The million-dollar question! What is the best rangefinder camera for my purposes? :-(

je.cas.klidu

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Helo to all experts and fans of analog photography (in 2021:)) who will hopefully give me feedback - or some tips.
I've been long time deciding what kind of camera to buy.
Let me first tell you my ideas and what I came up with.
The plan was as follows: I wanted a compact analog camera
(that can fit in my jacket pocket).... and also camera that would
have a f 2.8 (minimum) and could take photos for 1/30 of a
second because I'm very interested in the night photography.
I would just like such an analog version of the Fujifilm
X100F. :) I have a budget 1000 bucks.
I naively thought that my ideas could be fulfilled by
Contax T2 (or Ricoh GR1V), but unfortunately there is
not possible to set the time manually. I've found that
the only one (?) compact/point-and-shoot camera that is
able such a thing is the Konica Hexar AF - and it's a
bit brick in appearance. Well ... then I thought,
what about trying another camera that will be compact?
I mean...What about a compact rangefinder? I came up
with Olympus 35 RC, Olympus 35 SP and Canonet GL 17 GIII.
These cameras fascinated me a lot, but I'm still wondering
what if there's anything better I haven't figured out
yet ... hmmm? :angel:
P.S: Sorry for any mistakes. English is not my native
language.
 
Helo to all experts and fans of analog photography (in 2021:)) who will hopefully give me feedback - or some tips.
I've been long time deciding what kind of camera to buy.
Let me first tell you my ideas and what I came up with.
The plan was as follows: I wanted a compact analog camera
(that can fit in my jacket pocket).... and also camera that would
have a f 2.8 (minimum) and could take photos for 1/30 of a
second because I'm very interested in the night photography.
I would just like such an analog version of the Fujifilm
X100F. :) I have a budget 1000 bucks.
I naively thought that my ideas could be fulfilled by
Contax T2 (or Ricoh GR1V), but unfortunately there is
not possible to set the time manually. I've found that
the only one (?) compact/point-and-shoot camera that is
able such a thing is the Konica Hexar AF - and it's a
bit brick in appearance. Well ... then I thought,
what about trying another camera that will be compact?
I mean...What about a compact rangefinder? I came up
with Olympus 35 RC, Olympus 35 SP and Canonet GL 17 GIII.
These cameras fascinated me a lot, but I'm still wondering
what if there's anything better I haven't figured out
yet ... hmmm? :angel:
P.S: Sorry for any mistakes. English is not my native
language.

Welcome to the forum.

An Olympus XA or a Rollei 35 S or a Minox 35 GT or even a Petri color 35 or a Chinon Bellami can fit the bill for a pocketable 35mm film camera.
 
Well there is nothing that fits your described
needs if you don't want a brick-like appearance. Otherwise, Leica CL. Or the Rollei as describe in previous post.
 
Camera in the pocket is quickest way to turn it to the junk. Any camera with electronics will turn into to it quickly in the pocket.

Night photography at 1/30 needs f1.5 for ISO 400.

If you will use f2.8, film needs to be pushed. And developed accordingly.
 
Helo to all experts and fans of analog photography (in 2021:)) who will hopefully give me feedback - or some tips.
I've been long time deciding what kind of camera to buy.
Let me first tell you my ideas and what I came up with.
The plan was as follows: I wanted a compact analog camera
(that can fit in my jacket pocket).... and also camera that would
have a f 2.8 (minimum) and could take photos for 1/30 of a
second because I'm very interested in the night photography.
I would just like such an analog version of the Fujifilm
X100F. :) I have a budget 1000 bucks.
I naively thought that my ideas could be fulfilled by
Contax T2 (or Ricoh GR1V), but unfortunately there is
not possible to set the time manually. I've found that
the only one (?) compact/point-and-shoot camera that is
able such a thing is the Konica Hexar AF - and it's a
bit brick in appearance. Well ... then I thought,
what about trying another camera that will be compact?
I mean...What about a compact rangefinder? I came up
with Olympus 35 RC, Olympus 35 SP and Canonet GL 17 GIII.
These cameras fascinated me a lot, but I'm still wondering
what if there's anything better I haven't figured out
yet ... hmmm? :angel:
P.S: Sorry for any mistakes. English is not my native
language.


19595985056_1827f85c7b_b.jpg
 
Welcome to the Rangefinder Forum!

I think the cameras you referenced - the Olympus 35 RC and 35 SP, and the Canonet QL 17 GIII - are all good cameras.

