Advice on first 35mm rangefinder

[stillshunter]

I've now gotten some offers from sellers of a rangefinder to kick me off on the road towards trading all my dSLR gear in for a Leica M7 😉 I'm looking for a decent unit to approximate the experience of a 'real' RF. Like most, mainly for street and general shooting....

Top choices thusfar are:

1. Canonet QL17 GIII - stated to be in very good condition - but no battery so meter untested around AUD70
2. Olympus 35 SPn - stated in good condition thought the spot meter button doesn't work; around AUD70
3. Voigtlander VF101 - very good condition working; around AUD120

They all seem to be reasonable buys, and I suppose I have put them in my preferred order, but would really appreciate advice from you guys here who know far far better. Even if that means waiting out for something else entirely....

 

[btgc]

Any around-f2 with mechanically set shutter will be good choice. Electrical part may work or not, that should not be selling point (for me, at least).

First two cameras are known for issues (all leaf shutter cameras can gum up, to be fair), third is a bit rare bird, but any 40 y. old camera has it's quirks.

I'm even not recommending any specific model because there are myrriads of them and best will be one you can pick up for cheap and use without too big investments getting it working.

 

[sevo]

The Canonet or Olympus would be fine - get the Oly if its general (non spot) meter is confirmed to work.

The VF101 is outrageously overpriced for such a very basic camera, the Canonet might turn out to be a paperweight if the meter is dead.

 

[thegman]

I wonder if you should consider spending a little more and getting a Bessa R2, R3 or R4? That means any M lens you get for it will work on a future M7 if you decide to get one, also you get a good accurate meter, aperture priority if you get a R2A, R3A, or R4A, and a generally more modern camera. A user R2A should not be too much, you could probably spend less than this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Voigtlander-Bes...lm_Cameras&hash=item2ead9108a4#ht_3728wt_2002

if you don't mind cosmetic wear.

 

[stillshunter]

Thanks for the quick reply guys....though I must admit at first your the advice seemed contradictory, I suppose the bottom-line is get a camera that works....and then enjoy. Gman, I'm very tempted by the R2, only issue being that I'd still need to buy decent glass and once I add this to the equation then the price goes up substantially.

If I found a decent package, then I'd jump at it. Even a CLE with factory Rokkor 40mm would suit me just fine 😉

Hence, why I was thinking of trading in the GRDII to fund the RF....at this rate I'm going to need to kick money in just to buy the body....and settle for some pinhole photography. 🙁

 

[murpograph]

I own and use the Canonet and the Oly SPn. Both great cameras and even they need Mercury cells they can be used manually. Sunny 16 or handheld meter. And they can be modified to take silver-oxide cells. The Oly is said to be the best fixed-lens RF performer due to its great lens.

I would go for the Oly if it works. By the way the SPn is a quite rare bird even compared to the SP.

 

[stillshunter]

So AUD70 isn't too bad for the SPn? I could take it on trial for a while...

...the seller states that the spot meter button is not working, not that the spot metering itself doesn't. Make any difference????

 

[Spider67]

The good thing about the R2 or any other CV Camera is that you need just only one adapter to use screwmount lenses with it. As the framelines can be chosen via a selector and don't come up with each different M-Lens like on the Leica.
Ther are many screwmount lenses for reasonable prices available.

 

[oftheherd]

So AUD70 isn't too bad for the SPn? I could take it on trial for a while...

...the seller states that the spot meter button is not working, not that the spot metering itself doesn't. Make any difference????

Same thing. You have to push the button to use the spot meter.

I have both the Canonet and the Olympus SP. They are both good cameras. I don't know if those are good prices where you are or not. However, in general, I would think it better to have cameras that have working meters.

I know that isn't necessary for everyone, and I do have and know how to use hand held meters. But especially with the SP, a working spot meter is one of the main attractions. In general, I think you would like either camera. The Oly may have a better lens, I don't know, but the Canonet is quite good as well.

 

[OurManInTangier]

If you go for an R2 or similar and need some M mount lenses to kick you off I have a Canon 50mm 1.8 which I no longer use. It's a very cheap yet very good lens, certainly to begin with, many of the images in my gallery were taken with it until I eventually bought a summicron.

If you can afford to go with something in the R2/3/4 range I'd be happy to let you have it for the cost of delivery to you. I'm not a collector and would prefer to see it used by someone, feel free to PM me or ignore as you choose.

 

[stillshunter]

Found a taster....but still want the stayer

Found a taster....but still want the stayer

Thanks to everyone for their help on here.

I have found my taster RF, well at least I hope it is half as good as it looks. I picked up an Olympus 35 SP from a guy at work. Excellent cosmetic condition with the only 'fault' being an engraving on the baseplate with the original owner's moniker. Otherwise the body looks great! Came with the original lens cap and rubber hood as well as a mint condition original leather 'SP' 2 piece case and a crisp copy of the instruction book. To top it off the lens is covered with a Hoya HMC UV. The aperture selects sweetly and the shutter seems on time by ear. Unfortunately, I think the original mercury is a bit flat (been in there a few years) so I can't test the spot meter; though the average meter appears to be working just fine. So I just need to put some film through her and see how we go :dance:

Very happy as she seems in great condition. I bought it from a guy who inherited it from his father who was very very particular about its care and kept his eye on it even once it was handed over to his son. All tolled, with an aftermarket strap with film canister loops - you know like a Mexican comanchero - it cost me AUD40....with a receipt and return clause. I think that's OK?...if it works. Nothing indicates that it shouldn't....and I think the filter alone might be worth close to the cost.

Anyway, I'm keen to put her through the paces. Meanwhile, thanks again for everyone's help and hope to share many more war stories and grainy images over the coming years.

...now I'm off to the Olympus threads 😉

Meanwhile, I'm still keen to trade in the GRDII for a interchangeable body. I can still hear echoes of "only a Leica will do" 😉

 

[btgc]

Unfortunately, I think the original mercury is a bit flat (been in there a few years) so I can't test the spot meter; though the average meter appears to be working just fine.

I'm not familiar with particular camera, though I assume if average reading is fine, why spot metering shouldn't? I do not believe Oly used separate more demanding circuit for spot meter feature.

Seems you got a great deal - just don't repeat common error acquiring too many fixed lens RF's to properly used them 🙂