Could use a few recommendations!

[gb hill]

Here is a chrome Bessa R in excellent condition for $265. KEH also list a black one for 20 bucks more. They will take your I-50 lens. I'll warn ya if you have a hang up about loud shutters it will probably bug you. Myself I have found it's all a crock. I shot a wedding last weekend with my Bessa R & yea you could hear it, but I could hear those digis people were shooting also!

Don't use a J-12 on it either because of the rear element. Any other lens has worked fine except a J-3 which I had to reshim for my Bessa R.

http://www.keh.com/camera/Leica-Screwmount-Camera-Bodies/1/sku-LS0299904429005?r=FE

 

[mooge]

the I-50 will work on a Canon RF or barnack... the focus calibration something isn't exactly the same with FSU cameras/lenses and Leica standard, but at 3.5, you should be fine.

if you really want interchangeable lenses, I'd reccommend a canon 7- you can get one for ~$150, and it's got selectable framelines from 35-135 or something like that. apparently the finder is nice too. the only drawback here is that it doesn't have a shoe, so anything wider than 35 will be tricky.

Nikon RFs tend to be in the Leica-range, price wise. the cheaper ones have squinty finders.


if you don't need interchangeable lenses, I've got a Canonet with a dea(ish) meter I could give you. I just need to put 'er together...

 

[PatrickCheung]

Yes, it will mount on a Leica or Canon RF (not Nikon, that's a different lens mount), CV Bessa, or other LTM camera.

In theory, all FSU lenses are slightly off optimal focus on non-FSU LTM bodies. In practice, the I-50 is not much affected, because it's slow. Even close up at f/3.5, you should have enough depth of field to cover the slight mismatch.

By comparison, even our resident lens guru Brian Sweeney has given up on the J-9 (85/2). It's a long and fast lens, which makes DoF very thin. The best you can hope for is precise focus close up or at infinity, but not both.

Thanks! You've been so helpful! I think I'll consider a Canon RF. BGN at KEH should be fine right? Also, I just wanted to double check if you got that PM i sent last night about the Zorki 4!

Here is a chrome Bessa R in excellent condition for $265.

I've considered a Bessa, but I'm kinda worried about their build. I've read both good and bad things about them, so I'm a little hesitant on spending that much on a Bessa! How was your experience with it?

if you really want interchangeable lenses, I'd reccommend a canon 7- you can get one for ~$150, and it's got selectable framelines from 35-135 or something like that. apparently the finder is nice too. the only drawback here is that it doesn't have a shoe, so anything wider than 35 will be tricky.

if you don't need interchangeable lenses, I've got a Canonet with a dea(ish) meter I could give you. I just need to put 'er together...

I'm thinking of getting a Canon 7. I'm lookin at the BGN one on KEH. My girlfriend seems to like how it looks too, so that's a plus! Would the meter be working on the Canon 7? Also, I wouldn't mind working out a price for that canonet, if it works!



I'm actually kinda caught between the Nikon F with a waist level finder and the Canon 7. With the Nikon F i wouldn't have to worry about lenses since I have nikon lenses. I'd enjoy using the waistlevel finder too! But the Canon 7 seems so appealing... I wouldn't mind shooting a rangefinder!

 

[batterytypehah!]

Thanks! You've been so helpful! I think I'll consider a Canon RF. BGN at KEH should be fine right? Also, I just wanted to double check if you got that PM i sent last night about the Zorki 4!

Yes, as you know by now, I was just slow to answer. You're welcome and we're just a helpful bunch around here. Others have helped me along many times and I'm glad I can pass it along occasionally.

I've considered a Bessa, but I'm kinda worried about their build. I've read both good and bad things about them, so I'm a little hesitant on spending that much on a Bessa! How was your experience with it?

