The "Next Best"?

[Gerry M]

If the Leica M is considered the "Gold Standard" for RF bodies, what is the "Next Best"? My apologies if this has been asked enumerable times.
Gerry

 

[Gerry M]

I should have added that I'm not trolling. I've owned Bessa R2A, Canon P and an M4. Just seeking opinions to see if I have overlooked something.

 

[lxmike]

I'm going to watch this thread with interest

 

[Ronald_H]

Nikon rangefinders maybe? Most notably the SP. Or maybe, and more recent, the Zeiss Ikon.

 

[lxmike]

I've always wanted to shoot with a Leica M body and a Summicron 50/2, never had the chance, but the cloest lens quality wise I own is a G1 and Zeiss 45/2 combo

 

[wlewisiii]

Of course, the question itself presupposes that the M is the actual best rather than simply the survivor. Had the Contax IV shipped, there wouldn't be this question. Instead Zeiss threw it's money down the Contarex rat hole. I'd argue that a Contax II with a 50/1.5 Sonnar would still give an M a run for it's money. Likewise a Nikon S series.

In the end, it depends more on what you want. I'm rather happy with an old IIIf & Summitar, for example.

William

 

[NickTrop]

Next Best: Contax G2
After That: Konica Hexar RF
After That: Contax G1

All three are very close - neck and neck, the order - G2-Hexar is "arguable". I've never owned these cameras - just a consensus I have from reading too many threads in photography forums.

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

I'd say Zeiss Ikon is second best, Bessas as third best of stuff that' still manufactured. Nikon RF cameras are nice but 50 yrs old and in my experience old cameras are a real hassle if you want something to shoot regularly.

 

[mfogiel]

To liven up the thread, I would argue, that the best RF is actually the Zeiss Ikon, and the Leica is a close second. Having said that, I believe that a lot of people use Leicas not primarily because they are the latest "hot " camera, but rather for questions of long term reliability and a certain "feel good" factor. It is similar with lenses - while the current ZM line is certainly more competitive given the price/performance than equivalent Leica lenses, in the end people gravitate to shoot with the lenses that give them the highest pleasure to use for given type of shooting, be it the latest and most expensive Leica ASPH models, or the Mandler lenses from the 60 -s , not to mention earlier ones. Then, there is the question of VF magnification - if you want a great body for a 50mm, then it will be a 0.85x or M3 Leica, if your ideal is 35mm, you cannot beat Zeiss Ikon, but if you want 21mm frames, then Bessa R4 is the only game in town...

 

[Matus]

Mamiya 6, but wait - it is not "next best" it is one step ahead 😛

 

[kshapero]

I'd say Zeiss Ikon is second best, Bessas as third best of stuff that' still manufactured. .

I would tend to agree with this. Of course I assume you are only speaking of film RF's. Digital? a whole different story.

 

[kshapero]

BTW, many here think of the ZI as best.

 

[Gerry M]

I should have qualified the question as to 35mm format only.

 

[Roger Hicks]

Dear Gerry,

The British Journal of Photography once said something to the effect that if Leica, ZI and Voigtländer were made by the same company, their relative prices would still be similar and would reflect their placing in the market. I've always agreed -- and I've used all three extensively.

Comparing frankly obsolete cameras such as the Contax and Nikon, and their still more obsolete lenses, is a bit on the meaningless side. I love my (current) f/1.5 C-Sonnar but it's (a) a better lens than any previous f/1.5 Sonnar (sharper, more contrast, better resolving power) and (b) not in the same class technically as a current Summilux or even Nokton.

Cheers,

R.

 

[jsrockit]

For me, the next best would be the Bessa R4m simply for its uniqueness.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Nikon restarted the RF line in 2000. There are a lot of S3-2000's and SP-2005's around. I've compared an SP-2005 directly with one of my original SP's. The 50 year old viewfinder fared quite well compared with the original. Same story with my S3-2000 compared with the originals.

Next best- all personal taste. For me, a toss-up between the SP and M3. I like the titanium foil curtains of the SP the best of any RF that I've ever used.

 

[Gerry M]

Thanks to all for your input.
Gerry

 

[35mmdelux]

If the Leica M is considered the "Gold Standard" for RF bodies, what is the "Next Best"? My apologies if this has been asked enumerable times.
Gerry

Next to this year's Bentley, the next best is last year's Bentley. Make mine black.