Best fixed lens RF viewfinder?

Best fixed lens RF viewfinder?

  • Olympus 35SP

    Votes: 81 7.4%

  • Olympus 35RC

    Votes: 56 5.1%

  • Olympus 35RD

    Votes: 20 1.8%

  • Olympus XA

    Votes: 53 4.9%

  • Minolta 7s

    Votes: 30 2.8%

  • Minolta 7sII

    Votes: 40 3.7%

  • Canon QL17 GIII

    Votes: 206 18.9%

  • Konica Hexar fixed lens

    Votes: 201 18.5%

  • Konica S3

    Votes: 46 4.2%

  • Yashica GSN

    Votes: 162 14.9%

  • Other

    Votes: 193 17.7%
  • Total voters
    1,088
Of those I own:

1. Konica Auto S3
2. Yashica Electro CC
3. Yashica Electro GSN
4. Yashica Lynx 14e

Comments: All cameras were professionally CLA'd except the CC. All cameras are very, very close. All cameras are very usable in low light. I have no quibble with the viewfinder on any of these camera. The Lynx 14e has the clearest viewfinder, which gives less contrast to the patch. The others have a tint and therefore a more contrasty patch. The biggest factor, I think, is a cleaning. The Auto S3 is definitely the "clear" (heh) winner here but it's not reflected in the this poll, probably because fewer people own this camera.
 
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Did anyone mention an Iskra or Argus. I wish my Electro GT viewfinder was as good as my Zorki 4 or my Iskra 2. The old Argus C3's were not too shabby. Regards.
 
WOW, I never expected this thread to go on this long. It is a tribute to these wonderful cameras.

I am sorry that I left some cameras off the list. It was my own lack of thoroughness not any prejudice toward any camera.
 
I *finally* get a hold of a Yashica Electro GS (CLA'd) and guess what... the viewfinder on my Olympus 35 SPn (not CLA'd) is still much better, so my vote hasn't and will not change 😉
 
I own about 50 RFs mostly fixed lens and the best viewfinder by far is the AIRES 35v followed by konica all the rest are about the same the worst are the retinas
 
Two or three not mentioned here, The Fed 35A, The Junost and the Sokol automat. Both the Fed and the Sokol have coupled paralax correction and the Junost has a viewfinder seperate from the rangefinder. I prefer the viewfinder of the Fed 35A, but use all three cameras regularly🙄 oops, forgot my Zorki 10, which has a great viewfinder.
 
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I just got a Konica IIIM, which is identical to the IIIA except for the meter. I am exited to get such a good looking camera with such a super lens and viewfinder.
 
WOW, When I started this thread I never dreamed it would last this long. It is a testament to these lovely, durable and practical cameras. They just don't make em like they used to IMHO. Thanks for all of the responses and keep em comin.
 
I can't believe I haven't voted in this poll yet. I recently got an Oly SP back in my stable, after foolishly selling off an SPn I had previously owned. Turns out (mostly due to this forum) that I got a great deal on the current camera; fantastic condition and mechanics.

Still, and probably always, my favorite fixed-lens RF. I'll pass it on to my children someday.


Cheers,
--joe.
 
I also have an Oly SP, although my favorite fixed lens is my Yashica 14e despite the flare issues. My eleven year old granddaughter already has asked for the 14e. She's been been shooting with a GSN I gave her for her 9th birthday. She claims to like the heft of the 14e. Go figure!

She recently gave a middle school presentation on her photography and why she likes film. Hopefully, she's not just humoring grandpa! 😀
 
My very first camera, a Konica S II (not to be confused with S2) had a large viewfinder, vivid rangefind square, and adjusted for parallax.

I just used a non-rangefinding Voightlander Vito B with a lrge, bright viewfinder that is exceptional for that time -- or maybe even this time.
 
What amazes me is the poll result. Have those who voted for Canonet or Yashica Electro *ever* seen the Olympus 35 SP viewfinder?

I have all those three and Olympus 35 SP viewfinder is the brightest and easiest to use of the three.

😕
 
shadowfox said:
What amazes me is the poll result. Have those who voted for Canonet or Yashica Electro *ever* seen the Olympus 35 SP viewfinder?

I have all those three and Olympus 35 SP viewfinder is the brightest and easiest to use of the three.

😕
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Well, I am pretty sure most of the people who voted have not used all of those cameras, at least not extensively. I certainly haven't and that's why I didn't vote at all. The Olympus FLRF's seem to be a lot less common than the Yashica Electros or Canonets, which means that the more common models will win this kind of poll almost automatically.

Incidentally, that is the reason why polls like this have no scientific value, although they can be a lot of fun and raise some good discussion.
 
shadowfox said:
What amazes me is the poll result. Have those who voted for Canonet or Yashica Electro *ever* seen the Olympus 35 SP viewfinder?

😕
Click to expand...

Nope, but then there are a lot of different cameras I have never tried. If we are just talking about brightness, have you ever seen the viewfinder on an Agfa Karat 36? It is certainly bright, but split image rangefinders are not for everyone.

Then there is the condition of the rangefinder mirror to take into consideration. Most of the ones I got on ebay were really dim and (when I felt competent to do it) I replaced them. A new semitransparent mirror gives you a much brighter image.
 
Of the fixed lens RF's that I have (or have had), the order is:

1. Hexar AF. 0.7x, parallax compensated motorized brightlines with distance indication (brilliant). Very nice focus cross in the middle. Probably doesn't qualify though cause it's actually AF.

2. Voigtlander Vito CLR. Clear bright finder with 1x magnification, but the RF spot isn't stellar (with fuzzy edges there's no vernier focusing). Overall: reasonable.

3. Petri Auto Rapid. A bit on the dark side, and too much barrel distortion for my taste. RF spot a tad better than the Vito though. All in all, reasonable.
 
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