lrochfort
Well-known
Hello all,
After receiving excellent advice from fellow RFF members I was going to buy myself a Leica M3 or M2 and lens. However, being a father and a husband that money has gone elsewhere.
So, I'm looking for recommendations for a range finder with a large bright viewfinder with easy to see RF patch. Isn't everybody?
I've posted in this forum because I've got a Zorki 4 and Kiev 4, both with Jupiter 8s. I think the Jupiter is wonderful, however loading the Kiev drives me absolutely crazy (I have no problem with bottom loading Leicas) and the viewfinder/patch on both cameras deters me from using them.
I may still bide my time and slowly save for an M2/3 body and use the Jupiter, but I'd love to know people's opinions on alternative bodies and lenses.
If anybody has serious non-LTM contenders then shout, it just seems LTM lenses are prolific.
My budget is around £300.
Cheers all,
Laurence.
After receiving excellent advice from fellow RFF members I was going to buy myself a Leica M3 or M2 and lens. However, being a father and a husband that money has gone elsewhere.
So, I'm looking for recommendations for a range finder with a large bright viewfinder with easy to see RF patch. Isn't everybody?
I've posted in this forum because I've got a Zorki 4 and Kiev 4, both with Jupiter 8s. I think the Jupiter is wonderful, however loading the Kiev drives me absolutely crazy (I have no problem with bottom loading Leicas) and the viewfinder/patch on both cameras deters me from using them.
I may still bide my time and slowly save for an M2/3 body and use the Jupiter, but I'd love to know people's opinions on alternative bodies and lenses.
If anybody has serious non-LTM contenders then shout, it just seems LTM lenses are prolific.
My budget is around £300.
Cheers all,
Laurence.
wallace
Well-known
Bessa R would be a good choice.
VictorM.
Well-known
Bessa R, Canon P, Canon 7 in ltm.
ferider
Veteran
Try the Canon P. Very close to an M3.
Phil_F_NM
Camera hacker
Nikon S2.
One of the biggest and when cleaned, one of the best.
Phil Forrest
One of the biggest and when cleaned, one of the best.
Phil Forrest
kchong
Member
Any of the Bessa R's would have the best viewfinder in the price range. If you don't need anything wider than 40mm, the Leica CL makes a good choice as well but the Bessa's would still have a better/larger finder.
More specifically, go for the R3A if you can live with nothing wider than 40mm. I had a R-D1 with the same glorious 1:1 (lifesize) finder and it's even better than the one in my M8.
More specifically, go for the R3A if you can live with nothing wider than 40mm. I had a R-D1 with the same glorious 1:1 (lifesize) finder and it's even better than the one in my M8.
Dez
Bodger Extraordinaire
The Bessa R has an excellent finder: many would say that it the equal of the Leica M's. And of course, it has behind the lens metering, which will require a large investment with a Leica.
But the Bessas keep reminding me that they are mostly plastic, and if that is a problem for you, the Canon P is an excellent choice. It has parallax-compensating frame lines for 35, 50, and 100mm lenses. The finder is also 1:1, which I don't think any Leica achieved.
Then there is the Canon 7, which is basically a Canon P with a light meter and a switchable finder for 35, 50, 85/100, and 135mm lenses. It has lots of great features, but is not as pretty as the model P.
Cheers,
Dez
But the Bessas keep reminding me that they are mostly plastic, and if that is a problem for you, the Canon P is an excellent choice. It has parallax-compensating frame lines for 35, 50, and 100mm lenses. The finder is also 1:1, which I don't think any Leica achieved.
Then there is the Canon 7, which is basically a Canon P with a light meter and a switchable finder for 35, 50, 85/100, and 135mm lenses. It has lots of great features, but is not as pretty as the model P.
Cheers,
Dez
lrochfort
Well-known
Thanks everybody.
I was very tempted by the Canons, but in the end I went with the Bessa R3A that was in the classifieds.
The modern, AE type camera is quite a new thing for me, but I thought I'd give it a go to see if the immediacy and bright modern finder helps. That and knowing I wouldn't have to CLA it.
Who knows, my penchant for all metal classic cameras may overcome me and I'll find myself with a Canon
Cheers,
Laurence.
I was very tempted by the Canons, but in the end I went with the Bessa R3A that was in the classifieds.
The modern, AE type camera is quite a new thing for me, but I thought I'd give it a go to see if the immediacy and bright modern finder helps. That and knowing I wouldn't have to CLA it.
Who knows, my penchant for all metal classic cameras may overcome me and I'll find myself with a Canon
Cheers,
Laurence.