Forest_rain
Well-known
I'm looking to spend around ~$100 on a rangefinder. I'd like it to be manual focus, manual exposure if possible, of course film.
I'd like something newer, maybe from at least the 80's or preferably '90s. I have mostly older cameras and I'd like to test out something new.
Were rangefinders just out of fashion and stopped being manufactured after 1970 or so?
I was looking at a Konica Hexar AF but it's too expensive, running ~$400, but something like that would be nice.
Manual controls are a must. I'd be willing to consider a compact SLR if it has manual exposure and analog dials.
I'd like something newer, maybe from at least the 80's or preferably '90s. I have mostly older cameras and I'd like to test out something new.
Were rangefinders just out of fashion and stopped being manufactured after 1970 or so?
I was looking at a Konica Hexar AF but it's too expensive, running ~$400, but something like that would be nice.
Manual controls are a must. I'd be willing to consider a compact SLR if it has manual exposure and analog dials.
zenza
Well-known
Doesn't exist at that price point and age.
Just buy a Pentax ME slr
Just buy a Pentax ME slr
dourbalistar
Buy more film
Not in that age range, but if you're patient, you might be able to find a Canon P for a little bit more than your budget. If you don't need interchangeable lenses, something like the Olympus 35 RC is also still relatively affordable (probably in the $100-200 range).
Huss
Veteran
Hexar AF is a lux P&S camera, not an RF. Also, in case you didn't know, it's top shutter speed is 1/250 sec. Which to me is unacceptable.
zenza
Well-known
Good rec but he wants a newer camera, not a 60+ year old one.
Phil_F_NM
Camera hacker
If a Zero were added to $100 then you'd be within range of something that was a rangefinder and younger than 1985. Your options are the Yasuhara Twhatever, Voigtlander cameras, Konica Hexar RF, Leica M6. If you don't care about a meter, you can get a Leica M4-P or M4-2 within this price range. Then you need to start shopping for lenses. Like I said in an earlier post, don't discount the FSU options.
If you're willing to go with something older, you can get a Nikon S2 with a 50mm lens under $1000 easy.
As others have said, nothing is available for $100 that is a rangefinder.
Phil Forrest
If you're willing to go with something older, you can get a Nikon S2 with a 50mm lens under $1000 easy.
As others have said, nothing is available for $100 that is a rangefinder.
Phil Forrest
Forest_rain
Well-known
Alright, I've written off the rangefinder for now in that case. I think I'll purchase a newer SLR camera and see how it works out.
dourbalistar
Buy more film
Agree, like you said, none exist in that age/price range. So I went for one out of three. Batting .333 is like baseball hall of fame material, right? Or you miss 100% of the shots you don't take (for the Nova Scotian).
Phil_F_NM
Camera hacker
If you want newer than the 1980s but all manual, you're going to have to go with a Pentax LX, Pentax K1000, Nikon FM2n, Nikon FM3a, Olympus OM3 or 4, and maybe that's it. None of those working will be available for $100 though. Budget at least $250 for a reliable working film SLR. If you don't mind gambling, you can find good working mechanical cameras out there but like I said, gambling. Ebay and goodwill would be where you pull that slot machine handle. As you asked in your earlier thread, the Konica Autoreflex T4 is an amazing camera with an even better set of lenses.
Phil Forrest
Bob Michaels
nobody special
Look for a Voigtlander Bessa L. They go for around $100 for the LTM body. Being LTM, that means there are many great lenses available for low cost. The Bessa L is a great camera and is current manufacture while meeing all your requirements except does not have a built in rangefinder. So you must use a finder and zone focus. You will find zone focusing liberating and quite easy to do if you have enough depth perception to step around power poles and not walk into walls. Just don't convince yourself in advance that you can't zone focus as too many do.
The Cameraquest website will show you photos and tell you all about the Bessa L.
