advice please?

[claire]

hi,

i'm looking into getting a rangefinder primarily for travel and such. i'd like something somewhat easy to use in that I can focus and shoot relatively fast .. ie. i would like it to have a lightmetre built in etc... does anybody have any advice as to what to look for? i don't want to go much over 3000 canadian....

also.. is there anywhere on the net that one recommends using to make said purchase that ships to canada?

 

[hth]

Hexar RF or Hexar AF.

Both comes with lightmeter and built in winder. The RF requires manual focusing but can take different lenses. The AF has auto focusing and a nice fixed 35 lens.

You will most likely need to look at the used market.

If you consider the Hexar AF, you may also want to consider a Contax G/G2. On the other hand, if you want something more manual, consider an old Leica.

/Håkan

 

[varjag]

A Contax G?

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Claire,
What other types of cameras are you familiar with? A $3,000CDN budget puts you into serious territory. A new Leica MP or M7 will blow your budget on a body, but a late used MP+50, M7+50, or M6+35,50,90 will get you there. A Voigtlander Bessa R3a with lenses will leave you some cash left over, or spending on a fair number of lenses.

 

[claire]

i'm primarily a nikon shooter with my main camera being an f100.

would it be worth trying to get my hands on a used hasselblad xpan? i love the idea of being able to shoot panaromic shots on the same roll.....

 

[Sonnar Brian]

That will certainly give you a capability that is much different from the F100 and will add to your travel photography. We have an Xpan gallery here, take a look at it.

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showgallery.php?cat=5129

BTW: You have know idea how hard it is for me not to scream "Get a Nikon SP!!!" now that I know you are a Nikon user.

 

[JoeFriday]

hassy xpan *drool*

a Voigtlander Bessa R2a or R3a is a great option.. not terribly expensive, takes standard M-mount lenses, has AE and manual modes, with a very bright viewfinder

 

[dcsang]

I concur with Brett's comments.
I bought my R3A and 40mm 1.4 for $1450 CAD (tax included) - that would leave you about $1500 for all sorts of goodies 🙂 (i.e. a couple other lenses, etc.)

or you could just get the R3A/R2A body and spend the other $2000 on one Leica lens 🙂

Cheers
Dave

 

[claire]

did you pick yours up in toronto? i'm finding the rangefinder selection in stores here (im in toronto as well) to be less than stellar...

 

[hth]

would it be worth trying to get my hands on a used hasselblad xpan? i love the idea of being able to shoot panaromic shots on the same roll.....

Yes, if you like panoramic I think that is a great idea. The possible drawback (could be an asset since you get more immune to GAS) is the limited lens lineup with no really fast one. But do not let that scare you too much, there are workarounds that work in most situations.

/Håkan

 

[laptoprob]

Boys, boys, GAS weirdos, behave yourself! Act civilized!

Claire, welcome to the forum.

There are many candidates to choose from. Do you think you want to change lenses? use wide-angse besides standard or small telephoto lens? Then for get about the ficed focus lenses.
If not, there are many nice fixed lens types around. I had a Hexar AF for a short time in my care but bot crazy from automatic functions that were not clear to manipulate.
I can reccomomend the Hexar RF, the Minolta CLE, the Canonet GIII (fixed 45mm).

Too many choices...

Rob.

 

[dcsang]

did you pick yours up in toronto? i'm finding the rangefinder selection in stores here (im in toronto as well) to be less than stellar...

Yep..
There are only 2 (well..3 if you include Harry's Pro Shop - http://www.harrysproshop.com - I don't know if he's an "authorized dealer" though ) authorized Bessa dealers in the city :

Downtown Camera (http://www.downtowncamera.com)
Eight Elm Photo (http://www.eightelmphoto.com)

Eight Elm also carries Leica.

Downtown has some, if not most "normal" stuff in stock - a few R2, R3A bodies, standard lenses and hoods.
Downtown doesn't carry any Leica though.

Henry's downtown USED to carry Leica but I don't think they do anymore.
Same goes for Vistek. 🙁

Hope this helps some.

Cheers,
Dave

 

[johne]

If you want an older fixed mount rangefinder that is reliable, small, has great lens, and with semi automatic capability, you might try the Olympus RC for about $50 [as I have one] Johne
See posts on this earlier on this site for the opinion of others on this camera.

 

[Pherdinand]

hmm. How about medium format? Mamiya 7 and some lenses...shoudl fit in that budget... or a bronica rf and lenses...mmmm...
i guess i'd do that!Or a bessa r2a/r3a pair.

 

[kbg32]

I highly recommend the Contax G2. Auto exposure, auto focus, solidly built, and great optics.

 

[Nikon Bob]

Claire

It might be good if you could rent some RF gear for the day to see if you like using a rangefinder. With your buget and buying used in excellent plus condition in a retail store in Canada that would get you a body, M6 with meter, and one lens in the Leica flavour for sure. You might be able to do better on OBoy. Also a used M6 body is now getting to the age where a CLA might be in order sooner or later and that runs $300 from a well known Canadian source. If you can live with non Leica gear the Bessa Voigtlander line of camera bodies and lenses is a very good option for something new with a warranty. The Contax G1/G2 are also very nice but are now discontinued, I believe. You have had lots of suggestions here so good luck deciding.

Bob

 

[canonetc]

hi,

i'm looking into getting a rangefinder primarily for travel and such. i'd like something somewhat easy to use in that I can focus and shoot relatively fast .. ie. i would like it to have a lightmetre built in etc... does anybody have any advice as to what to look for? i don't want to go much over 3000 canadian....
QUOTE]

latoprob suggested the Canon Canonet QL, and I concur.

For the price, ($25-$150 US on ebay), lens quality (superb 40mm 1.7, fixed), built in meter, aperture priority and fair RF patch, it's a great camera, as well as a bargain. Plus, if it falls into a river in Tibet, it won't be a huge financial loss!

Invest in something inexpensive first until you feel confortable enough with using an RF to invest in the Leica m6 or Contax G2 kit.

Cheers,

C.

 

[claire]

i'm torn betweenthe bessa r3a and the contax g2... there seems to be quite the price difference though... which would you (everyone?) choose and why?


also, thanks so much for your help. you have all been nothing but nice which is rare on a forum as i'm sure you're all aware 😛

 

[Stephanie Brim]

I would suggest a Canonet or Yashica of some flavor as well. Something with a fixed lens and manual in addition to auto-exposure control. It will teach you what you need to know about using rangefinders and then you can get a better one later on.

 

[NoTx]

Just as an idea here, if you went with a used G1, put aside $200 for a CLA, you could still pick up the 21/2.8, 28/2.8, 35/2, 45/2, and 90/2.8. And have a whole kit for any major situation. Kinda scary how the prices have dropped... but could be good for you.