Is there a reasonable rangefinder for under $50?

M

MarylandBill

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Hi,

Ok, this might be a ridiculous question, but having two young children in the house means money is tight, and I doubt I could convince the wife to go for a film camera that cost more than that (at least until I have a demonstrated history of use and decent results).

Anyway, getting frustrated with what I can do with the rather slow lens on my digital compact, and I was thinking of looking into film at the same time. So essentially this is what I am looking for in a camera; please tell me if it is reasonable and what I should look for.

1. Figure 35-50mm, F/2 or faster (or is it greater aperture). Primary purpose of the camera is to take candid pics of the kids. Don't figure I want to get too close, and probably don't want to wide of an angle. Would like F/2 or faster so I can take pictures in the house in normal light without having to go crazy on film iso.

2. Definitely would prefer a camera with a real rangefinder. I know there are some viewfinder cameras out there that allow you to focus based on estimated range, but I want something that is a little more sure.

3. A light meter of some kind is also desirable.

I figured my budget limitations put any interchangable lens camera right out (barring a garage sale find or something), but I thought perhaps one with a fixed lens might do the trick.

Thanks in advance for any help or advice you folks could give me.

--
Bill
 
Konica Auto S2 or Minolta Hi-Matic 7s are reasonably nice cameras. Sometimes one can find a Kiev 4 or 4a with a J8 for not much more than $50 (watch for light leaks though).
 
No. None, not even the Yashicas, ever sell that cheap unless they're in bad condition. Really, you can't get any decent camera of any type that cheap, except a few older 35mm SLRs from orphaned systems like Minolta MD or Canon FD.
 
i got my Konica Auto S1.6 (f1.6) for 30euro (+postage) form an Italian seller.
it is in great condition and took great pictures until the advance lever refuse to cock the shutter.
took me around $30 to get it fixed.

Konica Auto S2 (f1.8) is a good choice because there's many choice around the auction-bay.
i believe "pre-GIII" Canon QL17 (f1.7), QL19 (f1.9) are good choices too because of the lens...

BUT the black horse for you should be Minolta Hi-matic 9 (f1.7).
I prefer Minolta Hi-matic 9 to Hi-matic 7--because many had said that HM9 has better lens, and it is very under-valued at the moment.
it could be set at full manual setting so even if the battery part is screwed up (mine has dead meter) it still takes beautiful pictures.

HOWEVER:
just a little advice out of my own experience,
if your children, like my 8-month-young, are constant moving kind of kids,
the greater the aperture mean the great chance of out-of-focus picture,
any tiny movement will make you yell at your kid, no matter how you always love them.

so in conclusion,
1) a rangefinder camera with f2.8 (cheaper, more brand choices) is actually the perfect choice for your condition.

2) i also believe any Japanese rangefinder is much better (=easier to use) than a Soviet one, especially when your main object is your children (and wife).

3) wider lens actually is better for you to take candid photos indoor.

Have fun.
 
I got a yashica GT for 10$ on ebay because the seller didn't know if it was working or how to find out. i'm confident you can find a working yashica GSN for well under 50$ and it produces amazing pictures.
 
Got my Himatic in perfectly fine condition for 30€ including shipping, and it is an excellent camera with a wonderful lens, so yes, it is possible to find a RF camera for less than 50$/€ with a bit of patience :)
 
maybe a fed 3 with a 51mm lens....got mine for under 50, came with a separate lightmeter too! (heve some pics in my gallery)
 
I love RF's, but for kids...
get yourself an AF SLR, something like a Nikon N8008, F90 or N80, and a 50mm 1.8...
Any good SLR from the 90's should fill the bill
You should be able to get them at around 80$...
 
I also suspect that the focusing accuracy of some fast-lensed compact RFs is not actually up to the job when shooting wide open. At least that seems to be the case with my 400SE. I haven't tried any others.
 
You can find any number of rangefinder cameras for under $50, but whether the camera you find actually works is another matter. About half the old Yashicas I come across don't work. When they are working, they are superb, when they aren't working, they make attractive paperweights. If you go to a large flea market, you can probably find buy a half a dozen old rangefinders with your $50, and maybe have enough change left to buy some film.
 
MarylandBill said:
Hi,...

1. Figure 35-50mm, F/2 or faster ...
2. Definitely would prefer a camera with a real rangefinder....
3. A light meter of some kind is also desirable....

I figured my budget limitations put any interchangable lens camera right out (barring a garage sale find or something), but I thought perhaps one with a fixed lens might do the trick.

...
Click to expand...

Bill,

If you're interested, PM me. I have a handful of old Yaschica Electro 35s, in various colors and iterations. Beautiful, fast, colorful 45/1.7 and aperture-priority auto exposure. NO full manual, but still a great daily driver. I have to fix a couple promised to friends, and I'll be glad to fix another one for you for the price of shipping, maybe $10 paypal?

Ian
 
I'm surprised no one has mentioned that the camera is only a minor expense with film photography. You say the missus would notice a purchase of over $50? Good grief man, film and processing will run more than that in a very short time. I just spent $130 for film 6 months ago.
 
How many times would you mind spending $50? Seriously, I went down this road when I first got into rangefinders, and I have never bought so much junk in my life. If you are able to get one locally, it might be worth it, but I would pick a classic SLR any day of the week.
 
Chriscrawfordphoto said:
No. None, not even the Yashicas, ever sell that cheap unless they're in bad condition. Really, you can't get any decent camera of any type that cheap, except a few older 35mm SLRs from orphaned systems like Minolta MD or Canon FD.
Click to expand...
Chris is right, I have two Yashicas I bought under $50, they are in just so-so shape, operational but... On the other hand there is nothing wrong with Minolta MD, for $50-60 one from X series (X700, X570 or X370) with 50/1.7 prime (50/1.4 may cost just few dollars extra). They are smaller in size than average rangefinder and they are joy to shoot. Aim for X700 do.
 
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