a good RF for a newbie... suggestions?

[00ziggi]

hey there-
i'm new to rangefinders, but after shooting digital for years, and not shooting my old SLR in 15 years, i'm a bit rusty...
so here's what i'm looking for in a RF:
- a light meter that gives on-the-fly adjustments as i change f-stops and aperature.
- good and quick focusing control
- costs less than an average kidney
- relatively light and pocketable, if possible.

i know there's a lot of cool old RF's out ther (like the Ricoh 500- but i don't think the lightmeter reacts to manual changes to the lens settings)... i just don't really know anything about them.
any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
thanks
00ziggi

 

[00ziggi]

oh, one more thing- i'd have a Contax in a second, but you can't see what's in focus and what's not... a major handicap, as far as i can see. how would you take a photo on AF faith alone?

 

[Wayne R. Scott]

Yashica GSN, but you will need big pockets!!

Canon QL-17 GIII.

Olympus RC.

Konica Auto S2.

Minolta 7 SII.

These should get you in the ball park.

Wayne

 

[Wayne R. Scott]

oh, one more thing- i'd have a Contax in a second, but you can't see what's in focus and what's not... a major handicap, as far as i can see. how would you take a photo on AF faith alone?

I think you would just press the shutter button. 🙂

Wayne

 

[arbib]

You are looking for a Fixed Lens RF ??

Try a Canon QL17 GIII is the last model with a fast 40mm F/1.7. It has Av Prioity and manual, the light meter works in manual too. $75-$125 in good condition. Somewhat compact, but not tiny either. Larger than the Olympus models, smaller than a "M" mount RF like a Bessa or Leica. I have one...1st version with a 45mm F/1.7. BTW, they have a focus lug that you put your index finger on to focus..Like the most old Leica lens's

 

[Lemures-Ex]

You are looking for a Fixed Lens RF ??

Try a Canon QL17 GIII is the last model with a fast 40mm F/1.7. It has Av Prioity and manual, the light meter works in manual too. $75-$125 in good condition. Somewhat compact, but not tiny either. Larger than the Olympus models, smaller than a "M" mount RF like a Bessa or Leica. I have one...1st version with a 45mm F/1.7. BTW, they have a focus lug that you put your index finger on to focus..Like the most old Leica lens's

The Canonet is shutter priority (Tv) not aperture priority.

 

[gb hill]

There is only one RF camera that will fit the bill for you a Bessa R. I just got one & I love it. The ttl metering is great, You can press the shutter half way and the meter will stay on long enough to make any adjustments with the lens or ss. The screw mount lenses are pretty cheap also. Go to camera quest website & check them out.

 

[arbib]

The Canonet is shutter priority (Tv) not aperture priority.

My bad... I am still waiting for mine to arive. So I wasn't sure, but I knew it had an Semi-Auto mode. Thanks for the correction.

 

[Mshooter]

If you don't mind a plastic body, you might want to take a look at a Minolta CLE or a Leitz Minolta CL. It has an interchangable lens and to my taste, an M - Rokkor 40mm f/2.0 is not bad at all.

 

[fishtek]

If you want interchangeable lenses, check out the Bessa R. Nice machine, can purchase w/lens (35/2.5) for <$400.00.

Fixed lens, lotsa "vintage" stuff that's quite good, quite cheap. I just got a Vivitar 35ES, which is a clone of the Minolta 7SII, and it's also a nice machine. Check out the classifieds on this forum for a few days, you'll see a random sampling...

Regards!
Don

 

[mike goldberg]

Bessa R, my friend...
And, there's a whole world of screwmount lenses out there,
including the legendary FSU J8, 50/2. See Link:

http://www.cameraquest.com/voigrf.htm

And, check Classifieds in our forum here.
Welcome aboard,
mike

 

[00ziggi]

thanks for all the suggestions!

thanks for all the suggestions!

that's a BIG help!
ok, one more question:
i'm looking at the Canon QL and the Minolta 7's... and i read that the Canon takes good photos wide open, so it's good for low-light shooting. which is where i take most of my photos. but it seems the 'substitute' battery being used might make the exposures off (?).
anyone know about this issue? would the Minolta be a better choice?

the Bessa's are very cool... but price-wise, i'm just putting the toes into this pool.
for now.
cheers!
z

 

[Michiel]

Hi 00ziggi, welcome to RFF.

an exellent resource on rangefinder information is Matt Denton's page. Why don't you spend some time there and read some of his reviews.

Another good source for RF info is Karen Nakamura's Photoetnography

At both sites you will find reviews of the camera's mentioned, and it will help you make up your mind.

 

[LOOP]

I'd choose the yashica electro 35 - cheap - , or the leica M5 - can be found around 700$. Advantage to Leica M5: with adaptor ring you have a big range of lenses available.
For pocketable I'd go for the agfa ambersilette (but no meter and manual) but a fun to use, you cand have a portrait lens 75mm ... not expensive .But the very best is the black ZI rangefinder !

 

[00ziggi]

thanks everyone!

thanks everyone!

this forum is a godsend for learning about these things- what a fantastic resource.

the bessa R2A is starting to rise to the top of my list.
and i noticed an odd thing- the Rollei 54 RF is going for $499 at B&H... and the Bessa R2A is going for $549. i thought the Rollei was (supposed to be) a more expensive camera.
strange... though i like the looks of the Bessa better.