My Rangefinder search...

[mconnealy]

Consider the Olympus 35RC. It is very compact, with a very bright finder and an unbeatable E.Zuiko lens. The light meter is easily cleaned and adjusted with Rick Oleson's instructions.
Olympus 35 RC by Mike Connealy, on Flickr

 

[38Deardorff]

Consider the Olympus 35RC. It is very compact, with a very bright finder and an unbeatable E.Zuiko lens. The light meter is easily cleaned and adjusted with Rick Oleson's instructions.
Olympus 35 RC by Mike Connealy, on Flickr

McC... just as a question. What cameras do you use most often? I'd like to see a list of cameras from everyone who's suggested one of the 50 yr old fixed lens cameras to someone who has experience w rangefinders? I suspect the OP is looking to step up from his Zorki/Kiev.... Does he really want to be tied to strictly a 42mm lens?

 

[Darthfeeble]

That and I would ask the OP why he wants a rangefinder camera. Anything in that price range is of suspicious durability.

 

[38Deardorff]

That and I would ask the OP why he wants a rangefinder camera. Anything in that price range is of suspicious durability.

Yes.... the $40 brick..... they were good cheap cameras in the 70s..... no question.
IMO with the cost of repairs, shipping, and lack of electronic parts.... why suggest a potential brick?

 

[splitimageview]

Every camera is a potential brick.

 

[38Deardorff]

Every camera is a potential brick.

more like every electronic camera is a potential brick.....

 

[splitimageview]

every one can be a brick, electronic or not.

lack of parts
lack of experienced repair techs
high cost of repair (or high relative to the market value)
lack of repair documentation (which even skilled techs may need)

 

[mconnealy]

McC... just as a question. What cameras do you use most often? I'd like to see a list of cameras from everyone who's suggested one of the 50 yr old fixed lens cameras to someone who has experience w rangefinders? I suspect the OP is looking to step up from his Zorki/Kiev.... Does he really want to be tied to strictly a 42mm lens?

He mentioned looking at a QL-17. I think the Oly 35-RC is at least as good a performer, and the $40 or $50 price won't really tie him down if he wants to explore other options. I've owned my 35-RC for about 20 years and It's made a lot of nice pictures for me. I've got about a hundred cameras. My favorite tends to change from week to week.

 

[aw614]

I wanted to like the 35rc, but I was not a fan of handling the aperture ring with its small size. I would shoot it in shutter priority mode and not deal with it.

 

[38Deardorff]

every one can be a brick, electronic or not.

lack of parts
lack of experienced repair techs
high cost of repair (or high relative to the market value)
lack of repair documentation (which even skilled techs may need)

but i bet your avatar Leica can be repaired.
From a different point of view:
"I'd like to buy a digital camera....my budget is 1000 ‹€"
"Buy a Canon Powershot 600"........

 

[splitimageview]

Many cameras can be repaired.

Many can be bricks.

But we already knew that didn’t we? 🤣

How many fully working $40 fixed lens cameras can be purchased, fail, and be thrown away before the cost approaches the purchase cost of a Leica plus the repair cost of a Leica?

 

[38Deardorff]

Many cameras can be repaired.

Many can be bricks.

But we already knew that didn’t we? 🤣

How many fully working $40 fixed lens cameras can be purchased, fail, and be thrown away before the cost approaches the purchase cost of a Leica plus the repair cost of a Leica?

Just seems we're not being helpful to someone who has experience with rangefinders.
How many lost photos will you risk? Given shipping costs....in this case as much or more than the camera? How many hours/miles @ $80/tank to to go buy yet another cheap camera?
I'd bet.... a Canon P / 7/ CL/CLE/Konica Hexar might be a better fit....

 

[splitimageview]

I'm not suggesting any particular camera, or any particular price level.

There are many ways to acquire a cheap, fully working rangefinder.

Given the original specs,

- Reliable lightmeter
- Good build quality
- Max 1000 euro
- Good quality glass. I love good sharp and contrasty lenses.
- Fixed lens or not... doesn't matter.

the key and priority, from my viewpoint, is finding a reliable vendor, or source (friend, hobbyist) that has a well-cared for, working piece.

It's less about which camera model, and more about getting one in top condition. Even ones in top condition can fail, of course. If it makes sense to repair it, you do that. Or you find another...

I have two fixed lens RFs over 50 years old, and they both work perfectly...Konica Auto S2 and S3. These are not expensive to acquire...

 

[Klikkie]

That and I would ask the OP why he wants a rangefinder camera. Anything in that price range is of suspicious durability.

I own a Zorki 6, and owned a Fed 3 and Kiev 4. I made some really beautiful pictures with those camera's. Only the viewfinders and patches are pretty dim and the camera's are more of weapons than light to carry camera's. Now is weight no deal breaker. I love the focusing system. That's why I'm looking for an upgrade to last a while.

 

[p.giannakis]

Have a look at the Olympus 35 series.

The 35RC is a very popular choice and also the bigger siblings like the 35UC or the more expensive 35SP are excellent cameras. I had the 35RD and it was a really fine camera.

Of course, if automation is not an issue, there are the excellent Yashica 35-series.

 

[Darthfeeble]

I own a Zorki 6, and owned a Fed 3 and Kiev 4. I made some really beautiful pictures with those camera's. Only the viewfinders and patches are pretty dim and the camera's are more of weapons than light to carry camera's. Now is weight no deal breaker. I love the focusing system. That's why I'm looking for an upgrade to last a while.

I fell in love with the left side view finder, first was a series of cheapish fixed lens cameras then came the Contax G, while not an RF it still is a lovely camera to use. I tried to get back into film but find it less rewarding than digital and now I've given up on RF manual focus, sold my M10 for a Sony A7CR . All that said, I will be cremated with my two Epson RD1 cameras.

 

[Klikkie]

Ok, I've had some time to look around and reflect on myself what I want and why I want it.

Recently I looked for a Pentax 67 (I know, a whole other ballgame). I love medium format. But it has shortcomings. Not only it's big, bulky and loud, but it's also not very good for fast photography.

I thought.... Why? What is my motivation to buy another camera? What do I want to shoot?

After thinking about it, I came to the conclusion that I mostly shoot family photography, family portraits and street photography. Also from time to time I love to shoot architecture photography.

But most of all family photo's and portraits are most important to me right now.

As I look at the work of Matt Osborne (Mr. Leica), I realized that a rangefinder in 35mm is capable also for portraits.

So again, my enthousiasm for a rangefinder has woken.

My budget is around 1000 to 1600 euro (incl. Lens). I'm thinking about a Voigtlander Bessa R(2). Is this a good camera for the job(s)?

Thanks for the advice in advance!