Smallest metered manual fixed-lens RF

[dreilly]

Well, the title says it all. If you took the size of the Ricoh GR-1, and fully-metered manual nature of, say, a Lynxe 14e (with either the match-needle or "LEDs" in the VF, is there anything that approaches that in real life or must I send both to the island of Dr. Moreau for cross-breeding? I guess I'm wondering what, other than the Leica/Leitz Minolta CL is tiny, but has a fully coupled and metered manual mode. Ideas?

Just used those two examples because I have/have had both, and because the Lynx is the opposite end of the size spectrum from the Ricoh (to say the least!) Then again, the Ricoh doesn't have that fat fast cyclops staring at you.

 

[FrankS]

I would suggest the Olympus 35RC and the Rollei 35 (even though the Rollei is a scale focusser rather than a RF).

 

[rami]

If I remember correctly, Olympus 35 RC has no metering when in manual mode...

 

[zuikologist]

Ricoh 500me meter works (uncoupled) in manual mode. Small, inexpensive, 'only' f2.8 and shutter priority auto. Lens is quite good, although probably not quite Leica/Yashica/Olympus quality.

 

[back alley]

it does meter in manual. just took a look at one of mine.

it's a great lilttle camera, would be near perfect with a 1.8 instead of a 2.8 lens.
although the lens speed rarely gets in my way.

joe

 

[dreilly]

Backalley,
You mean the RC? According to the internet (ha!) it doesn't meter in manual mode. Or were you referring to the Ricoh 500ME?
Doug

 

[back alley]

Backalley,
You mean the RC? According to the internet (ha!) it doesn't meter in manual mode. Or were you referring to the Ricoh 500ME?
Doug

brain dead!

i'm wrong. no metered manual.
the needle went to the set aperture...doh!

but the meter works well.
joe

 

[rami]

it does meter in manual. just took a look at one of mine.

ups, than sorry for missinformation

it's a great lilttle camera, would be near perfect with a 1.8 instead of a 2.8 lens.
although the lens speed rarely gets in my way.

A little bigger brother (RD) has 1.7 lens... but if size matters.. 😉

regards
Rami

 

[pshinkaw]

Back when I owned one, it metered in manual. Of course the off switch could have been broken. I made a compressible washer for the battery compartment so I could turn it off without removing the battery.

-Paul

 

[rami]

Oh, I didn't see last post 😉

 

[back alley]

gandy's write up, chock full of info...

cq

joe

 

[RML]

How about a Zorki 10?

 

[dreilly]

Looks cool, never saw those before, but it's manual exposure?
doug

 

[iggers]

Ricoh 500G / Sears 35/RF

 

[RML]

For the Zorki 10 see here http://www.cameras.alfredklomp.com/zorki10/index.htm .

 

[hoot]

If you don't shoot in dark places, the Olympus XA (aperture priority only, with optional +1.5 exposure compensation that's ideal for most backlit situations, or snow) might match your needs. You focus it manually using a big tab on the bottom of the lens. Unlike the RC/RD, the XA takes easy to find batteries, and fits into the tightest pocket. I drop mine in my shirt pocket whenever I go out. The only bummer is that with its maximum ASA setting of 800, you can forget about handholding it at night or at your local bar.

 

[Heath]

I vote for the Ricoh 500GX. Mine is the smallest rangefinder I have by quite a bit. Has a nice little double exposure feature for some cool effects. I need to replace the light seals so I have yet to put a roll through it.

 

[ray_g]

Olympus 35 sp. A little bigger than it's brothers, the RD and RC, but it meters in manual mode, plus a spotmeter. Excellent lens.

 

[dreilly]

Ray,
Had an SP for a while. Nice camera, but couldn't dig the design and just a little too bulky for me.

The XA is always calling out to me...but the lens just isn't fast enough for the inside existing light shooting I like to be able to do. I checked previous threads...very good things said about the Ricoh 500G...think I'll give that a whirl even though it certainly isn't as fast as an RD (or as expensive!). I placed a WTB. Thanks all for the input, I never fail to learn stuff.

(LIke the Zorki 10...what a funky cool design. If I were a propmaster, that would be in my remake of Solaris).

cheers!
doug

 

[ChrisN]

Olympus-SC

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6351

Hmmm. Just re-read the thread title: smallest? Probably not! 😛