympus XA

The olympus Xa is a very stealthy small rangefinder. I love the size and sliding cover and the controls are nice. 35mm f2.8 zuiko pancake lens. fun little range finder I got one on ebay for 25 dollars a while back

 

[btgc]

The olympus Xa is a very stealthy small rangefinder. ...35mm f2.8 zuiko pancake lens.

pancake lens? I'd say whole camera is a biscuit!

 

[NickTrop]

It is clearly the Yashica GSN. I'm tired of everyone saying it's this one or that one - next thing you know they're mentioning cameras that are almost impossible to find or seem to forget that we're talking about $50. Or it isn't really a true rangefinder... They'll start saying the Canon QLIII or the Konica S2 - Never seen either one of them go for less than $50 unless it was a fluke. Then someone will mention some camera that seems to exist in only an alternate universe or they'll say, "...well, it's scale focus" blah, blah, blah. No.

The GSN is plentiful. It has arguably the best lens slapped on fixed lens rangefinder. It meters to 1000, it has THE most accurate and powerful meter. I has a "smart" diamond-shaped contrasty patch. It uses batteries that are currently available. And it always costs less than $50.

There's no need for a poll. It's the GSN. It just is. Period. Anyone who suggests any other camera is simply wrong. I have spoken.

 

[NickTrop]

ADD... you can slap the thing on a tripod, throw 1600 speed film in it (or whatever speed), and it will accurately calculate exposure and the shutter will stay open 1/2 a minute or whatever... No other RF can do that, and it's 1960's technology.

It's the GSN. Now run along...

 

[Sonnar Brian]

My problem with the GSN and the Yashica Electro Series is failure rate due to 40+ year old electronics. I have three of them in the basement, none working. Repair will run $70+. It has a great lens, and accurate meter when it works. I pined away for one when they were new because they used "Lights" for the exposure. HOW COOL IS THAT! (11 year old in 1969 perspective) I bought a Minolta Hi-Matic 9 instead. The 45/1.7 Rokkor lens is just as good as the Yashica. It is a mechanical, trap-needle camera with full manual operation. And it still works. Mine cost $80 in 1969, but you can probably find them for under $50 these days.

So Nick, you stand corrected.

 

[ChrisPlatt]

Nick, your Fujica Compact Deluxe is a strong contender, though not often seen.

I tried, but the lights used in the Yashica meters are just a dealbreaker for me.

My current choice would probably be the Konica Auto S2.

Chris

 

[luketrash]

My vote for most camera (functionality) for the buck are the Yashica Electro-35. My vote for highest quality for the buck (build quality and sharpness of the lens) is the Canonet.

The canonet is the most compact, easiest to load, and the 40mm lens on mine is sharper than my 40mm Voigtlander Nokton f1.4 with better OOF characteristics.

The Russian cameras are fun for us sado masochists, but why would you do that to anyone new to photography or rangefinders?

 

[Mablo]

I agree with NickTrop definitely. I'm going to take my Yashica G and a tripod and take low light photos on the christmas eve. It is just a perfect camera for that.

 

[SRam13]

The best under $50 camera I bought on eBay was a Minolta 7s. My sample has an outstanding lens and I got it for under $25, shipped, a few years back.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

My best $20 fixed-lens RF is the Lynx 14e. And it uses very cool LIGHTS for the exposure meter. That I got working after cleaning out the battery compartment, splicing the wires, and a little soldering. The GSN and GTN are not as easy to work on. And they do not go to F1.4.

The Canonet Ql17l is the best $10 camera that I have.

 

[btgc]

Lynx series cameras have so much better controls and feel/appearance than full-sized Electro 35's. Too bad - RF patches on Lynxes seem to be weaker (at least, this days) than on Electro's.

 

[NickTrop]

Nick, your Fujica Compact Deluxe is a strong contender, though not often seen.

I tried, but the lights used in the Yashica meters are just a dealbreaker for me.

My current choice would probably be the Konica Auto S2.

Chris

Hi Chris. The Fujica Compact Deluxe is the best camera. Period. 🙂 I didn't include that one. 'sides, as you allude, you need a friend in the business to get that one. My thinking is, ya got $50 bucks to blow on an old film rangefinder, what gives you the best bang for your buck? GSN, hands down, bar none... and remember it does say "for newbies"... Aperture priority makes it all very easy for noobs.

 

[David Murphy]

For 50 bucks I would just avoid RFs and get a classic SLR with a fast 50mm lens.

That being said my Oly XA (20 bucks in a garage sale) is still going strong. Very good lens.

This is probably the best advice here. A Minolta SRT-101, a Canon FTb, or a Konica Autoreflex with a basic 50mm lens can be had for this money. The price point for really flexible rangefinders that can compete with these SLR's is higher than $50.

