Best RF for the sub $50 budget?

guy-montag

guy-montag

Gonzo Photographer
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At the moment, I'm looking for a RF in the sub $50 range, hopefully with a working built in meter. Hopefully you're not falling over laughing at this point heh.

I usually use my Nikon D200, but in my spare time my Mamiya C330 TLR has definitely been getting some serious use. However, for things like street photography, the D200 is too large and too blatant, and the C330 is just large, heavy, and without a meter.

People have mentioned the Yashica Electro and the Canonet as possibilities. The Plaubel Makina 67 also looked pretty interesting, but then I saw the $1,000+ going price on ebay heh.

Any suggestions?
 
That's a tough limit. But you can find some of the better fixed-lens rangefinders in that range if you're lucky. Look for an Olympus, a Yashica, or a Canonet and grab any of those that you can find in your range.

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Canonet is a good candidate, I guess. Sometimes you can find 17 for around $50. Or you can always get 28 for a lot less than that, but then, you won't have full manual control...

Hiromu
 
The Olympus ECR goes for under $20 and is a wonderful little RF. I don't know of anything better for under $50.
 
Yes, almost all of the fixed lens japanese RFs are good. Fujica Compact Deluxe is nice if you can find it, Nearly every post I've read is favorable (yes, I have one and am quite fond of it).
 
If you can live with aperture priority the Yashica rangefinders can be picked up really inexpensive. They can also pull off a semi manual with either a 1/500 or 1/30 shutter speed.
 
PS I have personally found that for lenses shorter than 50mm and cameras with a top shutter speed of 1/500th or slower that full manual control is over blown as long as you can EV correct in some manner (IE. change ISO). Auto-exposure can be a nice feature.

That said, I just realized that with the drop in film camera prices that you can get one of the nicer Retinas for about $50... go for it!!!! My Retina IIa is my favorite RF.

:)
 
Hi Guy
You can find oly 35 SP, SPn , and a RD on occasion for around 50.
Also Canon QL GIII . if your not worried about looks i might even have a GIII for you. Yashica GX and CC are even available for that and less. i got a CC and a GX for 30 each last week. i have found GIII's for 25 on ebay. But on the average all of theses are 50 and above, depends on the cosmetics. Konica Auto S , S1.6 and S 2 are usually around 30 , just make sure your seler does some knob twisting and button pushing to resolve any kind of working order. Never believe them when they say "it seems to work"
 
If you have to have a meter, either an Olympus XA or a Canon QL GIII.

If you can live without a meter, then there are a number of really great early to mid 50's folders available - Agfa Karat, Kodak Retina IIa, or Voigtlander Vito II just to mention three I own and bought for less than $50. All three are insanely great little cameras.

William
 
RF_newbie said:
Hi Guy
You can find oly 35 SP, SPn , and a RD on occasion for around 50.
Also Canon QL GIII . if your not worried about looks i might even have a GIII for you. Yashica GX and CC are even available for that and less. i got a CC and a GX for 30 each last week. i have found GIII's for 25 on ebay. But on the average all of theses are 50 and above, depends on the cosmetics. Konica Auto S , S1.6 and S 2 are usually around 30 , just make sure your seler does some knob twisting and button pushing to resolve any kind of working order. Never believe them when they say "it seems to work"
Click to expand...

If you've got a Canon QL GIII in working condition, I'd definitely be interested.
 
Most any XA i have ever sold on ebay goes for $100 except xa2 and xa3 but they are zf
i was just getting ready to post a Yashica GT in the give away thread.
i will look at what gIII 's i have.
 
guy-montag said:
I take it those are the only $50 or less RF's with meters?
Click to expand...

I'm sure there are probably others, but those two are far and away the best of the bunch in my experience, such as it is.

I forced myself to learn to do without a meter only to learn it's really not that difficult (see http://www.fredparker.com/ultexp1.htm for more info) and so the other recommendations. All three of those are, frankly, far better cameras but they don't have meters... :eek:

William
 
I would second the motion for the Canon QL GIII. It's has a pretty nifty lens at 40mm f/1.7

I got mine for about $25 bucks on e-bay in perfect cosmetic condition and included the box, flash and a pretty unusable case. I did have to fix the light seals, but that was a pretty easy enough DIY project....of course, now it's just a matter of weeks before you get your first Leica :D:D

At least, that's what happened to me.

Good luck in your hunt for the rangefinder!
 
anoldsock said:
I would second the motion for the Canon QL GIII. It's has a pretty nifty lens at 40mm f/1.7

I got mine for about $25 bucks on e-bay in perfect cosmetic condition and included the box, flash and a pretty unusable case. I did have to fix the light seals, but that was a pretty easy enough DIY project....of course, now it's just a matter of weeks before you get your first Leica :D:D

At least, that's what happened to me.

Good luck in your hunt for the rangefinder!
Click to expand...
That is so true lol
 
The QLs, Konica auto S2, would be my pics full manual if need be and Auto. Both have meters but I suspect You may get used to sunny 16 if you try it. Yashicas are nice but dont have full manual which I hate. Just got a minolta highmatic 7s for right at 50 on ebay black one and it works perfect didnt even need seals so there are some bargains if you look. Seals are easy to replace so dont let bad seals scare you away from a deal. Right now if I had to pick one though it would be Konica Auto S2. Have fun.
 
Well, I have two sub 50$ RF's... the unavoidable Canonet QL17 GIII (20 euros, bit of a steal) and a FED5 that was given to me. Both have meters
 
Another vote for the Olympus XA. I like the Canonet QL17, though, too - but one play during the pass the camera project wasn't enough time to get familiar. One thing I love about the XA, is it fits in the front pocket of my jeans. Even the Canonet can't do that! I'm a big fan of the Oly lens, too. In the end, you can't go wrong either way (or with the other suggestions, for that matter)

Cheers,
Steve
 
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