Nicest-looking small, cheap rangefinder?

[Sauli Särkkä]

This is something I've been wondering about, since I stumbled upon a Minolta Hi-Matic F and thought that it must have been almost as sexy as the Petri Racer or Olympus 35 RC (which I think isn't half as nice-looking as the Racer). The aptly smoothed lines of that semi-cubic shape make the Hi-Matic F a nice-looking camera. The Petri Racer is very similar in design, but there are SO many horrible blunkers out there that just don't get there visually..

What is Your favorite? Why?


-Sale

 

[Gradskater]

A Black Hi-Matic E. I should have never sold mine.

It looks cool because since it's totally automatic, it doesn't have any aperture or shutter speed rings (just film speed) on the lens barrel or body.

 

[steverett]

I like the vivitar 35ES. Nice, fast lens and a clean-looking, well-finished body. Very sleek, in my opinion.

 

[mh2000]

for small cheap RF's, I think the Oly ECR is very nice, simple and clean looking.

I have always liked XA's as well... different class of camera, but nice in a weird modern way.

 

[racoll]

I agree with steverett...the Vivitar 35ES is a cool looking camera. Even better, it performs spectacularly! My QL17-GIII also looks pretty good with the dedicated hood attached.

 

[gm13]

Yashica Electro 35 Professional
'cause it's black paint w/ smooth corners, nice heft and sweet lines to my eye.
wish the shutter didn't stick though, that's the problem w/leafs

 

[shadowfox]

for small cheap RF's, I think the Oly ECR is very nice, simple and clean looking.

Me too. I think the 35 ECR is also a lot of fun to use.

Btw, they are cheap, but their batteries are not, so I had mine modified to use ordinary ones.

 

[petronius]

The Olympus 35RC is top of my list, followed by the Ricoh 800EES and the Olympus 35ED.

 

[hans voralberg]

Olympus RC !!!!

 

[Hibbs]

I am very happy with my Yashica 35 GX [black]...must say!

~hibbs

 

[dazedgonebye]

Well, if it's look and status you're looking for, you can't beat the Sears brand name.

 

[robin a]

I kinda like the Kodak Retina IIc.Un-folded it's a classic and a good camera to boot.

Robin

 

[btgc]

Black Electro 35 MC...it is kinjal by nature.
I even don't think about black full-size Electro - it's anyway big.

 

[Hilm3]

Canon A35F. I have two - very nice.

http://www.theothermartintaylor.com/moveabletype/archives/cameras/000158.html

Hil

 

[bmattock]

Sears 35|rf

 

[nitrogen28]

Olympus XA.
Just because it s so 80ies!
(also because it is my only RF) 😛

 

[Trius]

Depending on your definition of "cheap" ... black Oly 35SP.

Also, a black Trip 35 is spectacular, though technically not an RF.

And finally, the black Konica C35. Essentially the same camera as the Sears 35RF and the Vivitar, but I think the Konica is much better looking than the Sears, maybe the Vivitar, but I'd have to see them together.

 

[dazedgonebye]

Sears 35|rf

Your 35|rf is different than mine. Mine is a rebadged Ricoh 500G. The 500G is a very handsome smalle RF in two tone chrome/black.

 

[bmattock]

Your 35|rf is different than mine. Mine is a rebadged Ricoh 500G. The 500G is a very handsome smalle RF in two tone chrome/black.

That's not my photo. But my 35|rf's are indeed rebadged 500G's, except in all black. I prefer the 'no chrome' look. And they sell for next to nothing. So for me, small (check), cheap (very check), nicest-looking (yeah baby). The Sears is it.

People turn up their noses because of the Sears logo. But I laugh at them. Ha!

 

[btgc]

And they sell for next to nothing.

Someone obviously has caught trend - look at BIN 290309591520 😀