 

[Kakateristico]

Hi! I'm new at the forum, and I joined because I recently found the incredible world of the rangefinder cameras...

I've been reading all this thread, and still can't decide which camera to choose. I can spend until 60-70 USD on the camera, and 30 on shipping. No more.

My options are the following:

- Yashica Electro 35: because is cheaper than others, but is not manual, and most of them don't seems to be working properly.
- Olympus 35 RC: because is little and i have seen great results with this camera
- Canonet QL17: Because everyone says is good, but is expensive.
- Konica Auto S2: seems great, but is a little more hard to find
- Zorki 4k: looks great, is cheap, but seems heavy, and i doubt about the lens quality.

I have experience with slr, dslr and compact cameras, but i'm just an amateur photographer (if i can say that), and i have no experience with rangefinder cameras. What I want from the camera is a good lens, a good light meter, if is not heavy is better, and manual controls.

What camera do you think that fits better for me? I've been searching on ebay, but prices seems a little overestimated. One last thing, I'm from Chile, so my only chance to get one of those beautiful cameras is from that site.

thank you

Victor

ps: sorry for my bad english

 

[Al Patterson]

It is either a Yashica GSN, or a Canon QL 17 G III. Both are excellent choices. I'd choose whichever one was less than $50 when looking.

 

[btgc]

Victor, I suggest to go for price as all of cameras you listed are good. I'd choose from 35RC (if small size is main requirement, and note limited speeds) or KAS2. Electro is very nice though needs battery(-ies) and you can't deal with speed directly.

Can't say anything about Canonet, except I skipped it because of hype and according prices. If you watch ebay carefully, you should be able to get one below extraorbital price tag they tend to fetch, at least some year ago, haven't watched them since then as any other sub-f2 FL RF does same as Canonet, in fact. If your heart cries for Canonet, take a look at non-GIII Canonet model. Most of bidders madly go for GIII lettering while they are nearly identical cameras.

Zorki 4K, as any of FSU cameras....I'd go for them only in case I'd use it with 28mm lens. In case of 40-50mm I'd stay away from FSU cameras.

Just don't pay too much for any of them. Most likely you will have to do some work to get them fully working - I have, so I look for listings not attracting power bidders.

KAS2 with frozen shutter could be got for initial about-$10 + shipping, just make sure it's not dropped or otherwise damaged.

Probably take a look at Yashica Lynx 5000/5000e - same story as with KAS2, just different looks from Yashinon vs Hexanon and much better shutter release.

 

[Platon]

NickTrop, the Fujica Compact De Luxe is maybe not the best camera. But it has maybe the best lens. Slightly better than Hexanon 45/1.8 wide open. And yes, De Luxe has the same lens as Fujica V2. It has a very, very good lens.

 

[januaryman]

Hi! I'm new at the forum, and I joined because I recently found the incredible world of the rangefinder cameras...

My options are the following:

- Yashica Electro 35: because is cheaper than others, but is not manual, and most of them don't seems to be working properly.
- Olympus 35 RC: because is little and i have seen great results with this camera
- Canonet QL17: Because everyone says is good, but is expensive.
- Konica Auto S2: seems great, but is a little more hard to find
- Zorki 4k: looks great, is cheap, but seems heavy, and i doubt about the lens quality.

I have experience with slr, dslr and compact cameras, but i'm just an amateur photographer (if i can say that), and i have no experience with rangefinder cameras. What I want from the camera is a good lens, a good light meter, if is not heavy is better, and manual controls.

What camera do you think that fits better for me? I've been searching on ebay, but prices seems a little overestimated. One last thing, I'm from Chile, so my only chance to get one of those beautiful cameras is from that site.

thank you

Victor

ps: sorry for my bad english

The Yashica: without batteries, it's useless.
The Zorki: FSU cameras are sometimes troublesome. I have 2 Fed 2's, and one needed repairs.
The Oly and Konica: I don't know, but they have good reputations. Not sure if they work without batteries or not.
The Canonet: my choice every time. Great lens, great quality, works without batteries (I seem to always lose power just when I need it, and am too far away from a store!) and very compact and easy to use. You can get a good one with patience. Foam seals are nearly always in need of replacement, as is probably true for all the old cameras.

Good luck.

 

[Kakateristico]

Thank you btgc and januaryman!

I think my choise is going to be the Oly, the konica, or the Canonet. What about other model of canonet, full manual too, but less popular then the QL17? I was watching some QL19 model, is there any other?

Victor.

 

[btgc]

On Canonet I can offer link to Canon's own resource - Camera museum.
It could help to sort out which models you may want to avoid because of certain features (fully auto, 40mm vs 45mm lens, etc.)