How much rangefinder can $750 buy me?

[ibcrewin]

I'm thinking that with some careful shopping I can possibly land an R3A and a CV 40mm Nokton.

This spring, I'm going to unload a few things and save up for an RF system. My budget is going to be about $750 and I want to get something that's nice and reliable.

 

[Disaster_Area]

$750 can actually buy you a pretty nice starter kit. In the past I've picked up a really nice M2 with a J8 for around $700 and an R3A, grip and CV 75mm for $650. For that money you can get a pretty nice kit if you shop around. If you were willing to go down to an R2 or R body, or even a Canon LTM body you could pick up a couple nice CV lenses to go with it for that kind of money.

 

[ibcrewin]

oooh there's hope! I had a bessa r that I lost and I really like that. The Av mode would be great to have, that's why i'm considering the R3A. It's encouraging to hear you got a nice set up for $650! That can buy me more film!

 

[zauhar]

I recently picked up a Canon 7 in excellent shape with a 50mm/1.4 lens. Lens is very good mechanically and has flawless glass. Kit included a lens hood and a couple of filters, altogether $450. I am sure that a more experienced buyer could have done better, but that it well within your budget.

Randy

 

[jsrockit]

Used R3a/R3m/R2a/R2m w/ used CV 35mm f/2.5 M mount
Leica CL w/ Used 40mm Nokton
Leica M3 with CV 50mm f/2.5
CV Bessa R w/ a LTM lens of your choice
Canon P w/ used CV LTM 35mm f/2.5 & 50mm f/2.5

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Take a look in our Classified section. $750 goes a long way.

 

[whitecat]

If you want to go medium format, look at the Fuji 645 line.

 

[shadowfox]

A Canon P or Leica M4-P.

A 50mm or 35mm Nokton/Ultron (depending on which focal length you like more).

Should fit just fine on a $750 budget.

 

[batterytypehah!]

If you want to be different and don't mind a separate meter and VF: Contax IIa and CV 35/2.5

Sounds odd and isn't for everybody but opens up the wonderful world of Helios and Jupiter* lenses, without the focus issues you get with their LTM equivalents.

*Get a Kiev or prewar Contax body if you must have the J-12.

 

[Mudman]

Leica m3 and collapsible summicron for me at about $800. I was happy with that.

 

[Beemermark]

Nikon S2 and 50/1.4. One on photo.net right for about $530.

 

[andredossantos]

Might as well go for an M3 with a 50mm Summicron. Getting into RF's you're eventually going to plunk down for a Leica at some point so you might as well get it over with 🙂

 

[MC JC86]

Nikon S2 and 50/1.4. One on photo.net right for about $530.

+1 !!!!! So much fun to use, love the 50 1.4, and if the Photo.net one isn't available they're readily available from KEH or eBay for around that price. Liked it so much I got a Bessa R2S 21 F/4 SC to go with the 35mm 1.8 w-Nikkor I just bought... careful, years ago I was once like you. 🙄

Shown with 50mm 1.4, my heavystar hood 135mm F/3.5 Nikkor with Finder, case caps shade. Leicatime/Luigi Deluxe strap

 

[pagpow]

From today's listings at KEH:

Cameras:

M3 dbl stroke BGN $599

Voigt R3A Exc $499

Canon 7 BGN $139

Canon P EXC $245

Lenses:

Canon RF 50/1.8 last version BGN $159

Canon RF 35/1.8 black BGN $299

Canon RF 100/3.5 black/chrome BGN $205

Rokkor M 90/4

Mix and match.

And you've had some nice other suggestions.

You can get some better deals in our classifieds and elsewhere.

All of this w/o going FSU -- where you could look at J8, J3, J9 and a body of your choice for even less than this.

Looks like you have a nice time ahead of you making decisions choosing among options that are not so shabby.

Enjoy.

Giorgio

 

[Bingley]

With a little careful shopping, you can get an M2 in very good user condition for around $500. That would leave you about $200 for a lens, and there are quite a few fine lenses available in that price range; Giorgio mentioned some good ones. You may be able to find a CV 35/2.5 within that budget. Some of the older classic Leica LTM lenses (Elmar, Summitar) can also be found for around $200.

 

[Brian Legge]

All of it.

Really though, what do you want? You could either buy a rather complete, serviced system - a LTM camera with a few lenses - or a M with a single lens. Or you could buy 10 Olympus 35RCs. 😉

 

[jsrockit]

Really though, what do you want?

Well his signature says... Bessa-R 35mm Skopar (lost)

I think he wants to replace that...

 

[GSNfan]

Buy a high quality fixed lens RF, spend the rest on film.

 

[RobVinc]

User grade Bessa R + Canon 35mm/2.0 should be around 500Euro/750USD.
Maybe you can also get a good Jupiter-8 additionally.
Or invest in a good starterset for home-developing

 

[ibcrewin]

Well his signature says... Bessa-R 35mm Skopar (lost)

I think he wants to replace that...

This! The bessa was brand new too. I'm kind of hessitant to buy something really old that might breakdown and need an expensive repair. That's why I was looking at the R3A.

I've thought about the canon P but i've heard they can have shutter curtain issues. Although, I guess any camera can have that issue. The Nikon s2 looks pretty good. I'll have to research that.

andredossantos: lol.. I thought about that. Maybe when I save up some more dough. I'll plunk down some good cash for a leica. I love the M7. Holy cuss can you say drool?