small and light RF?

[davidwau]

Sorry - this is another one of those "which camera should I buy" questions but I did try and research... I promise!

I am just about to fork out for a Leica CL but would really value some of your thoughts. I'd like a RF that I can take everywhere that's fairly small and light and I would almost exclusively use a 40mm lens (or 35 - 50). Build quality is an issue (suprise, suprise) as I will be running and cycling with it a lot but certainly not abusing it. Do want to take it on longer wilderness trips but won't be doing extended desert shoots and the like.

Viewfinder quality is important to me, and overall ergonomics (speed). I can't afford an M or ZI but had considered the R3A. Must say I love the look of the CL and older RF's though over the tank-like Voigtlanders. But I shouldn't be interested in cosmetics of course! I love the RF concept but have also thought of an FM2/FM3a with a new Voigtlander 40mm as well.

Anyway, I have heard of the metering issues of the CL but would just value any other thoughts or suggestions. The simplicity of one RF camera / one lens is really appealing right now.

Thank you very much in advance.

David

 

[Poptart]

Olympus XA. Tiny rfdr window but nevertheless usable. Great shutter release. I've dropped mine on tile floors without damaging it.

 

[GeneW]

Another option is the Canonet QL17 GIII which is similar in size and also sports a sharp 40mm lens. Well made and easier to load quickly.

Gene

 

[zuikologist]

Vivitar 35es - slightly smaller than the Canonet and with a great lens.

 

[Richard Black]

I second the Vivitar 35ES. Sharp lens, great r/f fun to use.

 

[billwheeler]

David, You mention the fm2 and fm3a in your post. I own and like--a lot!--a fm3a. Small and light (but solid) for a slr camera, it features the best of both worlds: a hybrid shutter that works electronically in aperture-priority mode, like the leica m7, and FULLY mechanically in manual mode (the m7, on the other hand, has back-up mechanical speeds of 1/125 and 1/60 second only). At the same time, if you were curious about rangefinder cameras, you couldn't go wrong with a serviced canon ql17 giii. Check out this and other classic compact rangefinder cameras at camrquest.com. Good luck. Bill

 

[back alley]

if you want the option of changing lenses then i would go for a bessa r with the 35/2.5.
cameraquest has a great deal on the remaining ones now.

if you do not want to change lenses, your best bet is a small fixed lens camera, like a canonet, oly rc etc.
joe

 

[FPjohn]

ltm

ltm

Hello:

You have received many good suggestions. May I add a LTM-Leica Thread Mount as a possibility? A IIIc can be had in the 200-400 $ range and a world of classic lenses and modern CV and Zeiss glass as well.

yours
Frank

 

[dostacos]

Sorry - this is another one of those "which camera should I buy" questions but I did try and research... I promise!

I am just about to fork out for a Leica CL but would really value some of your thoughts. I'd like a RF that I can take everywhere that's fairly small and light and I would almost exclusively use a 40mm lens (or 35 - 50). Build quality is an issue (suprise, suprise) as I will be running and cycling with it a lot but certainly not abusing it. Do want to take it on longer wilderness trips but won't be doing extended desert shoots and the like.

Viewfinder quality is important to me, and overall ergonomics (speed). I can't afford an M or ZI but had considered the R3A. Must say I love the look of the CL and older RF's though over the tank-like Voigtlanders. But I shouldn't be interested in cosmetics of course! I love the RF concept but have also thought of an FM2/FM3a with a new Voigtlander 40mm as well.

Anyway, I have heard of the metering issues of the CL but would just value any other thoughts or suggestions. The simplicity of one RF camera / one lens is really appealing right now.

Thank you very much in advance.

David

Canon QL 1.7 GIII great package, almost impossible to load film wrong OR slow

Bessa R with the 35/2.5 with options to try other lenses [yes slightly smaller than the 40
BUT a truely great lens IMHO

Bessa R3A with the 40/1.4 you get a nice lowlight lens and the 3 has framelines for the 40

Bessa R2A with the 35/1.2 yeah it is not the 40mm but 1.2 😱

my choice had I to do it again would be the R2 with the 35/2.5 to start

 

[dmr]

Another option is the Canonet QL17 GIII which is similar in size and also sports a sharp 40mm lens. Well made and easier to load quickly.

I would most definitely second the recommendation of the QL17 GIII. I do like the semi-wide fixed normal lens and I find it to be very reliable and fun to shoot.

The QL feature isn't just a gimmick, it really works and it saves a minute or so (my guess, nonscientific) in changing film in a hurry.

Also, for taking on a cycling trip or any other kind of rough environment, if it gets damaged, they are cheap and easy to find, so you're not out hundreds or thousands if it gets beat up.

 

[ZeissFan]

I would definitely go with something inexpensive -- spend less than $50. Probably one of the small 1970s Japanese rangefinders from Olympus, Minolta, Konica or Canon.

 

[ZorkiKat]

Sorry - this is another one of those "which camera should I buy" questions but I did try and research... I promise!

I

Anyway, I have heard of the metering issues of the CL but would just value any other thoughts or suggestions. The simplicity of one RF camera / one lens is really appealing right now.

Thank you very much in advance.

David

Zorki-1, FED-1/FED-2, Zorki-6?

 

[peter_n]

A third or 4th vote for the Canonet QL17. A tough little camera with a fast, great lens. They come up for sale on this forum occasionally so keep your eye out for one.

 

[kvanderlaag]

I find my Zorki 6 extremely pocketable. It'd be even more so with a collapsible lens like the I-22. If you want compact, I don't think you can go wrong with that. You can't mount collapsibles on a CL, after all. My vote's in for a Zorki 6 / FED 2 with a collapsible 50.

 

[DougK]

If you want an RF with interchangeable lenses, I'd go with a Bessa R and the 35/2.5 CV Classic lens. If you don't care about changing lenses, the Ricoh 500G is a great performer and often overlooked by those seeking Canonets. I'd also consider one of the Konica fixed-lens cameras like the Auto S2 or S3.

 

[Trius]

Since interchangeable lenses do not seem to be an issue (you limit yourself to the 35-50 range), then I would go with a fixed RF. I haven't used the Canong GIII QL, but if Gene recommends it, I'd concur. 😀

But I would also add the Olympus RC, the RD and the 35-SP. The first two are smaller than the latter. You didn't use the word "pocketable", someone else did; small size is obviously important, but between the size of the XA (smallest) Canon, RC & RD (small) and 35-SP (larger but still small enough, IMO,) you have some very fine cameras. The spot meter of the SP is very useful in tricky lighting situations, and it is a very comfortable, solid camera. The XA has the widest lens, but there is no manual exposure control other than the backlight switch and changing ASA. The viewfinder on the SP is superb, the XA, as noted, has the most restricted VF/RF. Manual exposure on the SP is via the EV system, which some people don't like.

Earl

 

[davidwau]

Thanks for all the advice.

Thanks for all the advice.

Thanks everyone for your time. Lots to think about!