What's the Best UNDER $50 Ebay Rangefinder?

[Solinar]

I like my cameras to work smoothly. Fixed-lens 35mm rangefinder cameras weren't built to last forever. So, many do need some servicing as they pass through their 4th decade and its not just Yashicas.

So it's not us$5 but rather 50 or 150 worth camera but hey, no one believes all us$5 lottery tickets are winners.

I like the lotto analogy.

Just look at the supply side for the typical eBay seller. It's a thrift store, garage or estate sale. Most of these eBay sellers are not very knowledgeable and too lazy to check even check the battery compartment.

Bottom line: If you are too much of a cheapskate to purchase from a knowledgeable seller, who is honest and maintains a reputation for not selling junk - then your purchase will probably turn out to be a project in need of work.

I personally have my cameras serviced, so they work smoothly without any hiccups. That takes them out of the $50 and under category.

Best Regards,

 

[Harryo1962]

Konica Auto S. Great glass

 

[Paul Jenkin]

I voted Yashica without having seen the poll - noit because I have or have had one - but because I've seen photos taken with a 35GSN which just seem to have "something" that other cheapo rangefinders don't seem to have. Maybe it's the lenses in them. I'm considering one myself.

The other camera I really like is the Olympus XA (specifically the XA) but they are a bit small for my mitts and the rangefinder can be a bit tricky for a spectacles wearer (I had one - loved the lens / photos but struggled a bit with the ergonomics).

 

[Austerby]

The Agfa Optima 1535 is a true rangefinder and a bit of a left-field suggestion, but it's a fine little camera and can be found cheaply. It has no manual exposure controls though.

 

[johank]

Kievs from FSU, they where first real Contaxes and Sovjetifyed by the years, the FSU lens Factorys have made some very nice Glass. I never payed over 35$ for a body, lens and cover.
1947-53 are the best vintages, as there still was German inspectors.

 

[Cyriljay]

Yashica is a great camera and I have voted for that as if someone can find it that is the prize range.

 

[Sid836]

I would opt for an FSU rangefinder like a FED-2 or Zorki at a very good state. They are relatively robust, easy to maintain and you are being offered with the option of lens interchangeability.
Else, the little Oly 35RC is a nice option, but do not expect it to last forever and repairing is such a pain.

 

[Eric Boe]

Olympus Stylus Epic 35mm/2.8

Olympus Stylus Epic 35mm/2.8

OK, there's no RF focusing and it's all autoexposure, but with an Olympus Stylus Epic you can learn a lot about the technique of street photography. The AF is almost instantaneous (why can't we have such a fast AF on EFV cameras today?), a lot like shooting hyperfocal. The lens is very good, and you have the option of spot metering and suppressing the flash. The cameras are splash-resistant for those rainy days. Downsides: they do make some sound when advancing and rewinding the film, and they do take a battery, although you will get several rolls out of one.

Oh, and you'll cry less if you drop one than if you drop a Leica.

 

[tunalegs]

The Zorki 4/4k cameras are possibly the best rangefinder available for under $100. Interchangeable lenses, 1-1/1000 shutter speeds, large bright viewfinder, relatively easy to find in good condition.

 

[David Hughes]

Konica C35 (not the AF version, of course).

Dirt cheap to buy and easy to service if needed. Nice lens too.

Regards, David

 

[splitimageview]

In all these years - I've yet to vote in this poll - because of my Oly leanings. I also have a properly CLA'd Oly 35RD in addition to the XA and 35RC. There is definitely no $50 or under love affair regarding 35RD. :angel:

It's possible to find under $50 35RDs on ebay...I got this one last year. It's a beauty, no dings, dents or scratches and the glass is perfect.

However, it's a 35RD. That means it's 35+ years old.

That means it needed seals.

It needed a viewfinder cleaning.

It needed a meter calibration.

As a 35RD it needed a shutter overhaul. (35RCs are better in this regard.)

🙂

So, yeah, it's under fifty bucks, half of that, even, including shipping, but it's not going to be very useful at that price.

I did get this one serviced and it's a superb camera.

IMHO every Leica aficionado on this forum needs to spend a small amount on a nice fixed lens RF.

Heck, you can buy a completely restored one for less than a typical Leica body CLA --and you get a lens, folks.

