pinkarmy
Well-known
go get it Bill. Fujinon is GREAT. enjoy rangefinder camera photography!
Is there a reasonable rangefinder for under $50?
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emayoh
Established
My user Olympus XA was $20 and it's great -- I would imagine especially for kids (no lens cap to lose!, hard to damage, lighter than a Yashica or Canonet for little arms to hold)
But, also wanted to echo FalseDigital's sentiments. I've picked up four Canonet G-IIIs in the past 5 years. The price ranged from $0 (in two separate cases) to a max of $30. They all worked fine for general shooting.
These type cameras are no false hope.
But, also wanted to echo FalseDigital's sentiments. I've picked up four Canonet G-IIIs in the past 5 years. The price ranged from $0 (in two separate cases) to a max of $30. They all worked fine for general shooting.
These type cameras are no false hope.
emayoh
Established
This topic also got me thinking about other considerations for getting children into rangefinder photography. I know the OP's requirement was for a very fast lens, but I wonder if working with such a shallow depth of field isn't a lot of complexity to put on a novice shooter who may like to see some sharp results early in their career to build confidence. This is not to say I know better than the OP for his family, but just offering general thoughts. We all probably think using a tiny accessory flash gives harsh results, but for a child, it may really be encouraging so take indoor snaps at F8-F11 and then develop something nice and sharp and well-exposed. Even today I think I rely too much on f1.8 and can get frustrated when it turns out I could not focus on family moments well fast enough. I guess it depends on if you think the children will enjoy taking still lifes where they can really spend time with focus and depth of field, or if they want to take pics of Spot and Muffin the cat and little brother running around, where f/1.4 might be a recipe for disappointment.
Have fun though. It will be a great experience for you I'm sure!
Have fun though. It will be a great experience for you I'm sure!
emiguevara
Member
if you feel lucky, try getting a Zorki!
if you feel lucky, try getting a Zorki!
I was feeling lucky a couple years ago, and ordered a Zorki 4k from the auction site with a Jupiter 8. It is an excellent camera, and my lens is a great performer. It gets used on an M2 now and then, and never disappoints. But I guess that a lot of luck is needed to score a good one at your first try...
if you feel lucky, try getting a Zorki!
I was feeling lucky a couple years ago, and ordered a Zorki 4k from the auction site with a Jupiter 8. It is an excellent camera, and my lens is a great performer. It gets used on an M2 now and then, and never disappoints. But I guess that a lot of luck is needed to score a good one at your first try...
Red Robin
It Is What It Is
Hunt the 2nd hand stores, pawn shops,in your area let them know what you want. Me ? I have a long list of under $50. cameras I have found and use. To be sure there are some real dogs out there but the hunt is fun and I like participating in camera rescue.especially when a classic in found. Good hunting
TimeShot
Member
Check out a Yashica IC Lynx-14E it has a very fast 1.4 lens. Be prepared to do a little cleaning and/or repair after all they are 40 + years old.
vidgamer
Established
I have a small collection of RFs and I didn't pay much for any of them. Well, a couple of them were given to me.... 🙂
I got an Oly RC for something like $10, as the meter has a flaw; I think they originally wanted $60 or $80 or something like that, for what was a bit of a beat-up camera. I figured for $10, it was worth it to play with. It actually works better than it looks. 🙂
I got a Petri 7s 1.7 for around $20 including shipping. That's a really nice one, I think, but quirky. It comes in both 1.7 and 2.8 lenses.
I've seen Hi-matic 7/9/11 go for auction in the, let's say, $25-50 range, so I think that's certainly doable to get one of these cheaply. The Olympus Trip is popular, if you can live with f2.8 and zone focusing; I used one of these for years (before I was more interested in photography).
I think there's a lot of decent fixed-lens RFs available at really good prices. If you want the most popular or the best ones, you will pay a lot more. For example, the Hi-Matic 7sII is highly regarded, but really expensive. But noone knows Petri, so it goes unnoticed. I think part of the price is driven by size; some of these models mentioned (Konica S2?, Minolta 7/9/11, Petri 7s, etc.) are physically large. Also, if you can fall back to a 2.8 lens, things will be cheaper. I think I paid all of $20 inc. shipping for a Canonet 2.8 and gave that to my sis. It's not the best, but not bad. I think I prefer the trip tho.
My beef with auction sites is that the condition is unknown. The sellers often don't know if the camera works, or if they are more knowledgable, the price is often higher. It's a bit of a risk shopping this way.
Good luck!
