Been a while since I get a real rangefinder camera

shadowfox

shadowfox

Darkroom printing lives
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Waiting for the postman:

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- A real rangefinder
- 40mm 1:1.8 Rokkor lens.
- Fully manual settings
- Love the advance lever type
- small
- Still under my meager budget for cool/antique gears.

It's been a while since I get this excited getting a new rangefinder.

Post your new-ish RF finds.
 
Minoltina is very funny. I sorta wish there were an Olympusissima, even if it was really an SP or FT. Konicatina sounds like a nicotine substitute or a variant of a concertina; Pentaxito sounds like a Mexican futbol sensation.

With Leica it would be easier to rationalize: if they just make a compact ME, the branding should be obvious to any fan of Doctor Evil.
 
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Enjoy the anticipation. It's all part of the journey/process. Sometimes even the best part.
 
Right you are, Frank.

Reading the obsessions around here with mirrorless digital and digital Leica offerings, I find myself yearning for the relaxing anticipation a good old film rangefinder that does not break the bank.

If it's in working condition as the seller seems to indicate, all I need is to bulk roll a 24-ish cartridge, load it on the camera and off I go. Simple as it gets.

What makes me interested in this one is the full manual settings. Some of my favorite compact rangefinders like Olympus 35 ECR and Konica C35 are not as flexible.

As usual, I couldn't care less if the selenium meter is working or not, I have my Gossen Digisix always in the bag.
 
rhl-oregon said:
Minoltina is very funny. I sorta wish there were an Olympusissima, even if it was really an SP or FT. Konicatina sounds like a nicotine substitute or a variant of a concertina; Pentaxito sounds like a Mexican futbol sensation.

With Leica it would be easier to rationalize: if they just make a compact ME, the branding should be obvious to any fan of Doctor Evil.
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Robert, as usual I enjoy your off-tangent comments :)
Nikon never entered the compact 35mm rangefinder arena, otherwise we'd get a .... drumroll, please.... Nikotina.

Canon has the Canonet
Fuji has the Fujipet series (120 and 35mm)
 
I remember when I first started coming here that most of us got started on rangefinders with cameras like this and then over time the site drifted off towards Leica-land. Nice to see some enthusiasm for the good old compacts; hope the cameras lives up to the anticipation.
 
Never heard of the Minoltina but I love my Anscoset and Autoset pair! Congratulations! I look forward to seeing the photographs and how the Rokkor does. Are you able to by chance make the 40 dollar thread or is that deal over?
 
DougK said:
I remember when I first started coming here that most of us got started on rangefinders with cameras like this and then over time the site drifted off towards Leica-land. Nice to see some enthusiasm for the good old compacts; hope the cameras lives up to the anticipation.
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Doug,
That's exactly why I posted this. I miss the days when more of us talk about a $40 camera and a roll of film that can make us smile ear-to-ear.

With the newer digital camera discussions, I get the feeling that we are counting the leaves on 100 similar trees to determine which one is "better" to take a nap under.

It's just not the same.
 
Contarama said:
Never heard of the Minoltina but I love my Anscoset and Autoset pair! Congratulations! I look forward to seeing the photographs and how the Rokkor does. Are you able to by chance make the 40 dollar thread or is that deal over?
Click to expand...

This one clocks in at $37 before shipping.
I ended up paying less than $40 because ebay applied the ebay bucks towards the purchase.
But no, technically this one doesn't qualify for the $40 thread.
 
What I like is the Yashica Minimatic C. Everyone thinks that with that name, it's a compact. Then when they get a hold of one, it's like "Whoa! This sucker's big!"

PF
 
Okay, I have been pretty unlucky with the online purchases lately.
Guess where my camera is now?
San Antonio, TX.

I am in Dallas, TX.
Same state, five-hours interstate-driving-at-75mph-max-speed apart.

How on earth???

Sorry, just have to vent a little.
 
Finally!!
After 4 days of *unnecessarily* touring Texas, the package arrived at my house.

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It feels slim in my hands. Definitely smaller than the Konica S2, Olympus 35 SP, Yashica Electro GS, but not as small as the Petri Color 35, or an Olympus ECR or Konica C35. The lens is quite big relative to the body which has a nice weight, not hollow like the Minolta Himatic 7sII.

All systems go, rangefinder patch is not bad, and alignment is good.
Shutter goes at every speed, and the meter... who cares :)

I'm loading this up, will come back with pictures.
 
If I understand correctly, this is same situations what I feel for Yashica Electro....35MC. This is even less than RF - scale focusing only. Tiny, smooth, lovely, no POD, no thunk - just click and sharp pictures. This little camera made me selling off large G35 and don't lust for CC neither GX.

Sweetheart thread goes on!
 
Well, I spoke too soon.
Upon closer inspection, the shutter blade is not moving... at any speed settings.

Oh well, looks like a trip to the repairer is due.

btgc, you got it. Some cameras are just right.
 
Alright, just picked up the camera from Jim, he replaced the shutter trigger assembly, he said the shutter was fine otherwise.

Loaded it with a 100ASA Arista and it's time to shoot some pics.
 
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