The Olympus 35 RC is the only one that would be "pocketable," depending on the size of the pocket. The 35 SP is an excellent camera, from all reports, but it is much larger and heavier. The Canonet would fall between the RC and the SP in size, and it would require a large pocket.

I have used two Olympus 35 RCs and a Canonet for travel photography, with great satisfaction, and both took sharp, well exposed slides.

- Murray
 
One problem with keeping Olympus 35RC in pocket is the opening for advance lever is an easy path for dust to enter.
Otherwise, it is just about the best Compact RF due to size, sharp lens and semi-auto or full manual modes.


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What about a compact rangefinder? I came up
with Olympus 35 RC, Olympus 35 SP and Canonet GL 17 GIII.
These cameras fascinated me a lot, but I'm still wondering
what if there's anything better I haven't figured out
yet ... hmmm?
Welcome! Have you considered rangefinder folders?

Zeiss Ikon Contessa (f/2.8 lens):
https://cameraquest.com/contessa.htm

Kodak Retina IIa (f/2 lens):
https://cameraquest.com/retIIa.htm

Voigtlander Vitessa (L or N f.2. or 2.8)
https://cameraquest.com/voitvitl.htm


I have all three. Really fun to shoot with them.
 
You just have too many requirements. Just make a semi-educated guess and buy it and take it from there.
MJJ3's suggestion for an Olympus Pen S is very good and goes outside the box with something that just may be exactly what you need - but didn't know. It is a brilliant street pocket camera, but it is half frame, viewfinder but not rangefinder and no meter - Yet if you have basic knowledge of light and a average sense of distance, this is an extremely fast camera to use and fits in the palm of your hand.
 
Welcome here!
Rangefinder, f2,8, shutter speeds manual down to 1/8sec., Auto if necessary:
Ricoh 500G.
Not a big name, but a great camera. Spend the rest of the thousand bucks on film. Though I love the Olympus 35RC dearly, I must admit that the 500G feels a lot more solid (imho).
IMAG0004.JPG
 
Well the Konica hexar af is your camera... and it’s no more of a brick than an x100. Contax G1 and 45mm but they are probably more than $1000 now. As far as a real rangefinder... they are all bricks. We love bricks here.
 
I am surprised that no one has suggested the Olympus XA series. Here's a pic copped from eBay:

s-l500.jpg


Manual aperture setting available, great little lens, and truly pocketable. Don't listen to Ko.fe on this one. He's just being grouchy about the challenges of night time photography. You can make f:2.8 work at night, but you'll have a lot of motion in your pictures if your subject isn't static. For long exposures, take a table-top tripod and brace against a wall or a lamp post. Or get some string and a 1/4 inch thread nut. Attach the nut to the tripod socket. Step on the string and pull up until the string is taught -- not as good as a tripod, but it will get you an extra stop or two and it weighs very little. Also consider a handlheld meter.

Minox did well in this space. No coupled RF, but pretty good "guesstimate" focusing:

s-l500.jpg



Nice little lens, though, with a diamond-shaped aperture. Beware of battery compatibility/availability issues with older cameras.

Finally: a Leica IIIa with a collapsible 50 would be pocketable, but you'd need a Summar, Sumitar, Summicron, or similar to make the lens speed work for you, AND you'd need a handheld meter or get good at estimating your exposure. Keep in mind these were the "miniature" cameras of their day and originally designed for mountain climbers. Overall, these are much more expensive due to the collector's market but these 90 year-old gems can be kept working and are designed to be repaired, which the cheaper cameras above were not.

s-l1600.jpg
 
I would just like such an analog version of the Fujifilm X100F.

I use the following analog rangefinders:
Canonet QL17
Contax G1
Minolta Hi-Matic 9
Leica M6

I would buy the digital Fujifilm X100V before I looked for another analog version of the Fujifilm X100F.
 
I agree with the Olympus XA for pocketability
The Konica Auto S3 is not as small but handles great, has shutter priority and has a fast 1.7 lens.
 
Thanks to everyone, who has contributed so far, for your tips.
I will go through all your suggestions and one day I hope to choose
a camera with which I will be satisfied.
May God give you a beautiful light for your photos!
 
Three personal favourites are the Contax TVS, Minoltina and Olympus SPn. Most fixed lens rangefinders roughly fit your criteria. Find a good condition one that you like rather than be really picky about a certain one.
 
The Petri Color 35 is a small marvel! I love mine. My only complaint is the lens is not as good as a summicron. If you can get past that, it's perfect.
 
You get a lot of camera & versatility with the Leica CL

48834418542_68bae88f2e_c.jpg

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