Looking for ideas for new Rangefinder Camera

gustavoAvila said:
Consider a manual (Leica M or Bessa RxM) body if your camera is to be used outdoors in the cold.

("Button-battery" powered cameras cease to function when the temperature approaches freezing.)
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Does any one know how bad the batteries would drain in the cold? I know they will and have experienced that with my digital cameras. The only time it was really a problem is after a full day on the ski hill and I went to take pictures w/ my Canon G12, got 2 off and dead battery.

I am leaning towards the ZI so far, but to be honest I haven't held any of the bessa's or the ZI. My thoughts are soley based on what I have been reading hear or elsewhere.

Thank you to all that have replied. I appreciate all of the responses and the discussion.
 
Canuk said:
I am leaning towards the ZI so far, but to be honest I haven't held any of the bessa's or the ZI. My thoughts are soley based on what I have been reading hear...
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I do recommend you try to find some to try out. I liked the smaller size of the Bessa and it feels even nicer with the accessory grip. The finder is nice too. I found the ZI to not feel as nice. And I thought the VF was a bit to get used to. It's true that it has a large VF, but if you don't center your eye perfectly, then it can be troublesome. I couldn't see the patch very well.

The M6 is in a different league. It's a bit heavier, but feels nice in the hand. And isn't as heavy as the TTL or M7. It's quieter than the Bessa or the ZI. But that doesn't really matter all to much on a noisy street.

One more benefit of the Bessas, they are still in production. And new, with warranty, are a heck of a good deal.

You might post where you are and see if you can meetup with some fellow RFFers to see what they have.
 
I live in Lloydminster Alberta, I'm doubtful that there would be anyone close by, lol. Kinda close to nowhere, lol.

Thank you for the link. It is a good looking kit. Is the 1.0 viewfinder a benifit or more of a hinderance?
 
A 1.0 finder basically has no magnification, so it means you can shoot with the other eye open, some people like that. Personally, I'm not bothered although I did try the R3A in a shop and the finder is lovely, every bit as good as a Zeiss Ikon if you ask me, which is kind of considered to be about as good as range finder finders get.

The R3M + lens looks like a nice kit, you could do a great deal worse than that.

Although people talk about the wonderful build of Leica, which is course true, if you're used to modern DSLRs and compacts, then the build of the Bessas is just as striking.

A Bessa is a great camera, not just a starter model, but you could shoot it for the rest of your life and not be disappointed I think.
 
I have done some more research and searching, I seem to have found a decent kit.

There is a Leica dealer in Canada, that has an M6 Wetzlar in great condition, that he will kit w/ either a Leica 50mm f2 summicron $2500 or with a 35mm f2.8 for $2300.

I am thinking that either kit will give me a great camera and lens combo, which should I not like I should be able to recoup my money easily.

Is one of these lenses preferable to the other?
 
Depending on exactly which lens we're talking about (There are lots of different vintages of Summicron), that price may be good or it may be a touch high. Which you prefer will depend on your own preferences. First, do you want 50mm or 35mm? Second is a fast lens important to you?

All depends on condition etc. too of course, but sounds like you're on the right track.
 
I'm not exactly sure on the vintage of the Summicron. I think I would prefer a faster lens, because I could always pick up a Voiglander 35mm f1.4 for a lot less?
Or am I thinking about this the wrong way. I have not had any experience w/ a 35mm only a 40mm and a 50mm.
I have played with the 2 focal lengths on my slr and it's pretty hard to tell which one I prefer as they are pretty close.
 
Canuk said:
Does any one know how bad the batteries would drain in the cold? I know they will and have experienced that with my digital cameras. The only time it was really a problem is after a full day on the ski hill and I went to take pictures w/ my Canon G12, got 2 off and dead battery.
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Battery capacity declines linearly with decreasing temperature.

Some chemistry's perform better than others in the cold, specifically lithium batteries are better than alkaline or silver oxide.

However, by -20C (-4F), all cease to function.

My experience with small silver-oxide batteries (S76) is that these cease to function a few degrees above freezing.

Larger lithium batteries (such as those used in most digital cameras) will function to -15C but with greatly reduced capacity. (As evidenced by your two shots with the G12.)

For all practical purposes, no battery functions below -20C without remedial action.

My preferred cold weather solution (for shooting film) is a mechanical body with an external light meter (that I keep in an inside coat pocket).

Karen Nakamura has a useful summary of the various battery technologies at the following link:

http://www.photoethnography.com/ClassicCameras/batteries.html

The Battery University website also has a page that discusses cold weather battery performance:

http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/discharging_at_high_and_low_temperatures
 
Too bad you are so far from Calgary... I'd show you some 35 and 50's.

Depending on the dealer, they might be working on consignment. And you might be able to bargain a little.

But for the prices you were quoted, you could get a new Bessa and 2 new CV lenses...
 
Thanks to all for the advice and help.

I just pulled the trigger on the M6 w/ 50mm f2 summicon. Both the camera and lens are in great shape, come with all the boxes and literature. I hope I didn't pay too much, but I'm really not that worried. I figure I should be able to get most of my $$ back.

I really looked hard at both the Bessa and the ZI, but when it came down to it, I figured I may as well bite the bullet and do this only once.
Now I just have to wait for it to get here.
 
I think you should start slow. The bessa is cheaper, and very nice, and you get a nice kit. For a first "advanced" rangefinder, you can't go wrong. Buy film, developers, or start a home lab, with the remaining money. Plenty of things to do.
 
I have been developing my own film, and do have a darkroom in my basement for making 35mm and 6x6 wet print.
I went with the M6 mainly for the resale value. The Bessa's and the ZI, would have cost me more $$ in the end when I went to sell them.
The money that I spent on the M6 was money I had set aside for a new DSLR. I have had little interest in digital photography lately, as my current DSLR hasn't been used in some time.
The only time I find myself reaching for my digital, is when I am going scuba diving, and that is my g12. I had considered long and hard about buying a flim rangefinder or the Fuji X-pro, but I decided that I prefer working with film more.
 
Nice, an M6 and lens can be the only camera you'll ever need in your lifetime. But I'd wager this will not be the last Leica you buy... They are lovely and addictive cameras.
 
I will be posting my thoughts and hopefully some pics once I get the camera.
It should arrive hopefully early next week, I am off to do some snowboarding the following sunday, so some mountain pics should be in order.
 
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