Which one?

[NoTx]

Hello all!

Recently I went and did a shoot and brought along my G1. Now I love that camera, nearly every shot you take is a keeper. My SLR and DSLR are not quite up to that level of precision. It also seems to be simply more fun.

Now I had a couple of questions.

1. Is there any digital other than the Epson/CV with removable lenses that is a rangefinder on the horizon? I don’t really want a Crop of that magnitude (already have one heavy crop camera).
2. If I went looking for a manual focus rangefinder, what out there would people suggest (new or used). My requirements would be: TTL Flash, X Synch faster than 1/60, higher magnification than .6x, PC Connector. Format is whatever (no smaller than 35mm). Oh, and it needs to be more portable than a small SLR.

Well, thanks all!

 

[Sonnar Brian]

I believe the requirement for TTL Flash with a Sync speed faster than 1/60th limits you to a Konica RF; but it has a finder magnification of 0.6x. The later Leica M6 and up have TTL flash, but 1/60th Sync.

As You already have the G1, I would suggest dropping the TTL Flash requirement to broaden the set. The strongest point of a Manual Focus RF is its existing light capability. If I use a flash, it is usually on my SLR's, fixed-lens RF's, or Retina IIIS. I have yet to stick a flash on the Leica, Canon 7, or Nikon SP.

 

[NoTx]

I believe the requirement for TTL Flash with a Sync speed faster than 1/60th limits you to a Konica RF; but it has a finder magnification of 0.6x. The later Leica M6 and up have TTL flash, but 1/60th Sync.

As You already have the G1, I would suggest dropping the TTL Flash requirement to broaden the set. The strongest point of a Manual Focus RF is its existing light capability. If I use a flash, it is usually on my SLR's, fixed-lens RF's, or Retina IIIS. I have yet to stick a flash on the Leica, Canon 7, or Nikon SP.

I want to ditch everything but a pair of RF and my DSLR (soon to also be a pair, by the end of the year at least). A flash will sometimes be a requirement. I like natural light also, but some things there is no choice with. TTL flash I might trade for maybe 1/125th or better synch.

The thing is, I love how the flash from that little tinny 200 series flash hits it spot on every time. Every time. It simply works. I threw it on a Stroboframe Pro-T and the results were jut awesome: spot on. The problem is I simply want a camera just as reliable. I want to go out and say, ok, I am shooting her, not hmmm… which results to try for.

So far the only serious candidates I have thought of were the CLE, Xpan and the M7. But there have to be more.

Thanks!

 

[SolaresLarrave]

The X-Pan ain't that small, NoTx. The M7 has TTL capabilties, and it synchs better than the M6TTL (which does it at 1/50). To be quite honest, for your RF requirements, just get another Contax (oops, you want manual focus) or, better yet, a Canonet. The flash is very useful and synchronizes at all speeds (it has a blade shutter, not a focal plane) and if you use it with a Vivitar 283 or 285, you may get some nice fill- effects. Another one, the Konica S2 or S3. No TTL flash but... what do you need it for?

Have fun shopping!

 

[Doug]

While the great CLE has TTL flash, it synchs at 1/60th and the viewfinder is 0.6x. I don't know of anything that matches ALL your specs, Robert...

If fast flash synch is important, and you'd like a roll-film RF, look at the Mamiya, Fuji, and Bronica 645 leaf-shutter rangefinders.

As to the horizon on digital RF's, there's the announced Leica M-digital in a couple years or so.

 

[pvdhaar]

Brian suggested the Konica RF for TTL-flash and sync faster than 1/60. But unfortunately, while the Konica RF does indeed go up to 1/125, it does not have TTL-flash control.

 

[NoTx]

Well, in all honesty, I was hopping something would fill them all... but not always the option I will just have to grab the closest that I can.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Did not know that about the Konica! I assumed since it had every bell and whistle on it that they would have kept that feature from the Leica! So the Konica RF is obviously is not the way to go...


Cameraquest Konica RF Page

So I will limit your choice to this one:

Cameraquest Description of the camera YOU KNOW you really want:

AND the use of the Rewind KNOB (not seen since 1968) has proven itself time and again to ELIMINATE STATIC MARKS CAUSED BY REWINDING FILM IN COLD WEATHER!

 

[NoTx]

Hmmm...

M6TTL... Maybe.
M7... Maybe.
MP? Nope.

It fullflls none of my requirments save interchangable lenses. Unless of course you can set a flash guide number for adjustment of exposure suggestions?

On the otherhand, I went to Samy's Camera yesterday and was considering a few cameras.

Thoughts on the following?

M6TTL v. M7 (.72 or .85 for either)

Thanks!

 

[NoTx]

Hmmm...

M6TTL... Maybe.
M7... Maybe.
MP? Nope.

It fullflls none of my requirments save interchangable lenses. Unless of course you can set a flash guide number for adjustment of exposure suggestions?

On the otherhand, I went to Samy's Camera yesterday and was considering a few cameras.

Thoughts on the following?

M6TTL v. M7 (.72 or .85 for either)

Thanks!

Forgot two: Minolta CLE & Xpan

 

[Doug]

While I like my M2 a lot, and it's a lovely smooth machine, I'm more likely to take out the Minolta CLE. Partly because of its inconspicuous looks, but largely due to the AE. <blush>

I know it's not "true blue" to favor auto exposure, but an incident comes to mind... Back in the 60's at a street corner adjacent to Seattle's Pike Place Market, the SDS (Students for Democratic Society?) had an anti-this-and-that political rally. I happened by, carrying my M2+35 'cron and Spotmatic+85mm both with Tri-X. I was snapping away, all was well, then after some determined heckling an altercation broke out and moved back into the market where light was much dimmer. I quickly cranked open 3 stops and kept shooting, but it was dimmer than I realized. Underexposed negs were treated with chromium intensifier, but still very thin.

Yeah, I goofed, but... AE would have been very useful in getting decent exposures in this quick-changing situation. These days I'm mostly shooting with 645 format RFs with AE. I do usually carry a Gossen meter for incident readings, and balance that against "Sunny 16" type judgements, but I'll often let the camera do its thing -- under supervision.

Ok, so if I were to shop for a 35mm RF, say to replace my CLE should it break fatally, I think I might have to dig deep for an M7. Hexar RF is nice but I don't care for a motor. Not yet, anyway, but the Fuji GA645 may spoil me for that and AF as well. What would a Konica-Minolta CLE/Hexar look like if they bring one out?

Oh, I think "my" Leica M7 would have a .58x viewfinder to better work with 28mm focal length, a favorite. I might consider .72 (like my M2) but not .85x unless I wanted to concentrate on 50mm and longer.