Digital rangefinder

[thawkins]

I am interested in adding a digital rangefinder to my fleet. What are the members experiences with the Fuji X100 series cameras? I want a body with interchangeable lens.

 

[Chris101]

I am interested in adding a digital rangefinder to my fleet. What are the members experiences with the Fuji X100 series cameras? I want a body with interchangeable lens.

The x100 is neither a rangefinder, nor does it have interchangable lenses. The viewfinder is a hybrid electronic/optical that simulates a rangefinder - it's very accurate, and fast. The lens is a 23mm that is permanently attached to the body.

 

[xayraa33]

If you do not want to go the Leica route, the Epson R-D1 is a bit long in the tooth but still a viable digital RF camera.


https://www.dpreview.com/articles/1924025521/epsonrd1


Or you can wait a bit longer as I surmise we are at the cusp of many new non- Leica digital type EVF cameras with native M mount models from many different maker that will knock your socks off without paying a Leica price new or used,

 

[ptpdprinter]

Or you can wait a bit longer as I surmise we are at the cusp of many new non- Leica digital type EVF cameras with native M mount models from many different maker that will knock your socks off without paying a Leica price new or used,

What leads you to that surmise.

 

[xayraa33]

What leads you to that surmise.

Just the time is right and full frame sensor and EVF technology is getting cheaper to manufacture and China is becoming a big player in the photo gear and consumer electronics industry.

Add to that the recent cryptic announcement of the possible Leica-Zenit collaboration and the rebirth of a yet to be seen digital Yashica Electro type camera.

We had the Epson R-D1 many years ago and that can be developed into a full frame EVF camera, plus a market exists for such a machine for those without deep pockets for pricey Leicas new or used, that have a slew of M mount and LTM mount lenses from different eras and different makers, all waiting to be used on digital non Leica cameras without bulky adaptors on the make do Sony A7.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

...China is becoming a big player in the photo gear ....
Add to that the recent cryptic announcement of the possible Leica-Zenit collaboration and the rebirth of a yet to be seen digital Yashica Electro type camera.
...

I'm wishing to China to have third revolution. Cultural and industrial already happened. Now "respect intellectual rights" revolution in China needs to happen before it play big role.
It was local Canadian inventor who told on local radio couple months ago what as of now you only have few months to make profit before it is taken as pirate copies in China.
http://www.digitalgrog.com.au/gadgets/chinas-infamous-world-class-car-fakes/


And Yashica-Zenit-Leica is nothing but re-branding at its best talks so far, if not empty myths.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1265065-REG/kyocera_yashica_yac_301_full_hd_1080p.html

 

[xayraa33]

I'm wishing to China to have third revolution. Cultural and industrial already happened. Now "respect intellectual rights" revolution in China needs to happen before it play big role.
It was local Canadian inventor who told on local radio couple months ago what as of now you only have few months to make profit before it is taken as pirate copies in China.
http://www.digitalgrog.com.au/gadgets/chinas-infamous-world-class-car-fakes/


And Yashica-Zenit-Leica is nothing but re-branding at its best talks so far, if not empty myths.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1265065-REG/kyocera_yashica_yac_301_full_hd_1080p.html

The big industrial conglomerates ( and small conglomerates) whether they are originally European, American or Japanese are already manufacturing in China in a big way , whether its Apple, Ford, GM, Toyota, Honda, Fender, Vox, Black and Decker, Makita, Toshiba etc and that includes exposing their intellectual property to the Chinese. Cheap labour and a diligent work force and lax environmental laws are a big draw for more profit. There are no borders for multinational corporations.

"Yashica-Zenit-Leica is nothing but re-branding at its best talks so far, "

We don't know if it is all pure talk or just rebranding, I say where there is smoke there is fire, we will wait and we will see, October is not far off for the Yashica thing to be introduced to the market and it looks to be more than a cell phone attachment.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

You forgot to add to Yashica-Zenit something more real. How was this thing for real called. 😕 It supposed to be on sale by now. :bang:
Digital rangefinder thing. Chronos? Man, this thing was on fire here and ... no even smoke by now...

 

[xayraa33]

You forgot to add to Yashica-Zenit something more real. How was this thing for real called. 😕 It supposed to be on sale by now. :bang:
Digital rangefinder thing. Chronos? Man, this thing was on fire here and ... no even smoke by now...

The Konost might be vapour ware, as its supposed development has been going on for years if one believes their infrequent bulletins and announcements. The Leica/Zenit thing is a very recent and might have serious validity.

The re-birth of the Yashica is very possible, as they have the Jebsen Group financial house in Hong Kong as surety and would want to see a return on their investment, they are not fly-by-nights by any means (established 1895).

Plus don't yet count out the big players like Canikon which I am sure would like to get a kick at the can and stifle Sony and Fuji in the pro quality Mirrorless and FF mirrorless digital cameras.

Time will tell.

 

[ForestCap]

Wait for the Yashica new camera that will be announced in October. Maybe it is a rangefinder, or at least X100 type of "rangefinder".

