Suggestions / advice for new camera

[Godfrey]

I would think most about what you want to do with a camera, and look for that.

Don't look too hard or too long, because nearly anything you pick up will do the job once you learn how to make it sing. And if you want to make photographs, nothing makes making photographs better than just doing it, rather than wondering if the camera in your hand is the best one for the job.

G

 

[silvershadelynx]

@Coldkennels thanks again for your response! I decided to just try it, an analog film camera. I can still buy a digital camera in future to complement. As one can get a (rangefinder) film camera for very little money there is not much financial risk involved. So I will delve deeper into the (b&w) film developing and printing & digitalizing process and analog rangefinder cameras.

Do you have any suggestions for an affordable, good quality rangefinder camera? I have no idea if viewfinders differ very much, like magnification factor, but I would prefer a bright not too small viewfinder.

@Godfrey thanks for your response - I think you are correct - I tend to overthink way too much...

 

[plexi]

@Coldkennels thanks again for your response! I decided to just try it, an analog film camera. I can still buy a digital camera in future to complement. As one can get a (rangefinder) film camera for very little money there is not much financial risk involved. So I will delve deeper into the (b&w) film developing and printing & digitalizing process and analog rangefinder cameras.

Do you have any suggestions for an affordable, good quality rangefinder camera? I have no idea if viewfinders differ very much, like magnification factor, but I would prefer a bright not too small viewfinder.

@Godfrey thanks for your response - I think you are correct - I tend to overthink way too much...

You can find something like a Canon Canonet QL17 for 150-200 euro on eBay. But tbh I'd rather start out with a nice SLR like a Nikon FE2 or something.

 

[Coldkennels]

@silvershadelynx, the answer to your search for an affordable, good quality film camera is going to depend on what you value and what you need in a camera.

Do you want interchangeable lenses? Do you need a light meter built in? Are you sure you want a rangefinder over an SLR? Do you definitely want 35mm over medium format?

If you're just cutting your teeth on film and are set on rangefinders, a cheap fixed-lens rangefinder with a built in lightmeter would go a long way - @plexi's suggestion of a QL17 is a good one.

If you're not sure about rangefinders, any 1970s SLR in good shape with a working light meter will be an easy pick-up-and-play option; you'll get a million different suggestions of models, and it doesn't really matter what you go for - just avoid the overhyped and overpriced stuff like the Pentax K1000 and Canon AE1.

If you want interchangeable lenses and definitely want a rangefinder, you're probably going to need to learn how to meter by eye or use an external meter, whether hand-held or clip-on. Interchangeable lens rangefinders and built-in meters are rare, and TTL (through the lens) meters are even rarer. You're looking at the various Voigtlander Bessas or the Leica CL, M5, or M6. All pricey.

There are some older and cheaper interchangeable-lens rangefinders with uncoupled meters built-in, like the Contax III, FED 5, and Canon 7. They're almost universally terrible. The meter, that is. A Contax III is a classic, and a FED 5 is a very cheap way to get used to rangefinders. The Canon 7, on the other hand... a lot of people love them. I personally loathe the damn things. Your milage may vary.

If you've reached this point and still want the interchangeable lens rangefinder option, and have accepted using a clip-on or handheld meter... my money would go towards a Leotax in good shape. 90% of the screwmount Leica experience with maybe 50% of the cost. You could go a long way with one of those.