Lets narrow the list down

MP Guy

Just another face in the crowd
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So many rangefinders out there that the web page would strectch a mile if they were all listed. Provide me your feedback as to which camera should have its own category like the ones already listed.

Thanks
 
How about something along the origins instead of makes? Say, Japanese Classic Compacts (which would encompass Canonets of different ilks, Yashicas of all kinds, Minoltas of all ranks and Konicas or different classes).

Then, you could have a European Classic RFs, including Leica and Clones forum (both for LTM AKA LSM, and M mount cameras, and the Bessa and CLEs of the world, as well as the old Contax rangefinders (before Kyocera). You can have a Contemporary RFs (for Japanese Contax G and Konica Hexars), so they aren't forgotten or misfiled...

Finally, the Medium Format RFs (for Mamiyas and Bronicas and whatever else there is in that shelf).

I guess I'm forgetting some distinguished members of the RF family, but then... it's just a suggestion. Good luck and we'll support your decision!
 
i think franciso is on the right track.
definately one for 'classic' cameras like the japanese ones from the 60's &70's.
 
oftheherd... that'd lead to the same problem Jorge wants to solve. I would like an entire forum for the Canonet and Leicas, but how far can we go?

Besides, if you hadn't posted about it in the shared areas, I wouldn't have learned about this Mamiya you love so much. See the beauty of NOT having separate forums for each kind of RF?

In case some people feel forgotten, I missed the Fuji RFs, which would go (duh!) in the MF rangefinder area...

Only one thing, Jorge, if you reorganize the forum this way (hypothetically), what would you do with the previous posts? Would they be deleted or redistributed?

Just wondering... Have a nice weekend!
 
Forums like these are often driven by popularity - i.e. Leica and Mamiya are extremely popular brands. Classic Japanese cameras are also - but more spread across multiple brands and models. So even though it sometimes is 'annoying' to have to set up forums at different 'levels' it sometimes just..makes sense.

How about something like this:
35mm:
* Classic Japanese
* Vintage Cameras (pre-1960 for instance)
* Russian Cameras
* Leica
* Lens Discussions
* Film Discussions
* Image examples / No word threads
* Classifieds

MF:
* Mamiya
* Bronica
* Vintage cameras (pre-1960 for instance)
* Lens Discussions
* Film Discussions
* Image Examples / No word-threads
* Classifieds
 
rsilverberg, in your proposed scheme (which makes plenty of sense to me), I guess German Voigtlanders would go as vintage, and current Bessas would have to be filed away as Leicas.

Let's hope so. In that same situation, you would place/look for Isolettes and Anscos and Zeiss Ikon in the MF/Vintage forum...

It can be figured out. In any case, it's preferable than spreading out too thin. Any more hypothetical filings?
 
Yeah I would definetively look for the Isolettes, Ikons, etc in the MF vintage folder - and if it turns out that MF RF folders have a big following here - then hey - why not a MF Folders forum :)

When it comes to Voigtlanders and Bessa's I honestly don't know. I guess all 35 and MF forums would have to have a catch-all 'Others' - and then based on how that grew take decisions on what to break out into it's own folders.

Come to think of it... hmm... Maybe a Large Format forum as well... What do do with all those wonderful Bush Pressman, Grafles, etc LF Rangefinders?
 
Leica thread mounts -- so much history & still so many in use. I would welcome & heavily contribute to such an area of discussion.
 
Actually, Paul, that's a serious omission. You're right. Cartier-Bresson would turn in his tomb if he were dead, but being the perfect luddite he is now, it's our turn to worry about LTM cameras. ;)
 
SolaresLarrave said:
oftheherd... that'd lead to the same problem Jorge wants to solve. I would like an entire forum for the Canonet and Leicas, but how far can we go?

Besides, if you hadn't posted about it in the shared areas, I wouldn't have learned about this Mamiya you love so much. See the beauty of NOT having separate forums for each kind of RF?

In case some people feel forgotten, I missed the Fuji RFs, which would go (duh!) in the MF rangefinder area...

Only one thing, Jorge, if you reorganize the forum this way (hypothetically), what would you do with the previous posts? Would they be deleted or redistributed?

Just wondering... Have a nice weekend!

Hadn't been back in here for a while. I guess I didn't quite get the gist of the question. Looks like those who did have good ideas. I guess I would like to see an area for Mamiya RF's in the MF area (am I off the hook now?:D )

Another thing we need is more people in here posting (me included).

Francisco, when are you trading in your TLR for the Mamiya MF RF?:D
 
Me, trading a TLR for a Mamiya RF?

Actually... it's not a bad idea at all, oftheherd. I'd really be the winner in the transaction. Sure, I'd get a metered camera with fine lenses... a medium format Leica!

The problem is that I'd do it if I didn't like so much the fiddling around with a meterless, batteryless camera body with a kinda difficult focusing system and heavy to boot!

How many times do people comment on your Mamiya RF? Carry around a TLR and you'll be the talk of the town in no time.

BTW, I'd rather be ignored when I carry a RF.

Trading the TLR for a M7 MF RF...? Sounds quite tempting...
 
Shame we aren't in a position where I could let you try my Mamiya Super Press 23 (under supervision of course. :D). I think you would quickly learn to like it for itself and, and the 6x7 negatives/slides.

I have gotten comments when carrying it:
Did you ever think about getting a good newer camera?
Is that a camera?
Can that thing take any good pictures?
Why would you want a negative that big?
Why would you want to change film before it is all used up?
What's that thing around your neck for, a light meter you called it?

And it goes on. :( :D
 
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Rich,
I like your idea, but would add "Fixed Lens" and "Lens Changable" also.
 
Since Jorge added that new Google search function, I can't see a need for ANY divisions or distinctions. Let's do away with all the categories. We're just splintering ourselves up to less and less. While we're considering this wholesale change in paradigm (I've always wanted to be able to use that word inteligently in a sentence) let's include all viewfinder cameras into this site. The rangefinder distinction is somewhat artificial since a rangefinder is simply a device, either built-in or added on, to make focusing easier. It is the viewfinder that defines the basic camera architectural differences between "our" type of cameras from SLRs and TLRs which are based on groundglass viewing of an image formed by the lens.

Just a thought. Hmmm.
 
I think we need categories to stay organized. Looking at Rich's proposal I think that is a good list. I would only tweek it to spefically name the current production Manufacturers, Leica, CV, ZI... and then let everything else fall into the broader categories as stated.
 
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