vintage cameras

[Kat]

Hi, I've been thinking about getting a 35mm compact/subcompact rangefinder, but I'm confused as to which kind to get. I've been looking at the Olympus XA, Canon Coronet, Yashica, Leica, Rollei, Minox, etc. I'm for photo quality, features and manual controls/flexibility, and I'd rather keep costs below $30. I don't really understand some of the technical photography terms, so I'm having a hard time comparing models. Any suggestions or ideas?

 

[wierdcollector]

Hi Kat,
Chances are you won't be able to touch a Leica, Rollie, Minox, or Olympus XA for $30 so you're probably best looking for a Canon Canonet 17 Glll, Canonet 19, Canonet 28, Yashica Electro GSN, Yashica Lynx 5000, Konica Auto S, Wards AM550 (Konica Auto S rebadged), Konica Auto S2, or Fed 5/Zorki 4K. If you don't really understand some of the technical terms, it might be best to start off with an Electro GSN or Canonet 28 both of which are excellent and inexpensive ways to get your feet wet in RF's. Hope this helps. Curt in Canada.

 

[Kin Lau]

For under $30-, then the most troublefree and easiest camera to start with is probably the Canonet 28. You'll likely have trouble getting even a non-working camera in your list for under $30-.

 

[peter_n]

The Canonet 28 is a good suggestion. There's one going on eBay in about 4&1/2 hrs. that looks quite useful with zero bids so far.

Welcome to the forum BTW Kat! 🙂

 

[Sonnar Brian]

You could also pick up a Minolta Hi-Matic 9 for about $30. Bigger than a Canon QL17, but sharp F1.7 lens.

 

[Kat]

Thanks, everyone! Yeah, I saw how expensive some of these are going. I also saw some of those in my list cheaper (within my budget) in ebay...but I guess as the auction closes some bidders might drive the price up. I checked out the Canonet in ebay closing soon, it's not certain to work...I'd rather spend a little more than get something that needs work or will break down in a few months, as I don't know anyone who fixes them in my area.

My level of experience is rather low, never touched an SLR, learned only from my digital Minolta S414. But I'd like to get more serious, so I'd like something that's not impossible for a newbie like me to figure out, but I'll have lots of room to grow into.

How does the various models of Canonets and Yashicas mentioned above differ, and how do they compare to the Minolta Brian suggested? Any significant variance in construction and durability? Those are also important to me (might be a little flexible with budget for this), as the reason I started into looking at vintage was someone's mention of lomos to me. I found them interesting, but the questionable quality control I heard from others made me more inclined to stay away from the Russian models.

 

[RichardS]

If you want to learn the differences between the various Yashica electros check Yashica-guy's site at http://www.yashica-guy.com/

I think you can also find sites for the other cameras you are interested in.

Dick

 

[Kin Lau]

Post a WTB (want to buy) in the 35mm classifieds here. You're much more likely to get a good working camera from a fellow RFF'er.

 

[ErnestoJL]

Hello Kat! welcome to the forum!
Basic specifications for the cameras you mentioned are:
Yashica Electro 35: Sh. sp. B; 30 sec to 1/500 sec. ap. priority; 45 m,m f 1.7; ISO to 1000
Yashica MG1: Sh. sp. B; 4 sec. to 1/500 sec. Ap. priority. Lens is 45 mm f 2.8; ISO to 800
Canonet G III QL17/19: Sh. sp. B; 1/4 to 1/500 sec.; Shutter prior. Lens 45 mm f 1.7 /1.9
Canonet QL25 and 28 are same but lens is either f2.5 or f 2.8. ISO to 800
Both Yashica models are bigger than the Canonets, shutter is mechanical with electronic timing. Shutter modes are Auto, B and flash (1/30 th).
Canonets ar very compact yet mechanical, with aperture scale in viewfinder. Non metering in manual mode.
Hope this helps. Good luck!

 

[Kat]

I'm leaning towards the Yashica GSN and the Minolta hi-matic 9...

Assuming I can get either, which would you guys think be better?

These are what I've gathered from some sites:

Sizes/weight of both are pretty near.

Minolta has only 1/4 shutter speed versus the 30 seconds of Yashica, but has full manual exposure control versus apperture priority of the latter.

Yashica, acc to one site (Matt's), isn't very durable compared to other brands. I haven't read anything about Minolta on this score.

According to the same site , the Yashica produces surprizingly beautiful, very sharp pics with good colors. No comments on Minolta's pic quality tho.

I'm wondering about batteries for both. Are there readily available substitutes that won't won't need any improvision?

Anything else you think I should know?

 

[RichardS]

I don't know anything about batteries for the Minolta, but replacement batteries are available for the Yashica Electros. They originally took mercury batteries which are no longer available.

If you know the number of the batteries they originally took, go to http://www.photobattery.com/ and type the number in and it will show the replacement battery and the cost.

