timor
Well-known
Even film is just small expense if you actually print your negatives in the darkroom.
Is there a reasonable rangefinder for under $50?
- Thread starter MarylandBill
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pinkarmy
Well-known
wow...is this still a rangefinder forum...;-)
FalseDigital
BKK -> Tokyo
I must disagree with you. I bought a near mint Yashica Electro 35 GSN for $30. It was my first rangefinder and still performs like a champ.
Chriscrawfordphoto
Real Men Shoot Film.
You got lucky. Luck doesn't mean anyone else can do it. Lets get real here. These cameras in good condition sell for a lot more than $50 normally. The OP doesn't need to be lied to or given false hope. HIS chances of duplicating your good luck are miniscule. If he wants a camera, he simply has to pay what it costs, barring a stroke of unlikely luck.
Ronald_H
Don't call me Ron
Let's look at my rangefinders shall we? All bought within a time span of about three years.
Canon Canonet QL17 GIII. 20 Euros at a swap meet. Seller knew what he had.
FED 5c + Industar 50mm. Free (gift from a friend).
Zorki 4K + 50mm. 40 Euros, bought from a colleague (unfortunately the shutter was bad).
Olympus XA. 20 Euros at a swap meet. Seller knew what he had.
Canon Canonet QL19. 5 euros at a flea market. Seller was clueless.
All of these cameras worked when I bought them, except for the Zorki.
timor
Well-known
Is X100 a rangefinder ? Only looks like one :bang: .You should ask this question when digital was permitted here 😀.
ColSebastianMoran
( IRL Richard Karash )
Here's my experience:
Seven Yashica Electros. Two worked for a while, then died. Before long, all needed work. I've had four of them fixed up by either Russ Sisco or Mark Hama and they are now terrific. I think it's very unlikely to have a $20 Electro work reliably unless it has been serviced in the last decade. Russ will clear up most problems for well under $100. Mark has parts and can fix almost anything. I highly recommend both of them. One way or another, for $100, you can have a reliable Electro.
One Canon QL17 GIII. Intermittent. And, I bought this from a camera repairer!
Three Yashica FR-1, fabulous camera, close cousin of Contax RTS. $25 each, all work 100% (except for frame counter, a standard flaw in this camera). Yes, it's an SLR, but these seem to keep working. Several Nikons can be had dirt-cheap.
Vivitar 35es, great rangefinder camera, $20, works perfectly and is a great camera, excellent 40mm lens. Shutter priority AE. Very similar to Minolta Hi-Matic 7sII and to the Revue 400SE. This is one that isn't getting bid up to high prices.
My recommendation: Up your budget to $100. Try a Yashica Electro GSN/GTN that's been repaired, or the Vivitar 35es. Or, Plan B, for $50, a cheap SLR to try out the idea. My favorite of all these is the Yashica GX, but that will be $120 or more.
Hope this helps. Good shooting!
Seven Yashica Electros. Two worked for a while, then died. Before long, all needed work. I've had four of them fixed up by either Russ Sisco or Mark Hama and they are now terrific. I think it's very unlikely to have a $20 Electro work reliably unless it has been serviced in the last decade. Russ will clear up most problems for well under $100. Mark has parts and can fix almost anything. I highly recommend both of them. One way or another, for $100, you can have a reliable Electro.
One Canon QL17 GIII. Intermittent. And, I bought this from a camera repairer!
Three Yashica FR-1, fabulous camera, close cousin of Contax RTS. $25 each, all work 100% (except for frame counter, a standard flaw in this camera). Yes, it's an SLR, but these seem to keep working. Several Nikons can be had dirt-cheap.
Vivitar 35es, great rangefinder camera, $20, works perfectly and is a great camera, excellent 40mm lens. Shutter priority AE. Very similar to Minolta Hi-Matic 7sII and to the Revue 400SE. This is one that isn't getting bid up to high prices.
My recommendation: Up your budget to $100. Try a Yashica Electro GSN/GTN that's been repaired, or the Vivitar 35es. Or, Plan B, for $50, a cheap SLR to try out the idea. My favorite of all these is the Yashica GX, but that will be $120 or more.
Hope this helps. Good shooting!
Brian Legge
Veteran
The Ricoh 35 line of rangefinders is fairly inexpensive.
biomed
Veteran
Chris, I am inclined to agree with you even though I found two Electro 35s in the OP's price range. They both came with battery adapters. I went through some grief with FSU cameras with a bit of luck on a Zorki 4/Jupiter 8 for $16.50 from here in the states. It is always a gamble buying a camera sight unseen. If an inexpensive camera is defective it is not always worth the cost or effort to return it to the seller. An old friend gave me a Minolta HiMatic that is in very good shape. He picked it up at a garage sale for $5. I believe, based on experience, that most of the cameras in the under $50 price range will need some sort of service to be a reliable shooter. I am not saying that finding a good camera under $50 is impossible. You may find one with a lot of searching or, perhaps someone on RFF has a deal for you. Good luck, Bill.
oftheherd
Veteran
I have to agree with Chris and others on an SLR. We have all bought cameras at bargain prices. Most of us have an idea how to check to ensure our chances for getting a good one. Even so, we sometimes find it didn't work out. Also, during our checking, we no doubt found a lot that we just wouldn't buy at the asked price. As Chris said, there is nothing to gain from giving the OP false hope. There really are bargains out there, but I at least, don't find 10 or 12 every day.
