My Rangefinder search...

[The Spastic Image]

Jumping into this RF post instead of starting a whole 'nother one on the same topic ~
I'm mulling purchasing a small RF, something that if it gets abused while biking/camping, I won't be stressed by being out a chunk of change.
I've got a heavy Minolta Hi Matic 7. About 4 years ago I had the lens off to clean the aperture and shutter. I got it working again, but de to biking, it's been sitting for quite a while, and not it's some what stuck again.

I also have my dad's 60s ish Voightlander Vito B. It works. I'd prefer not to abuse it, or accidentally drop it in Lake Superior kayaking (kayaking very close to shore, of course....).

So as I ponder something small, I'd love to hear from users of:
- Olympus Trip 35 - seems super simple. Easy to spot the focus range. No shutter speeds to over think. Maybe find a way to 'trick' the 'no pic red flag' thing for shooting after dark.
- Fujica 35 Compact - seems more flexible than the Trip 35. More shutter speeds. Bulb setting.
- Olympus 35 RC (after reading through this thread) -- seems like a flexible, compact, Olympus option.

The Canonet QL looks appealing, but bigger than the 35RC option. I think.
As far as I can tell, these options keep me under $175 USD. Seems OK for a beater camera - a quiet 35mm beater!

If someone says something like -- maybe a new Kodak Snapic A 1 thingy! I might consider it. I'm not keen on the batteries being require though.

OK - thanks. I'll finish getting this account set up and maybe post some snaps from the Minolta and Voightlander in the gallery thing soon.

Olympus Trip 35, no manual exposure, no override. Best used as a daylight only snapshot camera, I don't recommend.
Fujica 35 compact, possibly decent (appears to have manual exposure modes)
Olympus 35 RC, manual exposure, manual shutter speeds. Very good option. Do remember, better to buy a serviced one.
The Canonet GIII7-QL is also a good first rangefinder.

 

[Bill Blackwell]

 

[boojum]

View attachment 4888154

That is such a sweet camera. I shot the Leica version for a few months when I was living in Montreal and loved it. A really nice package and from what I read the Minolta version is the better. Happy shooting.

 

[Godfrey]

That is such a sweet camera. I shot the Leica version for a few months when I was living in Montreal and loved it. A really nice package and from what I read the Minolta version is the better. Happy shooting.

Had both. They're actually identical, body-wise. The only real differences come down to whether you have the M-Rokkor lenses or the Leica -C lenses, there it depends upon specific examples of each lens.

G

 

[Bill Blackwell]

That is such a sweet camera. I shot the Leica version for a few months when I was living in Montreal and loved it. A really nice package and from what I read the Minolta version is the better. Happy shooting.

The Leitz Wetzlar version went through some "upgrades" during its production (including the plastic tip on the advance lever) - these are all incorporated on the Leitz Minolta version. They are otherwise identical mechanically.

 

[nikomax]

Both of you might look at a Kodak Retina IIIc. You can often find these in excellent condition for under $100, usually with a non-working meter. Another $150-190 for a full service and meter repair and you have a camera with a lens that is the equal of the best Leica M 50mm lenses, a folder so it is compact and easy to carry, and truly excellent quality through and through. You can even get 35 and 85 mm lenses for them.

It's a far better-made camera than most of the fixed lens compacts of the 1960s and 1970s, and has outstanding lenses. (Most US delivery models have Schneider lenses, many European delivery models have Rodenstock lenses; either are excellent performers.)

G

There is also the Retina 111S which has decent lenses from 28mm to 135mm, automatic frame change in the viewfinder and a beautifully quiet compur shutter which makes it a great street shooter. Our head bartender gives it a good write up on his site. The only negative is that it is so well built that it is really heavy for its size!