Godfrey
somewhat colored
It's not a rangefinder camera, scale focus only, but the Minox 35GT-E has a 35mm f/2.8 lens. And a nice performer.
Minox 35GT-E plus Dedicated Flash Unit
enjoy,
G
Looking to step into the rangefinder world.. any advice is welcome!
- Thread starter jrm27
- Start date
- Latest activity Latest activity:
- Replies 53
- Views 2K
Minox 35GT-E plus Dedicated Flash Unit
enjoy,
G
Alpsman
Well-known
I just found Petri rangefinders which have a fixed 35mm lens.
BobCoRn
Established
For 35mm film I use this small camera - Ricoh 500 G
But if you are interested in medium format, I can recommend an inexpensive, but convenient and reliable camera - Hapo 66 E
Both cameras have excellent lenses and you won't be disappointed.
But if you are interested in medium format, I can recommend an inexpensive, but convenient and reliable camera - Hapo 66 E
Both cameras have excellent lenses and you won't be disappointed.
MarkWalberg
Well-known
Olympus made one, the 35 Wide. It is said to be very good, but there aren’t many of them, leading to high prices. I seem them on eBay now and then. Here is a link
Olympus 35-Wide with 35mm lens
Alpsman
Well-known
Yashica made some with 38, 40, 45 mm . . .
Yashica 35, 35 ME, Yashica Electro and so on
Yashica 35, 35 ME, Yashica Electro and so on
jrm27
Member
Was out at my local shops today, and saw a retina ii at an antique/flea market... completely non-functional! Dang! Then another local shop has a functioning QL17 on their site.. but at $400. So, just gonna keep looking at things as I can find them. Thank for all the great suggestions. This is super super helpful info!
ChrisPlatt
Thread Killer
Nearly all of the cameras recommended in this thread are many decades old.
Confirm that the model you choose has been serviced recently or can still be serviced economically.
Chris
Confirm that the model you choose has been serviced recently or can still be serviced economically.
Chris
Godfrey
somewhat colored
I had all four of my current usable Kodak Retina IIc/IIIc cameras serviced (and repaired as needed) about a year ago. Cost was about $175 each, a bargain when I consider that all of them in dirty condition were bought for $10-$20 each. I'd call that economical for a camera that's easily the equal of a Leica M4-2 in terms of performance. 😉
G
G
jrm27
Member
Oh, absolutely. The age is part of the draw. I know they will definitely need to be serviced. Finding a pristine camera of that age will still need some attention, Im sure! Thats a good reminder.
I was hoping that iic I saw was serviceable, but it definitely appears to be something that would only look good on a shelf.. missing pieces, non working levers, etc... 😉 Especially when the price was already a bit high from what I've been seeing. Your finds were great deals and obviously well worth the servicing! It'd be great to stumble on something like that!
Ted Town
Member
Well, there's the Olympus XA with 35mm f2.8. It might just get lost in your pocket, though.
rfaspen
[insert pithy phrase here]
I kinda miss my XA. Great little camera and a true RF. Took that little guy with me on many adventures. Eventually gave it to a friend who was moving across the country.
I'm shocked to hear of a $400 Canon QL17! I sold mine to an enthusiastic young person about 1.5 years ago for much less (probably about $35) when I was in the process of dramatically reducing the "collection", which was hundreds of cameras. That little QL17GIII was a very nice performer. I'm glad it's with someone who is thrilled to have and use it. Many good suggestions in this thread. Remember that after you get your first RF, it will need friends. Can never just have one 😎.
I'm shocked to hear of a $400 Canon QL17! I sold mine to an enthusiastic young person about 1.5 years ago for much less (probably about $35) when I was in the process of dramatically reducing the "collection", which was hundreds of cameras. That little QL17GIII was a very nice performer. I'm glad it's with someone who is thrilled to have and use it. Many good suggestions in this thread. Remember that after you get your first RF, it will need friends. Can never just have one 😎.
jrm27
Member
I too was surprised by the cost of that QL17! Everything else I had seen looked much more affordable. At least I have a wide net of options that I’ve learned about from this wonderful thread!
To be fair, that specific ql17 looks to be in outstanding condition: Canon Canonet QL17 QL-17 GIII Rangefinder Camera w/ 40mm f1.7 Lens [EXC+]
I have a slight “issue” with collecting things…. Ha! Cameras, guitars, etc… I really need to try and NOT expand the collection too far 😉
Last edited:
boojum
Ignoble Miscreant
Advice? Yes from the banner over the Gates of Hell in Dante's Inferno: "Abandon All Hope Ye Who Enter Here." OK, you'll ignore that. RF cameras can be fun. Some folks like them, some do not. But as you age your eyes may also and an RF camera will get difficult to focus. That's when autofocus has new meaning and worth. I have both. Autofocus cameras are better focused for me.
1936ContaxII
Established
The early-50s Voigtländer Vitessa (before 1957) is a very nice rangefinder travel camera, too: Try to find a Vitessa with the Ultron 50mm f/2 which is a classic lens.
The camera is pretty small and the Synchro Compur shutter is really quiet 👍.
Similar threads
