Recommendations for fully mechanical RF?

Another vote for the Olympus XA2 or XA3. They are still fairly cheap, take great photos and are wonderfully compact. I have a piece of paper stuck to the back of mine showing the distances for the three scale focus settings. It's a nice quick reminder. I rarely have an out of focus shot now.
 
Rigid or Folder — there are many members of the Voigtländer «Vito» family that I would consider; not to forget the Zeiss «Contina»/«Contessa» family.
 
You say zone-focus is OK? You want a findercam? small, light and durable?
For me that is the exact application for a little Rollei 35!
 
Last week I saw a beater Rollei 35 (looks like it has been through Apocalypse) from a US seller on eBay with $200+ price tag.
 
Zeiss Ikon Contessa (the later, rigid version from the 1960s) - 30 bucks for a fabulous Tessar lens
 
The OP asked for mechanical RF.

My suggestion would be the Konica Auto-S, the battery is only for the light meter. It is usually well below £100.
 
Cheers folks.

I'm liking the look of the Akarette, looks like it could be drop-kicked into the side of a bus and survive.

XA, C35, Trip 35 etc. all rely on some level of electronics so they're out.

I'll look into some of the Zeiss models and see what's smallest/toughest. If they've got a Pronto(r) shutter I'm comfortable in repairing a knackered one too so might be a good choice.

Thanks all
 
One camera I'd like to own again in a better working copy (sold mine since the film advanced would jam occasionally) would be a Ricoh 500. Fully mechanical, no batteries, reasonably fast lens (though you could go with the Ricoh 519 for the f1.9 lens).

I'll put in my usual vote for something by Argus. The Argus C3 and C44 all have what you want and more, and at a reasonable price. They both have interchangeable lenses, so you can go wider to 35mm if you want. The C44 comes in knob wind and lever wind versions, and the lever wind isn't too much more. The body's made of metal vs the bakelite C3, so it's lighter and more drop resistant.
 
Another vote for an Olympus 35RC.
Battery for meter only, can be operated as fully manual.
Compact. if you set it down next to a Rollei 35 it is not that much larger.
Set up for use; order from one of those HK vendors on ebay a 43.5mm to 43mm step down filter adapter. Then you will have a standard filter size easy to find filters, lens caps and hoods for. The adapter does not block the meter eye.
Usually can be found in good shape for less than $100 although you may have to replace light seal foam if thats never been done. Order a kit from Jon Goodman.
 
I have a Retina 1a that has ridden in a flight bag for almost fifty years. It is a folder, occupies very little space, has a great Schneider lens and is totally mechanical. It lives on a diet of TRI-X or HP5. A viewfinder only camera so you have to estimate the distance or use the infinity rule. Last year it went to Chris Sherlock for a CLA and repairs and it is traveling with me again.
 
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For some reason I assumed the Olympus 35RC relied on electronics for the shutter. If it can be used battery-less I might consider one. People go berserk for them on the 'bay and prices are all over the place though.
 
Arbitrarium said:
Hiya,

Any recommendations for a tough, small, fully mechanical rangefinder? I'm after something that I can have in my bag and never have to worry about it breaking or running out of batteries etc. Rangefinder not essential, zone is fine.

This would just be a backup camera, so don't go suggesting Leicas... under $100 please :p

Ta
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The price is pretty darn limiting. Many/most of the recommendations already given take you over this limit.
 
Arbitrarium said:
For some reason I assumed the Olympus 35RC relied on electronics for the shutter. If it can be used battery-less I might consider one. People go berserk for them on the 'bay and prices are all over the place though.
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The similar sized Olympus 35EC and 35EC2 are auto only and are, in my estimation not recommended. If the electronics fail they are useless lumps. The higher spec Olympus RD and SPn have 5 blade shutters that are prone to getting gummed up and are described by Olympus repair expert John Hermanson as "time pits" to clean and repair. The 35RC has a much simpler 2 blade shutter that is found working much more often.
 
zuiko85 said:
The similar sized Olympus 35EC and 35EC2 are auto only and are, in my estimation not recommended. If the electronics fail they are useless lumps. The higher spec Olympus RD and SPn have 5 blade shutters that are prone to getting gummed up and are described by Olympus repair expert John Hermanson as "time pits" to clean and repair. The 35RC has a much simpler 2 blade shutter that is found working much more often.
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Aye, I've used an EC/ECR that I quite liked but need big horrible batteries and have a nasty shutter button. Also had a DC with everything dead. But yeah I've heard the RC is much more reliable. Hmmm
 
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