Inexpensive 35mm RF Recommendation

[nikkorray]

Hello All,

I was wondering if anyone can recommend a fairly inexpensive 35mm RF just for general shooting. I currently have a Petri Color 35 but it's an uncoupled rangefinder. Here are some features that I would like but I am aware that not all will be included in one camera.

1. Under $250 USD (preferably)
2. Fully Manual aperture/shutter control
3. f/2.8 aperture opening
4. Shutter speeds: Bulb, 1/15 - 1/250 (at least)
5. Fixed focal length anywhere from 28mm - 50mm (interchangeable lenses would be nice but not necessary).
6. Hot shoe or pc sync
7. Fully mechanical (batteries optional)
8. Whisper quiet (leaf shutter design instead of focal plane shutter).

I know at all these features are included in one camera at a cheap price. I am willing to compromise some features. I just want a list to get started so I can research them.

Thanks in advance,
Ray

 

[mrb]

Hello Ray; For $250 you could buy a pair of Olympus RDs, get them both CLA'd, put velvia in one and Tmax in the other, and be the envy of us all. MB

 

[kbg32]

I highly recommend, though they are useless without batteries, the original Olympus XA - 35mm rangefinder or the Olympus XA4 - scale focused 28mm lens.

Fully manual - a used Voigtlander Bessa R or T, Zorki, or Fed. Lens of your choice.

I'm sure others will have different suggestions.

 

[Anupam]

Well, you have the choice of practically all the regular fixed lens RFs but for $250 I'd get a Leica IIIc and a Jupiter 3. Or Maybe a Bessa R and either a J12 or J8.

 

[BSchall]

There's as many options out there as there are people to give you advice.

I just picked up a Kodak Retina IIIS with the Schneider 50mm f2.8 in excellent condition for $35. For another $80, I picked up the Schneider 35mm and 85mm lenses for it. So, for just over $100, I have a fine German made rangefinder with 35mm, 50mm & 85mm lenses, couple rangefinder, accurate meter all in excellent condition. And it is probably one of the quietest shutters you will ever hear (or not hear).

You can find great rangefinders with fixed lenses for $25-$40, Minolta HiMatic 7s or 9. The Olympuses (or is it Olympii) are all great as are the Canons. For interchangable lenses, there is always the Russian models, but they can be a crap shoot. There is even the older Voigtlanders with one or two lenses that may come in less than $250.

Good luck in your search.

 

[RFOBD]

I would go for a Leica IIIc, also.

 

[bhop73]

I have a Canonet QL17 and love it. Fixed 40mm 1.7, fully manual or shutter priority, goes up to 1/500, amazingly quiet shutter. It's become my main, carry it everywhere, camera. $40 from Ebay.

 

[oftheherd]

I have a Canonet QL17 and love it. Fixed 40mm 1.7, fully manual or shutter priority, goes up to 1/500, amazingly quiet shutter. It's become my main, carry it everywhere, camera. $40 from Ebay.

Are they really that cheap on ebay now? Francisco needs to start another praise thread. 😀 😀 😀

 

[oftheherd]

In your price range, the sky really is the limit. I think I have spent about $80 to $85 for my Kontax 4a and three lenses, 50mm, 35mm, and 135mm. There are many fixed lens RFs out there. You might even find one at a local thrift store.

Good luck. Let us know what you get.

 

[sooner]

You mentioned fixed lens, so that excludes the Bessa R and some others. If you want really small, go with the XA. My vote would be the Canon GIII QL17...smallish, easy to load, manual, fast lens, great sharpness and contrast, and should be way under $250. Enjoy.

 

[RFOBD]

Are they really that cheap on ebay now? Francisco needs to start another praise thread. 😀 😀 😀

I found one for a steal on the bay, I won't tell you the price for fear of inducing jealousy. I only hope it works when it arrives...

 

[iamzip]

Check out a Voigtlander Bessa, not terribly familiar with the models. For a really nice, inexpensive, and in my opinion terribly underrated RF look for a Fuji (Fujica), especially a Compact Deluxe or V2. I don't have a V2, but my Compact Deluxe has full manual control plus auto aperture, f-stop from 1.8 to 22, shutter speed of 1-500 plus bulb, focal length of 45mm, has a PC sync for both M and X flashes, and only needs a battery for the meter. I know the specs of the V2 are similar but lack any firsthand experience with it. Oh, and it only cost me about 50 bucks, but you have to find one first!

 

[shadowfox]

If you want what the masses seem to be enamored with, go with the Canonet QL17 GIII (yes, make sure it's that one, any other Canonets will give you even worse pictures 😛 )

If you want real optics quality, search for Olympus 35 SP, 35 RD, or Minolta Hi-matic 7sII

If you want a unique look, fascinating history, and really good optics, go for a FED 2 with FED 50/3.5 lens (hint... look at my signature 😀 )

If you want a Leica, a CLA'd IIIc body is not that far from your budget, then use FSU lenses with it 😀

 

[iamzip]

IIf you want a Leica, a CLA'd IIIc body is not that far from your budget, then use FSU lenses with it 😀

I just got a Bessa-L, and in my limited research have heard that FSU lenses can vary widely in quality. Any tips on finding good ones would be greatly appreciated!

 

[daniel~]

Hello Ray, nice personal website you've got. So you own an Olympus XA already. I totally agree with your opinion about the insanely sensitive shutter button. For me it's the only real pain of this gem.

For a fixed lens RF, I'd highly recommend Konica Auto S3. Though not so revolutionary as XA, it's the clear winner in both rangefinder system & lens resolution. Small & quiet, too.

 

[mhv]

I have a Minolta Hi-Matic 7, which has a sweet 45mm 1.8 lens. Cost me 12$. It's a bit big, compared to the Canonet or the Olympuses (Olympi?), and the shutter release travel is kinda long, but the image quality is fantastic.

The meter works, but I didn't bother finding the proper battery for it.

 

[nikkorray]

Thanks for all the responses. I forgot to mention that I already have the Olympus XA & Petri 7s (I still have it & will keep it for a long time). I also forgot to include a couple more requirements; I wanted a bigger size RF similar to Leica size - not the compact type & the film advance had to be a lever crank - not the "wheel" type.

Again, I appreciate all the recommendations. I will research these suggestions in the next few weeks.

 

[FallisPhoto]

Hello All,

I was wondering if anyone can recommend a fairly inexpensive 35mm RF just for general shooting. I currently have a Petri Color 35 but it's an uncoupled rangefinder. Here are some features that I would like but I am aware that not all will be included in one camera.

1. Under $250 USD (preferably)
2. Fully Manual aperture/shutter control
3. f/2.8 aperture opening
4. Shutter speeds: Bulb, 1/15 - 1/250 (at least)
5. Fixed focal length anywhere from 28mm - 50mm (interchangeable lenses would be nice but not necessary).
6. Hot shoe or pc sync
7. Fully mechanical (batteries optional)
8. Whisper quiet (leaf shutter design instead of focal plane shutter).

I know at all these features are included in one camera at a cheap price. I am willing to compromise some features. I just want a list to get started so I can research them.

Thanks in advance,
Ray

For $250, if you are any good at all at finding deals, you could pick up a Retina IIb, an Agfa Karat 36 or Karat IV, an FED 2 or 3, a Yashica Electro 35 GSN AND a Canonet GIII QL-17. All are excellent cameras with wicked glass. All of these can do at least f/2.8.

 

[dreilly]

Personally, I'd spend another little bit and pick up the camera 7 kit in the classifieds that includes 2 lenses, one of which is the incredible 50/1.8. No hot shoe, though it has the PC contact, I think.

doug