Yeah, I'm in the camp that disses the Bessas occasionally. I admit I just can't get over the Voigtländer name on them. I hate it when brand names that used to stand for something become commodities. That said, on the whole it's great to have a modern, affordable RF option, and there is no way Cosina could have done it successfully under their own name. Even the most basic Bessa (the L, which is all I have used) is reasonably well made, and you shouldn't worry about the build quality. Much less likely to give you trouble than a classic that hasn't been serviced in 50 years.

I'm thinking of getting a Canon 7. I'm lookin at the BGN one on KEH. My girlfriend seems to like how it looks too, so that's a plus! Would the meter be working on the Canon 7

The listing would mention if the meter was dead, however don't expect much. It's an old selenium meter; even if it's still accurate, it will be very little use in low light. This is true for all selenium meters.

Check out http://www.photoethnography.com/equipment.html if you haven't yet; Karen (who no longer posts here, I'm afraid) has a lot of info about the Canons.

 

[mooge]

Also, I wouldn't mind working out a price for that canonet, if it works!

I was thinking free... but if you're set on getting something grander, I'll save this for someone else.


with regards to waist-level finders - they're cool with bigger formats, but a 35mm frame is kinda tiny.



a Canon 7 + 50mm 1.8 + lightmeter (like a Gossen lunasix) should fit within your budget. you've already got an SLR... and you are asking for advice on a RF-centric forum.

cheers.

 

[zauhar]

Patrick, here is a link to the latest deal from the same seller I purchased from :

http://cgi.ebay.com/Canon-7-Rangefi...Film_Cameras&hash=item4aa9298de3#ht_500wt_751

This is for a Canon 7 with 50mm 1.4 lens. The condition is a little less pristine than the one I bought, but price is even lower - $370 "buy it now".

Obviously I cannot personally vouch for this item, but I can say I would not hesitate to buy from this fellow again.

Randy

 

[PatrickCheung]

The Nikon F has interchangeable focusing screens. there's a list here on the head bartender's site.

another thing worth mentioning- if RFs aren't your thing, you could sell what you bought for pretty much the same price (unless you got ripped off).
cheers.

Oh, that's a good point. I'm probably gonna get it off KEH, should be a decent price right? Also, if nobody takes the Canonet, could I grab it? It'd make a nice gift for my girlfriend :] or her mom, who wants to get started with photography!

Patrick, here is a link to the latest deal from the same seller I purchased from :

http://cgi.ebay.com/Canon-7-Rangefi...Film_Cameras&hash=item4aa9298de3#ht_500wt_751

This is for a Canon 7 with 50mm 1.4 lens. The condition is a little less pristine than the one I bought, but price is even lower - $370 "buy it now".

Obviously I cannot personally vouch for this item, but I can say I would not hesitate to buy from this fellow again.

Randy

:] thanks for the referral, but I'm probably going to stay off eBay for now, I think I'm gonna order off KEH this time, see how it's like! How are you enjoying your 7 though?

 

[zauhar]

Patrick, the 7 is a great camera. Likewise the Canon 50mm /1.4 lens is wonderful. I have been having a lot of fun with the pair over the last few weeks. It ain't a Leica, but it has been a blast to use while my M3 is out of commission. Plus the lens will work on an M body with adaptor, so if you get a Leica in the future you will be well served.

If KEH has a good deal on a Canon 7 I would suggest you go for it.

Randy

 

[batterytypehah!]

If KEH has a good deal on a Canon 7 I would suggest you go for it.

With the proviso that I haven't used any Canon RF yet, I would agree. It's hard to argue with a solid, classic RF body for $139. No need to invest in another lens just yet. The Industar should be fine for finding out if the Canon is right for you. If you don't like it, you can always put it up for sale in the RFF classifieds and get most of your money back.

 

[PatrickCheung]

Thanks for the help guys! I think my mind is pretty much made up!

I'm kinda worried about the shipping though. Living in Toronto sucks. KEH's shipping is $60 for FedEx, $50 for UPS... My total is something like $350-360, including the lens. The shipping price is same without the lens so I might as well get it as a package. Ontop of that, there's customs tax, pretty sure the camera is gonna be around $380-390.. maybe past $400 if I'm unlucky.

