theotse
Theo Tse
Hi everyone, I have $300 budget and im tending to buy a new rangefinder. any suggestions?
$300 Rangefinder
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Brian Legge
Veteran
Can you expand on your experience with RFs, what you what in one, what makes an RF interesting to you, etc? It could help with suggestions as there are a huge number of options out there.
theotse
Theo Tse
I've had experience with a Zorki 4 Jupiter 8 and a FED 2 I-26M. Im thinking of the Bessa L, it's not a proper rangefinder though... Bessa R, way too expensive.
Matus
Well-known
I think that if you would consider a fixed lens "classical" RF you would have plenty options (like Canonet QL17, Olympus RD/RC/SP/ Konica S3, Minolta Hi-Matic 7sII, etc ... )
- What focal lengths do you prefer?
- Is there any particular reason why an FSU would not do the job - or do you still consider these?
- What focal lengths do you prefer?
- Is there any particular reason why an FSU would not do the job - or do you still consider these?
jmcd
Well-known
Perhaps a Canon P, or a Leica screw mount.
theotse
Theo Tse
Jupiter is 50mm. I'm loving 50. But maybe a little wider. Im not sure. Fixed lens, nope. Not my type. I dont know, had the zorki for a while, I want a little change. I was also considering the kiev 4 with helios. Any other suggestions?
gerbilthemistake
Well-known
I think with a bit of patience you should be able to pick up a used Bessa R for less than $300.
Kolame
Established
Well, I think Bessa L won’t make you happy for long, if you want more than wide-angle. Think about a Bess T.
I’ve got my Bessa R for 210€ with a 50mm Industar-22, so, I think, with some luck, it’s in your budget.
I’ve got my Bessa R for 210€ with a 50mm Industar-22, so, I think, with some luck, it’s in your budget.
theotse
Theo Tse
Have you used FSU's?
I havnt tried Bessa's yet. What do you think thhe difference between the two is? FSU and Bessa R.
ferider
Veteran
Canon P (a little less than US 200) and a 50mm lens (a little more than US 100, unless you get another Jupiter 8). The Canon is just all around a great and and very robust camera, and a good 50mm user with its 1:1 finder. For the lens you can consider a Canon 50/2.8, or a user 50/1.8, for instance.
SimonSawSunlight
Simon Fabel
300$ can buy you an M2 without a lens. tadada, no use. the canons might be a good way to go.
ray*j*gun
Veteran
No comparison......the Bessa is a modern quality camera and the FSU's (although) fun are not going to give you the ease of use or the large clear finder that you will get in the Bessa. Also, dare I say the FSU's bodies have er... reliability issues.
Pickett Wilson
Veteran
Save a litte more. Get a Bessa R and a VC 50 2.5. Can't go wrong with that kit.
MIkhail
Well-known
Used konica Hexar AF. Fantastic lens, can make great pictures with it. Small and compact, practically silent. Few things to watch for as you are buying it- if you interested, can find lot's of info on that.
Oops, just read that it's not your thing- fixed lens.
I guess it was not mine either untill I tried this one.
FSU cameras- well, at risk of being unpatriotic to my old contry- do you want to look at it or shoot pictures with it? If shoot pictures, get something decent instead...
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squirrel$$$bandit
Veteran
Canon P with 50/1.8, for sure.
Simon, an M2 for $300? This would be a very good deal I think.
Simon, an M2 for $300? This would be a very good deal I think.
shadowfox
Darkroom printing lives
Echoing the others' suggestions:
If you like 35mm focal length:
Canon P + CV Ultron 35/1.7
* be patience, you can get these combo for $300.
If you like 50mm focal length:
Canon P + Jupiter 8
If you like 35mm focal length:
Canon P + CV Ultron 35/1.7
* be patience, you can get these combo for $300.
If you like 50mm focal length:
Canon P + Jupiter 8
SimonSawSunlight
Simon Fabel
unixrevolution
Well-known
I got mine for $100, but it needs a CLA, so it's going to be over 400 to get a usable M2. And that's still lensless.
Wahoo
Washing on Siegfried Line
Nothing wrong with FSU's but your chance of getting a good one is rather like Russian Roulette - ie slim.
A camera which no-one has mentioned which I quite like is the Canon 7's - larger than Leica M's but quite relable,
nice viewfinder and they have a LTM and can accommodate the Canon f0.95 and mine are smooooth.
This is a photo taken with a Kiev 4an 50mm Jupiter 8M
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