Been a while since I get a real rangefinder camera

[Contarama]

Post your new-ish RF finds.

I have posted this one on RFF before but this is my latest RF find. I was really lucky with this one and it was under $40. I would love to have one of these with the faster lens.

 

[shadowfox]

That has the same lens as the Minolta Uniomat.
Is everything good with it?

 

[Contarama]

It is in perfect condition and operates like a swiss watch. This is the infamous space camera one of which John Glenn took into orbit with him. He also had a Leica.

 

[rwintle]

I probably waffled about this before but this is my latest(ish) find... bought in a batch with a Minolta Hi-Matic 11 (works), Hi-Matic 7 (doesn't), Yashica M (something in the viewfinder is rattling, no RF patch visible, scale focus works fine), and Taron Promaster (works). But the one I *really* wanted was this one... the cute-as-a-button Voigtländer VF-101.


Voigtländer VF-101 by Richard Wintle, on Flickr

That whole mess of cameras cost me $26 plus about the same in shipping (it was a *heavy* box). I am well pleased. 🙂

VF-101 works beautifully, very compact and ergonomic, but not quite as light as it looks - there's a lot of metal in that thing. Aperture-priority coupled CdS meter which seems to overexpose just a hair. Runs on 1.5-volt batteries thank goodness.

I love it 🙂. Photos here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ricardipus/sets/72157633036734263/

 

[Contarama]

That is a handsome camera sir!

 

[shadowfox]

Well done, Richard, I'm going to post a link to your blog on that cute little Voigtlander (I think I have a black one at one time):

http://occamstypewriter.org/wintle/2013/05/06/my-old-new-little-friend-the-voigtlander-vf-101/

Folks, it doesn't have to be expensive to enjoy simple yet satisfying photography.
These $26-40 cameras are truly fun to shoot with.
And finding them are part of the appeal.

Keep posting your RF finds.

 

[daniel~]

It's a beautiful camera from the 1960s.
I also like the name Minoltina in calligraphic italic type, unlike those on successor models. It's simply more consistent with the whole elegant styling.

 

[shadowfox]

Finished the test roll, turns out the selenium meter is working -- quite accurately, I might add, and since the meter is on the top of the camera, it's very convenient to meter just before I take the shot. I just have to get used to not have my finger blocking the long and narrow strip of meter at the front.

The roll is Arista Premium 100 developed it in Rodinal 1+50 for about 13 minutes.
It's hanging to dry.

If I wake up early tomorrow, I may print a frame or two in the darkroom.

 

[shadowfox]

Pictures, pictures...

'Nuff said.
I'm keeping this camera.

The rest of photos here.

 

[DougK]

Great photos, Will. Glad to hear it's a keeper.

 

[farlymac]

Nice camera, wonderful results.

PF

 

[shadowfox]

Thanks Doug and Phil, appreciate your comments.

Apparently not a whole lot of people appreciate simple fun stuff like this nowadays.

🙂

 

[daniel~]

Very nice photos.
I wish my Minoltina could be repaired, but the repairmen don't think so.
So I shoot with Minolta AL-E instead. It appears to have the same bright Rokkor QF lens.

 

[shadowfox]

Daniel, I'm going to link to your fun thread about your AL-E.

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=47535

It pairs up with this thread nicely.

 

[daniel~]

Cheers, Will. That's nice.
About the pictures, did you make exposure compensation when taking the indoor photo, or just shoot according to the built-in meter?
In my experience, indoor shots needs more critical exposure, not sure if Minoltina's selenium type meter can handle it well.

 

[shadowfox]

I use the meter just as a rough guide / sanity-check. If I feel that I need to add exposure, I just set it myself, depending on the light condition. This is precisely why I want a fully manual RF camera. And with this one, I got it.

 

[rwintle]

Better late than never...

Better late than never...

Well done, Richard, I'm going to post a link to your blog on that cute little Voigtlander (I think I have a black one at one time):

http://occamstypewriter.org/wintle/2013/05/06/my-old-new-little-friend-the-voigtlander-vf-101/

Folks, it doesn't have to be expensive to enjoy simple yet satisfying photography.
These $26-40 cameras are truly fun to shoot with.
And finding them are part of the appeal.

Keep posting your RF finds.

Sorry, I never thanked you for the shout-out and link. So thank you. 🙂