I think most that have not done so would be mighty surprised...

 

[Paolo Bonello]

Even though I voted the Yashica assuming most of those votes are for Electro's I have my doubts that you'd get a usable one for $50. You might have more luck finding an MG1 that works within that budget.

 

[Solinar]

get a lens[/I], folks.

Even though - I once again have a working 35RD - my fixed-lens 35mm RF purchase that was under the $50 mark, a 35RC, before the purchase of its battery adapter - truly fills the niche for me.

The reasons: less bulk, less weight and in certain urban areas, I'm not as concerned about losing or damaging the camera as let's say my Leica M2 with a Summicron.

For someone else - that niche may be finding a Canonet, a Konica, or a Minolta - that is still in working order. The key is finding one that is still in working order after 40 years.

My latest acquisition - which I really didn't need, but couldn't resist - is a black Rollei 35 S for $60. It needed to have the slow shutter speed escapement to be cleaned and lubed. I figured the lens alone was worth $60.

Best Regards,

 

[johannielscom]

Dunno much about eBay these days but I've recently seen two Revue 400SE rangefinders for sale in my vicinity for approx. EUR 20.

The 1.7/40mm lens is very good and the flashmatic system is a no-brainer for well-exposed flash photos.

Oh, recently I picked up a Vivitar 35EE and sold it here for petty cash, but the new owner had it jam on him after just a few strokes... 🙁 But it was EUR 25 when I got it 🙂


The Minolta 7S-II that I sold in the classifieds last week also was an investment item: bought it for EUR 35, sold it for EUR 85 🙂 Little money on the side to fund some rare film I need for a project 🙂


So long story short, I guess the best RF cameras have dropped so much in price lately that they can be had for less than USD 50, albeit not through eBay...

 

[Dpingr1]

For an easy transition to rangefinders -- the GSN. Very dependable ones can be had in second-hand shops for very few $. But there are lots of good 70s rangefinders out there, and any are worth trying for newcomers. What do you have to lose, except twenty bucks or so?

For the mid-century retro-retro experience? Nothing beats my Aires 35 iiic (for the price). Buy it for $20, and people will think you have an M3 (from a distance). And -- it would double as a heavy mace in case of trouble.

 

[cooltouch]

I saw an Aries IIIc over at the Goodwill auction site recently, and you're right -- at first glance it does look like a Leica M3.

They're not so easy to find for less than $50 anymore, but another great mid-century rangefinder, and probably my favorite, is the Kodak Retina IIc. A beautiful camera with some pretty amazing German workmanship to boot.

 

[johank]

I got a Kiev IVa with 35, 50 and 135 for under 25$ at site. All works and do deliver. Bellarus has it´s few pros.

 

[David Hughes]

I got a Kiev IVa with 35, 50 and 135 for under 25$ at site. All works and do deliver. Bellarus has it´s few pros.

Wow! No, better still; two wows!

Regards, David

 

[BW400CN]

A camera that might be herd to find in the US, but very common in Germany and many other European countries - the Voigtländer Vito CSR.

Voigtländer Vito CSR by Michael Relguag, auf Flickr

Coupled RF - CDS meter - mirrored in the RF!!! - very good 3-lenser Color-Lanthar 2.8 50mm or when you're lucky the Color Skopar 2.8 50mm which is extremely sharp.

Bergmesse bei Innsbruck by Michael Relguag, auf Flickr

trucking by Michael Relguag, auf Flickr

In der Leutsch by Michael Relguag, auf Flickr

Hohe Munde von der Leutasch aus gesehen by Michael Relguag, auf Flickr

 

[mich rassena]

At this point in history a newbie with a rangefinder is a bit of an anachronism, but given your premise, a newbie must have a meter, an easy way to confirm focus and simple film loading. Aside from the battery availability and light seal issues, the Yashica is a solid performer. The best thing about them are the fast lenses. Combine that with the leaf shutter for flash sync at all speeds and you have an unbeatable combination of features at this price.

I really wanted to choose Argus, because I have a soft spot for them. Advantages over the Yashica rangefinders come down to a series of rather slow interchangeable lenses. The C3 lacks X sync, though it's available in later models. Ergonomics on the C3 and C33 are subpar. I think any of the C series Arguses are bargains, fine cameras, and good users, but they're not for newbies.