hkauhanen
Newbie
Hi everyone,
I'm thinking of buying a compact rangefinder. In your opinion, which one of the following has the best optics?
- Canonet QL 17
- Canonet QL 17 G-III
- Hi-Matic 7s
- Hi-Matic 7sII
- Hi-Matic 9
- Olympus 35 SP
Is there any notable difference between the optics of the earlier Canonet and the G-III? How about the Hi-Matics?
Regards,
Henri
I'm thinking of buying a compact rangefinder. In your opinion, which one of the following has the best optics?
- Canonet QL 17
- Canonet QL 17 G-III
- Hi-Matic 7s
- Hi-Matic 7sII
- Hi-Matic 9
- Olympus 35 SP
Is there any notable difference between the optics of the earlier Canonet and the G-III? How about the Hi-Matics?
Regards,
Henri
R
Rich Silfver
Guest
I really love the Olympus 35SP camera and I think it's G.Zuiko (7 elements) lens is wonderful.
Here are two examples:
Here are two examples:
R
Rich Silfver
Guest
..and another one,
I also like the spot meter on the 35SP - and use it a lot.
I also like the spot meter on the 35SP - and use it a lot.
hkauhanen
Newbie
Hi Rich,
Nice photos! I especially like the second one.
The 35SP lens seems to be a different kettle of fish with its 7 elements. (I think the Yashica Lynx 14 also has a 7 element lens.) What's the price range for good condition 35SP? I guess they're quite hard to find?
Nice photos! I especially like the second one.
The 35SP lens seems to be a different kettle of fish with its 7 elements. (I think the Yashica Lynx 14 also has a 7 element lens.) What's the price range for good condition 35SP? I guess they're quite hard to find?
R
Rich Silfver
Guest
There seems to be 4-5 35SP's for sale at any given time on eBay (seems to be 5-6 there right now).
For a good condition 35SP (chrome) you could expect to pay about 55-75 US dollars.
In mint condition it would go up to about 100-130 dollars
A black 35SP in good condition would fetch about 250 dollars.
You can also try posting a wanted to buy entry here as I know some people are trimming their collections lately.
The Canonet is another camera that has a strong following here and seems to have a very able lens.
For a good condition 35SP (chrome) you could expect to pay about 55-75 US dollars.
In mint condition it would go up to about 100-130 dollars
A black 35SP in good condition would fetch about 250 dollars.
You can also try posting a wanted to buy entry here as I know some people are trimming their collections lately.
The Canonet is another camera that has a strong following here and seems to have a very able lens.
L
laurentvenet
Guest
HI
I've just bought an Olympus 35 SP on ebay, I bought at 115 us $ (without shipping) but I'm still waiting for it since 1 month. I do hope I'll get it but surface mail is so long, I"m regretting for not choosing air mail.
Congratulations Richard, your photos are great, especially the second one with the dog !
I've just bought an Olympus 35 SP on ebay, I bought at 115 us $ (without shipping) but I'm still waiting for it since 1 month. I do hope I'll get it but surface mail is so long, I"m regretting for not choosing air mail.
Congratulations Richard, your photos are great, especially the second one with the dog !
back alley
IMAGES
Canonet QL 17 G-III
- Hi-Matic 7s
- Hi-Matic 9
i have a canonet and had the himatics, all very nice lenses and capable cameras. the canon is very nice size wise the minoltas are significantly bigger and heavier.
if a slightly slower lens is acceptable, look for an oly 35rc, great camera and lens.
joe
- Hi-Matic 7s
- Hi-Matic 9
i have a canonet and had the himatics, all very nice lenses and capable cameras. the canon is very nice size wise the minoltas are significantly bigger and heavier.
if a slightly slower lens is acceptable, look for an oly 35rc, great camera and lens.
joe
FrankS
Registered User
I'd include the Konica S2 and S3 in that mix of cameras with very good lenses.
I have used a Canonet, Himatic, Electro 35 and Konica and can say that all of them had excellent lenses. Each have had a little different character, but all very good. If I was going to pick one for the lens, perhaps the Minolta followed by... I don't know, it would be a close call.
This prior thread addressed a lot of opinions about several fixed-lens RF cameras. I would agree that the Olympus SP has outstanding optics. Expect to pay a premium for one: $85~$115 depending on condition.
The Hi-Matic 9 has an outstanding lens, and goes for closer to $25.
The "quickest" to the draw, is the Canonet QL17. It's lens is not quite as sharp as the Olympus and Hi-Matics, but the short-throw shutter release is a cure for camera shake during the exposure.
Do not rule out the older Retina cameras. The IIIc has a great lens, and goes for about the price of the Olympus SP.
Canonet Discussion and comparison on prior thread
The Hi-Matic 9 has an outstanding lens, and goes for closer to $25.
The "quickest" to the draw, is the Canonet QL17. It's lens is not quite as sharp as the Olympus and Hi-Matics, but the short-throw shutter release is a cure for camera shake during the exposure.
Do not rule out the older Retina cameras. The IIIc has a great lens, and goes for about the price of the Olympus SP.
Canonet Discussion and comparison on prior thread
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hkauhanen
Newbie
Thank you all. You've been very helpful.
Henri
Henri
R
rovnguy
Guest
From reviewing side by side results of my own cameras, I think the Minolta Hi-Matic 7S has the edge in sharpness over my Canonet QL17 GIII. I'll do some scanning soon and post the results. I shot a roll of Fuji Reala 100 thru each camera at the same exposure settings and did the metering with a Gossen Digisix meter.
Taipei-metro
Veteran
Sorry, the Rokkor is a 45mm,Canonet GIII is a 40mm.
The SP is a 42mm,for me that is a LOT of difference.
Anyway the man is closing this thread,he thanks you guys.
Best buy,with a wider 40 is the Canonet.
The SP is a 42mm,for me that is a LOT of difference.
Anyway the man is closing this thread,he thanks you guys.
Best buy,with a wider 40 is the Canonet.