Bill Blackwell
Leica M Shooter
Check the links below. None are going to be as 'new' as you're asking.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/EXCELLENT-Canon-Canonet-28-35mm-Rangefinder-Film-Camera-CLAd-New-Light-Seals/233654323256?epid=72094423&hash=item3666e20838&_trkparms=ispr%3D1&amdata=enc%3AAQAFAAADcNxHsZ%252BuolR3xLJTXAmW0KfjkWVmtgfNDFLX7DlKzWwbi6HwPnsLldt9QfT1xx5f9q9AArkJYa6qkB2UIP884a3nukpGgta20eqd8y3tstYmYs%252BK%252B1V1kdm1A1gYgWlUGfJYBs0Oj55YkwUkyJMKeDX9kgDSXT2N6dMa6GCGBdAlZJiP8j%252BTXv67iettTuIxt1CinsDr8f4eKE72ZVMTWokyMn03W%252B60C9XqmRfQkI4pcLlJ%252BMRTI%252B2vaBGq3KJLs0Iy8tLMC%252Bo2DDzFd7FZ8aV2nj9Rph%252BoB50O1Gyqur%252FZEOStdxs4czc0qSZNvRoKB07dH4OATmFK9PhocgyefpDQ5UgQ612XMhPEc1vDu11NG0Cqwr8CiAjvPqW%252Bjc%252FfPBMhH5uEhdfwgTfxNtZ5MKixQbY%252Bagctf%252FIjwvYpCwBNi1l0XUZXUtS1hgA4Q9X54UeLsgr0yemRDicsXn%252FMlGZtmjmNjkXjUDjR%252BwDH6mjuw4A5YX836Jew6kAyLqgXMJl3Wnradp4LwDE9t7ZPRpxjXWkQ8oPuvT%252BfrD%252F8rAMqQIy%252Bd9FMyFuq75ykrnjJSTN9p77P7BhCa1bFupqjDxr0enoN7%252BlQGFP145WoDYSTWHG0bsRA1y6UYkAXqfFwKg4LQYIr7nMYjLTuF3r5eqlVXr9bxzdDAWoIvLLgMfCAoTr%252F90c2QlJIM7iwxVIzdUiecEFHxSDaUnymfAff1dBk7UWznjybP4e%252Bo3faN8V9gpSBSEfQmkblp%252B1Vobcps%252F71o7t2apXmo30zor5zbJqU2Q8tUU4IDDRvBggzb4eVp803dqIxZE6e7hvch8LoQf18uIWuA%252Fbf6jx%252BhcVBSlBdwH6hGHkD8dV7oEG9hHzKfEj4PLDaR%252BeSB2u5GJp00Sl5GkQBU1LphJ%252Fc5Bv1OA0O%252BT4nPdtlblPEUwU4eXM6%252FJlSNV7zIjBZdcrYgbR5mk8BQEnTtz5dK%252BkcL7pUWmLvoMASrgjycQTuCsNbNuJsrgLvCKZy20sAZSGzDe3PNsfrmLpZsJ7YNng%252BVeJ%252FP2di%252FR7XC39m085wRUVz8OiFcwcnAAZ9SWc5D%252BA1nLFOYhR%252B8VSBC3BANTDVI2nvnCUAsAjRxl74f4sVdXVNuu7R1jkMzjb%252BIN3AOUWnDM7hjOK%252Fyqq3p%252F4Ej75JazJcmKg%253D%7Ccksum%3A233654323256114a2a24681e437c9c8b1a164a01b6d8%7Campid%3APL_CLKFixed lens.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Olympus-35-S-Rangefinder-Film-Camera-w-1-3-5-Lens-Problem-V009g/174116533303?hash=item288a277437:g:SboAAOSw91Jb~0shFixed lens.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Mamiya-EE-12-Super-Merit-Rangefinder-camera-with-case-manual-and-box-AS-IS/293588120854?hash=item445b373516:g:AxcAAOSwQVZexyHKFixed lens.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Konica-EE-Matic-Deluxe-2-Film-Rangefinder-Camera/174322447093?hash=item28966d72f5:g:QrwAAOSwEoNe7QP1Fixed lens.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Zorki-4-rangefinder-film-camera-early-35-mm-M39-mount-USSR-KMZ-body/164223090484?hash=item263c757f34:g:ExAAAOSwmf5e0Cu~LTM lenses.
Do a search on eBay for "rangefinder film camera" and you'll get these and other hits.
madNbad
Well-known
With a hundred bucks you can get a Nikkormat FT2 with a 50 and still have cash left over for ten rolls of film.
twvancamp
Thom
Several have mentioned Pentax SLRs. They remain good bang for your buck--MX would fit the bill and you can still find deals. And I'd second Forest above, Konica bodies are just find and the lenses are unparalleled.
p.giannakis
Pan Giannakis
If you want rangefinders in the below $100 bracket look for some FSU rangefinders. Zorkis and Feds can be had for this amount of money.
Forest_rain
Well-known
I agree with this, I've gotten a few duds. My lesson is that you need to film test all film cameras quickly, regardless of working/testing claims, and return them quickly if the don't work. It's the best and most time efficient way.
Phil_F_NM
Camera hacker
If you learn to shop in a savvy way and repair things yourself, you can get some incredible deals. Sometimes only a battery chamber needs to be cleaned, sometimes it's just a setting on a camera, sometimes it needs new door and mirror foam (all the time). You can learn which are the winners and which are cameras you should stay away from.
Phil Forrest
Ko.Fe.
Lenses 35/21 Gears 46/20
Fed 5 series were made up to nineties. I had 5B and it was the only FSU camera which worked on delivery. They might still cost bellow 50 usd.
aizan
Veteran
Look no further than the FED 5.
ruby.monkey
Veteran
If you're patient and lucky, you might find a used Bessa-T within budget.
zenza
Well-known
Agree, like you said, none exist in that age/price range. So I went for one out of three. Batting .333 is like baseball hall of fame material, right? Or you miss 100% of the shots you don't take (for the Nova Scotian).
Haha, fair game! I do think the Canon P is the best bang for your buck rangefinder right now. A working body for $100 is definitely possible. I paid $140 for a minty body with nice 50/1.8 last year off eBay.