I'm gonna take a quick look at the camera stores downtown before I order anything!

 

[NLewis]

If you want:

a) A rangefinder, not an SLR;
b) full manual control, not aperture-priority etc.;
c) compact, no medium format;
d) no junk;

... then you should probably get a Leica M. I would suggest either an M2 or M3, it depends mostly on whether you want to shoot 35mm lenses. A Barnack Leica is another option, definitely cheaper, lots of coolosity, and more compact. One of the main drawbacks is the limited viewfinder options (any size as long as its 50mm), and the fact that the really great Leica lenses come mostly in M-mount, not screwmount. With that said, a Canon 50/1.8 LTM on a Leica III can be a lot of fun without a lot of expense. Be prepared to CLA any Barnack Leica, however, they are pretty old and will need to be refurbished if they haven't been in the last ten years.

If you can live with auto exposure, any of the 1970s rangefinders would work. I'd suggest an Olympus XA or Contax T2.

Otherwise, you might look for a Panasonic GF1 with the 20/1.7 lens. About $600 maybe, and no film costs.

 

[FPjohn]

Try Heny's.

yours
FPJ

 

[gb hill]

I've considered a Bessa, but I'm kinda worried about their build. I've read both good and bad things about them, so I'm a little hesitant on spending that much on a Bessa! How was your experience with it?

I'm thrilled with my Bessa R, & as a person who has much of the same vision problems as you do, it has one of the brightes finders of a RF camera. I agree the build isn't as sturdy as my Canonet, it's much better than my Yashica GSN. The latter Bessa's like the R2m & upward, I understand feel much sturdier in the hand. Plus the Bessa's have ttl metering which is a plus.

Also on the Canon RF's curtain wrinkling is a common problem with those camera's. But I wouldn't let that stop me from getting one. Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[batterytypehah!]

If you want:

a) A rangefinder, not an SLR;
b) full manual control, not aperture-priority etc.;
c) compact, no medium format;
d) no junk;

... then you should probably get a Leica M. I would suggest either an M2 or M3, it depends mostly on whether you want to shoot 35mm lenses.

...for $300? That's his budget.

 

[mooge]

Try Heny's.

all the used gear I've ever seen at henry's has been horribly overpriced...


Leica on the cheap can be a bad idea. I got a beater M2 for $360 a year ago, I'm going to need to spend another $300 to fix the finder which is slowly coming apart.


KEH's shipping is a little crazy. maybe you should just get the Canon-7, use your industar and buy a ton of film. you might be able to get a better deal on a 50mm lens in the classifieds or something. just a thought...



cheers.

 

[Vics]

"Out of the three, my favourite is definitely the Rolleicord."

I think you should save up some more money and buy a nice Rolleiflex 3.5F or a 2.8F.
Then you'll be happy. Shoot the 'cord in the meantime. Buy a meter. Sekonic L308.

 

[PatrickCheung]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys! I've finally decided and placed my order on KEH just a few minutes ago!

I ended up going with the Canon 7 and a 50/1.8. It came up to about $350 including shipping.

:] haha Mooge, I was thinking of buying a lens on the classifieds too, but I figure I had the money anyway, and film isn't too much of a problem for me. I still have a bit left over, so I could spend it on that... and a roll usually lasts me quite a while unless I'm out with the objective to shoot.

Vics, I was thinking of buying a Rolleiflex instead, but again, one of my issues is portability. While I would love shooting a Flex, I doubt I'd want to lug the thing around with me all the time! I think maybe... if I ever feel the need to replace my Rolleicord 3, I'll invest in a flex, but the Rolleicord is perfectly fine for me right now :]

I'd just like to say... thanks for all the help on choosing a camera, guys! You're the most helpful bunch on the internet!

 

[zauhar]

Congratulations! That sounds like a good price.

I think you will like it.

Randy

 

[mooge]

cool beans, man. hope you like it.