Money to spend...

[wkjagt]

OK, I am buying myself a little present. Have about $300 to spend on a nice 35mm rangefinder. Needs to have: sharp fast wide angle lens and coupled light meter. Lens may be fixed, doesn't have to (but for non-fixed, my budget is limiting.)

That's it! Pretend you're the one who gets to buy yourself a present, and this'll be a fun question to answer.

 

[Tuolumne]

Rollei 35 SE?

/T

 

[feenej]

I'd get an Olympus 35 SP and have it CLA'ed.

 

[pesphoto]

Hexar AF- you'd have to kick in a little more, but not much.

 

[feenej]

Ooh, yeah, that's a good one too.

 

[wkjagt]

Hexar AF- you'd have to kick in a little more, but not much.

Though not technically a rangefinder, it is very very very tempting. Hmmmm.....

 

[agi]

A black Minolta Hi Matic 7sii 🙂

 

[pesphoto]

Of course you could buy a MINT Yashica GSN for $40-$60 and spend the rest on film and booze.

 

[wkjagt]

Of course you could buy a MINT Yashica GSN for $40-$60 and spend the rest on film and booze.

Not really wide angle. And the fridge just happens to be full of films and booze (although the latter is lacking a bit.)

 

[pesphoto]

ok, Yashica CC maybe. 35mm lens wide enough?

 

[wkjagt]

ok, Yashica CC maybe. 35mm lens wide enough?

The CC is my unicorn. We go waaaay back. Not possible...

 

[pesphoto]

If it were me with that kind of money to treat myself, I'd go for the Hexar. In fact I may start saving up now to buy one come summertime.
Let us know what you decide. Do you want an all manual camera?

 

[wkjagt]

Do you want an all manual camera?

Not sure. I like manual focus. I also like aperture priority.

I am now looking at Bessa R, but they're too expensive.

 

[pesphoto]

Im pretty sure you can get a Bessa R and a Jupiter 8 or Industar 61 for what you want to spend.

 

[shadowfox]

You are describing a Hexar AF, good luck finding one, and finding spare parts and technician when something is broken.

If you can live with 40mm, Olympus 35 RD is another good one, it'll fit in nicely within your budget even after a good CLA.

 

[rpsawin]

This should do it...

http://www.kcamera.com/main/invusd/usedmr.htm#mrb

Good luck,

Bob

 

[feenej]

I have a Bessa R and a VC 35 mm Color Skopar lens. I have used the same lens for just about 2 years, so if I lost it somehow, I'd probably save money and just get a fixed lens RF camera.

 

[feenej]

Adorama has a Hexar AF right now, but it's over $600. Good that Rpsawin found one for $400.

 

[pesphoto]

KEH often has used Hexar Af's as well.

 

[wkjagt]

Im pretty sure you can get a Bessa R and a Jupiter 8 or Industar 61 for what you want to spend.

Are those good lenses?