Inexpensive Black Rangefinder Recommendations

[Steve M.]

I'm in the mood to spend some money. I always say, if you aren't making any money, go out and spend some. Makes no sense on a rational level of course, but somehow and sometimes it activates the income side of things. Go figure.

I want a cheap fixed lens 35mm camera w a meter. Actually, the meter part is optional, but I DO want a black camera. If it's gonna be cheap I at least want a stealthier black one. Any recommendations? The black Konica C-35's are out of my price range, but that's the size I'm looking for. I saw a Rollei XF that looks interesting.

 

[daninjc]

Olympus XA?

 

[zuikologist]

Chinon 35ee or better still 35ee11 or best Vivitar 35es.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Vivitar 35ee.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VIVITAR-35E...ography_VintageCameras_SM&hash=item3cbbfc4633

Just a random Ebay search.

 

[JMQ]

+1 on the Oly XA. Or slurge and get the Rollei 35

 

[rover]

Bessa R....

Just glue a 35 Skopar to the front of it.

 

[tunalegs]

I got a black Ciro 35 for about $10.

Haven't used it yet though.

 

[ChrisP]

Yashica 35 Electro GT or GTN

 

[re_visible]

If you're lucky, look for a Konica Auto S3. Go for under 100$ these days.

 

[RanceEric]

+1 for the XA or Rollei 35.. Both are fun to use and pocketable.

 

[taskoni]

Leica II...

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[btgc]

Black C35 can vary from $10 to $300 so it's not easy to recommend something....any black camera of the era, I think ergonomics matter more than which lens exactly it's fitted. Ergonomics and flash connection - some have hot shoe with X contact, and some only PC socket, some have both and some - only dedicated flash. Also watch sync speed if you will use flash on it at all.

Black cameras are more demanding - if it's too minty looking, people wil think "he is not a real photographer" 🙂 while chrome finished cameras don't show condition so readily.

 

[FalseDigital]

Yashica MG-1 , Yashica Electro 35 GSN (GT, etc.) , Olympus XA is good also.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

That reminds me to get out the Soldering Iron and repair a Black Konica C-35 that I picked up years ago. The wire under the battery compartment corrodes easily, and comes off.

Probably the cheapest/best Black cameras are the the Yashica GT and GTN. There was a nice one in the classified this week, needed a battery Cover.

If someone needs a battery cover for a Yashics GT they could put in a WTB ad for it and then send me a PM. Postage. The battery cover is chrome, though.

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/pho...t/30457/title/yashica-electro-gt-and-gs/cat/3

 

[btgc]

Probably the cheapest/best Black cameras are the the Yashica GT and GTN.

Electro 35FC is great alternative to larger GT/GTN. Smaller and lighter, it's more practical even with slower f/2.8 lens, though it's 40mm instead of 45mm as on GSN/GTN.

 

[Phil_F_NM]

Argus AF

Phil Forrest

 

[Steve M.]

OK, got some stuff to work with here. Thanks! That Ciro is very interesting. I've owned the Yashicas before, and they're wonderful picture takers, but not small enough or light enough.

Thanks for the tip about the Chinons. I figure a lot of manufacturers made cameras that were clones of the C-35's. The Sonnar on the Rollei attracts me, but I wonder if it's a "real" Sonnar, as that's a plastic little camera, I think.

Sold my Bessa R, so nothing to glue my 61LD lens to Rover. Maybe I can glue it to my digital P&S.

 

[Landshark]

They're "real" Sonnars and Tessars There's a tiny bit of plastic involved in the Rollei's but nothing structural.
They are very small, have excellent lenses and for a premium price, you can get a black one.

 

[Field]

Do not use an Argus, Phil is making a joke.

The Vivitar looks cute.

 

[Dave S.]

Canon A35F if you're okay with not having manual control over the aperture or shutter speed. Cheap, sharp looking, sharp lens, nice flash + the flash hides away quite nicely. Designed to take the old mercury PX625 battery though... 🙁

-Dave