The Perfect RF

"aint gonna happen..."
well as far as I'm concerned none of the things we're discussing here is ever gonna happen, and to be honest I'm not sure I'd like it to happen either. Reason being that marketing has sussed us out, and whenever a (sort of) minimalistic camera comes out it gets labelled "specialist retro item for purists and curmudgeons" and the price immediately reflects it. See ricoh grdiii no zoom, not many mps = the most expensive p&s, m9= the most expensive digicam. Its ok, I got my film cameras if I want simplicity.

Re Pentax lenses they are lovely and photos look fine, but I prefer Pentax crop lenses (on spec, I've never actually used one). Because by reducing the image circle you have the opportunity to design a lens with a bigger aperture, or smaller size, or with more elements (ie potentially better correction), or cheaper, or a combination of the above.
 
As simon said, I'm happy with my M4. When it comes to digital though, I'd like to see something with decent high ISO performance under 3 grand, But that's probably not gonna happen
 
Krosya said:
there is one already - Hexar RF. The only thing I would change is - add a feature for shutter to work with maybe a couple speeds manually, when battery dies - as a back up sort of thing. Otherwise - it's PERFECT.
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+1

I bought a Hexar RF, knowing it's not "it" (as in, a blue-blooded Leica) and thus expected to have a similarly disappointing experience to the one I had with 3rd-party SLRs (Zenits Vs Pentax and Practika, Cosina Vs Canon FD) - and boy oh boy, was I wrong.

It's been nearly two months since the purchase, and I haven't felt a tinge of regret. As the scratches eat into the black bottom paint, my confidence in the camera keeps growing thanks to the great ergonomics and incredible speed of the thing. Actually, it keeps getting better: just last week did I discover the wonderful feature of mid-roll rewind. Currently swapping a roll of EI1250 Tri-X with a roll of EI80 Neopan SS depending on the conditions - the accuracy, the speed and simplicity of the operation stopped any second thoughts I had on the method.

I expect one niggle, though: The .60x magnification is great for my usual 35mm lens and fits nicely for 50mm lenses (eyeglass wearer), but I'd pay quite a sum if a second .90x-and-higher option existed. Alternatively, if I could find some sort of magnifier for the eyepiece that would fit, it'd round out my kit to perfection.
 
I think it's not possible making one that's perfect, but maybe M7, Hexar AF and XA are very useful for different situations and places...

I'd like a bigger XA with a faster threaded lens, ISO3200, faster shutter and a couple of mechanical speeds, say 1/30 and 1/250. This might be impossible... But the real XA is so light and tiny that it could be bigger and yet be great and small enough for street and travel photography...

Cheers,

Juan
 
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fdigital said:
Zeiss 'digital' Ikon
- 24.6mp Sony a900 sensor with new processing technology for better noise control, and offset micro-lenses on edges.
- no AA filter or very very thin one
- auto film advance a'la hexar RF
- 3 inch 900k LCD screen
- ISO button on top plate
- body only or with 'kit lens' - zeiss 50mm f2 planar
- made in Japan
- $3200us body, $3800us kit
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Looks good. Not sure that you would need auto film advance in a digital camera. And no reason to sell your soul for any digital camera.
 
A digital OM-1 with 12 megapixel raw capture from the sensor out of the D700 ... there's no such thing as the perfect rangefinder sorry! :D
 
Keith said:
A digital OM-1 with 12 megapixel raw capture from the sensor out of the D700 ... there's no such thing as the perfect rangefinder sorry! :D
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Now wouldn't that be damn cool! Unfortunetly out of all the crazy things in this thread, this would be the least likely. Olympus are just set on the 4/3 format, and uninterested in anything else. It's a pity - a digital OM could potentially be a huge seller!
 
For me, the perfect rangefinder would be either a Leica Standard, or IIIc with a rewind crank.

... I'm halfway there with this already... just missing the rewind crank bit. :)
 
mtargz said:
+1

I bought a Hexar RF, knowing it's not "it" (as in, a blue-blooded Leica) and thus expected to have a similarly disappointing experience to the one I had with 3rd-party SLRs (Zenits Vs Pentax and Practika, Cosina Vs Canon FD) - and boy oh boy, was I wrong.

