Beginner Looking for a 35mm

[samtr87]

The Electros are big cameras. If you're looking for something pocketable, I would not choose an Electro.

On that note, I have an Electro and a Konica Auto S2. I like them both, but if I had to choose one, I would go with the Auto S2. I like that the Auto S2 can be used manually and it does feel better made than the Electro. Although, mine seems to have developed a sticky shutter.

An annoying thing for me about the Electro is that it's only aperture priority, but it doesn't tell you what shutter speed it will select. It only lights up a slow/over light if it will pick a slow speed or the parameters are beyond it's fastest shutter speed. The Auto S2 tells you what aperture it will use in auto mode.

 

[Fawley]

I have been looking at the Voigtlander Vita given its compact size, generally positive reviews, and also great prices. Another is the Minolta Hi-Matic which I believe has interchangeable lenses. The Yashica Electro Advice greatly appreciated.

I went through a progression when I discovered RF's 4 or 5 years ago. First to last cameras:

-Minolta Hi Matic 7S (very capable camera and not given its due, but a little too large).
-Voigtlander Vito B (nice and small but rangefocusing only)
-Canon GIII QL17 (a very handy little camera, my first choice on a limited budget)
-Canon P (two of these. I love them but have had slow speed shutter problems on both)
-Leica IIIf (fantastic)

If you have the money I would go straight to a Leica III. I was a bit detered by the separate RF, VF windows, but I got used to it real fast. You can put a less expensive Jupiter 8 lense on it. This is a wonderful camera to use.

 

[the.ronin]

Thanks all for such great advice (as usual, I'm finding from this forum).

Because of your advice, I've moved away from the Voigtlander (sorry I called out the Vito model in my original post mistakenly). I'd really like to go for a Leica but even the lower end CL's are just outside of my budget.

I am now gravitating towards the Canon GIII QL17 for its size and manual override (which I understand has no metering in manual, but I've been used to using a separate light meter now anyway). I do still have an inkling for the Minolta Hi-Matic 7s with its small size and full manual mode.

So the search continues but likely fall on one of these two (in case anyone has one they want to part with).

As an aside, I read all these blogs and reviews showing fairly clean looking versions of these cameras that the author bought for like $10 or $20. Where are they finding them at these prices?! Fairly worn ones are like $70 on fleabay and decent ones are closer to $150-$200. Is it luck of the draw or am I missing out on something here. They do have a used camera expo in Pasadena, California, at a regular frequency perhaps that's a better bet than fleabay?

 

[AlwaysOnAuto]

Sent you a PM regarding where to look for an inexpensive camera.

 

[the.ronin]

Sent you a PM regarding where to look for an inexpensive camera.

Thank you AOA ... now I'll have both fleabay and that to obliterate my free time. 😀😀:bang: Seriously though, thanks very much!

Ok so now I need to add the Rollei B35 to the list of possible wants. VERY small and manual and seeing great prices.

So then my want list is:

Canon GIII QL17
Minolta Hi-Matic 7s
Rollei B35

 

[Cameron]

I've had good experiences with my Canon Canonet QL17 (not GIII). It's small (fits in most jacket pockets) and extremely easy to use & load; quick load system is handy. I'd recommend it as a first, easy 35mm rangefinder.

 

[shanenoir]

Look into the Olympus 35RC. Fantastic little camera, and the tiny size makes it a great secondary camera with your Fuji. I am really satisfied with mine. 42mm FOV, which is just about perfect.

 

[Sarcophilus Harrisii]

There was a reasonably rare Vito BR with rangefinder and Color Skopar f/2.8 lens, I have one, beautifully made little thing, but can be pricey. If I was seeking out a fixed lens 35mm rangefinder I would look no further than a Voigtlaender Vitessa with f/2 Ultron lens. Gorgeous piece of glass on a gorgeous camera. I'm quite tempted to sell the Vito, which I acquired very cheaply, actually, just to get a Vitessa myself, before prices go into orbit. Wish I'd got one a couple of years ago. Even the head barkeeper likes them...

Cheers,
Brett

 

[the.ronin]

All, thank you for the continued suggestions which are completely awesome. I do as much research as I can but there's something to be said when it's direct feedback to you.

As an aside, I may have pulled a drunk purchase last night. I was on fleabay and came upon a Petri Color 35E auction with only 3 minutes left, no watchers, and $5 on the counter ($14 shipping). A very quick google search suggested the Petri Color 35 was a diamond in the rough type of rangefinder. Click, auction won, done. So stoked to finally be one that can say they found a cheapie film for less than $20 ... until I scrolled further down on that website to see that the 35*E* was the dumbed down abomination of the Petri Color 35 series LOL!!!!!!!!!1 Oh well, live and learn.

Cameron, thank you for that. I was wondering if the non-GIII was really that much different. The price difference can be material for sure.

Brett, just the images made by that color Skopar lens always impresses me. The BR may be just a smidge above what I was comfortable in buying.