I got an Oly RC for something like $10, as the meter has a flaw; I think they originally wanted $60 or $80 or something like that, for what was a bit of a beat-up camera. I figured for $10, it was worth it to play with. It actually works better than it looks. 🙂
I got a Petri 7s 1.7 for around $20 including shipping. That's a really nice one, I think, but quirky. It comes in both 1.7 and 2.8 lenses.
I've seen Hi-matic 7/9/11 go for auction in the, let's say, $25-50 range, so I think that's certainly doable to get one of these cheaply. The Olympus Trip is popular, if you can live with f2.8 and zone focusing; I used one of these for years (before I was more interested in photography).
I think there's a lot of decent fixed-lens RFs available at really good prices. If you want the most popular or the best ones, you will pay a lot more. For example, the Hi-Matic 7sII is highly regarded, but really expensive. But noone knows Petri, so it goes unnoticed. I think part of the price is driven by size; some of these models mentioned (Konica S2?, Minolta 7/9/11, Petri 7s, etc.) are physically large. Also, if you can fall back to a 2.8 lens, things will be cheaper. I think I paid all of $20 inc. shipping for a Canonet 2.8 and gave that to my sis. It's not the best, but not bad. I think I prefer the trip tho.
My beef with auction sites is that the condition is unknown. The sellers often don't know if the camera works, or if they are more knowledgable, the price is often higher. It's a bit of a risk shopping this way.
Good luck!
Oldskewl808
Established
I just snagged a mint condition, fully functional GSN with case for $29.00 from the big auction. They are out there if you keep looking hard enough. I also have a Konica Auto S2, a Minolta Hi-Matic, and a Petri Racer that all have three things in common... 1= they work, 2= they take great photos, and 3= they all cost me less than $50.00.😎
Jeremy Z
Well-known
I have a Konica Auto S2 in great shape I'm willing to part with.
Drop me an email if you're interested. jzorns at yahoo dot com
I bought it for the same reason you're thinking about. But I'm not doing film any more, and I'd rather it go to an RFF member than some nameless person on eBay. You've got dibbs.
Drop me an email if you're interested. jzorns at yahoo dot com
I bought it for the same reason you're thinking about. But I'm not doing film any more, and I'd rather it go to an RFF member than some nameless person on eBay. You've got dibbs.
krohmie
Photoaddict
Recue 400SE
Recue 400SE
What abot a Revue 400 SE
Fast 40mm 1,7 lens ans a real bargain (around 30 to 40 Euros @ ebay).
Some pictures are here: http://krohmies.de/2012/03/02/trostpflaster-revue-400-se/
Yashica Lynx 14 E is quite good too but runs around 100 Euros. And the Lynx 14E is a really big camera, roughly the same size as a Leica M.
Recue 400SE
What abot a Revue 400 SE
Fast 40mm 1,7 lens ans a real bargain (around 30 to 40 Euros @ ebay).
Some pictures are here: http://krohmies.de/2012/03/02/trostpflaster-revue-400-se/
Yashica Lynx 14 E is quite good too but runs around 100 Euros. And the Lynx 14E is a really big camera, roughly the same size as a Leica M.
bitoffun
Newbie
You know what I'm remembering? -- all the shots of kids when I was a kid in rangefinder era involve standing still to pose.
I mean if the OP want to try for Cartier-Bresson shots, that's terrific. It's just worth saying that'll be an interesting challenge that'll take a while to get results. Not that that can't be enjoyable.
Hibbs
R.I.P. Charlie
I found a mint condition Electro 35 GN in a local pawn shop for $26 CDN. When I told the owner that they don't make batteries any longer and that it was dependent on battery, he said he'd have to phone the old guy who brought it in.
Anyway, another $18 to the Yashica Guy for his battery replacement and I am good to go.
I also sourced a 35GX locally on eBay that had a broken viewfinder window for about $35 CDN and sent it to Greyhoundman for restore. So, all in all under $100.
— HIBBS
Anyway, another $18 to the Yashica Guy for his battery replacement and I am good to go.
I also sourced a 35GX locally on eBay that had a broken viewfinder window for about $35 CDN and sent it to Greyhoundman for restore. So, all in all under $100.
— HIBBS
klownshed
Member
I got an Olympus 35 LC for under £40.00. It has the same f1.7 42mm lens as the SP, it's just missing the SPs spot metering but has a coupled meter. Fully manual.
Lovely camera, but quite big compared to a 35 RC.
Lovely camera, but quite big compared to a 35 RC.
