Xpan finally got me into rangefinders

[picp2601]

I've been interrested in rangefinder for more then a year now.

I bougth a Yashica Electro 35 to try out the rangefinder concept but never really used it: the focusing was difficult and the exposition lights totally impossible to see lit under any kind of light.

However I rented a Xpan 2 weeks ago. Now that got me addicted!

Now I'm looking to buy a second (still cheap) rangefinder.

I am currently considering a XA for its small size as I would use it as a carry-everywhere camera.

Now the big question: how good is the rangefinder patch on the XA?

I know it can't be as good as the Xpan, but compared to other cheap RF from the 70s?

Thanks
Pascal

Oh and here is one of my pic out of the Xpan:

http://ppicard.smugmug.com/photos/151840625-O.jpg

 

[bibimbap]

Since I own both XA and XPan, I'd say there is no comparison between the rangefinder patches of the two cameras. Most XAs are now old enough that their patches have faded considerably. The XA focus throw is short, and it is far more difficult to align the images than my XPan. My experience is that the XA finder is more difficult to work than other, larger fixed lens rangefinder cameras from the 60's & 70's. Even so, the XA is a brilliantly designed camera for its size. And at f8-f11 I've made some great pictures with the XA.

 

[picp2601]

Thank you.

I figured out the 2000$ price premium would make a difference in the RF patch 🙂

Ok so now I think I'll go back at my quest to find the best cheapo fixed lens RF 🙄

Pascal