My Rangefinder search...

[rfaspen]

Being an RF guy myself, I still have to agree with the simple SLR suggestion. AF is a help when dealing with quick kids and pets. Possible yes with an RF, but takes practice to become competent in fast moving situations....many folks become discouraged during that steep learning period. With an SLR you'll be getting good hits from day one.

 

[Klikkie]

Yeah, I already own several SLR's. I just love the focusing and the silent "click" of a rangefinder. But my rangefinder is a nice piece of Soviet engineering, but not very refined.

I've been reading and watching YT about all the beautiful rangefinders and the Bessa(s). Well. For the prices I've seen, I came to the conclusion that a Leica is no bad option.

But now I'm trying to decide if I want a M3 or M4. I'll drop the lightmeter, and will go for the sunny 16 or a little external lightmeter.

 

[shawn]

If you go for a M3 make sure you check the viewfinder/rangefinder very carefully. Shine a light through the front and look at it from the back at an angle. You are trying to see if the prism is oxidizing. Youxin Ye pointed this out to me on the first M3 I brought over to him for a CLA. It took me 3 tries to get a M3 that didn't have this problem. There are a couple of people that can resilver the prism but it is expensive or a in depth DIY repair.

As far as M3 vs M4 the standard answer is M3 for 50mm and up or the M4 if you want to shoot a 35mm and have framelines. M3 finder is almost life size image so shooting with both eyes open is pretty easy.

*BUT* if you are looking to shoot kids/fast and want Leica I'm going to recommend the M5 or a CL or CLE. The meter and display in a M5/CL means you can follow kids quickly through changing lighting and adjust without moving the camera from your eye. The CLE has aperture priority auto exposure so it is even faster for this kind of situation.

Edit: Or one of the larger fixed lens RFs and it would leave a huge amount of money left over for film. If you want the precise feeling of the Leica something like a Konica IIIa is beautiful and a true 1:1 viewfinder that adjusts for parallax and frame size.

Second edit: Or really go for your want of a rangefinder and medium format and get a Fuji GL690 and the AE lens, shoots fast!

 

[Klikkie]

If you go for a M3 make sure you check the viewfinder/rangefinder very carefully. Shine a light through the front and look at it from the back at an angle. You are trying to see if the prism is oxidizing. Youxin Ye pointed this out to me on the first M3 I brought over to him for a CLA. It took me 3 tries to get a M3 that didn't have this problem. There are a couple of people that can resilver the prism but it is expensive or a in depth DIY repair.

As far as M3 vs M4 the standard answer is M3 for 50mm and up or the M4 if you want to shoot a 35mm and have framelines. M3 finder is almost life size image so shooting with both eyes open is pretty easy.

*BUT* if you are looking to shoot kids/fast and want Leica I'm going to recommend the M5 or a CL or CLE. The meter and display in a M5/CL means you can follow kids quickly through changing lighting and adjust without moving the camera from your eye. The CLE has aperture priority auto exposure so it is even faster for this kind of situation.

Edit: Or one of the larger fixed lens RFs and it would leave a huge amount of money left over for film. If you want the precise feeling of the Leica something like a Konica IIIa is beautiful and a true 1:1 viewfinder that adjusts for parallax and frame size.

A M5 is too expensive for me. 2000euro is now my max. By CLE, are you talking about the Minolta?

 

[shawn]

A M5 is too expensive for me. 2000euro is now my max. By CLE, are you talking about the Minolta?

Interesting, in the US the M5 is same or cheaper than a M3 or M4. Yes, Minolta CLE. Very nice little camera though it lacks 50mm framelines. Pair it with a Voigtlander 40mm 1.4.

 

[38Deardorff]

The Leica CL is a wonderful small camera. The 40mm Summicron C is 1st class. Parts are available for repair. & as DAG (Don Goldberg) has said....they're tougher and more reliable than people give them credit for. An especially convenient travel camera.

 

[BillBingham2]

Don't forget the M4-P, a wonderful meter-less camera with a 28mm frameline built in!

B2 (;->

 

[Klikkie]

I recently went out and took a good look at a Leica M2 and M3. I instantly fell in love. I noticed though that the M2 had a slightly more dim viewfinder (a bit blueish). I don't know if they all have it, or merely that copy. But I started to read online about the M3

 

[38Deardorff]

I recently went out and took a good look at a Leica M2 and M3. I instantly fell in love. I noticed though that the M2 had a slightly more dim viewfinder (a bit blueish). I don't know if they all have it, or merely that copy. But I started to read online about the M3

They're old cameras....you likely saw the difference in condition between two individual cameras. An M2, M4, etc can be just as bright or more than the M3

 

[mrv]

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.

