Favorite vs. Greatest Rangefinder?

I've got a few Leica LTMs and Ms, all film. Can't choose between the black and nickel 1932 II and the 1939 IIIb for favorite LTM, but the M4 is my favorite M.
 
Sparrow said:
... while not wishing to denigrating their owners, as this is frowned on I understand ... the m5 is in fact big and ugly, and lacking an aesthetic sensibility is probably not the best starting point for a photographer you would think?
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So the Canon 7 is also big and ugly? What about the Soviet Leningrad?
 
Sparrow said:
... while not wishing to denigrating their owners, as this is frowned on I understand ... the m5 is in fact big and ugly, and lacking an aesthetic sensibility is probably not the best starting point for a photographer you would think?
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Handsome is as handsome does. In terms of usability, the M5 is right about at the top. But I actually would favor the M6 over it -- "classic" Leica shape; modern battery; 28mm framelines.

For me, the clarity and accuracy of the rangefinder is the sine qua non for a good rangefinder, and I really think nobody has improved on Leica's design and execution. Best camera never made, though, would be a Hexar RF with .85 magnification.
 
Anyone else ever try a Hensoldt for sheer elegance and niceness? Makes a screw-mount Leica look crude.

But I'd rather have an MP. Easier to find, too.

Cheers,

R.
 
KoNickon said:
Handsome is as handsome does. In terms of usability, the M5 is right about at the top. But I actually would favor the M6 over it -- "classic" Leica shape; modern battery; 28mm framelines.

For me, the clarity and accuracy of the rangefinder is the sine qua non for a good rangefinder, and I really think nobody has improved on Leica's design and execution. Best camera never made, though, would be a Hexar RF with .85 magnification.
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... I'm unsure what that means, but it sounds like a platitude for ugly people, and cameras too I suppose
 
My Favorite: Zeiss Ikon Rangefinder

Greatest: Based only on sales figures for premium makes it would be either the Leica Barnack IIIc/f series or the Leica M6/6TTL/MP series.

Based on first on the scene, I think that was the Kodak 3A Autographic.

Based on popularity (at least in America) and availability to the general public it has to be the Argus C-3.
 
Best would have to be the fantastic Kodak Ektra of 1941, with features way ahead of its time, some of which have never made it to other cameras.



Favourite has to be my beloved M4, which is more practical, and a real joy to use.



But my Bessa R3A comes a very close second.



Cheers,
Dez
 
Never used a Hensoldt, but for me the 'greatest' range finder has to be the Leica M3. I've never used an M2, but not sure I like the film counter on it vs. the M3. I'd like the 35mm lines though.

For favourite, maybe Fujifilm GF670. I just find it remarkable that in this day and age, a company released an aperture priority, 6x6 and 6x7, folding camera. To make matters even more remarkable, they charged one third the cost of a new Leica MP for it, and bundled a great lens too.

In this time of unimagination, I think it's a marvel.
 
thegman said:
Never used a Hensoldt, but for me the 'greatest' range finder has to be the Leica M3. I've never used an M2, but not sure I like the film counter on it vs. the M3. I'd like the 35mm lines though.

For favourite, maybe Fujifilm GF670. I just find it remarkable that in this day and age, a company released an aperture priority, 6x6 and 6x7, folding camera. To make matters even more remarkable, they charged one third the cost of a new Leica MP for it, and bundled a great lens too.

In this time of unimagination, I think it's a marvel.
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+1 - and they made it marvelously easy to work with as well.
 
Olympus SP.
Then my Leica IIIf Red Dial, which I'm still learning it's strengths and limits. I would be #1 if it would focus closer.
 
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