If not leica which RF that u perfer to

I never got used to using my M2. I hate it. It's a fine body but I can't get used to the less than user-friendly film loading, the lack of an internal meter and the weight of the thing. Yes, yes, I know I'll receive flak but I don't care. IMO Leica M's suck big time.

My favourite rf cameras are, in order of preference:

Epson R-D1
Voigtlander Bessa R
Voigtlander Bessa L
Zeiss Ikon rangefinder
 
I don't have any Leicas, except for my Panasonic Lumix🙂, so I can't compare but I do love the results I get from my Contax G2 and Japanese Zeiss lenses and my Contax T is always fun to use and takes great photos, and the Contax IIa and German Zeiss lenses all keep me pretty happy.
 
I would choose a Nikon but they are too damn rare and expensive. So I settle for a Canon IVSB which is never the less very nice.
 
Although I have an M6, I also like:
1. Zeiss Ikon Super Ikonta 533/16 - this folding 6x6 camera was last produced in the 1950's but still produces great pictures and is really fun to use. Even the uncoupled light meter is battery-independent.
2. Contax T - tiny but has an excellent 38mm sonnar lens; can be carried anywhere and produces very sharp pictures.
3. Olympus 35RD - very ergonomic 35mm rangefinder; feels great in the hand. Both of mine unfortunately developed the dreaded sticky shutter problem soon after I got them; expensive CLA ahead.
4. Canonet QL 17 - not quite as nice as the Olympus 35RD but doesn't suffer from sticky shutter problem. This was my "poor man's Leica" before I got the real thing.

--
Monz
 
The Hexar RF is my choice of an M-mount camera that resolves the film loading and metering considerations. But I don't really have an issue with Leica Ms - I can (barely) live with the film loading and find the VCII meter does well enough by me. As a camera with easy film loading in LTM, I like the Canon P - but, as I say, I can live with an external meter.

I guess I'm pretty happy with my RF gear. I really can recommend the Hexar RF if you want a "pure" RF camera that resolves your film handling and metering concerns.

...Mike
 
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Well, there seem to be many good RF cameras other than Leica - in both 35mm and 120 formats. I only used Leicas and Bessa R in 35mm, old folders like Welta in 120mm.
If I didn't have Leicas, I'd consider Zeiss Ikon (well I did consider it and went with M6, but who knows - maybe there is Ikon in my future) 😉
 
The best of the Best of course!
Any (any!) Nikon RF and any Bessa (if possible a R2s ) after that!
And yes, I have Leicas too!

Now, grab the Rocks and hit me!!
 
Nope, without a doubt it is the new Zeiss Ikon. Very very close to the M7 in quality. And 1/2 the price (or less).
Steve
 
Doug said:
I have long preferred the Minolta CLE, even with Contax IIIa, Zeiss Ikon, Leica M2, and a couple of Bessas and Contax G2s at hand.
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What Doug said. Used to shoot an M2, have an M4-P now, but generally pick up the Minolta CLE for general use -- it's the camera Leica should have built in the 1980s. Had mine for 10 years now and the only maintenance has been cleaning the contacts under the shutter speed dial.
The color photos in my gallery were done with the CLE.
 
heronop2003 said:
i just wordering it if is not leica which RF camera are as good as Leica.
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Canon 7/7s is better than Leica in every way except the range/viewfinder (Canon's isn't as bright and has a blurry-edged rather than sharp-edged rangefinder patch; however, the framelines are less confusing than the Leica's because the focal lengths are plainly labeled right in the finder.)

The Canons are easy to load and unload thanks to their fixed takeup spool and conventional hinged back. Their shutter curtains (epoxy-coated stainless steel) will never get "pinholes" burned in them by the sun. The shutter release is just as smooth as a Leica's, and the film advance is smoother. Although maybe not as quiet as a Leica's, the shutter is still very quiet if the curtain brakes are properly adjusted, and the internal parts are beautifully made of heavy-duty materials.

And unlike the current Leica MP, the rewind crank is built in rather than being an extra-cost option ;-)
 
if the noise of the shutter is not an issue, Bessa japanese RF are good tools. If you want to go vintage Nikon and Canon body are good too. None to me are as good as Leica Ms.
 
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