Newbie looking for RF lens review

[Rowell]

Ok, I recently made my first foray into the world of RF's picking up a nice Minolta Hi-Matic 9 -passing on a Konica S2, but I may come back to that one. I'm looking for site that might provide some insight into the sharpness of the fixed lens for various rangefinders.

-Steven

 

[matu]

Steven:
Personally I don´t own a Hi Matic 9, but indeed is a nice and good camera... but I had two Hi-matic 7s, that are very nice , when I compare them to the Konica Auto S2, I don´t doubt that the Hexanon lense is far better. It's more contrast, sharper, has good bokeh, the viewfinder is awsome, the meter when is correctly adjusted works fine, is not as good as the Yashica Electro but It works very well.
I would have them both if I where you, the Auto S2 is a common camera being the Hi-Matic 9 more exclusive, what you do will depend on what you want... to collect or to take pictures.

I imagine some here will point you out other compact Rf cameras, Like the Yashica Electro GSN, the Canonet QL17 III, the Olympus SP...

Anyhow good luck.

Matu

 

[kmack]

You really can't go wrong with any of the one's mentioned. I happen to have an Auto S-2 and it's 45mm is one of my favorites.

Example Photo with Auto S-2

 

[Huck Finn]

If your library has back issues of Modern Photography, you can find some good reviews of these fixed lens rangefinders there. But it has to keep copies back to the 1970s & beyond. The only libraries near me that do that are university libraries.

 

[ray_g]

Steven,

Matt Denton has some good overall reviews, links and some sample photos on his page.

You must be careful making any conclusions from photos on the web/computer, as there are so many variables that are in play. However, if you are still interested, http://www.photosig.com has a humongous database of photos, selectable by camera, lens, etc. You have to create an account to see the full sized pics.