Rangefinder with fixed three element lens

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baachitraka

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I know the build quality is not that bad for Rollei B35 but it has got a nice Triotar and I am thinking to acquire one.

I wonder is there any other RF with a triplet that have a better build quality?
 
The Rollei B35/Triotar is OK. It depends on what you have been spoiled by (or not) with other gear besides the Rollei. I find that when I'm used to scans from my better lenses (e.g., late summicron), the B35/Triotar scans are disappointing. But, the Triotar is much nicer than a lot of the other consumer-grade "stuff" out there. That's why I was blown away with the Triotar after using zoom lenses of the 1990s. Funny how perspective changes.....
 
Oh yeah....the Apotar in my Agfa folder. Similar story as the Triotar. Depends on what else you're using...
 
I like this one, too.

10731230835_ebe03768a1_c.jpg


Wirgin Edixa II
 
Why don't they have a build quality of B35 like other Rollei 35...

Triplet lens design are a kind of special to me, esp., Triotar from Rolleicord.

I may give a try of B35 and see how it goes.
 
First I'll nit pick.
The Rollei B35 is not a RF camera it is a 'scale focusing viewfinder' camera.
Now as for other 35mm cameras with scale focusing and 3 element lenses I'm not sure. Some of the 35mm Kodak's of the 1950's, the less well specified ones probably had 3 element lenses. Also some of the less expensive, fixed, not folding, 35mm Zeiss cameras had 3 element lenses but for the life of me I just cannot recall the specific models that met the OP's criteria.
 
zuiko85 said:
First I'll nit pick.
The Rollei B35 is not a RF camera it is a 'scale focusing viewfinder' camera.
Now as for other 35mm cameras with scale focusing and 3 element lenses I'm not sure. Some of the 35mm Kodak's of the 1950's, the less well specified ones probably had 3 element lenses. Also some of the less expensive, fixed, not folding, 35mm Zeiss cameras had 3 element lenses but for the life of me I just cannot recall the specific models that met the OP's criteria.
Click to expand...

Kodak Signet 50 and 30, Kalimar A (also sold as the Welmy 35, I think), Agfa Silette, Ansco Memar, Ansco Regent, Agfa Solinette (the Agfa/Ansco cameras with the Apotar), are all very good viewfinder cameras with triplets, and there are many, many more. The Agfa/Ansco cameras probably have the best build quality, but the lens coating on them are prone to degradation. The lumenized Ektanar lens on the Kodaks are very good. The fixed lens Braun Paxettes were also available with triplet lenses (Steinheil Cassarit, if I recall correctly).
 
Agfa Silette LK Sensor. May be there are other Silette which are better then LK sensor but its form is what I really like. Hope Color-Agnar don't disappoint for close up portraits.
 
Ferrania Condor 1.
I believe the Eliog lens from Officine Galileo was a triplet.
Lovely camera. Unfortunately the rf patch is almost completely faded out in mine.
 
Baldessa 1a or 1b with a Baldanar lens. They're beautiful cameras with really rather civilised controls and an excellent finder.
 
Zeiss Contessa LKE or LBE, or Contessamat STE/SBE, with Tessar so 4 elements in three groups, is this triplet-like enough? It's a great lens. If so the maybe also the Voigtlander Vito/Vitomatic rangefinders Zeiss Contina with Novar otherwise, that is a Cooke triplet, or a Contessamat SE which has the Pantar triplet but it's not that good TBH. All are well made and fairly compact.

Not sure if you're after RF or VF but if the latter then look for Zeiss ones without the E in the designation e.g. Contessa LK. E=Entfernungsmesser = rangefinder (literally far thing measurer)
 
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