graywolf
Well-known
No idea where in the world you are located, so it is kind of hard to make firm recommendations pricewise.
$200US ought to buy you a recently serviced non-rf camera with a decent lens. It also ought to buy you one of the uncouple-rf cameras, but the camera will probably need at least a CLA. Unless you are lucky the only coupled-rf camera that will buy is and Iskra. An Iskra in good condition is a really nice camera. You will see other coupled-rf in that price range, but they will usually only be good as parts mules. Besides that coupled-rf cameras are usually heavy and bulky.
Do you really need a rangefinder? Actually, you only need one if you shot a lot of close up (less than 10 feet) at wider f/stops (f/8 or less). Otherwise an estimate and a DOF table will get most shots in focus.
Shutters. If you need the 1/400 or faster shutter speed you need a top of the line shutter. Luckily you do not usually need that unless you are shooting sports or a film too fast for the lighting. Mostly I find shutters without the slow speeds useless for about 1/2 my tripod work. If you only shoot handheld the slow speeds are not needed either.
Lens: In the old days the limitation was the film not the lens except on the very cheapest cameras. Anything you find on the type of cameras we are talking about is probably better than you expect, so the choice of lens is not too important. Anything in good condition with a f/4.5 or faster is going to be good enough for most work.
Uncoupled-rf: The trick with these cameras is to preset the focus, then move the camera until the rf shows in foclus. With experience you will find that that is fast and accurate.
Non-rf: The trick with these is to learn about "zone focus" and to practice estimating distance. Once you do that, you will find that you get about as many in focus shots as you do with the rf cameras.
Most of the non-rf and uncoupled-rf cameras will fit in your pants pocket. None of the coupled-rf cameras I have handled will fit in anything smaller than a largish coat pocket, so you will have to carry them over your shoulder with a strap in the summer; that means the camera will need to have strap lugs or a decent condition ever ready case.
When it comes down too which particular camera, that is really a personal choice. With the info above you can decide if what you are looking at will work for you, beyond that it is a case of do you like the look and feel of the camera.
$200US ought to buy you a recently serviced non-rf camera with a decent lens. It also ought to buy you one of the uncouple-rf cameras, but the camera will probably need at least a CLA. Unless you are lucky the only coupled-rf camera that will buy is and Iskra. An Iskra in good condition is a really nice camera. You will see other coupled-rf in that price range, but they will usually only be good as parts mules. Besides that coupled-rf cameras are usually heavy and bulky.
Do you really need a rangefinder? Actually, you only need one if you shot a lot of close up (less than 10 feet) at wider f/stops (f/8 or less). Otherwise an estimate and a DOF table will get most shots in focus.
Shutters. If you need the 1/400 or faster shutter speed you need a top of the line shutter. Luckily you do not usually need that unless you are shooting sports or a film too fast for the lighting. Mostly I find shutters without the slow speeds useless for about 1/2 my tripod work. If you only shoot handheld the slow speeds are not needed either.
Lens: In the old days the limitation was the film not the lens except on the very cheapest cameras. Anything you find on the type of cameras we are talking about is probably better than you expect, so the choice of lens is not too important. Anything in good condition with a f/4.5 or faster is going to be good enough for most work.
Uncoupled-rf: The trick with these cameras is to preset the focus, then move the camera until the rf shows in foclus. With experience you will find that that is fast and accurate.
Non-rf: The trick with these is to learn about "zone focus" and to practice estimating distance. Once you do that, you will find that you get about as many in focus shots as you do with the rf cameras.
Most of the non-rf and uncoupled-rf cameras will fit in your pants pocket. None of the coupled-rf cameras I have handled will fit in anything smaller than a largish coat pocket, so you will have to carry them over your shoulder with a strap in the summer; that means the camera will need to have strap lugs or a decent condition ever ready case.
When it comes down too which particular camera, that is really a personal choice. With the info above you can decide if what you are looking at will work for you, beyond that it is a case of do you like the look and feel of the camera.
