What's your favorite Fixed-Lens RF?

[Bill58]

Konica Auto S3
1. Lens:
- 38/1.8 lens, focusing to 36" The six element four group lens is an exceptional performer, called "one of the best semi-wide angle optics of its speed we have ever tested" by Modern Photography. Amazingly, ALL apertures had center values between 64 to 82 lines per mm.
http://www.cameraquest.com/kons3.htm

"Everyone praises the Hexanon lens which reportedly gets between 62 and 82 lpi, which is amazingly high performance (Leica-class) for a compact rangefinder."
http://www.photoethnography.com/ClassicCameras/index-frameset.html?KonicaAutoS3.html~mainFrame

2. Shutter
- Whisper quite, right up there with the GSN. 1/650 gives you a slightly broader range than than the typical 1/500th.

3. Excellent GN-based flash system with unique and easy to use fill-flash system.

4. Size - smallest "traditional" fixed lens RF camera, cool looking in all black. Fits in the palm of your hand, but with the solid all-metal build quality of yesterday with auto exposure lock.

5. Finder - verrry good. Not in the Leica high-end category but better than good enough...

Excellent budget street shooter...

Minuses:

Meter maxes out at 800ASA, shutter priority only - no manual control. Street shooter runner up, Yashica Electro CC and its excellent Yashinon 35/1.8.

I've never seen a "budget' S3, but I'm still hoping to............

 

[Simon Larbalestier]

Plaubel Makina 670 followed by Fuji GW690 III

 

[rover]

I just bought a Canonet GIII, I previously had one and I think it was the best combination of what I wanted, small, sharp fast lens, accurate meter, good RF/VF. Just a nice simple camera to use. I have a Himatic 7sII now also, and I like that, but it is a little too small, that was my impression of the Konica S3 also.

 

[sattva]

Konica Auto S3
1. Lens:

2. Shutter

3. Excellent GN-based flash system with unique and easy to use fill-flash system.

4. Size

5. Finder

Excellent budget street shooter...

Minuses:

I'm next to the said above. Great camera, never let me down. Unobtrusive and looks very "unprofessional", which is great thing for street work.

 

[NickTrop]

I've never seen a "budget' S3, but I'm still hoping to............

I got "lucky" with a little eBay psychology. Was after this one for a little while, and a camera shop posted one on eBay with a $90 reserve. It was fully CLA'd with the battery voltage adjusted to take modern batteries. (No never-ready case though...)

As expected, bidders stayed away due to the reserve. I don't think there were any other bidders! It also didn't have a case, a generic lens cap (non Konica), and no X-20 flash (who cares?) Just the camera.

I've seen these cameras go untested listed "as is" for $150.

$90 is a bargain for this camera, I think, in light it being CLA'd. This isn't one of those cameras that will not have bidders you're gonna get for $20 like a GSN.

 

[andrew]

I'm down to two fixed lens rf's - a broken Auto S2 (all the above descriptions are true) and my beloved Olympus 35 SPn. Once there were five: the Konica, the 35 SPn, a 35 SP, two Canonet QL17s. From all of these, I found my best bet:

Olympus 35 SPn:

1) the lens
2) the ergonomics
3) the spot meter (though I don't often use it)

Great post and some great cameras (35mm and MF).

 

[mactansblue]

Minolta 7sII. Small, Quiet and does not require a battery to function ( Only for the meter and Auto mode ) The glass in nice as well.

 

[black_box]

I got "lucky" with a little eBay psychology. Was after this one for a little while, and a camera shop posted one on eBay with a $90 reserve. It was fully CLA'd with the battery voltage adjusted to take modern batteries. (No never-ready case though...)

As expected, bidders stayed away due to the reserve. I don't think there were any other bidders! It also didn't have a case, a generic lens cap (non Konica), and no X-20 flash (who cares?) Just the camera.

I've seen these cameras go untested listed "as is" for $150.

$90 is a bargain for this camera, I think, in light it being CLA'd. This isn't one of those cameras that will not have bidders you're gonna get for $20 like a GSN.

Thats why I listed the vivitar 35es... twin brother for less than half the price. Although, I would still like to pick up an s3 😉

 

[Jeremy Z]

I stumbled upon this while Googling for something.
http://www.ph.utexas.edu/~yue/misc/rangfndr.html


It is a great page for FLRs, especially Olympus.

