Deciding on my first RF.

[Thinh Ly]

Hello everyone,

I'm looking to purchase a fixed lens RF with a meter and manual mode/override. Preferably, it should function even without a battery. Size and bulk is not an issue.

From what I've gathered, the Konica Auto S2 (and rebadged Ward am511) fit the bill, am I correct? Please recommend me other models too.

Many thanks,
Ly

 

[dshfoto]

Why do you want a 35mm and not a medium format? (like a Fuji GS645 or GS645S)

Are you going to scan the negs, or print in the darkroom?

 

[Thinh Ly]

Why do you want a 35mm and not a medium format? (like a Fuji GS645 or GS645S)

Are you going to scan the negs, or print in the darkroom?

My university course i'm getting it for is 35mm. Our darkroom is mainly for 35mm anyways, we have equipment for larger formats but it's mainly for professors.

I'm going to be printing.

 

[BMacW]

Olympus 35 RD has meter, shutter priority and full Manual. I don't use the meter on mine and it works fine with no battery. They are hard to find though

 

[NeeZee]

Basically all 70s fixed lens RF's fit you bill if you're ok with using the ISO selector as override. Also there are many models from the 60s with selenium meter and manual needle matching exposure. harder to find one with working meter though.

This is a good overview for the 70s models (scroll down for the links to the cameras - there are many more though of course): http://www.cameraquest.com/com35s.htm

 

[lam]

The S2 is a good choice.. There's actually a whole slew of cameras you could get, but some are aperture priority or shutter priority (doesn't bother me but if you're trying to learn from scratch then it gets harder as full manual wasn't particularly the bill most of these compact rangefinders gave)

Have to think about this..

 

[dshfoto]

Consider an Argus C3
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argus_C3

I shot this beach landscape in 1964 with one of those cameras:
http://harrisfoto.com/drupal7/node/12

It's a bullet proof range finder

I never used a meter, with this camera, but would recommend a good hand held meter, rather than a built in one, like a Gossen Digisix. You can get an adapter that will mount the meter to the shoe on top the camera. Of course the meter cost a lot more than the camera. Argus made some clip on meters, you may be able to get one of these that works.

At the price of the Argus C3 you can get a couple, and use two different types of film.

 

[NeeZee]

Consider an Argus C3
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argus_C3

I shot this beach landscape in 1964 with one of those cameras:
http://harrisfoto.com/drupal7/node/12

It's a bullet proof range finder

I never used a meter, with this camera, but would recommend a good hand held meter, rather than a built in one, like a Gossen Digisix. You can get an adapter that will mount the meter to the shoe on top the camera. Of course the meter cost a lot more than the camera. Argus made some clip on meters, you may be able to get one of these that works.

At the price of the Argus C3 you can get a couple, and use two different types of film.

I've seen the argus called a lot of names, but 'bullet-proof' was never one of them...

 

[KoNickon]

Yes, the S2 should be a good choice. Remember that it was made for 1.35V batteries, so use hearing aid 675 size batteries (or if you find alkaline 625s or other 1.5V batteries, set the ASA for one film speed slower).

 

[denizg7]

Yaschica electro gs

 

[Greyscale]

Yaschica electro gs

No. The Yashica Electros only use a default shutter speed of 1/500 without the battery. The S2 is a better choice when battery independence is a criteria.

The Minolta Himatic 7 or 9 would be good options as well.

 

[Merkin]

My university course i'm getting it for is 35mm. Our darkroom is mainly for 35mm anyways, we have equipment for larger formats but it's mainly for professors.

I'm going to be printing.

Is it just a general intro to photo class?

What is your budget?

 

[28mm]

I'm looking to purchase a fixed lens RF with a meter and manual mode/override. Preferably, it should function even without a battery. Size and bulk is not an issue.

The Konica Auto S2 and Minolta Hi-Matic 7 or 9 are probably your best bet in terms of value if bulk isn't an issue like you've mentioned. They're plentiful and can be found relatively cheaply on eBay. They come fixed with 45mm lenses.

On the smaller side, there is the Canonet QL17 with a slightly wider 40mm lense. It will be slightly pricier than the Konica and Minoltas, but worth the difference if you want a smaller camera and wider lens.

I'd say go with the cheaper option, shoot for a semester, then your experience will let you know what you want/need.

 

[siracusa]

Some great cameras being recommended here, and you can't go wrong with any of them. Some of the old Voigtlanders might also fit the bill. Vitomatic IIa with 50mm f/2.8 Color Skopar is a really solid camera with a lovely lens, though it may take some shopping around to get one with a working meter if that's important to you, and probably less friendly to first time rf users than some of the cameras already mentioned.

 

[konicaman]

The Auto S2 has a fantastic lens; would be my first choice. Olympus 35 RC small and pocketable. Ricoh 500G - cheap but still a nice little camera.

 

[Thinh Ly]

Wow, thanks for all the replies guys.

I think I'll go with the S2 or Minolta Hi-matic 7/9. I'm probably also picking up an Argus just because it's so cheap and seems rather peculiar.