Good rangefinders with a large aperture

[ctrlFmylife]

Hi all,

What are your thoughts on good analog rangefinders that have a very large aperture (2.0 or less). I'm looking for a decent indoors/portrait rangefinder.

My list so far:

Yashica Electro 35 (1.7)
Canonet QL17 (1.7)
Yashica Lynx 5000 (1.8)
Yashica Minister 700 (1.7)
Konica Auto 1.6 (1.6)

Thanks!

 

[mfogiel]

Your best bet will be a Pentax ME Super with SMC 50/1.4 0r 50/1.2 - just stick a tape with written "Leica" on it.

 

[btgc]

I think sub-f/2 apertures most of times are misunderstood and overrated. Two stops between modest f/2.8 models and Lynx 14 can be compensated by faster film...except you want that special look of particular lenses. Other han that, f/2.8 models are smaller, lighter and cost less. And I'll close my tyrade with a thought - start acquiring them in rapid succession and tests will replace your actual photography work.

Another side effect of fast lenses is they are on top of the line models which are better thought and built than good part of FL RF's with slower lenses, although not always larger [aperture] means better. Ergonomics, connectivity and such factors play for me big role when deciding. I use Electro 35MC but sold G/GSN because of it's characteristics, despite it's lens. To each his own.

Want advice? Konica III or Ricoh 519 will blow away any of fixed lens RF's from 70's. Lynx 5000 and 14 are only ones which I count as good ones, Konica Auto S[1.6/S/S2] series have great lenses but ergonomically aren't up to level to scream about them (subjectively). But any of them is good camera to take pictures.

P.S. all I wrote is about film rangefinders. I don't own nor have used analog cameras.

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

Your best bet will be a Pentax ME Super with SMC 50/1.4 0r 50/1.2 - just stick a tape with written "Leica" on it.

Why not "Zeiss Ikon"? Both made in Japan 😉 Or if this is really about making it look "expensive", how about "Alpa"?

 

[edge100]

The Canonet QL17 (I had the GIII) is a nice camera (recently sold mine). My only real complaint was the VERY short focus throw, which means that the difference between focusing at 10ft and, say, 12ft is very, very little throw. Not a problem at f/8, but a huge problem at f/2.

 

[ColSebastianMoran]

Hi all,

What are your thoughts on good analog rangefinders that have a very large aperture (2.0 or less). I'm looking for a decent indoors/portrait rangefinder.

My list so far:

Yashica Electro 35 (1.7)
Canonet QL17 (1.7)
Yashica Lynx 5000 (1.8)
Yashica Minister 700 (1.7)
Konica Auto 1.6 (1.6)

Thanks!

Sounds like you are on a budget. How about a Yashica Lynx 14e with f/1.4 lens? Fully manual camera.

 

[mfogiel]

My point was really about the fact, that for portraiture, you would want at least a 50mm lens, plus probably a not so great DOF, so a 50/1.4 lens would be ideal, however on a RF this is still making portraiture difficult, as you have to be very careful when you recompose. This is why I suggested the Pentax ME Super with a 50/1.4 - Reasons:
1) extremely big and bright VF
2) very well dampened mirror action - good for slower shutter speeds
3) very high quality lens - in opinion of some the Pentax M 50/1.4 trumps Leica Summilux pre asph
4) a very compact package - the size of a Leica really
5) ridiculously low price
On a RF I would be happy with a decent 50/2 lens - I feel this is the best compromise for rf portraits.

This is a RF 50mm lens at f 2.0


201211618 by mfogiel, on Flickr

This is a 58mm slr lens at f 1.2


201211501 by mfogiel, on Flickr

 

[thegman]

Depends how far the budget goes, maybe consider a thread mount Leica? Still beautiful cameras, but cheaper than an M.

But unless you really want a range finder, you'll get so much more for your money with an SLR.

Hi all,

What are your thoughts on good analog rangefinders that have a very large aperture (2.0 or less). I'm looking for a decent indoors/portrait rangefinder.

My list so far:

Yashica Electro 35 (1.7)
Canonet QL17 (1.7)
Yashica Lynx 5000 (1.8)
Yashica Minister 700 (1.7)
Konica Auto 1.6 (1.6)

Thanks!

 

[jgwong]

Olympus 35 LC, 42mm f/1.7. Beautiful camera.

 

[dct]

[...]P.S. all I wrote is about film rangefinders. I don't own nor have used analog cameras.

😛 You made my day 😀

 

[btgc]

😛 You made my day 😀

Currently thread on this is boiling, isn't it? Or it were on flickr?