Where's the warning label??

[bevels]

First off... Hello rangefinderforum.com world.

Second off... Somebody needs to be held accountable. I've just spent the past two weeks (solid) researching fixed lens rangefinders and I'm obsessed.

In one weekend I've purchased two mint condition cameras. A Yashica Electro 35 GX and a Ricoh 500GX (which hasn't arrived yet) I haven't even run a roll of film through my Yashica and already I'm looking at buying another one.

And so I have a question for any qualified punter who owns, or has owned the Konica Auto S2 and the Olympus 35 SP. Which one am I better off having in my incredibly fast growing collection? Keeping in mind I may not be able to buy another one for quite some time without my loving partner donning a pair of my size ten's and booting me onto the cold Melbourne streets (which wouldn't be so bad as long as I could take a fixed lens over each shoulder 🙄)

I'm a fierce Nikon advocate and have been for years. I'm used to enlarging from emulsion exposed to light through the beautifully crafted 50 and 105 nikkors so I'd like to at least match what these lenses are capable of???

From what I've read over the past few weeks, the Konica S2 and the Olympus SP seem to be the top of the pops in the sub $200 catagory... which one has the edge??? Which one is going to have me leaving my FE2 at home without any regret?

The only main requirements I have are a: Fully manual operation, as it's the only way I shoot and b: A stinking hot lens that demonstrates sharpness, contrast and character. Added bonuses would be a parallax corrected viewfinder, industructable build quality, and maybe ATL meter for the rare occasions I throw her into AE mode, but these details are not a deal breaker.

This forum seems like a pretty sweet place to be, I'll look forward to hanging out here when I get the time.

Ciao.

Benjamin.

 

[Dave Wilkinson]

First off... Hello rangefinderforum.com world.

Second off... Somebody needs to be held accountable. I've just spent the past two weeks (solid) researching fixed lens rangefinders and I'm obsessed.

In one weekend I've purchased two mint condition cameras. A Yashica Electro 35 GX and a Ricoh 500GX (which hasn't arrived yet) I haven't even run a roll of film through my Yashica and already I'm looking at buying another one.] Perhaps you are joking?...if not, try to keep things in perspective - they are tools - for a job of work! you would be better off using ONE extensively, and honing your skills!, how many sets of spanners/wrenches would you buy in a week? - sorry to be a kill-joy!
Dave.

 

[payasam]

I don't think you'll ever find the equivalent of a 105/2.5 Nikkor in a fixed lens RF camera. The aim of doing with an RF camera what you did with your FE2 is doomed to failure, as you will probably find after buying another dozen or two dozen.

 

[bevels]

"how many sets of spanners/wrenches would you buy in a week? - sorry to be a kill-joy!"

One set if they were Snapon's, probably two dozen if they were El Cheapo's and I'd enhale a lung full of helium and sing god save the queen while I juggle all 12 sets!

"I don't think you'll ever find the equivalent of a 105/2.5 Nikkor in a fixed lens RF camera"

Ain't this the truth, I doubt I'd find an equivalent of the 105/2.5 anywhere, it's perfection. I was really just trying to paint a picture of what I'm used to using to see if something could come close... not exactly the same. Maybe I should've chosen my words differently.

The way I see it, I'll buy a bunch of the better fixed lens cameras.. run a couple of rolls through each to get a feel for them, hit the darkroom and make some prints, then decide what I'm going to keep and the rest I'll put up for sale.

I didn't sound too serious in original post did I?? I'm like a kid in a candy shop with these new photographic toys.. similar feeling to what I had when i purchased my first Nikon.

Somebody jump up and slap me a high five and say "Hey.. Benjamin! Welcome to the club, I've used both cameras and XXXX is the holy grail of sub $200 fixed lens rangefinders, buy one coz you'll love it"

For work I use high end Nikons and MF digital, fixed lens RF's are for when I jump on my bike, forget about all my responsibilites and shoot for fun. If I want 'serious' I'll go over to DPReview and be pulled apart, they're pros at it over there!