The problem with the OP is that we have no idea what his experience is with cameras, much less film cameras. Can he judge if he will get a bargain or a lemon? I can't always do that myself. Is he hung up on an RF to the exclusion of SLR? Or is he just thinking at RF would be cheaper? Where is he going to buy his RF or even SLR?
Can you give us a few more clues OP? We might be better able to suggest something.
The problem with the OP is that we have no idea what his experience is with cameras, much less film cameras. Can he judge if he will get a bargain or a lemon? I can't always do that myself. Is he hung up on an RF to the exclusion of SLR? Or is he just thinking at RF would be cheaper? Where is he going to buy his RF or even SLR?
Can you give us a few more clues OP? We might be better able to suggest something.
batterytypehah!
Lord of the Dings
It can be done, but I would agree that the Yashicas aren't good, repeatable examples. But you could look for something with less of a following. Vivitar has been mentioned already. There is also perpetual underdog Petri. Pacific Rim just sold a Petri 7, 45/1.8, fully working, with a filter ring dent and cracked plastic, else EX-, for $30 plus shipping.
pinkarmy
Well-known
the OP asked for suggestion on buying a rangefinder camera and he had stated that his subject is mainly his kids indoor.
i am not going to explain to him that may be what he really need is a Football.😀
Jack Conrad
Well-known
Yeah, I've got a $10 Petri 7s that's right up there in performance with any of my more expensive models. Excellent soft shutter release. Accurate selenium meter. Clear viewfinder and rf patch.
It just "feels" a little tinny in the hand.
On the other hand, I have this Vito B I haven't even shot yet that I picked up for $20. It wasn't working at all, but finally got it going, although imperfectly. However, what a beauty the way it fits the hand. If it takes pictures as well as it looks and feels, it'll be a gem.
It just "feels" a little tinny in the hand.
On the other hand, I have this Vito B I haven't even shot yet that I picked up for $20. It wasn't working at all, but finally got it going, although imperfectly. However, what a beauty the way it fits the hand. If it takes pictures as well as it looks and feels, it'll be a gem.
FalseDigital
BKK -> Tokyo
Well then I must "get lucky" nearly every day because I see cheap fixed lens RFs left and right.
I bought my Canonet GIII QL 17 for $5. It's in gorgeous shape, even the battery check light works.
I got my Yashica MG-1 for $20. Yet again, near mint! Came with original Yashica case.
I got a Minolta Hi-Matic E for $20. Fully working, with original leather case.
I paid $20 for my Olympus XA w/ 2 flashes. Fully working.
All of these deals were easily found in Michigan and NYC.
Just browse on craigslist or go to a thrift shop.
However someone said earlier we are unaware if the OP has the experience to determine if the cameras in front of him are in working order. If that's the case it becomes much harder. But by no means are cheap/good RFs scarce.
I bought my Canonet GIII QL 17 for $5. It's in gorgeous shape, even the battery check light works.
I got my Yashica MG-1 for $20. Yet again, near mint! Came with original Yashica case.
I got a Minolta Hi-Matic E for $20. Fully working, with original leather case.
I paid $20 for my Olympus XA w/ 2 flashes. Fully working.
All of these deals were easily found in Michigan and NYC.
Just browse on craigslist or go to a thrift shop.
However someone said earlier we are unaware if the OP has the experience to determine if the cameras in front of him are in working order. If that's the case it becomes much harder. But by no means are cheap/good RFs scarce.
MarylandBill
Established
Hi again,
Thanks for all the suggestions and ideas.
I am not totally hung up on the idea of rangefinders, but I do really like the rangefinder concept (particularly the method of focusing them and the ability to see your subject constantly through out the shot). My knowledge of film is mostly theoretical... I figured I would start with a fairly cheap camera and see what I can do. If I can produce promising results with a fairly cheap camera, then I might be able to justify spending more money on a better camera later.
--
Bill
Thanks for all the suggestions and ideas.
I am not totally hung up on the idea of rangefinders, but I do really like the rangefinder concept (particularly the method of focusing them and the ability to see your subject constantly through out the shot). My knowledge of film is mostly theoretical... I figured I would start with a fairly cheap camera and see what I can do. If I can produce promising results with a fairly cheap camera, then I might be able to justify spending more money on a better camera later.
