A Rugged Fixed Lens RF, Opinions Please

[bayernfan]

As the title states, seeking a rugged fixed lens 35mm rangefinder to use with little regard for wear and tear.

Requirements:
1. Fully manual operation, (MIGHT consider shutter-speed priority)
2. Very durable (can sustain some light knocks here and there)
3. A good to excellent lens. 28mm to 40mm, f/2.8 or faster
4. A relatively high eye-point (can see all frame-lines with glasses)
5. If not mechanical, uses modern (non-mercury) batteries

Let me know what you recommend! 🙂

 

[bobkonos]

I suggest a Nikonos II or III, fitted (sorry, it is not a fixed lens) with the superb Nikkor 35mm f2.5.

 

[Huss]

As the title states, seeking a rugged fixed lens 35mm rangefinder to use with little regard for wear and tear.

Requirements:
1. Fully manual operation, (MIGHT consider shutter-speed priority)
2. Will more than likely survive a 4ft drop onto concrete.
3. A good to excellent lens. 28mm to 40mm, f/2.8 or faster
4. A relatively high eye-point (can see all frame-lines with glasses)
5. If not mechanical, uses modern (non-mercury) batteries

Let me know what you recommend! 🙂

I don't know of any 35mm RF cameras that fit that bill. Especially surviving a drop and the RF not being out of whack afterwards.

But I do know of one interchangeable 35mm zone focusing camera that easily does apart from having an RF. The Nikonos V. Auto + manual operation with a manual speed for battery less use. Best high eye point VF ever, that is over the lens axis. Incredible zone focusing scales. Indestructible. Seriously, I took a major fall with mine while skateboarding and it did nothing to the camera.
Waterproof so you can use it in the rain etc. Also dustproof. The standard 35mm lens is excellent. Uses modern batteries.

Also, it's cheap! About $150 in excellent condition w/ lens.

Available in orange or green:

I prefer the second one as nothing rhymes with the first one.

 

[Huss]

Funny - 1st two replies mention the Nikonos!

FYI I'm not selling mine in case it seems like an ad.

 

[mpaniagua]

+1 for the Nikonos. IMHO no other should fit you guidelines.

 

[mpaniagua]

Also, take a look at Olympus Tough. Not sure if it will suit you and if it will survive a 4ft fall tough.

 

[splitimageview]

That's a tough list. Not sure anything ticks them all.

 

[FrozenInTime]

Has anyone recommended Nikonos yet 😉

No more rain, sand or sea spray concerns.

 

[Greyscale]

Fujica HD-1 meets everything but the rangefinder part.

 

[bayernfan]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions so far. The nikonos is indeed a cool camera, but i'm leaning towards something a bit more discreet. I'd also like to have a rangefinder. Is there a traditional fixed lens rangefinder that stands above the rest in terms of durability?

 

[Huss]

Fujica HD-1 meets everything but the rangefinder part.

Doesn't seem to have any manual exposure control and has a teeeny weeeny little VF. The VF on the Nikons looks about 10 times as large.

 

[splitimageview]

I try not to test mine with four foot drops onto concrete. 🙂 I would suggest deleting this requirement...there is little practical difference in build quality with most fixed lens RFs. Some have known issues that might need addressing such as the sticky shutter issue on the Oly 35RD.

Older cameras can be retrofitted in many ways for modern batteries, also.

I don't wear glasses so have no input in that regard.

Regarding manual operation: metered or is unmetered acceptable?

 

[Huss]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions so far. The nikonos is indeed a cool camera, but i'm leaning towards something a bit more discreet. I'd also like to have a rangefinder. Is there a traditional fixed lens rangefinder that stands above the rest in terms of durability?

Also.. The shutter on the Nikonos is the quietest out of any non leaf shutter film camera that I have used. The thick metal body muffles everything. So it makes it discrete in that way, and some paint and/or tape can disguise the rest...

But good luck with finding an RF camera that can survive drops onto concrete and still be able to focus correctly etc. I am curious as to the suggestions.

 

[bayernfan]

I try not to test mine with four foot drops onto concrete. 🙂 I would suggest deleting this requirement...there is little practical difference in build quality with most fixed lens RFs. Some have known issues that might need addressing such as the sticky shutter issue on the Oly 35RD.

Older cameras can be retrofitted in many ways for modern batteries, also.

I don't wear glasses so have no input in that regard.

Regarding manual operation: metered or is unmetered acceptable?

yes, i suppose will need to relax the four foot drop requirement.

unmetered is completely acceptable. i use an M2 and M4 every day without a meter.

 

[michaelwj]

I recommend not dropping it 4 feet onto concrete.

Now I recommend any of the fixed lens RF's, the Canon QL17, but I'm not that up to speed on alternatives.

I'd also recommend a strap of some sort, it'll help with the not dropping the camera problem.

EDIT: Just saw your last post, why not just a 40 summicron or the canon ltm 2/35 for your M2 or M4? Both excellent lenses. You're not really gaining anything by going to a fixed lens.

 

[bayernfan]

looking for something i don't have treat nicely. the Ms are too nice to beat on or use in crazy weather. funny enough, i own a 40 m-rokkor and canon 35/2.

 

[Archlich]

Had been looking for a "rugged rangefinder" as well...but such segment doesn't seem to exist before the AF age.

Camera bodies can be built rock solid but the rangefinders inside generally don't like knocks, even light ones. The mechanism easily pops out of adjustment. The SLRs are much better in terms of reliability - heavy as bricks too.

For my multi-day hikes in recent years (this summer it was 3 weeks in Newfoundland) I had to make do with an Olympus mju2. 35/2.8, Splash and shock proof, very light. For the 200+ rolls exposed it performed well enough.

 

[rhl-oregon]

I don't think there's anything that fits even the reduced criteria, especially the combination of rugged/rf. But if the scale focus Nikonos gets consideration for its ruggedness, why not a Rollei 35t/s where you can essentially palm the whole camera if you slip and break your arm instead of it? 😉

I'll also mention the Olympus XA with its protective clamshell, and the Minox clamshells, and why not investigate some of the earlier metalbodied clamshell fixed lens RFs that are usually inexpensive? Though if the desire is for ruggedness in the shooting mode, some of those lens doors are probably easily bent...

 

[Coopersounds]

I don't think there's anything that fits even the reduced criteria, especially the combination of rugged/rf. But if the scale focus Nikonos gets consideration for its ruggedness, why not a Rollei 35t/s where you can essentially palm the whole camera if you slip and break your arm instead of it? 😉

I'll also mention the Olympus XA with its protective clamshell, and the Minox clamshells, and why not investigate some of the earlier metalbodied clamshell fixed lens RFs that are usually inexpensive? Though if the desire is for ruggedness in the shooting mode, some of those lens doors are probably easily bent...

Rollei 35t/s are scale focus not rf, but great cameras and good idea. minox may be the best bet.🙂

 

[tunalegs]

As the title states, seeking a rugged fixed lens 35mm rangefinder to use with little regard for wear and tear.

Requirements:
1. Fully manual operation, (MIGHT consider shutter-speed priority)
2. Very durable (can sustain some light knocks here and there)
3. A good to excellent lens. 28mm to 40mm, f/2.8 or faster
4. A relatively high eye-point (can see all frame-lines with glasses)
5. If not mechanical, uses modern (non-mercury) batteries

Let me know what you recommend! 🙂

Bolsey B2.
1: Fully mechanical.
2: Very durable, body is cast aluminum and about as solid as anything ever made (disassemble one, it's pretty impressive).
3: 3.2/44mm, not quite to your specifications, and not really that great, buy hey.
4: Can be used with glasses, just checked mine.