Recommend a classic RF?

J

jamiewakeham

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Hi all

I've had a quick trawl through the archies, but can't find *quite* the answer I'm looking for. Apologies if I've missed the obvious...

I use a Canon EOS slr, mostly with prime lenses and almost always in aperture priority. I'm fairly hopeless at guessing at exposure, and certainly very slow at using the metered full-manual mode.

I love my EOS dearly, but it's too bulky to carry about at all times, and too heavy to carry up climbing and mountaineering routes.

I've decided I'd like to buy a classic RF (rather than a compact, as Id like to try something different), and have tried to work out which one to go for, but can't quite find it. I wonder if anyone can come up with a camera that fulfils all these criteria:

* Aperture priority exposure
* Manual mode for when the battery freezes high on a mountain
* Reasonably small
* Nice fast lens; preferably between 30mm and 50mm, and sub-f/2
* Simple enough that it's hard to break and easy to fix
* Cheap enough that I don't get upset when I drop it down a crevasse/leave it on a bus

I don't know if this camera exists. The closest I've found is the Canonet GIII (but that's shutter priority) and the Yashica Electro 35 (but maybe a bit big and heavy).

Any other suggestions? Or am I asking for the proverbial natural satellite on a stick and should just get on with finding one of the two I've mentioned above?

Thanks for any help!

Jamie
 
The problem isn't the camera, first you will incline for the GIII, then you will wonder about the Yashica, or the Konica C3, and finally you will be picking a Contax or Leica just like some lucky ones arround here.
If it is just a matter of taking pictures any camera will do.
Look arround and you will see that everybody here enjoy collecting all kind of rangefinder the cheap ones and the luxurious ones.
I agree with David go for the Canonet
 
I'd second the GIII. As you say it's shutter priority, as are most of this type of camera. This can be used manually too of course. Sometimes, what I do is use it with a hand-held meter though I don't take mine up mountains like you. I use a tiny, very lightweight Digisix meter. I do this when I want to use aperture priority and find it easier than metering first in auto then switching to manual. Taking a reading with the Digisix can be done more inconspicuosly than using the camera. Then just raise the camera and shoot.

Paul
 
I should have added more...I started with the GIII, then bought an SPn, then bought another SPn and then the GSN and finally an R2.

Its an addictive hobby. I am going to sell off my GSN after I run a roll of film through. I may or may not keep the GIII. I really like the SPn and am trying to get used to it so its as easy as the GIII.

The R2 beats them all hands down. The GIII was the easiest to learn about a rangefinder. Nice, bright, light and VERY easy to use. The meter rocks!

:D Good luck and welcome to RFRF(Rangefinder rehab forum). :)
 
I suggest buying two Canonet GIII's. They don't cost that much, they aren't very big, and you will have a back-up in case you are in Tibet and drop one off a big mountain.

-Paul
 
I'm surprised we haven't heard from the Yashica people yet, as the Electro 35 series seems like a good bet to fill your requirements. Unlike the Canon, the Yashica IS aperture-priority. It also has a standard-size rather than compact body.

It doesn't work without a battery, though -- I doubt if you'll find an inexpensive camera that has BOTH that feature and aperture priority. (Aperture priority requires an electronically controlled shutter; only a few expensive cameras have shutters that incorporate both electronic controls and mechanical timing for battery-free operation.)

You might want to browse through the compact cameras section of the CameraQuest website and see if there are other models that also would come pretty close to meeting your needs. I believe Minolta also made an aperture-priority RF camera, and there may be others as well.

Word of warning: Any of these 1970s cameras with electronic shutters are likely to use a battery that's hard to find nowadays, so make sure that problem has been solved for whichever camera you decide to seek. There are enough Yashica Electro 35 fans around that they've worked out alternate battery solutions; that may not be the case for a more oddball camera.
 
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HMMM, if it must a a rangefinder I vote GIII...BUT read this about
the gear the late Galen Rowell used on his climbs and hikes:
He had climbed lots of tough mountains...
http://www.vividlight.com/articles/403.htm
He says:
If we cross paths on a trail where I'm off for a day hike or climb, I'll likely have my 13-ounce N65 with a 7-ounce 28-80mm f3.5-5.6D zoom in a Photoflex Galen Rowell Chest Pouch. A zipper pocket holds a couple of Singh-Ray graduated filters cut down to fit the small Cokin "A Series" holder, plus a polarizer, and film. An attached lens pouch can add an 11-ounce 80-200mm f4.5-5.6D zoom and the new 18-35mm f3.5 zoom. Built-in Velcro tighteners stop them from rattling around. Total weight: 3 pounds.

By cutting out the long lens you would save a lot of weight too.
My EOS Rebel TI with 50mm F1.8 lens or 22-55 USM lens only
weighs about 18 ounces or so. The small lithium batteries last
for about 1 year in normal conditions. They are small, light and
you could carry spares.
Rob
 
Rob said:
HMMM, if it must a a rangefinder I vote GIII...BUT read this about
the gear the late Galen Rowell used on his climbs and hikes:
He had climbed lots of tough mountains...
http://www.vividlight.com/articles/403.htm
He says:
If we cross paths on a trail where I'm off for a day hike or climb, I'll likely have my 13-ounce N65
Click to expand...

Sounds like heresy in this crowd BUT, Thom Hogan has a used N65 for sale right now for $99.

http://bythom.com/fallclean.htm
 
You're right, that IS heresy.

Remember, a $99 SLR is still an (ick!) SLR!

The whole point of this RF thing (using the cameras and participating in this forum) is that rangefinder cameras are better

Not necessarily "more versatile," or "less expensive," or whatever -- just better.
 
If it absolutely has to have a manual mode, go with a Konica S2. They're undervalued right now so you can get one rather cheap, and, at least with mine, it's has a better lens than the GIII.
Otherwise, for aperture priority, try one of the Yashicas. Although the electros are rather large, they're well-balanced and easy to handle.
 
The Canonet GIII is small, easy to use and cheap. The S2 Konica is larger, heavier, but sharper.
There is also the Ricoh 500 G; very small and as sharp as the Canonet.
Soooo, the only reasonable choice is to get one of each ~ ; - )
Welcome!
 
Honu-Hugger said:
P. S. Or, an "inter-library loan" sort of thing where we trade cameras for a week or so, just to try each others brands that we have not had a chance to do otherwise -- just a thought.

D2
Click to expand...

Anyone has M3 loaner? :)
 
Well, I have to voice a minority vote for the Yashica GSN! While it's certainly not small, it handles very nicely and it just takes great pictures. I have an Olympus RC also, and I still prefer the Yashica, which will do exposures of 30 seconds or more, great for night photography. It also has a nice solid feel, even though they're dirt cheap! The viewfinder is dimmer than the RC's, but the rangefinder patch is easier to see, which makes it easier to focus. Plus the RC has a limitation where it won't let the shutter fire if it thinks you're under- or overexposed. I don't know how often you guys encounter it, but I find that aggravating. I've heard that if the battery dies, the GSN will fire at 1/500, so you could load it with 400 speed film and rely on the sunny 16 rule. If the size puts you off, you could look for a CC or GX... I'd sure like to have one!
 
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