Rangefinder from the Bay area...

[randomm]

Hello to all from a new member!

I'm after some guidance in the world of rangefinder cameras. My past RF experience is limited to Olympus XA (original), but have plenty of experience in scale focused cameras (mainly 120 film, but I'm also lucky enough to have a Robot IIa) and SLRs. Now more recently I have developed an itch for a "proper" rangefinder but I'm lost at what to get.

First I thought about a Leica IIIf or a Robot Royal 36, but then I thought about the convenience of an in-built meter and started to lean towards the Cosina-Voigtlanders... and now I don't know what to think. A cheap M6 would be nice, but as my budget is pretty much capped at 1000 US (with lens) it doesn't sound like a realistic possibility.

I'm not after a stack of lenses, one decent 35-50mm one would do. I wear glasses, so I'm not sure how that plays with different VFs framelines.

Sooo... I'm kinda leaning towards an R2A or R2M and some Voigtlander lens combo. Does that sound reasonable, even though I have a nagging feeling that I would probably want to trade that for a Leica at some point or another...? Any suggestions?

On another note, I'm traveling to SF bay area due to work in the next week or so. Can anyone recommend a shop, camera fair etc near Berkeley / SF for camera shopping? I've already looked at craigslist...

many thanks!

 

[Chyn]

If you're in Berkeley, check out Looking Glass on Telegraph. Was there three years ago and they had a few old cameras around in addition to new ones (they had a Leica CL at the time). You might want to check their website or call ahead to see if they have any old rangefinders around.

If you have time to travel outside of the Bay Area, perhaps you can make a daytrip to Monterey, where Camera West is located. Nice folks, loads of various Leica models from the Barnacks through the current ones.

Edit: Just noticed that Camera West has a store in Walnut Creek. Not sure if they carry Voigtlander cameras, you may want to check their website.

 

[wayneb]

I think Rayko is the only place you'll see Voigtlander products on the shelf, at least in San Francisco. Somebody correct me if I'm wrong!

http://raykophoto.com/?page_id=14

 

[pagpow]

See this other thread at RFF
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=87182

I would also consider buying from the classifieds here for two reasons -- lower risk and sometimes lower prices.

$1,000 gives you a number of options.

If you are not sure about 35 or 50, I would consider the Rokkor M 40mm f2, available these days from $350 - $ 415 -- say $400. (Here or KEH)

The remaining $600 can buy you a new R3A/M, or R2A/M or a used Leica M2 or M3.

i wear glasses also and i have found that putting a VF diopter on the camera and lifting my glasses (keeping them on but moving them to my forehead) works best for me, particularly in terms of letting me see as much of the VF as possible.

There have been a lot of threads that indicate that the 40 can be shot very comfortably w. the whole VF of the M3 (you can tape the frame illuminating window and have a VF w. just the RF in it) or the 35mm frames of the later Leicas and the RD1. (I'll let others indicate whether the same is true with either Bessa)

I shoot the 40 all the time on the RD1 using the 35mm frame.

OTOH,I recently bought an M6 from craigslist (asking $1,000, bought for $900) and then you can play with some FSU lenses to start, possibly the J8 -- for pretty close to $1,000, or the late Canon 50mm/1.8 for a little over $1,000 total.

Good luck on your decision and search.

 

[RayPA]

I was at Looking Glass on Sunday. They had a few older cameras. Brian (BTMarcais here on RFF) works there. In SF, you can try Adolph Gassers. They have stuff on occasion. Sounds like Rayko has some gear. There's 'Rip-Off' Camera on Kearny. 🙂 Calumet has new gear, but I don't think they carry Voigtlander. There's also Keeble in Palo Alto and Kaufman camera in San Mateo.

Maybe you can Let us know what you want and your price range. I have a few RF cameras and lenses I can sell, and the Bay Area RFF contingent usually always has something for sale. Maybe we could meet up and you can look over some gear.

Edit: You should also post something in the Photo Club forum. Your visit might correspond with or instigate one of our Beer and Gear meetings or impromptu shoots (seems like there's one every weekend as spring draws closer!)

/

 

[Ken Shipman]

...If you have time to travel outside of the Bay Area, perhaps you can make a daytrip to Monterey, where Camera West is located. Nice folks, loads of various Leica models from the Barnacks through the current ones.
Edit: Just noticed that Camera West has a store in Walnut Creek. Not sure if they carry Voigtlander cameras, you may want to check their website.

Don't expect to find Camera West in Monterey. They moved it to Palm Springs two weeks ago. The Walnut Creek store is still there.