Fixed lens rangefinder and half frame

[wamjam]

hi guys,

i would love to have a fixed lens rangefinder to carry around everyday.
1) what do you recommend?

2) what's a good one too that shoots half frames?

 

[Dougg]

Just my opinion, but I think the top of the heap in half-frame viewfinder-type cameras is the Olympus Pen D2 or D3. I had a Pen D2 for some years and liked it a lot. These don't have rangefinders; you focus by estimating the distance. If there was a half-frame with an actual RF (not counting the special Leica M, etc), it was rare and obscure! More info here:
http://www.cameraquest.com/olypend2.htm

And here:
http://www.skipwilliams.com/olympus/pen-lit.htm

and here:
http://www.star.ucl.ac.uk/~rwesson/esif/om-sif/camhistory/camhistory.htm

Ulitimately, I replaced my Pen D2 with the Olympus 35 RC which is only slightly larger, then that in turn was replaced by the Minolta CLE, again only slightly larger than the RC! But you see how the escalation can occur... 🙂

 

[wamjam]

Just my opinion, but I think the top of the heap in half-frame viewfinder-type cameras is the Olympus Pen D2 or D3. I had a Pen D2 for some years and liked it a lot. These don't have rangefinders; you focus by estimating the distance. If there was a half-frame with an actual RF (not counting the special Leica M, etc), it was rare and obscure! More info here:
http://www.cameraquest.com/olypend2.htm

And here:
http://www.skipwilliams.com/olympus/pen-lit.htm

and here:
http://www.star.ucl.ac.uk/~rwesson/esif/om-sif/camhistory/camhistory.htm

Ulitimately, I replaced my Pen D2 with the Olympus 35 RC which is only slightly larger, then that in turn was replaced by the Minolta CLE, again only slightly larger than the RC! But you see how the escalation can occur... 🙂

thanks...would love to have a Minolta CLE or no less, a Leica CL, but it's way out of my budget. 🙂

 

[wamjam]

is the Yashica Lynx 14 any good?

 

[JeremyR]

The Lynx 14 sounds like a decent user camera, but the size of the thing is nothing close to a half-frame 😀

Check out http://www.cameraquest.com/yaslyn14.htm and http://www.photoethnography.com/ClassicCameras/index-frameset.html?YashicaLynx14.html~mainFrame for some information...

Cheers,
Jeremy

 

[wrenhunter]

Again not an RF, but I like my Rollei 35. Very small and great glass. Prices are kinda high, though.

 

[wamjam]

The Lynx 14 sounds like a decent user camera, but the size of the thing is nothing close to a half-frame 😀

Check out http://www.cameraquest.com/yaslyn14.htm and http://www.photoethnography.com/ClassicCameras/index-frameset.html?YashicaLynx14.html~mainFrame for some information...

Cheers,
Jeremy

yeah...it looks kinda bulky. just wanted a compact rf...half frame or not.
thanks guys. 🙂

 

[HansDerHase]

One of the Minox 35 is pretty easy to carry around all day. Even though it looks crappy it has a fine lens and is very pretty sturdy. It's guesstimate focusing though, no real rangefinder. But with 35mm focal langth and DOF-markings on the lens focusing is not that much of a problem after some practice.

Also the famous Olympus XA comes to mind which actually has a rangefinder.

Talking about Yashica you my have had the Yashica Half 14 in mind which is the speed "monster" of half frames. But I think it is very very rare, collectors item and such. You would have to sell your Leica gear to get one of these - Just kidding. But for a user the Yashica Half 17 might be the more reasonable choice.

Check out the Sub Club Camera List if you are looking for a camera for your pocket.

 

[wamjam]

One of the Minox 35 is pretty easy to carry around all day. Even though it looks crappy it has a fine lens and is very pretty sturdy. It's guesstimate focusing though, no real rangefinder. But with 35mm focal langth and DOF-markings on the lens focusing is not that much of a problem after some practice.

Also the famous Olympus XA comes to mind which actually has a rangefinder.

Talking about Yashica you my have had the Yashica Half 14 in mind which is the speed "monster" of half frames. But I think it is very very rare, collectors item and such. You would have to sell your Leica gear to get one of these - Just kidding. But for a user the Yashica Half 17 might be the more reasonable choice.

Check out the Sub Club Camera List if you are looking for a camera for your pocket.

man! i gotta get, or at least, see that Yashica Half 14! that looks awesome! thanks

 

[physiognomy]

hi guys, i would love to have a fixed lens rangefinder to carry around everyday. 1) what do you recommend? 2) what's a good one too that shoots half frames?

Hey Wamjam,

If you haven't already checked these links out you should... It will give you plenty of info. on a bunch of different compact fixed lens rangefinders...

Compact 35's of the 70's Overview

Canonet G-III QL17

Konica Auto S3

Minolta 7sII

There's a ton more info to be found on Stephen's site, but this should definitely wet your apetite!

-edit- Here is another 1/2 frame option for you to explore....

Canon Demi

Good luck with your choice...

Peter

 

[wamjam]

thanks peter. i've seen those, and still am a frequent visitor of his site.

but this is the first time i've seen the Yashica Half 14! damn! now i'm drooling! hehehehe. this is still a rangefinder right?

thanks again guys.

 

[clarence]

I am currently kvetching over the Leica CL that just arrived and how it won't be as small as these compact rangefinders. I really wanted a camera that I could bring along when I go out to clubs or bars at night without a bag. The trouble is that I promised myself this would be my last camera purchase and I'm too prideful to relent.

Can a camera ever be too small? No. But I think one can obsess over size too much. The CL will fit into a coat or trouser pocket and I should be satisfied. Here's a comparison with an AGAT-18K half-frame camera.

Clarence