Oh shanenoir ... that is IT. A quick google search (and this time I read the WHOLE page LOL) had Ken Rockwell at the top comparing the Olympus 35 RC to a Leica M7 saying ...

Compared to a Leica M7, the Olympus 35RC feels cheap and dinky, but it's also easier to use and faster to shoot, and gives the same results. It may feel dinky, but my 35RC has turned out to be far more reliable and dependable than my Leica M7 ...

Now I'm not naive enough to think that a 35RC is better than an M7 but it's reassuring to hear someone I've grown to respect as a hobbyist make such bold claims.

Ok so my list is now in order of descending degree-of-want ...

Olympus 35RC
Canon GIII QL17 (maybe non GIII)
Rollei B35 SE (Sonnar lens; price may be out of my range)
(Minolta Hi-Matic dropped off list cos of size)

P.S. Taking a quick glance at prices, I'd be surprised if I have not pulled the trigger on a 35RC before the end of the weekend.

 

[Fawley]

Thank you AOA ... now I'll have both fleabay and that to obliterate my free time. 😀😀:bang: Seriously though, thanks very much!

Ok so now I need to add the Rollei B35 to the list of possible wants. VERY small and manual and seeing great prices.

So then my want list is:

Canon GIII QL17
Minolta Hi-Matic 7s
Rollei B35

I haven't checked prices of the Minolta's in a while, but they used to be so cheap, it may be worth picking up one for a second camera no matter what else you buy. The metering system is very nice, they can be used in full manual or full automatic exposure mode and the lenses are very good. The only negative is they are a little large and clunky looking.

 

[the.ronin]

The metering system is very nice, they can be used in full manual or full automatic exposure mode and the lenses are very good. The only negative is they are a little large and clunky looking.

Yup, the size is what keeps on the fence with the Minolta Hi-Matics, Fawley. I love the photos it can take.

The more I research though, the more I am convinced the 35RC is what I've been looking for. Even more so than the GIII QL17.

 

[Flood]

Great advice here.
Don't overlook the Minolta Hi-Matic 7sII, it's smaller than its predecessor, comes with a fast lens and has a full manual option.
It may be a bit more expensive, but maybe you'll find a deal. I just bought 2 this week, anxiously awaiting the postman. Last weekend, 3 were sold on German ebay: 2 for over €150, I got mine for €70. And the next day I found one locally for €30 complete with case, flash and flash case.

 

[rfaspen]

Don't give up on a Color 35. The non-E version is wonderful. I have 2 of them. I also have some Rollei (the 35B for instance) and I like them too. The Rollei 35B has a sharper lens, but its a pain to use. The Petri Color35 has a perfectly good lens (and same focal length: 40mm) and its a joy to use.

Both Rolleis and Color35s seem to sell for more than I expected. I guess that's true value showing through.

Now, I saw a few suggested a Hi-Matic. I was pulled into rangefinders by a Hi-Matic E. It's not the necessarily the nicest of the many Hi-Matic models, but its better than, oh say the G. But, the lens was/is a stunning sharp, contrasty, low distortion, low abberation, 50/1.7 that always produced photos that looked so much better than my Nikon SLR (with a Tamron zoom). I couldn't understand why my little Hi-Matic kept making pictures with awesome "pop" that I just couldn't achieve with my SLR. Drove me nuts. Eventually realized its mostly about the lens. The Hi-Matics vary in size. The E is smaller than the 9 or 7, so I like it. Although I prefer more "control" over my exposures.

Go to the local thrift store. Find a Hi-Matic (not the G), or Oly 35 (electro35 gets high ratings, I have one of those too), a Canon QL, or similar. My local overpriced thrift store will ask $25 for one of the above models, maybe a little more. In other towns I see lower prices. Who knows, you could get lucky and pick up a Rollei for $5 like I once did, so keep going back. While few of us are made of money, prices like these are not huge risks. If the model you buy is not the best for you, keep looking for another one that is. Shoot with what you have in the meantime. That's the "why" of it all, after all.

Oh, and look into battery compartments (if present). Most common cause of a DOA camera is corrosion from a battery gone bad. Very light corrosion is sometimes OK (clean it off with vinegar). Substantial corrosion is a bad sign. Very bad. Also, some of the cameras of the Hi-Matic vintage use hard-to-find batteries. Usually this can be overcome. Ask around on RFF and you'll get advice on how to work around battery issues.

 

[the.ronin]

Ok everyone I'm happy to report I have pulled the trigger on an Olympus 35RC for $60 shipped.

It was a fleabay find and the ad had only one image of a clean 35RC and one line confirming full functionality so I'm just a bit worried about the true condition. But I didn't want to pay the $100+ other ads were asking even though they had many more pics and longer descriptions. Wish me luck! lol

So I've got the Olympus 35RC coming my way as well as the "famed" (lol) Petri Color 35E.

Everyone, again, thank you so very much for your advice. I will report back once I get these guys and let you know how it works out.