What is a good, inexpensive, first rangefinder?

[psykon99]

Hellow all. I have been lurking for awhile, and I really enjoy your forum.

I'm looking to buy a used rangefinder. I'm not looking to spend alot. Probably around $50 - $75 or so on ebay. I'd like it to have a fairly fast lens - ~f/1.8 to f/2.8. I'd like to have manual focus, and full control over aperture and shutter speed - though automatic modes in addition are ok. I'd also like a built in light meter. It would also help if it would take batteries sold today.

What are your recommendations? I may be willing to flex on a bit of the above if it's for a good model.

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[Michiel Fokkema]

Canonet 1.7 g3.
All you ask for except the batteries. It takes mercury ones.
Cheers,
Michiel Fokkema

 

[Bobfrance]

I second that.

Any Canonet in fact.
I use a hand held meter (and the sunny 16 rule) with my QL25 though.

And welcome to the forum. 🙂

 

[chambrenoire]

Konica C35 (38mm f/2.8)
Olympus XA (35mm f/2.8)

They have appreature priority with automatic shutter speeds.
The XA is my fave of those two.

 

[nikon_sam]

Sorry, but I gotta get a plug in for the RF I like the best...

The Olympus 35-S 4.2cm 1.8 G. Zuiko lens...all manual camera BUT no meter...
It's a beautiful fixed lens all metal (1956) camera that's easy to use/understand and somewhat easy to work on...leaf shutter that people standing next to you wouldn't hear and glass that's very easy on the fairer sex...
You can get them in your price range but most will need work on the shutter (sticky) and the inner workings of the rangefinder glass/viewfinder may need cleaning...not too hard to do...

 

[psykon99]

Any thoughts on the Yashica 35 GX?

 

[40oz]

nothing wrong with it as a camera, I'm sure. but it lacks manual controls, as do a lot of the compact fixed-lens rangefinders of that era. So it won't take a picture except as it sees fit. And if the meter dies, you are left with a bookend.

One reason the Canonet is so highly regarded is it has shutter-priority as well as full manual control. So if the meter ever gives up the ghost, you still have a perfectly usable camera. And as you get more familiar with exposure, you can use the meter for a sanity check and expose according to your experience. And FWIW, the Canonet meter can use Wein cell batteries just fine, eliminating the need for mercury cells.

 

[wolves3012]

How about something like the Yashica Minister III...cheap, not the prettiest but a capable camera. No batteries but a silicon photocell meter. Quiet leaf-shutter and a parallax-corrected RF that's fairly bright.

 

[wolves3012]

Despite what has been said about the Russian cameras I'd also suggest a FED 4 or 5. Heavy and agricultural but so cheap they are almost throw-away. Most of the meters still work and the Industar 61 lens is very good one. I have 3 of them and all the meters work and are accurate (enough). The dearest cost me about £12. They double as a self-defence bludgeon too!

 

[Bingley]

I concur in the recommendations of the Canon Q17 GIII. It's a fantastic camera for all the reasons stated above, the lens is fast (40mm 1.7), it has a solid feel to it, and it is very compact (it can fit in a jacket pocket easily). And you can find this camera on ebay, in the Classifieds here, and elsewhere for under $100 (I paid $76 for mine, w/ new seals and in perfect condition).

But there is one other RF that has not been mentioned yet that also fits your criteria: the Konica Auto S2. It has a 45mm f1.8 Hexanon lens that is very, very sharp; a bright viewfinder w/ paralax compensating framelines; semi-automatic (shutter priority) as well as full manual controls; and you can use the meter in manual mode which you cannot do w/ the Canonet. The S2 is decidedly larger than the Canonet. It is a terrific RF and, moreover, is dirt cheap these days. Fully working examples in great condition generally go for $40 or less. If you're looking for a really capable starter RF w/ an outstanding lens, you should consider S2.

 

[tedwhite]

I like the Bessa R. It's a poor man's Leica M with a meter and a brilliant viewfinder. As they are discontinued, used ones can be had quite reasonably. It's in M39 screwmount, so there's a huge array of lenses available. Plus it's all mechanical and all the battery does is power the meter, so batteries last a very long time.

 

[BillBingham2]

Take a look here for some interesting stuff on older fixed lens rangefinders:

http://www.cameraquest.com/classics.htm

Look for the Compact 35 heading down the page a bit.

I love older Konica fixed lens rangefinders. The S2 and the S3 are great. Konica lenses are sharp and very under respected.

B2 (;->

 

[xayraa33]

I too will go with the Fed 5.
super lens for the price.

 

[wlewisiii]

Kiev 4a or am with a Jupiter 8 50/2 Sonnar copy. It's still the best system the Russians ever made and can still be found sensibly priced.

Good luck!

William

 

[bmattock]

Sorry, but I gotta get a plug in for the RF I like the best...

The Olympus 35-S 4.2cm 1.8 G. Zuiko lens...all manual camera BUT no meter...
It's a beautiful fixed lens all metal (1956) camera that's easy to use/understand and somewhat easy to work on...leaf shutter that people standing next to you wouldn't hear and glass that's very easy on the fairer sex...
You can get them in your price range but most will need work on the shutter (sticky) and the inner workings of the rangefinder glass/viewfinder may need cleaning...not too hard to do...

You know, I missed this post when you originally made it, but I have to agree with you. Mine is the later II with three windows, marked "Tower" on top. But same-same, whisper-quiet shutter. I do like this camera very much.