Canon, Nikon, Leica, Olympus... is there a "Best" Rangefinder?

[Pirate]

Without all of the "I own this brand so I think it's the Best!"..... Is there really one brand or even style of Rangefinder that is the "Best"? --taking all options into account?

 

[FrankS]

No. It's all subjective. Find what works best for you and realize that what works best for someone else may be different, and that's okay.

Next question?

😉

edit added: I just noticed that you are a guitar player. Is there a "best" guitar?

 

[Pirate]

Of course: Fender!

😀

 

[FrankS]

Gibson! 😉

 

[Phil_F_NM]

All subjective to what you shoot, how you shoot, when you shoot.
For a 50mm lens only, I think the Nikon S2 would be optimal since accurate one handed operation is easy and the VF is great.

Outside of using only a 50mm, Leica is definitely the best, IMO.

 

[jsrockit]

Of course it's subjective, but I bet a poll would show Leica to be the favorite.

 

[Pirate]

HA! I have Gibsons too....

 

[Pirate]

But a "favorite" is not the issue here. I'm curious if there's a "Best". Meaning... the most well built, most comfortable, needing the least repairs/adjustments over time, best rangefinder guts... etc.

 

[borrel]

Interesting question. Assuming that all rangefinders can be equipped with the lens of your choice, we are left discussing the characteristics of the "best" body. So what are the variables? Ruggedness, ease of handling, rangefinder baseline, precision, low maintenance frequency, optimal weight and shutter sound level. Ruggedness would include rangefinder and focus accuracy over time and in "the field". Precision would include things like film flatness, frame spacing, frame sizes, focus distance, etc.. Handling is for film threading, focusing, release sensitivity, rewind stroke, meter redout if applicable, etc.. Optimal weight is heavy enough to avoid shake at low speeds, light enough to carry all day. So where does that leave us? Leica / Canon, Contax / Nikon or the cheaper ones?

- Børre

 

[FrankS]

Still largely subjective, as someone might find for example, an Olympus SP fixed lens rangefinder with it's spot metering, and inability to change lenses as a feature rather than a fault, to be best for them.

With regards to the shutters of the big 3 RF companies, Nikons seem to require the least amount of service, Leicas need shutter CLA's every 20-30 years, and the Contax shutters may be most fragile insofar as when they fail it is often catastrophically and are difficult/expensive to repair.

 

[robbeiflex]

The "best" one is the one that you have with you when you spot the perfect subject at (or actually just a moment before) the perfect time.

 

[bensyverson]

Define best.

Does "best" mean lightest? Smallest? Sharpest? Fastest? Quietest? Prettiest? Cheapest? Most expensive? Most ergonomic? Highest build quality? Most manual? Most automatic? Most negative area?

It's not just subjective; it's an ill-defined question...

 

[Pirate]

I think the way borrel stated it says it best.

 

[FrankS]

And I still think that using the guitar analogy illustrates the impossibilty of a valid and useful answer to the original question.

 

[CameraQuest]

the best rangefinder is always the one you are taking pictures with.

Stephen

 

[Roger Hicks]

For me, 'reparable (preferably with new parts)' is an important part of 'best'. Then there's how often it needs repairing under heavy use...

Cheers,

R.

 

[maggieo]

Leica M2 and Fender Telecaster FTW! 😉

 

[marnicq]

I guess the best rangefinder body is the one that fits the lenses you prefer + fits best in your hands, keeping in mind that everyone has different hands and differtent lens preferences. 🙂

 

[johannielscom]

My best are the M3 and the M6 0.85 classic.

but I love my IIIa too!

 

[Sonnar Brian]

The Yamato.

http://www.combinedfleet.com/b_fire.htm