What are your favourite fixed lens RFs?

Like Birchma, I would have to choose the Hi-Matic 9 (complimented by my SR-T 101), my Hi-Matic 7sII, then my Canonet G-III QL17 and then my Hi-Matic F, FP, FP and Oh My! another FP. :D
 
I only have five, so the list is small:

35:
  1. Canon QL17 GIII - small, great vf/rf, built in meter
  2. Kodak Retina IIa 2.0 Rodenstock Heligon

MF:
  1. Zeiss Super Ikonta "A" 531 SK Xenar 2.0
  2. Kodak Medalist II - being modified now for 120, best RF, great VF
  3. Moskova 5
 
I have 3 which I use regularly.
In order of preference:
1. Konica Auto S2 - fast contrasty lens
2. Ricoh GR1s - sharp lens, 28mm, pocketable
3. Werra 1 - extremely minimalist, nice Tessar from f4
 
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ZeissFan said:
Mine is the Sport II. Here's a link to a mini-review, which links to a more detailed review and a few photos.

I think this camera is excellent. A nice lens, Good ergonomics and a wide base rangefinder.
Click to expand...
Nice review but he is adrift with the age/serial number thing. They are not like russian cameras where the first two digits give the year of manufacture.
1957-59 800,000 to 815,000
1960 815,000 to 855,000 they then changed the system
1961-62 50,000G to 81,500G
1962 81,500G to 92,100G end of Series one.
These are from Focagraphie book.
The later Focasports are not so nice:(
 
I have quite a few favorite fixed-lens RFs:
1. Canon GIII-QL17 a consistently great lens and lots of features
2. Olympus 35DC-an automatic 35RD without the shutter issues
3. Minolta AL-hugely underrated, outstanding RF, incredible lens
4. Fujica Compact Deluxe-just plain cool with a sharp lens
5. Olympus 35RC-incredible camera overall,sharp Zuiko E.
6. Vivitar 35ES-super sleeper camera, another superb lens
7. Retina IIIc-mine has a working meter!
8. Retina IIa f/2 Rodenstock Heligon
9. Ansco Super Memar f/2 Solagon-same as Super Silette; amazing!
10. Minolta Hi-Matic 7S-an overall wonderful camera to use

I'm getting ready to ship an Olympus 35-S f/1.8 to have it repaired, so when I get it back this list may change somewhat.

Andy
 
I forgot one of my all-time favorites! The Yashica Lynx 1000, an outstanding rf with a wide range of speeds and apertures and a beautiful 6-element lens that delivers exceptional color, contrast, and sharpness. It's also fairly compact when you compare it to other rf cameras of the time. I happen to like it far better than the Yashica GSN.

Andy
 
I know this is crazy but I really like this baby. I have 10 RF cameras but this is the one I take when I want good images with the least hassle:

2217324544_4cc22846f6.jpg
 
There are a number of fixed-lens RFs I like (in several formats), but the one I love a lot, and use most, is my Konica Auto S3. Good size, great lens, hardy construction, and pretty good metering, and killer auto-flash system.


- Barrett
 
I have many fixed lens rangefinders. My favorites ranked in terms of use:

Olympus XA, SP, and RC
Konica Auto S2
Yashica GSNs (2), Yashica 14e

Scale Focused Rangefinders

Minox GT
Rollei 35S
 
Seagul 203 or the old Retina I picked up at a flea market. Both are actually pocket cameras.
 
PhotoMat said:
Nick:

Check out this very informative article:

http://www.buhla.de/Foto/batt-adapt-US.pdf

I highly recommend this solution -- either the pre-made adapter or the do-it-yourself kit sold my Frans de Gruijter. They work like a charm on my older cameras. Good luck.
Click to expand...

I just tried a zinc-air 675 battery - no reaction from the meter (yes I took off the lens cap). I also tried an SR44 (same size as the 675) from my M6 - no movement from the meter, so I may have to get the meter checked first.

Additional info:

Found on this page a possible solution:

"Light meter wasn't working at all! I removed bottom plate (3 screws) then battery chamber (2 screws). Found that the wire had come off battery chamber contact, just re-solded it back on again, easy!"

Now to buy a soldering iron.
 
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New aquisition!! for 35€ on evil bay, has had very little use came with case,box,instructions and guarantee!!
could be a new favourite I think.
Focasport1.jpg

Focasport2.jpg
 
John Robertson said:
New aquisition!! for 35€ on evil bay, has had very little use came with case,box,instructions and guarantee!!
Click to expand...

Wow! THAT is a score at that price for a Foca. Looks like a beauty. My favorites are the Konica Auto S3 and the Fujica Compact Deluxe. In medium format, the Iskra.

The Konica Auto S3 is tiny and allows me to take candids most easily. Killer lens, great flash system, fast operation, very good rangefinder. It's what RF photography is all about imo. I just love the lens on the Fujica, it just renders images beautifully imo. It's also not as big as the other 60's RFs, has a metered manual mode, doesn't have the annoying shutter lock like the Canons, and I like the thumb wheel focusing.
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Olympus XA for portability
Hexar AF for image quality (although some might disagree on this being a rangefinder)
 
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