So, what would be my camera??

[Photon-hunter]

I currently own a couple of fixed lens rangefinders that i really like (QL17GIII, Yashica 35CC and a Petri 7s). But still none of them is exactly what I am looking for. Every one of them lacks a feature/s that I would really like to have, and I honestly wonder if the camera that holds all the things in my wishlist exists. If anybody could help me out and point if such a camera exists, this are the features that I would like to have in ONE body:

-Lens: 35-40 mm in the 1.7-1.8 range. (needless to say it should be a good performer..)

-Auto-exposure(has to be aperture priority), but that has full manual override and that can work without a battery. Exposure lock would be a great plus. Meter still working when shooting manual mode.

-At least 1/500 sec. Has to have "bulb" mode

-Exposure information in the VF.

-Threaded shutter release button for a cable release.

-Small, if possible something like QL17GIII or Yashica 35CC.

-VF: I need a VF/RF that can REALLY be used in different light conditions(read low light). I love the VF in my 35CC though the magnification on the GLIII is better...

Any chance of finding such a "beast" or am I just asking too much...:angel:

E.

 

[tripod]

Bessa R2A with Nokton 40f1.4 has everything except small like a QL17.

Also Konica S3 - no manual mode.

 

[photogdave]

Konica Hexar AF? No...fastest aperture is f/2.
Leica CL w/ fast 35 or 40? No...no aperture priority.
Minolta CLE w/fast 35 or 40? No...needs battery.
Looks like you're out of luck! 🙁

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

Yashica GSN is very close. I don't think it has manual override, and the lens is 45mm. Aperture priority though, and f1.7...it's very nice in low light. I've had one for a couple of weeks and it's really terrific. You could get the wide angle adapter to get it down to 38mm or so.

 

[shadowfox]

Other than the canonet, i can't say...
Like the yashica, it's a really good camera
Yes, i had one of each

3 cameras i would consider its distant rivals
5 reasons for not naming them

Sufficient to say that the canonet is unchallenged
Proof? the proof is in the pudding (also between the lines)

😉

 

[btgc]

GSN has shutter priority too - one can set manually two speeds - 1/500th without battery and 1/30th with battery on flash mode. Adjust aperture accordingly and here we are 🙂 But hen you can go with Lynx 5000 - beautiful camera.

Well, GSN and 5000 lens is 45mm...no luck.

 

[Photon-hunter]

Thanks for the replies guys...It looks like no one cared to make the perfect rangefinder in the good old days..I will have to live in "compromise land" and keep shooting the Canonet..

 

[januaryman]

Canonet is the nearest thing to a "perfect fixed-lens rangefinder" you are likely to find. For me it works perfectly in almost all shooting situations. Once you have decided to use a rangefinder camera and also to further limit it with a non-interchangeable lens, you just need to work within those limitations. It forces a certain amount of creativity. Isn't it known as the poor man's Leica? I'm poor.

 

[bmattock]

I currently own a couple of fixed lens rangefinders that i really like (QL17GIII, Yashica 35CC and a Petri 7s). But still none of them is exactly what I am looking for. Every one of them lacks a feature/s that I would really like to have, and I honestly wonder if the camera that holds all the things in my wishlist exists. If anybody could help me out and point if such a camera exists, this are the features that I would like to have in ONE body:

I'm not sure that this camera exists, but here are a few alternatives you might consider...

-Lens: 35-40 mm in the 1.7-1.8 range. (needless to say it should be a good performer..)

-Auto-exposure(has to be aperture priority), but that has full manual override and that can work without a battery. Exposure lock would be a great plus. Meter still working when shooting manual mode.

-At least 1/500 sec. Has to have "bulb" mode

-Exposure information in the VF.

-Threaded shutter release button for a cable release.

-Small, if possible something like QL17GIII or Yashica 35CC.

-VF: I need a VF/RF that can REALLY be used in different light conditions(read low light). I love the VF in my 35CC though the magnification on the GLIII is better...

Any chance of finding such a "beast" or am I just asking too much...:angel:

E.

Olympus 35RD (40mm f/1.7) is small, has AE, has manual settings, has an outstanding lens, good viewfinder, etc.

About the only thing I can think of that the RD does not have that is on your list is continued metering in manual mode, but I could be wrong.

 

[jayfixit]

I was of the same feelings at first about the QL17 --- "Gee...I wish it was aperture priority..." But truthfully, just adjust the shutter until the aperture reads what you want. It's no biggie. IMO, the shutter speed is most important in getting a decent shot. OK, so I set my Olympus XA to f/2.8 to get shallow DOF. But, I'm not paying attention to the fact that there is no way I'll get a crisp hand-held shot at 1/4.

Plus, I find the QL17 GIII just is so darn quick to focus for those candid shots. I set the shutter speed to something "achieveable", and then, if there is time; adjust to get the desired aperture.

 

[ferider]

 

[Al Patterson]

I have heard that the Konica Auto S3 is a pretty nice camera. But is is also shutter priority.

 

[RFOBD]

The Olympus 35RC is close but it's shutter priority.

 

[Bingley]

I keep being pleasantly surprised by the results from the Canonet Q17 GIII. Sharp lens, quiet shutter, nice vf, small .... and it meets all but one of your criteria (the AE is shutter priority, alas).

 

[julio1fer]

Olympus XA

 

[FallisPhoto]

Thanks for the replies guys...It looks like no one cared to make the perfect rangefinder in the good old days..I will have to live in "compromise land" and keep shooting the Canonet..

Your Canonet, or possibly a Minolta Hi-Matic 7s, are about as close to that as you are going to find. The Yashica GSN is big, needs a battery, and has no manual mode. The Olympus XA fits most of it, is aperture priority, and is even smaller than the Canonet, but it needs a battery.