 

[jaapv]

Just the time is right and full frame sensor and EVF technology is getting cheaper to manufacture and China is becoming a big player in the photo gear and consumer electronics industry.

Add to that the recent cryptic announcement of the possible Leica-Zenit collaboration and the rebirth of a yet to be seen digital Yashica Electro type camera.

We had the Epson R-D1 many years ago and that can be developed into a full frame EVF camera, plus a market exists for such a machine for those without deep pockets for pricey Leicas new or used, that have a slew of M mount and LTM mount lenses from different eras and different makers, all waiting to be used on digital non Leica cameras without bulky adaptors on the make do Sony A7.

Basically the Epson was a Bessa camera with the electronics and sensor of the Nikon D100 shoehorned inside. The only reason it could work was the crop factor of the sensor, thereby avoiding most of the incidence angle problems at the edges and corners.
I very much doubt whether it has any development potential, given that the donor cameras have been discontinued very long ago.

 

[Paul T.]

Wait for the Yashica new camera that will be announced in October. Maybe it is a rangefinder, or at least X100 type of "rangefinder".

The teaser vid suggests it's either a phone lens adapter, or (less likely) an Olympus Air-style device, ie a sensor which uses a phone screen as viewfinder.

Check the video at 13 seconds, you can see the device quite clearly. Not a rangefinder.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=13&v=8i6g55QaN54

 

[ForestCap]

The teaser vid suggests it's either a phone lens adapter, or (less likely) an Olympus Air-style device, ie a sensor which uses a phone screen as viewfinder.

Check the video at 13 seconds, you can see the device quite clearly. Not a rangefinder.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=13&v=8i6g55QaN54

Isn't that their already on sale clip on cellphone camera lens? (It's not even a camera.)
https://www.yashica.com/ourglory
I don't think the teaser is meant to advertise that product.

The important part of the teaser is that, the camera held in the model's hands at 00:07 is not an old Yashica camera.

 

[xayraa33]

The teaser vid suggests it's either a phone lens adapter, or (less likely) an Olympus Air-style device, ie a sensor which uses a phone screen as viewfinder.

Check the video at 13 seconds, you can see the device quite clearly. Not a rangefinder.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=13&v=8i6g55QaN54

You are missing the juiciest part though, at .07 seconds in the video the actress is holding a camera that is retro styled like the old film shooting Yashica Electro but it is clearly not the old film shooting Yashica Electro camera but some new concoction.

Possibly a digital fixed lens camera on the lines of the Fuji X100f or even if wishful thinking is at play, an FF digital mirrorless camera with a native M mount.

 

[ForestCap]

You are missing the juiciest part though, at .07 seconds in the video the actress is holding a camera that is retro styled like the old film shooting Yashica Electro but it is clearly not the old film shooting Yashica Electro camera but some new concoction.

Possibly a digital fixed lens camera on the lines of the Fuji X100f or even if wishful thinking is at play, an FF digital mirrorless camera with a native M mount.

Now I realized why there is no zillions of discussions going on anywhere. I think most people just thought that is an old Yashica film camera they used in the teaser...

 

[willie_901]

Basically the Epson was a Bessa camera with the electronics and sensor of the Nikon D100 shoehorned inside. The only reason it could work was the crop factor of the sensor, thereby avoiding most of the incidence angle problems at the edges and corners.
I very much doubt whether it has any development potential, given that the donor cameras have been discontinued very long ago.

Exactly.




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[willie_901]

I am interested in adding a digital rangefinder to my fleet. What are the members experiences with the Fuji X100 series cameras? I want a body with interchangeable lens.

An expensive route to the rangefinder digital-camera experience would be the FUJIFILM X-Pro 1.

• The OVF is similar to a RF (the optics are completely different though)
• You can use a M lens adapter
• Relatively inexpensive, compact Fujinon primes perform well
• The technical IQ is acceptable for excellent color rendering up to ISO 800 (ISO 1600 was my limit for color) and monochrome rendering is practical up to ISO 3200
• The build quality is very good
• If you like the experience, there is an upgrade path (X-Pro 2)
• If you don't like the experience, there is a decent demand for used X-Pro 1 bodies

 

[xayraa33]

Now I realized why there is no zillions of discussions going on anywhere. I think most people just thought that is an old Yashica film camera they used in the teaser...

Those hippish videos with that skinny actress were produced to be ambiguous to the casual observer versus to the keen eyed observer, may be to generate interest by controversy, like the replaced Paul McCartney meme, some see it, some don't but there is always the guaranteed argument happening amongst them.

As some publicist said, "any publicity is a good thing" and to complete the statement , "any way it is achieved".

 

[Out to Lunch]

Bill Hicks and George Carlin agree:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaD8y-CGhMw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFCMhSzeGuA

 

[Axel]

I am interested in adding a digital rangefinder to my fleet. What are the members experiences with the Fuji X100 series cameras? I want a body with interchangeable lens.

Besides the Epson R-D1 and the Leica M there is none.