paniolo
Established
Hello Photographers,
I dont know whats up, but I am still not satisfied.
I have started with a 35RC which I realy love.
The only thing that always annoyed me was the blue tint inside the viewfinder and the small magnification. (~0,55x)
What I realy like about the camera is its compactness, the ultra nice complete frameline without any open corners or lines and the small lens.
All in all, the camera is nearly perfect.... but the viewfinder tint always drives me to hate that little angel.
I have tried many RFs like Hi Matic 7sII, Yashica Electro, Canonet QL19 GIII, Agfa Optima 1535, Vito B, Vitomatic, Olympus Xa-xa4, Leica CL and of course the big boys like Leica M2, M3, M4-2, M6, Canon P, 7, Hexar AF, Contax G2, Bessa R, Zeiss ZM...
The list is endless...
my result is, that all mentioned cameras were not able to give me what I really wanted.
A simple, compact body with a small lens and a neutral tone viewfinder with a nice complete frameline.
Help me please and tell me, which camera fit these needs.
I dont know whats up, but I am still not satisfied.
I have started with a 35RC which I realy love.
The only thing that always annoyed me was the blue tint inside the viewfinder and the small magnification. (~0,55x)
What I realy like about the camera is its compactness, the ultra nice complete frameline without any open corners or lines and the small lens.
All in all, the camera is nearly perfect.... but the viewfinder tint always drives me to hate that little angel.
I have tried many RFs like Hi Matic 7sII, Yashica Electro, Canonet QL19 GIII, Agfa Optima 1535, Vito B, Vitomatic, Olympus Xa-xa4, Leica CL and of course the big boys like Leica M2, M3, M4-2, M6, Canon P, 7, Hexar AF, Contax G2, Bessa R, Zeiss ZM...
The list is endless...
my result is, that all mentioned cameras were not able to give me what I really wanted.
A simple, compact body with a small lens and a neutral tone viewfinder with a nice complete frameline.
Help me please and tell me, which camera fit these needs.
bonatto
looking out
Ricoh 35s has a purplish tint, but it's a decent viewfinder. Scale focus only of course
AlexBG
Well-known
If you've tried all of them then with no luck why not try an SLR? An olympus OM is small (not compared to the RC) and the 40mm pancake is a good lens.
zuiko85
Veteran
I think all of us, at one time or another, have dreamed about our 'perfect' camera. Are you ready to deal with reality?
It does not exist!
Even if you find such a thing, there will always be something else to annoy you. Such is life.
I really like my RC too......except for the stupid 43.5 filter thread! That and the excessively long shutter button travel (a necessary evil of 'trapped needle' auto exposure control). So you see that your particular wants are not the same as the next person. Therefor it is impossible for a camera maker to 'get it right' for everyone.
Edit: You have tries the CL I see.
Harryo1962
Established
How about a Bessa L with an external viewfinder and scale focusing? Those Voit finders are super bright, and the extra wide lenses take excellent images.
shortstop
Well-known
I have a Leica MP 0,58. The finder is wonderful for me.
I have also a Retina IIIC (big C). If you find one like mine with clear viewfinder, it is very fine (although light pink tint). It's folding and therefore compact, has a very good lightmeter, surely not light (all metal/glass camera). Underrated. Only 50 mm (forget the optic wide and tele attachment; they are too much cumbersome and complicated).
I have also a Retina IIIC (big C). If you find one like mine with clear viewfinder, it is very fine (although light pink tint). It's folding and therefore compact, has a very good lightmeter, surely not light (all metal/glass camera). Underrated. Only 50 mm (forget the optic wide and tele attachment; they are too much cumbersome and complicated).
paniolo
Established
Yay,
you guys are right, there is no perfect camera. But I wont believe that nobody has build a mix of 35RC and M3.
I look at a Yashica Minister right now. The viewfinder looks good, nice single frameline, manual camera, decent lens.
Everything I want, but the camera looks more like a toy, not like a tool.
And thats the point I cant accept.