 

[Godfrey]

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

 

[Dustfinder]

The best entry point IMO are Leica/Minolta CLs. Compact, easy to load, access to Leica M mount and LTM lenses, bright rangefinder patches.

 

[mrv]

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

Sent a FB message to someone offering a $20 Koada Retina iic. . . . if the price is too good to be true.....

 

[Godfrey]

Sent a FB message to someone offering a $20 Koada Retina iic. . . . if the price is too good to be true.....

heh ... I bought four Retina IIc cameras from sellers on Ebay, listed as "for parts" with prices between $8 and $25. Two of them needed nothing more than a CLA and service. It's amazing to me that so many of them go for almost nothing despite their value and quality.

G

 

[Godfrey]

heh ... I bought four Retina IIc cameras from sellers on Ebay, listed as "for parts" with prices between $8 and $25. Two of them needed nothing more than a CLA and service. It's amazing to me that so many of them go for almost nothing despite their value and quality.

... Making that statement put me in a panic. Back when I did that, I also "collected" a near full set of the Retina accessories of the era ... 80mm lenses, 35mm lenses, close up lenses, close-up kit, etc etc. I used all this stuff quite a bit for a few months after all the cameras were serviced, but (as usual) that faded to other projects and I put them away until next I might use them. Well, writing the above, I wanted to make a photo of the kit, went into the cabinet to pull them out ... And I couldn't find them! 😱 Worst thing that can happen to me...

After ripping almost the entire cabinet apart, I finally located the lenses and accessory bits. They were stuffed into a camera bag that I have two or three of, and I evidently kept opening the other two and not the one with the Retina accessories in my panic. Whew! Now all's right with the world and I know exactly where everything is again. 😎

I love these Retinas, they're wonderful cameras. I do have a few too many of them... 🤷‍♂️

Kodak Retina IIc and IIIcx​

The one on the lower right I refer to as a "Retina IIIcx" ... It's the Retina IIIc body and Schneider 50mm f/2 lens, minus the meter and with a IIc top cover. That's the one of them I use the most. 😀

G

 

[Ted Town]

The best entry point IMO are Leica/Minolta CLs. Compact, easy to load, access to Leica M mount and LTM lenses, bright rangefinder patches.

I bought a Minolta CLE that had a Leitz 35mm F2 lens mounted. The frame lines didn't match, but I didn't mind; the glass was great, and I especially liked the fact that unlike a Leica, it was far easier to load film with the hinged back than taking the bottom of the camera off. The only problem - and it was a significant one - was once the electronics fried, Minolta was no longer servicing them.

 

[Dustfinder]

I bought a Minolta CLE that had a Leitz 35mm F2 lens mounted. The frame lines didn't match, but I didn't mind; the glass was great, and I especially liked the fact that unlike a Leica, it was far easier to load film with the hinged back than taking the bottom of the camera off. The only problem - and it was a significant one - was once the electronics fried, Minolta was no longer servicing them.

That's the reason that led me to the CLs

 

[aw614]

I just had my CLE serviced, will continue to monitor the electronics since it did have a jumpy meter, but the most annoying issue mine had were rangefinder related, the framelines weren't moving and slow rf cam

 

[Godfrey]

That's the reason that led me to the CLs

I've had three (film) Leica CLs over the years. Always like them, but they usually go when I'm looking for something a little more comfortable in my hands. The M body, being larger, fits my hands better: just more comfortable for me to hold and use when I'm doing a lot of shooting.

I used the CLs for travel quite a lot. A kit with CL plus 40, 28, and 90 fits in a very small bag or case, along with a half a dozen rolls of film. That's often more than enough for a two week adventure. 🙂

G

 

[Muggins]

Sent a FB message to someone offering a $20 Koada Retina iic. . . . if the price is too good to be true.....

Did you get it?

The Trip 35 mentioned above isn't a rangefinder but it is a very capable little camera - David Bailey did use them for some of his published works, it wasn't just the adverts - and ridiculously simple to use. Plus if you are really lucky you can occasionally still pick one up for next to nothing - note caveats!