It's been nearly two months since the purchase, and I haven't felt a tinge of regret. As the scratches eat into the black bottom paint, my confidence in the camera keeps growing thanks to the great ergonomics and incredible speed of the thing. Actually, it keeps getting better: just last week did I discover the wonderful feature of mid-roll rewind. Currently swapping a roll of EI1250 Tri-X with a roll of EI80 Neopan SS depending on the conditions - the accuracy, the speed and simplicity of the operation stopped any second thoughts I had on the method.

I expect one niggle, though: The .60x magnification is great for my usual 35mm lens and fits nicely for 50mm lenses (eyeglass wearer), but I'd pay quite a sum if a second .90x-and-higher option existed. Alternatively, if I could find some sort of magnifier for the eyepiece that would fit, it'd round out my kit to perfection.
Click to expand...

Actually - there is an adapter that fits snuggly over the VF and a regular magnifier screws into it. That being said - I hardly ever use mine - I find that I can use fast 50, like Hexanon 50/1.2 or even long faster lenses like 85/2 are just fine with Hexar's regular viewfinder. Just need to practice some, thats all.
 
Something with the baselength of the Contax IIa, the viewfinder of an M2, the metering capabilities of a Nikon D700, the precision feeling of a Leica, the control scheme layout of the M5, TTL capabilities (I know, blasphemy), and in black painted brass, please.

Both film and digital models.
 
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Krosya said:
Actually - there is an adapter that fits snuggly over the VF and a regular magnifier screws into it. That being said - I hardly ever use mine - I find that I can use fast 50, like Hexanon 50/1.2 or even long faster lenses like 85/2 are just fine with Hexar's regular viewfinder. Just need to practice some, thats all.
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Now that would be a grand use of my money.

After I'll get a 50mm f/1.5 Nokton or C-Sonnar, I'll see how I cope and think forward from there. For the current 35mm f/2.5 lens I use, the rangefinder is overkill for focusing accuracy.
 
Minty Black Mamiya Universal Press with the 100mm 2.8 lens. Unfortunately, everytime I get one I wind up having to sell it to survive. The universe is out to get me!

Linhof Super Technika V with T* Zeiss Ultima lens set.

My little Olympus C-5050z digital with a RF and a decent manual focus lens. Heavenly idea. On the other hand, I guess I would accept a Leica M9 as a substitute.

A pair of Leica M2's one with a 35mm and the other with the 90mm. Not sure if I would like the 1.4 & 2.0, or the 2.0 & 2.8 better. The speed of the first would be nice, but the second would a lot easier to tote around.

Isn't it interesting that all but one of those cameras existed more than thirty years ago?
 
I wish I still worked at an aerospace company and had access to the machine shop because this is what I would do: I'd take the Plaubel 69W that I currently own that features tilt and shift movements and set it up with a Sylvestri lens mount so that I could have interchangable lenses. In particular I would update the Schnieder Super Augulon 47/5.6 (21mm equiv.) with the newer XL version with the huge image circle so that a center filter would not be required even when shooting color slide film.

My second lens would be a Rodenstock 65/4.0 (28mm equiv.) and I would mount a that huge round Horseman viewfinder used for the Horseman 6x9 or 612. This would be for shooting mostly street. The peroscope action featured on the Plaubel is unbeatable and already has me spoiled.

The Mamiya Press back already is the ultimate for film flatness, handles 120 and 220 and is durable. Veiw camera lenses mounted on a 6x9 with rise, fall and shift capabilities on a 6x9 would be superb for ultra wide and wide.

I am seriously considering of modding my Plaubel, but the glass and expense will be a lot, but probably the greater expense over the long term would be film. Only 8 frames on a roll of 120. The Plaubel has great ergonomics BTW and the weight is skimpy for a 6x9 camera.

Cal
 
You know, Leica has had a lot of years -- and a lot of feedback no doubt from loyal users -- to get the whole rangefinder thing right. So I'm thinking, why try to reinvent the wheel? Maybe all it needs is a nice new tire.

If we're talking digital, then I'd like to see an M9 with Live View and HDMI output.

If we're talking film, then I suspect I'd be plenty happy with an M7. Heck, I reckon I'd be ecstatic.
 
Hexar comes close, but, ...

My perfect rangefinder would an 0.58 M7 that could take IXMOO cassettes, with the compact winder.
 
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