--
Bill
MarylandBill
Established
Actually I didn't say it would be mainly indoors, but realistically, a significant amount of the photography would be indoors. I figure most <= f/2.0 lenses will shoot at slower speeds, but you can't make a f/2.8 shoot faster. Therefore, if I had a camera that worked for indoor candid shots, it probably would also work on the kids at the sand table.
--
Bill
asfarley
Member
I second the Minolta 7s recommendation. I've bought 3 at $60, $30 and $30 and they all work perfectly. This is without much searching, either. I see them on ebay, Kijiji and Craigslist fairly often in this price range.
timor
Well-known
In such a case I will still suggest serious investigation of Minolta slr. For indoors lens of f/2 or f/1.7 is good, but f/1.4 is even better and RF with such a lens will go much higher in price, but Rokkor 58/1.4 goes for 40-60 bucks. In addition the extra 8 mm of focal length will give better stand off position for candid shots. Minolta's program mode in X700 is very quick and that will help to. The only thing is, that slr is a bit noisier (mirror slap).
MarylandBill
Established
Hi Everyone again,
Thanks for all the advice... I guess my best option is an SLR? Alas I figured a rangefinder with a fixed lens would be cheaper than any SLR.. but I guess there are a lot more film SLRs floating around out there? Alas, I was hoping for a good excuse to get a rangefinder 🙂. Maybe if I take enough pictures with the SLR, I can make a case for spending more on a decent rangefinder 🙂.
--
Bill
Thanks for all the advice... I guess my best option is an SLR? Alas I figured a rangefinder with a fixed lens would be cheaper than any SLR.. but I guess there are a lot more film SLRs floating around out there? Alas, I was hoping for a good excuse to get a rangefinder 🙂. Maybe if I take enough pictures with the SLR, I can make a case for spending more on a decent rangefinder 🙂.
--
Bill
Dave S.
Well-known
Hi Marylandbill,
I empathize with your situation - kids, budget, and an interest in rangefinder cameras… I was dismayed to read your last post indicating you've decided to abandon trying out a rangefinder camera. If you are interested, I would be more than happy to ship you a used yet fully functional Fujica Compact Deluxe rangefinder camera (see photo below) gratis. It has a small ding in the top plate on one corner, but this is pretty minor. Otherwise it's in great user shape. I believe it meets your original criteria as well:
Lens: 45mm
Aperture: f1.8
Meter: Accurate compared to other cameras I trust. Takes a commonly available battery too!
Again, I'll mail you this for free with no shipping charge either - just pm me.
Some previous posts pointed out how costly shooting film can be… Of course, there are many ways to cut these costs, but my preferred method (balance between cost and ease) is as follows:
- I buy my film from various sources, but often from B & H photo on the web. They're very reputable and not too expensive.
- I shoot Kodak BW400CN (black & white), Kodak Ektar 100, or Fujifilm Press 800. These can all be developed at any drug store photo lab.
- I process my film at Costco. The cost breaks down this way:
$4 - $5 per roll of film (approximately)
$8.96 (including tax) processing at Costco - this includes development, 1 set of 4x6 prints, and a DVD with jpeg scans (3636 × 2432 / 3 - 4 megabytes)
That's about $13 - $14 for a roll of 36 pictures. Cheap, no. Worth it? Yes, in my book anyway.
Send me a pm in the next few days if you are interested in the Fujica...
I empathize with your situation - kids, budget, and an interest in rangefinder cameras… I was dismayed to read your last post indicating you've decided to abandon trying out a rangefinder camera. If you are interested, I would be more than happy to ship you a used yet fully functional Fujica Compact Deluxe rangefinder camera (see photo below) gratis. It has a small ding in the top plate on one corner, but this is pretty minor. Otherwise it's in great user shape. I believe it meets your original criteria as well:
Lens: 45mm
Aperture: f1.8
Meter: Accurate compared to other cameras I trust. Takes a commonly available battery too!
Again, I'll mail you this for free with no shipping charge either - just pm me.
Some previous posts pointed out how costly shooting film can be… Of course, there are many ways to cut these costs, but my preferred method (balance between cost and ease) is as follows:
- I buy my film from various sources, but often from B & H photo on the web. They're very reputable and not too expensive.
- I shoot Kodak BW400CN (black & white), Kodak Ektar 100, or Fujifilm Press 800. These can all be developed at any drug store photo lab.
- I process my film at Costco. The cost breaks down this way:
$4 - $5 per roll of film (approximately)
$8.96 (including tax) processing at Costco - this includes development, 1 set of 4x6 prints, and a DVD with jpeg scans (3636 × 2432 / 3 - 4 megabytes)
That's about $13 - $14 for a roll of 36 pictures. Cheap, no. Worth it? Yes, in my book anyway.
Send me a pm in the next few days if you are interested in the Fujica...
