best compact rf with fast lens

[Uwe_Nds]

My absolute best/ sharpest fixed RF Lens is on a Revue 400SE (german departmentstore Brand), which is, as far as i know, the same as the Vivitar 35 ES and a 7sII clone without aperture setting. The whole thing is a bit fragile and is not as well done as the QL17 / III or even the oly RC.
I like the handling and the feel of the GSN, but the lens, like the QL17 doesnt impress me. Actually, on all of them there is that little something misssing, dunno...
The machining of the Ql17 and the lens of the Revue/Vivitar would be it.
Seems like i need to save some money for a M-mount camera... This Forum is becoming a problem...
Michael

Second!
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=63672&ppuser=9369

Best regards,
Uwe

 

[ChrisN]

Naw - he said he wants a fast lens. How about a Canon Barnack copy with the 1.2 lens? Fast and compact! 😀

 

[raid]

Naw - he said he wants a fast lens. How about a Canon Barnack copy with the 1.2 lens? Fast and compact! 😀

I second this one!
The cameras are awesome (I have the IIIc), and the lens is super awesome.

 

[steve kessel]

Both CLE and even more so CL with 40/1.4 are smaller than many of
the cameras in the above list. For instance, my Oly SP is slightly larger
than the CLE.

Roland.

I have a CL and the CV Nokton 40/1.4 (both bought off this forum). Frankly, with the large lens hood it's not that compact and this whole thing looks a bit of a mutant. But results are what count.

 

[ferider]

I have a CL and the CV Nokton 40/1.4 (both bought off this forum). Frankly, with the large lens hood it's not that compact and this whole thing looks a bit of a mutant. But results are what count.

True - but you can keep the hood off 🙂

The hood of many of the compact RFs is pretty big, too ...

Roland.

 

[steve kessel]

True - but you can keep the hood off 🙂

The hood of many of the compact RFs is pretty big, too ...

Roland.

I'm still feeling my way into this lens and find it,s prone to flare, so I'm keeping the hood on for the present.

Regards

Steve

 

[HuubL]

You couldn't exactly call the Konica S2 "compact". It's bigger than a Leica M!

 

[stuken]

I love my oly SP. Nice and sharp, good contrast never had a problem with it. As far as compact rangefinders go, the Olympus RC(not on the list) is tiny, and lovely.

 

[planetjoe]

Oly SP. For my money, you can't beat the size, ergonomics, and image quality. f1.7, indeed. Gotta love it.

Look for a sharp RF patch and a clean RF/VF window. Updated to modern batteries is a plus, but the old ones will last near-forever if you keep the camera in a case (or keep the meter in the dark).

The only weak point, in my opinion, is the all-too-easily-adjusted ISO dial on the left side of the body. I find it gets "bumped" when fiddling about with the camera. The close proximity of the RF window to the lens axis also means that hoods sometimes block the RF prism. Still trying to find a good one.

I once had an extra-rare SPn (whose extra features were actually useful, rather than "collectable") and sold it. Big mistake for a measly $100. I finally got around to acquiring an SP again, in fabulous condition with an original ER case. I will not sell this one; I intend for it to be one of my son's (now age 2) early cameras. A "point and shoot" of the classic RF world, if you will.

 

[jody36]

Konica S2 built like a tank no battery needed easy to use and takes wonderful pictures. Oh by the way cheap to buy I own 3 and paid no more than 25 US for either of them case included.

 

[blackwave]

I like the Canonet QL17 because for a compact, it fits my freakishly large hands well. And the focusing tab is so money! I liked the Oly 35RC when I had it, but the controls were just too small for me. It's suited for "normal" people 🙂 I've dabbled with a few others, but I always come back to my Canonet, which was incidentally my first RF.

 

[capitalK]

Oly 35 SP for me. I had used other fixed-lens RFs before it (most natably the Yashica MG-1) but the 35 SP was the first one I used that made me think "yah, I could shoot with one of these all the time."

It was stolen out of my car and I think about replacing it all the time, but the Bessa I bought since fills the void pretty well.

 

[wintoid]

I can't vote because I don't think I can choose between my 35SP and Auto S3. I'd say the Konica is sharper, but I enjoy using the 35SP the most.

My comments are:

Konica Auto S3 - really sharp, very short focus throw, decent VF
Oly 35SP - fits my hands, sharp, nice bokeh, OK VF, nice metering
Yashica GX - beautiful, great VF, sharp, small
Yashica GL - rare, large, the one I bought was broken but I still want one!
Oly 35RC - if only it wasn't f2.8
Oly XA - if only it wasn't f2.8
Oly 35RD - if only I could find a reliable one (been through 3 now)
Canon QL17 GIII - didn't get on well with this

 

[Rayt]

Did Yashica make a compact with a 40/1.4 lens? I was playing with it yesterday in a camera shop. It looked like a Lynx but had a hugh 40mm lens.

 

[pesphoto]

Did Yashica make a compact with a 40/1.4 lens? I was playing with it yesterday in a camera shop. It looked like a Lynx but had a hugh 40mm lens.

lynx 14e i believe.

 

[peter_n]

As a QL17GIII user I would vote for a Leica IIIF with a Konica UC Hexanon 35/2 on it, if it was on the list. 🙂

 

[Bruin]

Yashica GX is my pick over the Konica S3 and Oly SP because I can't live w/o aperture priority! (ok I probably could but I won't be as happy 😀) I covered mine in Griptac for a MUCH-improved hold on the body.

I only wish the shutter release travel were shorter (a softrealease somewhat makes up for it) and the ISO setting went higher than 800, like the GL. The 35CC would be even better if the highest shutter speed were 1/500s like the GX.

 

[Krosya]

I have 3 fixed fast lens RF cameras:
I dont know which I like better, while all are great cameras - each has it's great points and weaknesses. I love lens on Konica (as I do on all Konicas I have in M-Hexanon line), but it's a bit of a large camera. I really like Oly RD - great and smallest camera with superb lens, yet I like handling of Canon a bit better, and lens on it is very good as well. So, I really can't vote, as I'm torn apart - I think all and any are a super choice.

 

[FPjohn]

Does the Black Natura s by Fuji deserve mention?

yours
FPJ

 

[f16sunshine]

Take the Yashica GX over any on the list. Since it is not there The QL17III and Electo CC are a close second. The CC is great unless you have strong light and need to stop down much. It has an Ugly 2 bladed aperture that makes some filthy OOF highlights sometimes. Also only AE but that works for me using iso stetting as exposure comp.