Of course I can use and carry my Leica M3 but for the price of the body alone I can get 20x 35 RC or something similar.
you guys are right, there is no perfect camera. But I wont believe that nobody has build a mix of 35RC and M3.
I look at a Yashica Minister right now. The viewfinder looks good, nice single frameline, manual camera, decent lens.
Everything I want, but the camera looks more like a toy, not like a tool.
And thats the point I cant accept.
Of course I can use and carry my Leica M3 but for the price of the body alone I can get 20x 35 RC or something similar.
btgc
Veteran
If RC35 otherwise is OK how about replacing glass with clear one to eliminate blue tint? Some shops would do it for less than going through Grand Canyon of cameras....
froyd
Veteran
"A simple, compact body with a small lens and a neutral tone viewfinder with a nice complete frameline."
It's digital, but could the x100 fit the bill?
It's digital, but could the x100 fit the bill?
paniolo
Established
Jea BTGC thats I nice idea. I already tried some filter foils to neutralise the blue tone but it just darken the image too much.
I will contact some repair shops if they can do it.
But there is still some problem with the low magnification of the rc finder.
I think i need something around 0.7x
Anyone that is comfortable with the older Canonets?
They look serious, got 0.7x mag and a nice lens.
What about viewfinder tint and framelines? Is it a real rectangle or more like a half rectangle with an aperturescale for the right image part like on a Leica CL?
I will contact some repair shops if they can do it.
But there is still some problem with the low magnification of the rc finder.
I think i need something around 0.7x
Anyone that is comfortable with the older Canonets?
They look serious, got 0.7x mag and a nice lens.
What about viewfinder tint and framelines? Is it a real rectangle or more like a half rectangle with an aperturescale for the right image part like on a Leica CL?
paniolo
Established
oh froyd, i realy love the x100, its perfect, but digital... 
so nothing for me.
thank you too!
so nothing for me.
thank you too!
Vics
Veteran
Barnack with acc. finder.
Solinar
Analog Preferred
The 5cm SBOOI mounted to a Barnack does check off the box for a neutral tone finder with frame-lines - and - it's also a 1:1 finder. Put a collapsible 50mm lens on the camera and it will be semi-pocketable. Without the finder attached it is definitely a pocketable package - but the built-in finder is puny.
In fact - my Leica II is my substitute for a 35RC on sunny days.
Best Regards,
madNbad
Well-known
I have a "New" Canonet QL17. It's the version just prior to the GIII with the main difference being there is a battery check button next to the viewfinder but no light. It was fairly inexpensive but I spent the money to have the viewfinder cleaned, new foam and adjusted for mondern batteries. Slight blue tint to the viewfinder (which I believe is .65) and the only need for batteries is for the Auto Exposure mode. I haven't owned a GIII so I can't really compare but it's a fun little camera, takes great pictures and it's like a three quarter size M.
goamules
Well-known
You've tried 18 cameras?! It's pretty obvious to me what the problem is. You cannot be satisfied. Learn to be, or move on to another hobby.
Merlijn53
Established
Minolta cle with 2.0 40mm Rokkor.
Frank
Frank
newspaperguy
Well-known
Considering Barnack? Try a Zorki 1 with brightline finder and a 35mm lens.
If you like it, then pop for the big "L".
You may find you don't need to "upgrade."
If you like it, then pop for the big "L".
You may find you don't need to "upgrade."
Tom A
RFF Sponsor
How about a Nikon S2 with the Voigtlander Coloe Skopar 50mm f2.5? Bright 50 mm finds and the lens is extremely compact - and good.
paniolo
Established
yay i also have tried several SBOOI combos and also considered the nikon s2 for use.
what about the old canonet ql17/19 (larger body)
any comments about finder blockage, visibility, ...?
what about the old canonet ql17/19 (larger body)
any comments about finder blockage, visibility, ...?
madNbad
Well-known
There's an early 1.9, the one with the selenium meter marked "Canon/Bell & Howell" floating in the 'bay for 28 bucks. At that price, you can always try it and see if the later modifications were worth it.