Drawn to RF, tempted by SLR

[noot]

Short background story:
I own an Olympus E-510 w/ 14-42, 40-150, 35mm Macro, flash. Nothing fancy. I was/am a hobbyist photographer.

I recently got a job at a local college in the Photographic Technology dept. Aside from a collection of Canon digital lenses/bodies, we've got Hasselblads, Mamiya 645s, Pentax 6x7, and several 4x5 field cams.

Long story short, I've got a newfound interest in film and developing.

Somehow I heard about these cheap old rangefinders, such as the Yashica Electro GSN, Minolta 7sII, etc. I want one... badly.

So I wandered over to a local classic camera store this afternoon and found a Canon QL19, Canonet 28, and a Minolta Hi-Matic 11. I hadn't reseached any of those cameras before hand, and turns out they're not quite what I'm looking for.

I also saw a Contax 139 with the Zeiss 50mm f1.7. I picked it up... what an amazing camera. What an amazing shutter/mirror sound. What an amazing lens. The camera+lens is priced at $225cdn.

So now I'm thinking... the Contax is hardly bigger (if at all) than most larger rangefinders (the Hi-matic 11, etc). The lens and body of the Contax is incredible (and my dad used a 139 + 50 1.7 combo for years...). The Contax bought locally would be maybe twice the cost of a Yashica GSN bought on eBay, and the condition of the eBay purchase is unknown.

What should I do? I plan on using the camera for street/etc shooting... I'll likely be shooting with HP5+ or D3200 film, not color.

Two disadvantages of the Contax is that it's loud, and costs more initially. An obvious advantage are the technical benefits, and the lens possibilities.

I should also note that I can develop and print for free in my current job. This is obviously a factor in my new love of film. If I change jobs, I'm not sure whether the love of film would continue. In this respect, spending the least amount of $$ on a film camera would be wise. On the other hand, I'm inclined to believe that a camera like the Contax 139 + Zeiss 50 f1.7 isn't going to depreciate much (more) either... is that a reasonable belief?

I should also note that while I can use any of our equipment (assuming it's not taken out by a student) whenever I want, the only 35mm cameras we have are Pentax K1000s. Not exactly a dream come true in that dept 😉

Looking for advice, suggestions, anything!

 

[nikon_sam]

I would invest in a system that above all things "I will use"...I will also say that just about every camera you try/use will feel awkward at first...If the RF bodies you've seen aren't what you're looking for maybe there's one out there that will...if not then move on to another style...You said that the Contax knocked your socks off...hey, go for it...
Too loud!!! You want to do some street shooting and you're concerned with the sound of the shutter??? I've done successful street shooting with a Nikon F2 w/Motor Drive...Unless you're shooting during the "Moment of Silence" at a Funeral I wouldn't worry too nuch about it...People will look but only to figure out where that sound came from and after a while will ignore it...unless you're shooting next to their ear...

Let's say you change jobs in a few years...you now have those years of experience under your belt...most likely you'll start doing your developing on your own at home...
Once you learn the chemicals and equipment needed it isn't all that hard to do it yourself...

You could drop the camera as soon as you get it home (God Forbid) this will affect the resale value...Don't buy a camera, with the intent of using it, as a financial investment...
The only thing we have ever bought with the hope of making money was /is our home...Anything else will grow old and at some time will cost me more money BUT if it's something I use and enjoy I don't mind spending the extra money...

If you can afford to go out and buy the Contax without a huge burden on your family then I say why not...Buy it, Use it and Enjoy it...

 

[payasam]

With a Zorki or a FED, you'd have both low price and many "lens possibilities".

 

[kdemas]

If you really like the Contax (I have a number myself) you can cure the "loud" problem by getting a RX. It has the most elegant and quiet shutter sound I have ever heard on an SLR. I have an F6 and I like the Contax shutter sound far more 🙂

Whichever way you go, enjoy!

Kent

 

[noimmunity]

For street you will probably need something a little wider. Even going to the 45/2.8 Tessar in Contax mount gives you a great hyperfocal setting and a very small package that would be great for street.

If you provide a little more contextual info you can get more advice.

What it is about using your current Oly rig that isn't right for you? Just a film vs digital thing? Why the turn to RF?

There's a difference between RF and SLR. Lots written about it. Searches may well answer your questions better than any direct query.

Why didn't you like the Canonets? Were the viewfinders clouded? They are actually very compact for an RF and the lenses produce wonderful pictures. I think they are kinda cool.

There are many people who love old Pentax glass...

 

[CK Dexter Haven]

Buy the Contax.
If you're not strapped for cash, also buy a Yashica Electro GSN in great condition. If you have the Contax, you can be patient and wait for a good sample. Either of those cameras should be worth what you paid in six months to a year. Experiment and play with them.

Just think that none of the buying decisions you make now are permanent and the only way to really know what is right for you is to try things out. Just try to limit your 'involvement' in forums like this, or you'll never stop 'trying things out.' : (

Personally, i prefer SLRs. But, i have a persistent fascination with rangefinders and the legacy thereof. Every couple of years, i buy a rangefinder, and suffer with it. Then i sell it, vowing never to go back. But, then i do. Not because of any inherent value in them, but because i read too much and attach too much significance to very specific equipment characteristics. In the end, what matters is how you think about things....

If you can swing it, and like the Contax 139, you might want to spend a bit more money on a better Contax body. I agree with the above note, about the RX. It's an incredible body. But, if you want something smaller, consider the Aria. I had an RX and now have an Aria. The RX is nicer, but i wanted a more compact camera. There are, of course, many other SLRs, but since you're already in this ballpark, why leave?

 

[noot]

Thanks so much for all the advice, from everyone. I love posting in a new forum when it's met with genuinely good advice... such forums are hard to find these days!

An update: Turns out a friend of my dad's is willing to sell me his 139Q + Zeiss 50 f1.4 for $50 less than my "classic camera store" find! Apparently the camera has ~10 rolls of film through it. I can't believe it.

Needless to say, I feel like a kid at Christmas 😀

 

[emraphoto]

the contax film cameras are where i started. beautiful and tough as nails. the lenses are sharp as you're going to get!
i would go the contax route... you can build yourself a TOP FLIGHT film kit for very little money. the downside is some of the cameras are LOUD... i had a 159mm with a power winder that i loved but it was like a machine gun going off.
the rtsIII, ax, rx are brilliant cameras and you're gong to want one. it's crazy to see them sell for a fraction of the cost now. the rtsIII was a LOT of dough back in the 90's! i guess that's what you pay for vacum systems to hold the film flat.

 

[shadowfox]

About loudness, I took my Contax 137MA (has a motorized film advance but not rewind) to the streets and no one ever noticed. 🙂

What makes this camera my favorite Contax is the way it balances in my hands, it's not heavy and not too light. Just right.

 

[ChrisPlatt]

The K1000 is sublime. If you are truly interested in film, borrow one.

Chris