The choose of Rangefinder camera

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Kayneth

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May 10, 2012
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I am interested in purchasing a rangefinder camera and after several days of researching on the web I find Bessa R2A, Zeiss Ikon ZM and Hexar RF may good for me. I do not want to spend too much on camera body and I know the Bessa R2A is the cheapest one but I am going to use VM 35/f1.4 or VM 50mm/f1.1 lens, so I am afraid of the focusing accuracy of R2A cannot fulfill the requirement of shooting with 50mm/f1.1 wide open in close range. In addition, I wear a pair of glassed which have thick lens so it may be diffcult for me to use the Ikon's 0.74x viewfinder with a 35mm lens. The Hexar RF seems to be the only choice but I have heard of that the shutter delay of Hexar RF is considerably long. I am quite confused about what should I choose, can anyone provide some advice? Thank you very much.
 
Kayneth said:
Is there any necessity to buy the late version of Hexar RF? It seems like for the early version of Hexar RF, the yellow rectangle in viewfinder cannot be vertically coincide.
Click to expand...
I don't think that's to do with "early" or "late" - that's just adjustment of the RF mechanism. The Hexar RF does get it's RF mechanism knocked out of alignment more easily than Leicas - or so I'm told. I've treated both of mine fairly (but not unreasonably) gently and have never had a problem. There are instructions here, somewhere on RFF, that show you how to adjust the RF mechanism should you need to, and I'm sure most camera technicians could make the adjustment.

...Mike
 
For use with a 50mm lens I don't thing you will have trouble using a .74x or .72x finder, even as a glasses wearer. Also, the ZI finder is very big, making use with 35mm lenses very good too.

Keep in mind that you may be able to find a used M6 for the price of a new ZI. If you want new and have a chance to try one, I think you will find the ZI hard to beat for use with fast lenses.
 
I'd probably go with the ZI. With that being said I also love my Hexar RF, great camera for fast shooting, but it needs alignment adjustment. The ZI has got the best viewfinder on any rangefinder I've used, it's also very big so you should be fine.
 
Glasses don't cause a problem with the ZI and 35 mm frame. It even works with the 28. As for focus accuracy, it has been fine with the 1.5 Sonnar and the 1.4 50 mm Summilux. With the 50 1.1 CV at close focus, depth of field may be more of an issue than focus accuracy.
 
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