Peace.

B.

 

[ampguy]

not sure you'd find it on any RF lens

not sure you'd find it on any RF lens

That I have seen.

I don't think you'll ever find the equivalent of a 105/2.5 Nikkor in a fixed lens RF camera. The aim of doing with an RF camera what you did with your FE2 is doomed to failure, as you will probably find after buying another dozen or two dozen.

 

[btgc]

Somebody jump up and slap me a high five and say "Hey.. Benjamin! Welcome to the club, I've used both cameras and XXXX is the holy grail of sub $200 fixed lens rangefinders, buy one coz you'll love it"

Problem is there's no fast track. Some people like semi-automatic FLRF's, like Yashica Electro (Av) and Viv35ES/Revue 400ES or Konica Auto S3 (Tv). Some like fully manual Lynx series, and some accept automation+manual, like Konica Auto S and S2 plus bunch of other cameras. Then there are people considering well built Konica III as entry level model to world of FLRF's. Some come to Oly 35RC after using bunch of gear.

Really, why steal you years of madness with them?

 

[Gary Sandhu]

Save yourself pain and get a leica m(3,4,6,7,p) and a couple of lenses.

 

[dmr]

Warning label?

Warning label?

Like the warning label from Mad Magazine some time ago, for beer or vodka or some such: Warning: Continuous use may lead to continuous use. 🙂

 

[telemetre]

Like the warning label from Mad Magazine some time ago, for beer or vodka or some such: Warning: Continuous use may lead to continuous use. 🙂

and continuous use may give you the answer you seek...

 

[Dave Wilkinson]

"




If I want 'serious' I'll go over to DPReview and be pulled apart, they're pros at it over there!

If you want 'serious' - stick around, there is a wealth of knowledge and experience here!, but if you just want everyone to pat you on the back and say "buy, buy, buy xxxxx is best", maybe you'd be better at DPReview, here if posts warrant a little pulling apart - they usually get it!
welcome to the forum!
Dave.

 

[julio1fer]

I have the Olympus 35 SP and it has one of the best lenses I've ever seen - including Leica and the Planar 50/2 of the Zeiss Contarex, both of which I own. It is in the same league. You must use a hood, though, or flare will appear. The 35SP has a spot meter which may or not be important to you.

Have never used the Konica Auto S2, but Konica made very good lenses as well.

Try to stop the GAS in the beginning - make a vow of not buying another camera until you have run two rolls on your latest acquisition.

 

[MaxElmar]

Dude, you're ripe to turn in to a Nikon RF guy, for sure. Just get a Bessa RS or a Nikon RF body, a 50 Nikkor to start,and it's off to the races. You want a 105 RF? Get one - the Nikkor RF 105 will deliver exactly what you want. Be prepared to pay a bit more...

 

[bevels]

Dude, you're ripe to turn in to a Nikon RF guy, for sure. Just get a Bessa RS or a Nikon RF body, a 50 Nikkor to start,and it's off to the races. You want a 105 RF? Get one - the Nikkor RF 105 will deliver exactly what you want. Be prepared to pay a bit more...

You're right.. and I've spent a fair bit of time drooling over the Nikon SP, although at that price I'm in Leica territory and then the decision becomes very difficult. It's the lure of an extremely capable rangefinder for 2-300 bucks with 'relatively' great optics. I don't have a spare 3-4k at the moment for a sweet little Leica setup so i'm just enjoying these little fixed lens beauties for now. 'Wetting my lips' so to speak.

I have the Olympus 35 SP and it has one of the best lenses I've ever seen - including Leica and the Planar 50/2 of the Zeiss Contarex, both of which I own. It is in the same league. You must use a hood, though, or flare will appear. The 35SP has a spot meter which may or not be important to you.

Have never used the Konica Auto S2, but Konica made very good lenses as well.

Try to stop the GAS in the beginning - make a vow of not buying another camera until you have run two rolls on your latest acquisition.

