Does this sort of camera exist??

[MaxB]

Hey,

I'm in the hunt for a 35mm rangefinder camera for my wife's up coming birthday. Criteria for the camera is lightweight (below 500g), fast lens, aperture priority auto shooting, cheap (~$100).

Does something like this exist?? Or am I hoping for too much? Or maybe in an SLR camera?

I've have been doing some frantic research for the last week or so and have seen the Canon QL17 (though only shutter priority, though it is lightweight), Olympus 35 models (couldn't find one with large aperture lens) or Yaschica Electro (seem bulky and heavy).

The Birthday is the end of the month, so I would love some advice from your extensive knowledge!

Cheers
Max

 

[Fedupwithdigital]

I'm sure others more knowledgable than me will be along shortly. But you should check out the following sites (if you haven't already)-

http://www.cameraquest.com/com35s.htm
http://www.ph.utexas.edu/~yue/misc/rangfndr.html
http://mattsclassiccameras.com/rangefinders.html

Not sure about aperture priority - most, as you've found out, are shutter priority when set on automatic.

The Olympus XA is an exception. It's aperture priority. But there may be others.

 

[Landshark]

Olympus 35SP. Similar to the Canon but a touch bigger. It's likely to exceed your budget, but not by much. It's also shutter speed priority though.
Most of the P&S cameras were, as the Canon/Olympus speed priority.
The Olympus XA is aperture priority and if memory serves, the Minox ML(?)

 

[okto]

The XA is probably your best bet. I owned one for a couple years and loved it. The rangefinder's touchy, due to such a small RF base, but I always liked the photos it made.

 

[Shutterspark]

I also think the XA would be your best bet here. The only other rangefinder I've used which matches your requirements is the Minolta Hi-Matic 9 and it's probably too big. Great camera though.

If you sacrifice aperture priority and go with speed priority auto then you'll have a huge list of cameras to choose from.

 

[jsrockit]

Olympus XA no doubt.

 

[NickTrop]

Aperture Priority is the kicker. A Yashica Electro CC would be the only camera meeting your size and AP requirements. It's a fine camera. I got mine for $50 but got really lucky on the big auction site. Not sure what they're going for these days. Has a 35/1.7 lens that's sweet. The only other one with AP is the Oly XA (f2.8 lens). Great cameras both. You should be able to get a good sample of the XA for less that $100 and they're pretty readily available. The Electro CC is much rarer and might bust that budget.

 

[sol33]

Don't forget the smaller Yashica Electros!

Don't forget the smaller Yashica Electros!

Criteria for the camera is lightweight (below 500g), fast lens, aperture priority auto shooting, cheap (~$100).

Don't forget the smaller Yashica Electros: A Yashica Electro 35cc (550g, f/1.8, f=35mm, aperture priority) or a Yashica Electro 35gx (580g, f/1.7, f=40, aperture priority).

These are very nice cameras but lack a manual override. As long as you want only aperture priority they are perfect.

EDIT: A Yashica Electro 35FC (430g, f/2.8, f=45mm, aperture priority) would fit the bill too.

 

[kutitta]

It's around 700gr, so a bit bulkier than what you have in mind, but with its fast and super sharp lens, great viewfinder and aperture priority operation I think Yashica Electro 35 GSN would be a great choice. I have one and love it!

 

[1750Shooter]

If it doesn't HAVE to be a rangefinder, go for a Nikon EM. Had the same problem the other month, took my wife to camera shop & said, "Tell them what you want & see.". They, Blue Moon Camera (GREAT folks!), set her up with an EM & a 35mm lens & she couldn't be happier. Great shots from the start. Happy wife - happy me!

 

[MaxB]

Thanks everyone!

So far the Yashica Electro 35GX is looking good! It does fit the criteria. The CC also does but could only find one going for AUS$200 or so on ebay.

While the XA is very nice and compact, the small aperture is a deal breaker.

Her most important criteria is: film, cheap, shallow depth of field (I have up to this point assume depth of field from f1.8 on rangefinder is the same as SLR f1.8?), easy to use to get shallow depth of field (aka aperture priority) and fairly compact (aka nothing too much over 500g). She has no desire for manual settings.

Thanks again - its been very helpful!

Max

 

[MaxB]

I might run the options by her to determine which out of shallow DOF or compactness take priority.

Shallow DOF = Yashica Electro 35GX

Compact = Olympus XA

 

[Matus]

It breaks the $100 limit, but you may consider the Contax T. It is a present for a lady and the T looks definitely better than the XA 😉

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

Don't be put off by the f/2.8 lens on the XA. It not small by any means and, as we say, it's not the size but what you do with it.

A note of caution, btw, all the cameras suggested are old (some 30 years or more) and things like light seals don't last for ever. In your shoes I'd search for a good looking one and then get it checked over and repaired/adjusted if need be.

Regards, David

 

[Peter_S]

Minolta CLE with a 2/40
Zeiss Ikon ZM with 1.5/50 C Sonnar or 2/50 Planar.

Now the latter is 500gr just for the body, more expensive than the other options but light lenses exist and the camera is modern, reliable and possibly for life - and I am sure the nice VF will be appreciated.

NEVER mind - just saw the $100 limitation.

 

[thegman]

Konica EE Matic?

 

[Nigel Meaby]

Minolta CLE with a 2/40
Zeiss Ikon ZM with 1.5/50 C Sonnar or 2/50 Planar.

Now the latter is 500gr just for the body, more expensive than the other options but light lenses exist and the camera is modern, reliable and possibly for life - and I am sure the nice VF will be appreciated.

Peter, for $100? I think he's going to struggle to find either of these combinations for that price 😀

 

[Peter_S]

Yupp, just saw that...

 

[MaxB]

Haha thanks anyway Peter - they are certainly good cameras, but unfortunately our circumstances don't allow for that at the moment.

David - but can you get a nice shallow DOF with a f2.8 lens? Like for the 'average' portrait type shot ya know?

I will look into Contax T prices

 

[sol33]

Her most important criteria is: film, cheap, shallow depth of field (I have up to this point assume depth of field from f1.8 on rangefinder is the same as SLR f1.8?), easy to use to get shallow depth of field (aka aperture priority) and fairly compact (aka nothing too much over 500g). She has no desire for manual settings.

Yes, f/1.8 is the same for rangefinder and SLR. I think you should also consider a SLR, like a plastic Minolta X-700 or something similiar. They also fit your criteria and have better viewfinders and higher shutter speeds than the cheap rangefinders.

To use the lens wide open during the day, you will need to use slow film and buy a ND-Filter. Otherwise the shutter speed will limit the max aperture you can use.