Rangefinder on a low budget

BillBingham2 said:
I've been doing some digging around the same end. I want small like a folder to be my every day carry camera. I was MF as I can scan it on the multi-function printer I have.

For a older folder I've focused on is the Mamiya Six, not the Mamiya 6. The 6 is a fine camera but well out of my budget and will tempt me to get more glass (I'm on a less is more kick still). Over here on Evil-Bay there are many good examples from Japan that are priced reasonably.

While I love the way the Fujifilm GS645 closes and looks, the Retina IIIc I have take a second or two to open and I'd rather spend that time adjusting focus & exposure. BUT the GS645W is just a bit bigger and zone focuses like my all time favorite street lens (CV 25 Snap-Shot LTM).

There are TLRs that come up from time to time. I've used the "Fixies" from time to time as well as the Koni-Rapid, C330, Crown Graphic and others but they all feel to big to carry everywhere.

I've had a Mamiya 645 and while not a 4X5 negative, it feels like enough of a step up over 135 that makes it worth the cost.

Hope this helps.

B2 (;->
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Bill - I have a very small bag, I guess originally for a P&S of some kind. I keep a Weltini and a Mamiya Six in it along with a Gossen Luna Pro SBC. That seems heavy. Rangefinders seem to add a lot of weight. My non-RF 6x6 cameras, and my Welti don't seem heavy at all besides their RF brothers. Actually, they sure are light beside my Super Press 23, and smaller too. :D

If you get a Mamiya Six, I think you would like it, but I have found that non-RF and scale focusing work pretty well. Of course the film plane focusing is neat. Be sure any you get have the slide to use to hold the film in, and just as importantly, the two springs that move the film plane. But I carried a Welta Welti for 4 years in Vietnam and used it as a crime scene camera as well as a personal camera, with good results.
 
Joao said:
I own a Yashica D (40-50 euros in a street market) and a Flexaret IIa (offered); each one was repaired and CLA'd in Lisbon for around 50 euros. The problems with both cameras arise if they stand on the shelf for a long time (slow speeds malfunction).

Regards

Joao
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Where did you got them repaired in Lisbon?

Considering all of this, I might skip my rangefinder idea to a year to save money and invest on a proper TLR now.
Going to wander around all the suggestions here, but keep 'em coming.

Thank you all
 
For a classic RF folder in your location and price range, look for an Agfa Super Isolette - but chances are that you will need to clean and relube, maybe even change the bellows.

I would suggest a TLR unless you need the smaller size of a folder. Easier to have them well repaired, and more robust. Besides you will have a really different experience from a 35mm RF, and every bit as classic. And classy too, they make great conversation pieces.

I have used Rolleicord Vb, Minolta Autocord (my favorite), a few excellent Yashicas, and an Ikoflex Ib. Any of these would do well. Try to get a Tessar-type taking lens, some of these might come with triplets, which are very good, but too dreamy wide open.
 
I've owned quite a few of the cameras under discussion here. I also do not think you are likely to get a MF rangefinder or folder that will produce reliably good images for 200 euros unless you are quite lucky in the purchase. The Fuji GW690s have incredibly good lenses, but again, the price is not realistic for them. I do agree that a TLR like the Yashicamats and Rolleicords may be the best option. They are also relatively small and light cameras.

But...I bought a Rolleicord Va and found the viewfinder so dim it was almost impossible to use indoors, and the mirror was not dirty. I had a Maxwell screen installed and the camera became much more useful, and the Xenar lens is very good. Another advantage of Rolleicord Va and Vb cameras is that you can get a 16 exposure kit and shoot 6X4.5, or close, with them. Yashicamats, Autocords and Ricoh Diacords have much less dim viewfinders.
 
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rumbliegeos said:
I've owned quite a few of the cameras under discussion here. I also do not think you are likely to get a MF rangefinder or folder that will produce reliably good images for 200 euros unless you are quite lucky in the purchase. The Fuji GW690s have incredibly good lenses, but again, the price is not realistic for them. I do agree that a TLR like the Yashicamats and Rolleicords may be the best option. They are also relatively small and light cameras.

But...I bought a Rolleicord Va and found the viewfinder so dim it was almost impossible to use indoors, and the mirror was not dirty. I had a Maxwell screen installed and the camera became much more useful, and the Xenar lens is very good. Another advantage of Rolleicord Va and Vb cameras is that you can get a 16 exposure kit and shoot 6X4.5, or close, with them. Yashicamats, Autocords and Ricoh Diacords have much less dim viewfinders.
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How would cost the exposure kit and the maxwell screen?

And what other TLR's would be recommended?
The rolleicords in good condition are over the budget but maybe I would wait for a "find"
 
I picked up my Fujica bl690 with the 100mm lens for about $140 and enjoyed it, but it is a lot of weight to lug around. I also got the Fuji GS645s which is a lot lighter then the ladder and packs pretty well. Has a 60mm fixed lens. I got that for just under $200
 
I once bought Yashica 635 camera in perfect shape in photo equipment repair shop for 80 bucks. Very nice medium format TLR, will probably cost you about $150 now, I imagine.
 
So alright guys. It seems it's not this time I'm going to upgrade to medium format. Had an accident today and I broke my glass's :bang:. Right now, part of my budget had to go for them. So I guess I will only upgrade in terms of camera (my camera is dying) and not format. I'll see you all around the forums. And thank you all for the help!
 
unixrevolution said:
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Great to see my Rollei/Mamiya photo popping up again. :)

The photo doesn't really show the weight difference though. :)

Ronnie
 
Depending on how you intend to use the camera, if out of focus effects aren't something you strive for, then how about using an accessory rangefinder. They clip into the cold shoe. You can then focus any old folder at f5.6 or greater. I've even used it to good effect with a box camera, since I knew the box camera was focused to 14 feet. Speaking of box cameras, you can get into medium format pretty cheaply with a Box Tengor or Gevabox.
 
ronnies said:
Great to see my Rollei/Mamiya photo popping up again. :)

The photo doesn't really show the weight difference though. :)

Ronnie
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I could have bought the C220 for 200€ +/- almost mint. The big problem isn't the weight at all, but the bulkiness... It's too much to carry everywhere and to travel around the world in future. And the bellows :p
 
I can recommend the Flexaret.
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It's a Tessar-type lens with a Compur-like shutter :D but pretty well-respected for all that.
Buy from Cupog on Ebay. He'll sell you a CLA'd camera, and offers a good choice at realistic prices.
 
scigeek said:
I can recommend the Flexaret.

It's a Tessar-type lens with a Compur-like shutter :D but pretty well-respected for all that.
Buy from Cupog on Ebay. He'll sell you a CLA'd camera, and offers a good choice at realistic prices.
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What's the thing with Flexarets? Not he first time it has been talked about.
 
DFigueira said:
What's the thing with Flexarets? Not he first time it has been talked about.
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They are a nice camera, plenty available, and inexpensive. The build quality is good, and the 3.5 Belar lens is capable of first rate results.

It's a good idea to look at TLRs if you want to try MF. They are, in general, a lot of camera for the money.
 
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