This Julio1fer, was exactly the sort of reply I was after! Thanks very much that's 1 point to the Olympus SP side.

Hmmm..

Leica CL with a 40mm/f2 summicron (crazy sharp and small)
skinny Tele-Elmarit 90mm/f2.8

It wont do the same thing as the 105 2.5 (I know, I have that lens and I use it every day that I work, almost - on both D700 and 35mm bodies) but, it will do something that is as pleasing. The camera is set up for 40mm and 90 mm frame lines..

Great way to get into it... If you want fixed lens, consider the Hexar AF or....

For a tenth of the price an Olympus RC - more fragile but superb optically.

All depends on what you want to do....

Hey sonofdanang.. The Leica CL looks great but as previously mentioned it's still above what I've got to play around with at the moment. It certainly could be my first Leica purchase in the near future though! The Hexar looks like a wonderful camera but it's AF with a useless manual overide, with no aperture and shutter ring it's just not a camera for me I'm afraid.

I'm surprised to hear the Olympus RC is "superb oprically" I thought it'd be in the Ricoh 500 catagory?? (not great optics but lots of character) Thanks for your comments sonofdanang.

Like the warning label from Mad Magazine some time ago, for beer or vodka or some such: Warning: Continuous use may lead to continuous use. 🙂

Absolutely brilliant, you and I are on the same page my friend!

Problem is there's no fast track. Some people like semi-automatic FLRF's, like Yashica Electro (Av) and Viv35ES/Revue 400ES or Konica Auto S3 (Tv). Some like fully manual Lynx series, and some accept automation+manual, like Konica Auto S and S2 plus bunch of other cameras. Then there are people considering well built Konica III as entry level model to world of FLRF's. Some come to Oly 35RC after using bunch of gear.

Really, why steal you years of madness with them?

Too true.. which is why I didn't ask "which is the best fixed lens rangefinder" because of course this question is dependant upon many different factors. Instead my question is simply "Konica S2 or Olympus SP" to those who are qualified, ie. own or have owned (haven't just read reviews) both of these cameras. Although the banter in between is always a bit of fun 😉

Thanks for all your comments anyway, I do appreciate your opinions. However with only one person directly responding to the question at hand (S2 or SP) It looks like Olympus is winning so far! And comparing it to a Leitz lens makes it sound very appealing.

Cheers.

B.

 

[splitimageview]

35RC Review

 

[Ronald M]

I had a Waltz Envoy with a Nippon Kogagu 50 2.0 in about 1959. I used it thru college.

Looking at history books, I can`t find an Envoy with the 50 2.0 so you will probably not be able to find one.

I suggest you look for a Rollie 35 with any lens. Careful or will get hooked on German glass specially if you process your own.

 

[Trius]

While I love my THREE Oly 35SPs, they don't have parallax compensation, and the meter is difficult to read in really low light. Yes the lens is brilliant, the spot meter even better, but I'd love to score an S2 as a companion.

If you could find a 35RD within your budget (including CLA), I'd consider that too. For silly little money the RC can't be beat, though the Konica C35 is amazing if you can live with AE only, and even cheaper.

 

[IK13]

I have both cameras.
The Olympus is smaller and has a (rudimentary) spot meter. It's just a camera you'd love even if you never use it.

Both have great lenses. And I mean - as good as it gets . I somewhat like the Konica picture just a little better for people. Koni has a parallax corrected coupled viewfinder with moving frames, costs a lot less. Both have full manual mode. The full auto mode on the Oly sucks IMHO, while Koni has a very usable shutter priority mode. That is if you get a copy with a working meter. And of course both use outulawed mercury batteries. I recomend converting the camera to silver oxide batteries or just using wein cells /hearing aid batteries).
The CdS cell (the light sensitive element) is mouted on the lens barrel for Koni (makes it easy to use filters) and on the body for Oly.

Get them both. If you need to get just one - start with the Koni.

Post pictures. Good luck.

 

[januaryman]

Canonet GIII QL17 - best lens.