Nicest-looking small, cheap rangefinder?

[januaryman]

The seldom seen Yashica GX.

Maybe nice, but "small?" I don't think so. Canonets are the way to go.

 

[yefeihe]

Maybe nice, but "small?" I don't think so. Canonets are the way to go.

Yashica GX is about the same size as the Canonet G-III QL17. It's the GSNs and on that are larger. Of course they are all larger than the Konica Auto S3, Minolta Hi-Matic 7sII, or the Olympus 35 RD.

 

[januaryman]

oops. Sorry. My mistake. I was thinking the GT, which I have, and it's a brick.

 

[errorlogin]

This is another vote for one of the Voigtländers! There are just great and either the Ultron or the Color-Skopar are one of the finest lensese ever. Especially the Ultron. 🙂

Vitessa with Ultron:





And the Vitomatic IIIb:



very well built, the Vitomatic weights 720gr.

 

[Mablo]

Those Voigtländers are really nice indeed. However, for nicest looking, small and inexpensive rangefinder my vote goes for these two Oly beauties. I find myself using the small RC more than the technically more advanced RD.

 

[Robint]

For a small rangefinder the Olympus 35-S version 1. Also makes a great weapon when swung on a strap. Doesn't require batteries and a sharp E Zuiko 48mm f2.8.🙂

(sellers picture)

 

[kuzano]

Cheap... It's all relative....

Cheap... It's all relative....

http://cgi.ebay.com/CANON-CANONET-Q...eras?hash=item1e57c4b226&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14

Ok... NOT.... but nice.

He also has the rarest of the Oly 35SP... The Oly 35UC. I chased one of these aroung South America for almost a year.

Hardly any know of the 35UC. Somebody please buy this. I gave up once.

 

[ZeissFan]

And the Vitomatic IIIb:



very well built, the Vitomatic weights 720gr.

Oh -- you have the Vitomatic with the Ultron! Life doesn't get any better. Mine has the lowly Color-Skopar. 🙂

 

[capitalK]

My picture but not my camera, though I wish it was...

My choice is the Oly 35 SP in Black.

Edit: whoops, I missed the "cheap" part, though I got my silver 35 SP for $10 at a thrift store.

 

[ZeissFan]

Personally, I like the folding Zeiss Ikon Contina II with the Tessar. Another thin (although slightly wide) camera is the Foca II.

I think Olympus got it right (again) with the 35 RC. And the Konica C35 Automatic also is a nicely designed camera, although in truth not that much different from similar offerings from Canon, Minolta and others in size and operation.

The little Zeiss Ikon Contessa S 312, as well as the first 35mm Contessa rangefinder are also quite nice cameras. The Contessa has a Voigtlander twin, the VF101.

 

[Ezzie]

They are all nice. But some are more equal than others: Olympus 35RC, Rollei XF35, Canonet QL25 or one of the Voigtlanders., or Yaschicas, or the Petri or the Werra, or one of the Ricohs or Minolta Hi-matics. Decisions, decisions... I feel myself wanting them all, which is why I'll have none.

 

[FramerKat]

I return to my lovely little Minolta Minoltina AL-s time and time again. It's an easy handling little RF and small and light enough to carry anywhere. And if you're looking for cheap, this is an awesome deal (mine ended up being free because I purchased a lot of rangefinders and sold one to pay for the whole shebang). It's also a fast lens at f1.8. These Minoltas are an under appreciated lot in my humble opinion.