 

[Trius]

The "problem" with both the Konica and the Vivitar is the lower limit of the EV range ... only EV 4.5. EV 3, or better yet EV 2, are preferable for me.

 

[rogue_designer]

favorite Fixed lens would have to be the Yashica Lynx 5000.

1. Fantastic 45mm f1.8 lens / metered manual (smaller than the venerable Lynx 14, and more control than the GSN)
2. High build quality (and easy to repair)
3. Cheap. I can carry it on the worst days and not worry about it.

(2a - it looks good)

 

[dnemoc]

Yashica Lynx 14 IC

1. Sharp lens Yashinon DX 45mm, f1.4
2. Virtually jitter-free leaf shutter
3. Completely manual operation, the meter in my camera doesn't work 🙂

 

[pesphoto]

favorite Fixed lens would have to be the Yashica Lynx 5000.

1. Fantastic 45mm f1.8 lens / metered manual (smaller than the venerable Lynx 14, and more control than the GSN)
2. High build quality (and easy to repair)
3. Cheap. I can carry it on the worst days and not worry about it.

(2a - it looks good)

Oh yes, this one does rank right up there. Has everything one needs in a fully manual fixed lens RF.

 

[black_box]

The "problem" with both the Konica and the Vivitar is the lower limit of the EV range ... only EV 4.5. EV 3, or better yet EV 2, are preferable for me.

Yes... on camera meter does becomes quit useless when the lights get dim.

 

[MMc]

Yashica Electro 35 GSN
1. great lens
2. quiet shutter
3. my very first camera

 

[JeremyR]

I'm a little late to the party, but...

Yashica Electro 35 GL. It sort of wins by default because it's the only fixed-lens rangefinder I've ever known. But show me another one that has an ISO 1600 setting. Coupled with the f/1.7 lens, this makes for a great available-light camera.

Cheers,
Jeremy

 

[Jeremy Z]

Yashicas seem to get the nod overall. I love mine too, but it is a behemoth. The shutter release button has a long stroke, but there is no stacking.

Jeremy, you're not late. This part will probably go on for quite a while!

 

[tedwhite]

Yashica Electro 35 GSN. Unfortunately a monster alongside my Leica IIIf, but what a marvelous lens!

 

[NickTrop]

The reality is that all the Japanese RFs from that era were terrific. I love'em. I don't own all of them, but I trust the judgement of those who rave about the Konica S2 or the Minolta Himatics, or the Olys, or the Canons though I don't own any of them.

I picked the Konica Auto S3 out of my little collection since it's a terrific street shooter with an outstanding lens - small, black, perfect street shooter. I also have the Lynx 14e IC, and it's a all manual joy, the f1.4 is really something special but it is "a bit" unweildy because of the size of the lens barrel. Not the discreet little street shooter. The Yash Electro CC, well-build compact RF with a 35/1.8 lens that is a great performer - nother nice one.

But if I were to give someone advise it would be to get a GSN, have it fixed if need be, CLA'd... that is, resign yourself to spending - say, $100, to get a fully functional terrific RF... and just use that one, and fuhget about it. A serviced GSN may very well outlive you and be your RF for life. Don't get "gas" like me, and start wondering about this one, or lusting for that one. They're all excellent. The Electro gives you the best chance of getting a good one right out the gate - seem to hold up a little better. No worries about batteries, really, since it tolerates variances in voltage to a degree w/o effecting metering. It has a parralax corrected RF with a very good RF patch if the RF is cleaned. They are very plentiful, cheap, and you won't be disappointed by its terrific lens. No, they're not manual but the meter on this thing is spooky accurate, and they are VERY fast on the draw. Learn to premeter using the under/over lights on the top panel. The shutter is whisper silent (though the film advance is a bit ratchety)...

Yeah, a GSN. Then shoot the crap out of it, and don't worry about the others. (That said, there are worse guilty pleasures/vices than playing around with old cameras : )

 

[shutterfiend]

My little lamb, Rollei 35S

1. Size
2. Sharp, fast(er than other Rollei 35s), all manual (meter doesn't work on mine, so it's battery-free sunny 16), durable and above all... small.
3. Did I mention it's really handy and easy to carry around?