What's your favorite Fixed-Lens RF?

[alienmeatsack]

I looked up the top 3, all are expensive, but they got so much love here I need to check them out.

And I seem to have killed the thread. Sorry. 🙁

 

[Greyscale]

I looked up the top 3, all are expensive, but they got so much love here I need to check them out.

And I seem to have killed the thread. Sorry. 🙁

Out of your top 3, the Konica S2 is by far the cheapest, and the easiest for DIY repairs.

 

[alienmeatsack]

I don't know about the rest of you but I have a small film camera addiction and when someone says "THIS IS THE BEST! I LOVE IT!", I need that camera, regardless of how many cameras I own that are amazing. 😀

I've been looking at the Oly 35 RC for a while, now I just know how much more I need one for my shooting collection.

The Hexar is just way too much for me at this point and I have $300-500 lenses in the line ahead of it... I will have to look into the S2... To me, if it's under $100 USD, I can justify it much more easily then if it's $300+ USD. But I see posts here of people saying they found this camera or that camera for $10-30 somewhere and I wonder if I should hold out for the magic barn find version of some of these or just buy the ones I come across that seem reasonable.

I'm still looking for an all black Electro 35 GSN for myself that works and has no issues to go with my E35 standard... Also on the list.

 

[Rodchenko]

I was deeply underwhelmed with my Electro 35. But horses for etc.

 

[alienmeatsack]

Would it be taking the thread off-topic to inquire what turned you off of the Electro 35? I am curious since I love mine. Maybe I only love it because I've not used some of the others mentioned here and they are vastly superior? Curiosity.

 

[Joe Vitessa]

I don't know about the rest of you but I have a small film camera addiction and when someone says "THIS IS THE BEST! I LOVE IT!", I need that camera, regardless of how many cameras I own that are amazing. 😀

I've been looking at the Oly 35 RC for a while, now I just know how much more I need one for my shooting collection.

The Hexar is just way too much for me at this point and I have $300-500 lenses in the line ahead of it... I will have to look into the S2... To me, if it's under $100 USD, I can justify it much more easily then if it's $300+ USD. But I see posts here of people saying they found this camera or that camera for $10-30 somewhere and I wonder if I should hold out for the magic barn find version of some of these or just buy the ones I come across that seem reasonable.

I'm still looking for an all black Electro 35 GSN for myself that works and has no issues to go with my E35 standard... Also on the list.

Yes, you do need the Oly 35RC. Just a great camera in a very small package. It's currently tied for my favorite with the aforementioned Konica IIIa. Now that's a handsome machine!

 

[alienmeatsack]

Since I posted this, I've been bidding on and losing several of the cameras from this thread. I did win a Canonet Q19 for almost nothing, then realized it was a Q19 not a Q17.

I've also been trying to get a working Oly 35RC but people seem to know they are worth something because I cannot find a working one that hasn't gone for near $100 USD it seems like.

I will find one and buy it when the stars align just right. I know it, I can feel it in my bones. This thread just reminds me of why I need certain cameras more for my collection. 😀

 

[CliveC]

Since I posted this, I've been bidding on and losing several of the cameras from this thread. I did win a Canonet Q19 for almost nothing, then realized it was a Q19 not a Q17.

I've also been trying to get a working Oly 35RC but people seem to know they are worth something because I cannot find a working one that hasn't gone for near $100 USD it seems like.

I will find one and buy it when the stars align just right. I know it, I can feel it in my bones. This thread just reminds me of why I need certain cameras more for my collection. 😀

Then one day, when you're not even looking (or worse, when you've already bought one), bam, the camera you wanted for next to nothing. Life's funny that way. I had the same thing happen when I was Rollei 35 shopping. Ended up with two in the same week. (35 and 35S).

 

[alienmeatsack]

Dear photography Gods, please let the fixed lens RF cameras I want "BAM" for me like Clive said, sooner then later. Love, ams.

 

[john_pears]

i have an electro 35cc which i picked after a good deal of research into fixed lens rfs its has currently been sidelined by my new rollei 35s mainly because of its inability to use film faster than 400iso and being winter i find i need faster film to shoot around f8 at a useful shutter speed. i appreciate that in other situations the large aperture negates the use of faster film compared to other fixed lens rfs,
i also wish it had the depth of field markings on the lens for ease of scale focusing at bigger apertures also. sooooo
rollei 35
1 very compact although might not be when i buy a rangefinder and stick it in coldshoe
2 meter compatible 1600iso film
3 it just looks so cool

 

[John E Earley]

Dear photography Gods, please let the fixed lens RF cameras I want "BAM" for me like Clive said, sooner then later. Love, ams.

I've had way too many cameras and lenses "BAM" me in the last few years. Even after giving some to school photography programs I really need to downsize. I will admit though that it has been fun trying different gear.