I don't agree with the statement about the Yashica Electros not being as durable as other models. If you want an Electro that gives you full control of aperture and shutter speed, go for the Minister D or the Lynx. There may be other Electros that give you complete control, but I know that those two models do.

Dick

 

[Pherdinand]

IMO, the ONLY disadvantage of the yashica electro35 GSN is that it does not give you control over (does not even tell you!) the shutter speed. Only "too slow" or "too fast". However if you want you can use the film speed dial to do some "exposure compensation". True, it's bigger than canonet ql17 but to me that's not a big difference.
OTOH, it has some advantages over the minolta hi-matic 9 and the canonet: loooong shutter speeds possible; battery only physically needed to be adapted, the vooltage does not matter; higher ISO setting; and some more.

I have begun my RF journey with a GSN. I got it for 45$ incl. 15$ shipping from the US. I have two of them now, as well as canonet ql17 GIII, canonet 28, minolta hi-matic 9 etc. I still use the GSN's the most from this category.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

The Hi-Matic 9 goes to 1 Second. The Yashica has electronics in it, and they can fail. The CDS cell is not covered by the lens cap as it is on the HM9. If it is stored for years exposed to light, that cell will deteriate. But after 30+ years, individual units of each model will fair better than others. I have had two GSN's give problems, and one GT working well. On one of them, the electronics "failed". My Hi-Matic 9 has required one CLA in 35 years, in 1980. A spring had to be replaced.

 

[Pherdinand]

Sorry, i did not mean that the hi-matic 9 is bad :angel:. It's a good camera. It's just that so far, i prefer the GSN - regarding its features and handling.
I had to repair both the GSN (Pad of Death+light seals) and the hM9 (sticking shutter+light seals). They both were very cheap. They both can help you make excellent pictures.

 

[Pherdinand]

By the way Brian, still couldn't figure out what the hi-matic 9 does when only one of the two rings (ap./sh.) is set to A. Seems totally random what I get.

 

[Rob]

Any of these cameras ar old as they are will need servicing, some more than others. Stick around here someone will offer one up in working condition. Dont worry about what it is.
For your budget see if you even like rangefinders first. Remember shooting 3 rolls of film with processing costs about $30.

 

[Kat]

I'm so confused! I really like the features of the Minolta Hi-Matic 9, but from the few sample pics I found, the colors don't seem as vibrant as the Yashieca. Is this really the case, for the Minolta users out there? That would be the make or break factor for me, regardless of features.

Though I guess you guys are right, ultimately the decision would have to take into consideration prices and availability...I do feel that these two (as well as the others everyone has so helpfully suggested are pretty good from what I've read.🙂

I admit I'm not 100% I'd like using RFs, never encountered them before, haven't found any enthusiasts here in my country, that is why I'm getting my feet wet with the cheaper brands. I intend to make use of whatever I get, but not as often as you guys probably do, maybe one or two rolls every few months or so. 🙂

 

[Pherdinand]

I don't think that will be a problem.
So many factors to influence the colours...light in the scene, film type, film age, development, printing, scanning, etc

 

[solane]

the one thing i've noticed about the hi-matics is that they meter using evaulative metering. it's the only camera i've encountered that lists the EV numbers in the viewfinder instead of aperture, shutter speed or some combination of the two with hi/low lights.

i bought two hi-matics and a GSN from ebay recently. all were around $30 and they all have things that need to be fixed in order for them to work properly. one hi-matic has a corroded battery compartment. the other hi-matics rangefinder in misaligned. and the GSN is a bit wonky (general term for needing $85 worth of repairs according to my local repair shop). they all need new seals.

the GSN requires an adapter to fit the modern non-mercury batteries. the hi-matic needs the wein air-cell batteries that replace the mercury PX625. IMHO, if you can get your hands on a canonet, i think that's the nicest and easiest-to-use fixed lens RF that i've used.

i don't want to dissuade you from trying a rangefinder but you may want to check out any local camera shops that sell used equipment or look for a local camera swap meet. at least you can handle the camera before you buy it and verify that things look okay. ebay is such a crap shoot.

as for lomo's -- the LC-A is a super, simple camera to use and has some manual controls but its expensive (new is about $150-$200), its no longer being produced and its fairly difficult to get them repaired (there's one guy in the US who's currently doing repairs and he's in brooklyn).

 

[Kat]

Thanks for the advice, I'm planning to check the local scene within the week and see if, by any chance there are vintages for sale as well as people who fix them. As for buying from folks in the forum, Richard Black mentioned he might have a GSN for sale, so that's an option I'm considering...

My problem buying here is, I myself am new, so I don't know which of the forumers would be best to buy from. I'm going through the feedback thread. 🙂

Yeah, I guess those ebay sellers usually just find their cameras in storage after many years, so even if they're "mint" condition they still need work. But it does get tempting when they throw in lots of extras like lenses and flash (but what use are those if the camera is broken 🙁 ).