Same old question, but I would like your opinion.

[jamesdfloyd]

My apologies in advance for asking a question that I know has been asked many times before, but here goes; Which rangefinder should I choose?

Just to set the question up… I have given up the wedding photography business and I want to consolidate all my gear down to just two types; Mamiya & Phase One back for big landscape work and a true film rangefinder system. All my Nikon wedding equipment is going to be sold to purchase a complete rangefinder system.

I want to go back to “old school” photography – fully manual, 3 lens and film. The usual suspects in my mind are 1) Voigtlander R, 2) Zeiss Ikon or 3) Leica M6. Lens wise, I am looking at 21mm and 35mm.

If you where starting over again with all your knowledge and the ability to choose over again, what would you pick?

 

[FrankS]

M2 (or M6 if you need a built-in meter), 35 Summaron f2.8 (or a CV 35), CV 21.

 

[back alley]

honestly...with a good budget and in today's world?

no film...

m9 plus 28, 35 and 50 lenses...probably the same 3 lenses i already own...choose either fast or slow kits from my sig.

 

[mfunnell]

If you're sticking with film then an MP makes sense to me, and I'd use either the .72x or .58x finder if 35mm were my primary focal length. You mention 21mm and 35mm lenses (in a 3 lens kit, the 3rd being a 50??). If it were me I'd probably be looking at the ZM 21mm/f2.8 and external finder, the 35mm/f1.4 Summilux ASPH (hey, it's your money so why can't I dream?) and either (or both) of the ZM 50mm/f1.5 C-Sonnar and a good 50mm/f2 lens (ZM Planar, Summicron, M-Hexanon).

Alternatively, an M2 and the above lens selections if you don't want the meter and prefer a less cluttered (and .72x) finder.

...Mike

 

[Bobonli]

If you're not in a rush, why not try the main contenders by renting or borrowing them first?

Speaking as someone who does not own an RF at the present, I've found that renting one for a long weekend has helped narrow my selection without doing permanent damage to my funds by purchasing something and then regretting my choice.

Take as many things for a test drive in life that you can!

 

[jamesdfloyd]

Bobonli...

I like that option...there a place in Princeton, NJ that I deal with often. They are amiable to letting your rent something for the day.

 

[Pablito]

One of the three you named.

 

[jamesdfloyd]

All too often I "think" after I "send".

If given the option, would you consider a Medium Format rangefinder as well. The Mamiya 7 / 7ii always seems to have a syren call. The Fuji 690 has an appeal as well.

 

[Pablito]

sometimes all one can say is, "good grief!"

(why not a crown graphic they have rangefinders too..)

 

[Keith]

I wouldn't jump straight into an MF rangefinder ... they are film eaters and I think you're better off to test the waters with 35mm first then add an MF rangefinder if you feel the need.

From your suggestions I wouldn't hesitate in recommending the Ikon. It's specs wallop the other two cameras in several areas.

🙂

 

[Vic]

I want to go back to “old school” photography – fully manual, 3 lens and film. The usual suspects in my mind are 1) Voigtlander R, 2) Zeiss Ikon or 3) Leica M6. Lens wise, I am looking at 21mm and 35mm.

The Voigtlander R4M camera is the only manual camera with 21mm and 35mm frame lines. With any other camera you will need an external viewfinder. This is the camera Leica should have made for its wide angle lenses.

http://www.cameraquest.com/voigtchart2.htm

You will get a lot of talk about getting the Leica MP or some other top end camera, but if you're starting out, the best value for money is the Voigtlander, for $700, vs. $4,600 for a new Leica MP.

The lenses are another issue. Voigtlander has 21mm and 35mm lenses, but the Leica and Zeiss are supposed to be "better" lenses. Depends on what the term better means to you. You need to do a bit of research before spending oodles of money.

Best of luck!

 

[Juan Valdenebro]

There are lots of great cameras from several brands, but the only one that's unique is the R4M... (Or R4A, but I prefer owning an R4M and an R3A).

For non metered cameras, even though six decades are "time" and have implications, the Leica M2 is a nice tool.

Or R4M + M3...

Cheers,

Juan

 

[shadowfox]

Do you have to have built in meter?
if not, get M4-P, then put all the savings from the camera towards *one* small, fast lens with your favorite focal length (mine is 35mm, others' 50mm).

Use it for at least a year, if you feel the need then, get other lenses or bodies, there is a slight chance you'll be content without those.

 

[Leigh Youdale]

I want to go back to “old school” photography – fully manual, 3 lens and film. The usual suspects in my mind are 1) Voigtlander R, 2) Zeiss Ikon or 3) Leica M6. Lens wise, I am looking at 21mm and 35mm.
If you where starting over again with all your knowledge and the ability to choose over again, what would you pick?

I have an R3A an R4A and an M6. So I can speak with some knowledge of each rather than try to sway you to something else altogether that I fancy. And I have CV 15mm, 21, 25, 28, 35, 50 and 75 lenses.

The crunch item is your stated lens choices of 21mm and 35mm. = R4 viewfinder only.

Fully Manual = R4M. (You can also use the R series AE models in manual if you wish).

Film = R4 satisfies that too.

One question though - you mention "3 lens". I assume that means a third choice of focal length. If it's 50mm then the R4 is still OK. If it's 75 or longer then another body might be satisfactory but you'll end up using an external viewfinder for one of the lenses - either the 21 or the longer-than-50.
Another question - do you wear glasses when photographing? If you do, the 21 framelines on the R4 will be hard to see, and the 28 framelines on the M6 are a bit tight too. So if you're in that predicament maybe you bite the bullet and accept that you'll need an external viewfinder for the 21mm lens and then you've got a wider choice of bodies - you could use the Bessa R2M, the Zeiss Ikon or the M6 - they all have 35mm framelines plus 50mm, 75mm (Bessa R2 and M6) 85 (Zeiss Ikon) 90 (Bessa and M6) and 135 (M6)

If you wear glasses I really think you should try to handle each of the cameras and check that the viewfinder is actually useable for the wider lenses you choose whilst wearing your glasses.

 

[Finder]

A medium-format Mamiya 6 with 50mm, 75mm, and 150mm lenses. It was my first rangefinder and I still use it while having two bodies.

 

[bigeye]

I think Leigh is onto it. Choose the lenses, then the body. It's about the glass...

 

[jsrockit]

For the ultimate film rangefinder set-up, I would choose the Leica MP, a 28mm Elmarit-M ASPH, a 35mm Zeiss C-Biogon ZM, and a 50mm Summilux.