Cursed w/ rangefnder envy

A

Allenbong

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Nov 1, 2004
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Newbie to the site who has now been cursed with rangefinder envy ! Please tell me Im a fool !

Thanks to this site, cameraquest et al. and Ebay, I now have the bug. All i have are 1970s Japanese rangefinders, canon ql 17 gIII, three Yashica GSNs and Petri 7s (Ok I have another GIII that gets stuck after 3 or 4 frames, a Konica Auto S2 thats just dead)

I am now pondering to move up either to a Bessa R2 or R2A or R3A or waiting for the new Zeiss Ikon Rangefinder(sentimental favorite, a Contaflex Super slr was my first camera which my father bought shortly after I was born, still have it although it has stopped working). I am so confused !

I just find myself enjoying using these cameras a lot more, my Canon Elan 7 is getting lonely and Ive stopped lusting after the Canon 20D.
 
Do I have a deal for you.:)

Well, I may, but welcome first to the RFF.

Have a look around and get a taste for what you may be looking for, and then we can talk.;)

The Bessas are great little cameras. They offer a more affordable entry into the (interchangable lens) rangefinder world than the other options, with good quality and a complete system offering (warn your wallet). What is your shooting style? Do you prefer a camera with AE?

Another option would be a used Leica. (or a used Bessa if you had a friend looking to sell one).:angel:
 
Really, welcome to the site. I hope I don't scare you away, I just was wearing white shoes today, and, well, they make me feel like selling.
 
Hi Allen,
Welcome to the group. Sounds like you already have several nice old RF's. The Contaflex is great too, just so many of them have given up the ghost by now. If I or any of the others can ever be of any help, please feel free to ask.
 
Welcome to the club Allen. You are not alone in this foolishness! :p
 
Yes welcome to the site Allen and who needs a Canon 20D anyway? ;) RF is the way to go - you're no fool... :D
 
Thanks for the warm welcome from everyone.

Now if I can only figure out a way to hide these cameras from my wife. She found all of them one day when she was looking for the the Canon G2 digital to take pictures of our 20 month old daughter. She said her last count was 8. So far she has not been angry, I've been taking a lot pics of our daughter and gave her 8x10 matted prints(taken w/ the Yashica GSN, film Tmax 400) which she proudly displays at her office, to the envy of her coworkers. If I can only convince her it would be much better with a Leica ! (heh heh...)
 
Allen, you'd better run as fast as you can from this forum before your wallet gets really thin. :D

I had had R2 and 50/1.5 for 6 months or so when I first came to this forum. I was happy and didn't need anything else. Soon after that, in 6 months period, I bought CV75 and CV35. Now I'm lusting for the new Zeiss Ikon. Hopefully Leica bug never bites me. A 20D is cheaper than Leica stuffs so you'd better run!
 
Welcome aboard Allen!

And to think I only owned two cameras before I started coming here...
 
Allen, welcome.

Pay no attention to these "negative Vibes". These fine cameras are for people who can truly appreciate skill and craftsmanship, and want far more than just "point and Shoot for instant gratification, quickly replaced by the next shot."

Yeah, that's it. That's what I'm going to tell my Sister when she wants to know why I don't use a digital camera at home.
 
Yes, a Leica will make it better. :p

Then you'll want one more, and then another. :D

Welcome aboard!
 
Welcome Allen ! :D In fact this forum is really useful, it helped me realizing that not only I needed more than one rangefinder, but also more than one of the same model !

You know, you always need a parts camera, just in case... :angel:
 
Any person only needs one (more) camera!

Welcome.

If your wife has counted your cameras, no problem, just switch out the dead one for any new one that arrives!

That dead S3, have you checked the battery chamber wires, or is the problem with a stuck shutter?
 
Yup, thats what i said, I need the duplicate camera for parts. As for the dead S2 the shutter is stuck. Now I know some of you do your own repairs, I dont think, I'll go there yet, they seem too intimidating. The best I've done was clean out the melted light seals on my working QL 17 GIII. I think I can put the new light seals on but I think thats about how much courage I got or confidence I have in my skills. Although I did try to open up a Petri 7s(wasnt working anyway and was feeling adventurous) But stopped when I realized I didnt have the right tools. Based on the 7s repair manual, I'll need some exotic tools. Camera goes back in its secret hiding place ( a new one)
 
A used Leica M3 or M2 in good user condition with a 50mm F1.5 or F2 lens and 9cm Elmar lens can be had for about $800, with some patience. A used Canon 7 with the same lenses will run about $500. A definite jump up from the fixed-lens cameras that you are using, but worth the price.

A Retina IIIS with comparable lenses, a 50mm F1.9 and 85mm F4, will run under $200. I started there.

A new Leica M7 or MP is going to hit $3,000 real fast with lenses.

Retina IIIS with $10 50mm F1.9 Lens

Retina IIIS with 85mm F4 Tele-Arton
 
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Whatever you do, get the Konica Auto S2 repaired. It has a GREAT lens, terrific for color slides.
Oh, and Welcome too ~ ; - )
 
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