$1000 gear budget

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Rezultz

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I've been an avid dSLR user for many years and more recently I got the film bug so I purchased a couple of cheap vintage rangefinders to see if it was for me. For the past 3 months I've been shooting with my yashica electro and canonet and I love it. At this point I'm itching to get a better tool for this type of photography...a brighter viewfinder, better glass, ability to add and switch lenses, etc. My problem is my budget is tight so I'm not sure what the best choice for me would be (both camera and 35 or 40mm lens). I would ideally like the RF to have a built in meter and 35 or 40mm and 50mm framelines. Ive been monitoring ebay for the past few weeks and it seems like a leica is beyond my means unless it's in bad condition or it's a very early model (m3 and prior). Any suggestions?
What RF and lens would you buy if your budget was $1000??? (And why)
 
Click on the cameraquest.com link to the left. Used R3A ($519) + one of the 35mm or 40mm lenses. I used to have an R3A - good value for an RF. 1:1 finder allows you to shoot with both eyes open. Framelines for 40/50/75/90, but 35 is good too -- just use the full frame (that's what I used to do, since I preferred 35mm to 40mm). The CV 35mm and 40mm lenses are very good value -- f1.4 if you need the speed or 35/2.5 if you don't.
 
Voigtlander Bessa R3A and Voigtlander Nokton 40mm f/1.4. Brand new from B&H come in *just* above your budget. Great combo, 1x viewfinder, built-in metering with aperture priority shooting, wonderful zero-bulk lens.
 
Either a Minolta CLE or a Leica CL and a 40mm Nokton or the Minolta 40mm.


Rezultz said:
I've been an avid dSLR user for many years and more recently I got the film bug so I purchased a couple of cheap vintage rangefinders to see if it was for me. For the past 3 months I've been shooting with my yashica electro and canonet and I love it. At this point I'm itching to get a better tool for this type of photography...a brighter viewfinder, better glass, ability to add and switch lenses, etc. My problem is my budget is tight so I'm not sure what the best choice for me would be (both camera and 35 or 40mm lens). I would ideally like the RF to have a built in meter and 35 or 40mm and 50mm framelines. Ive been monitoring ebay for the past few weeks and it seems like a leica is beyond my means unless it's in bad condition or it's a very early model (m3 and prior). Any suggestions?
What RF and lens would you buy if your budget was $1000??? (And why)
Click to expand...
 
Voigtländer Bessa R3A + Voigtländer Nokton 40mm f/1.4 lens, are a powerful and compact set.

If you won't use auto exposure, then R3M.

If you prefer shooting with wider lenses, R4M.

Cheers,

Juan
 
Go down the Leica route because in used market market the difference in price is not that much compared to bessas.

Also don't buy the Nokton 40/1.4 because your yashica lens will run circles around it and make you feel terrible about your purchase decision.
 
Juan Valdenebro said:
Voigtländer Bessa R3A + Voigtländer Nokton 40mm f/1.4 lens, are a powerful and compact set.

If you won't use auto exposure, then R3M.

If you prefer shooting with wider lenses, R4M.

Cheers,

Juan
Click to expand...

+1. The 40 Nokton is a very, very good lens. Better than anything Leica used lenses can offer you within your budget. And so much better than your Yashica :)
 
There are so many 40mm fixed lens RFs with far better lenses and that vintage feel to the pictures that the plasticy look of 40/1.4, with its terrible contrast and awkward size in no way warrant the asking price.

You want a 40mm RF? get a Konica Auto S2, Olympus 35 Sp and even a Yashica GSN.

In case you really want to go one step above that, then get a Leica M2 and a quality 35mm lens preferably Leica or Zeiss... This is the only way you can actually step up from the fixed lens Rfs.
 
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There is nothing wrong with Bessa cameras or lenses. Great value and excellent results.

But...if it is a Leica you are lusting after, don't waste your time with any other camera. Buy the Leica, buy the Leica lenses. Get the Leica lust out of your system and then make an objective evaluation about which will serve you best. Until you've owned the Leica, you will always wonder, no matter how good your photos turn out, if owning the Leica would have made you a better photographer.

->stand reply mode off<-
 
Why not be "revolutionary" and buy a Rolleiflex TLR, plus a Bessa R(.) with a CV lens?
 
well now, that WOULD be revolutionary.
which reminds me: i should have ordered some 120 film when i placed my freestyle order for some AP400 ...
 
Results said:
Ive been monitoring ebay for the past few weeks and it seems like a leica is beyond my means unless it's in bad condition or it's a very early model (m3 and prior). Any suggestions?
What RF and lens would you buy if your budget was $1000??? (And why)
Click to expand...

Big mistake! with ebay you are running a big risk, & you don't want a "bad Leica" with your tight budget. You would need to ask yourself can I afford a CLA? Leica's do break & the repairs are expensive. Though once you have a cla'd Leica in your hands it will probably last you for the rest of your life. Saying this I don't have a Leica but a Bessa R. I'm happy with my Bessa's & I expect them to outlast me. If you buy used buy from the classifieds here & buy from a member who is well earned his or hers reputation here. Most of all be patient. Don't get in any hurry & the right deal will come your way.
 
Wow, so many varied opinions. I'm surprised that some think the Yashica Electro 40mm 1.7 lens is better than a Nokton 40 1.4. I would certainly be upset if I spent all that money only to discover that my $75 Yashica has better IQ than my new $1000 kit. I also noticed that no one mentioned the Zeiss Ikon M mount RF. Seems like a used one goes for around the same price as a new Bessa R3A. I just read Ken Rockwell's review of it who says it's an upgrade to an M7. (he said it not me so please don't bash me on this thread :) )
 
I'd go straight to an M6 and if you shoot outdoors in bright light, a CV 35/2.5 PII, otherwise, I'd save for a 35 pre-asph lux.

You can get an M4P and cheaper lenses within your budget, but I doubt you'd be pleased with the external meter hassle, and would be upgrading lenses pretty fast.

Or, try a NEX, focusing is more accurate, developing and scanning costs are less ... and it will use more lenses. But give it a try first, it isn't something you want to buy without trying first.
 
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