Best of luck on your "BAM."

ETA I really loved my 35RC until my son lost it. For my Electro 35 however I haven't developed the same fondness though it takes great photos. It's just a little too big.

ETA2 I guess my BAM would be an Olympus 35-S ll (Tower 18) which I would jump on at the right price. http://tunnel13.com/cameras/tower_35s.htm

 

[rwintle]

Yes please...

Yes please...

Far and away, this was my favourite. Bright 1:1 viewfinder that was "epic" in today's parlance. Sadly now gone -- smashed by a grand fall.

Argh. Now I want one. So pretty. 😀

 

[Skulls Road]

Hard for me to choose a favorite.

What I own:
Oly 35RC - small, quiet, quick, good lens, dont like the feel of focusing ring
Electro 35GT - didn't speak to me, not sure why im not a fan, good lens though
Kodak Signet 35 - stylish, classic tessar look, slow to use, 1/300 max
Petri CC 1.9 - might be my favorite, sharp wide open, stylish, quiet
Fujica V2 - well built, thumb wheel focus, stylish, rare-ish, only one roll so far but i like it
Ricoh 500G - cheap and cheerful, like a low budget OlyRC with a crappier viewfinder

I was very surprised by the Petri. My test roll came out great and after I cleaned the viewfinder it got super clear. The rangefinder patch isn't as clear as the Oly or Electro but the size is pretty good.

I just shelled out $140 to get the Fujica V2 repaired by Mark Hama (took 3 months to get it back too) but I was a little underwhelmed by the test roll. I'll shoot another and pass judgement. It looks great and the ergonomics are fun.

 

[Pioneer]

Things change for me as time goes along but these are my current favorites:

6x9 - Agfa Billy Record III w105mm Solinar
1. Great Handling
2. Light and compact for the size of the negative
3. That negative is stunning when you do your job.

6x6 & 6x7 - Fuji GF670
1. Nearly silent
2. The lens
3. Very portable

35mm - Ansco Super Memar w/50mm Solagon
1. Very easy to use
2. Shutter is nearly as silent as one on Fuji GF670
3. The lens is very, very good.

 

[farlymac]

My Agfa Karat 36

1: Solinar

2: Collapsible

3: I put a lot of work into it, bringing it back to life from a "Stored for years" hell

PF

ps: I would have said my Ansco Super Memar with the Solagon, but that lens is scratched up, and unusable.

 

[gb hill]

Can't believe I haven't seen this before now. Canonet QL 17GIII.
1. It was my 1st rangefinder & fun to carry

2. I like the 40/1.7 lens. Plus takes good photos with the Canonlite flash

3. Has a good meter.

 

[Phil_F_NM]

Konica Hexar AF. Or at least it has been my favorite since 2003.
Just a few days ago i got my second Kodak Retina IIa with 50mm f/2 Xenon and I have to say that little camera is starting to sway me more towards the folder than the modern Hexar. Both are amazing, regardless!

Phil Forrest

 

[CliveC]

Hard for me to choose a favorite.

Petri CC 1.9 - might be my favorite, sharp wide open, stylish, quiet

I was very surprised by the Petri. My test roll came out great and after I cleaned the viewfinder it got super clear. The rangefinder patch isn't as clear as the Oly or Electro but the size is pretty good.

I just looked this up and came up with two versions, one has a large green window and the other has small viewfinder/rangefinder windows. Could be the same camera with different facades.

Which one do you have?

 

[divewizard]

I own several fixed lens rangefinders; Olympus Wide-S, Olympus 35SP, Fuji GA645S, Fujica GW690, Fuji GSW690II, and a Wollensak Stereo 10.

My Olympus 35SP is my favorite 35mm camera. The outstanding lens, light weight, spot metering, and exposure lock make it the easiest to use of any of my RFs.

Of the medium format rangefinders the big bruiser Texas Leica 6x9s take stunning photos, but the Fuji GS645S has a fantastic lens which is a sharp as my Mamiya 6 or Hasselblad, a built in meter (similar to a Nikon FM), frame lines keyed to the focus, and is the lightest medium format camera I own. Because of these reasons I believe the Fuji GS645S is the by far the best fixed lens rangefinder.

 

[Skulls Road]

I just looked this up and came up with two versions, one has a large green window and the other has small viewfinder/rangefinder windows. Could be the same camera with different facades.

Which one do you have?

Large green window. From the pictures I've seen I suspect the one I have has a larger viewfinder and later serial numbers on the lens.

It's a great camera and I enjoy it. Although mine was treasured by the original owner I think. It came in a case with all the original accessories. Hood, a cooling, warming, and UV filter all matching silver and Petri branded. Lens cap is a nice metal one, too.