Your worst RF camera...

[lynn]

I, too, have a cheap Seagull RF which behaved so poorly during its first outings that I haven't even bothered finishing the Test Roll. Ironically, though, the correspondence concerning the transaction has developed into a friendship that makes me very happy, so in some way this "worst" camera has been my "best" purchase. 🙂

My Yashica CC, then: I love my GSN, but I can't imagine I'll ever take the CC off the shelf again.

 

[Silva Lining]

Voigtlander Prominent I.

Need I say more?

Truly a case of

"Nice lens, shame about the ergonomics"

....and the recoil on the focussing is a pain in the neck too.

I wish someone would make a £30 adapter so I could stick the glass on my M3

 

[ZorkiKat]

Fujica Auto-M. Primitive electronic auto-exposure RF from the early 60s. The jurassic era electronics are dead and took with it all the shutter/exposure functions of the camera. Strange, but not necessarily bad, configuration / layout of controls too.

Jay

 

[Pherdinand]

Honestly, i never had bad experiences with any rangefinders!
OK, i had a Voigtlander Something that I got in a lot and was completely broken, but that does not count, i didn't expect any good from it.

Maybe, my current contax iia + sonnar 50/1.5 is the "worst" in the sense that sometimes it gives awful (technical) quality. But then again, sometimes it's performing amazingly well. I can't figure out the reasons for the inconsistency.

 

[ErnestoJL]

Perhaps I had no "worst " RF camera, as all I have (or had) performed in accordance to it´s specifications. I can rate some, however, thinking about it´s design, performance, etc. but I still keep them in good working condition so I think it´s a matter of getting used to the camera, or decided to live with the weak part of it.

Ernesto

 

[santino]

probably the fed 5b, it works fine but it's dead ugly and is built like i dunno what 😀

 

[Jocko]

Yashica 35 GSN.

Some people like them. Not me. I hated it.

Ian

 

[ghost]

leica m2. i didn't find it a good everyday camera, at least.

 

[Andrew Sowerby]

I only own one true RF camera -- Canonet GIII 17. Does that make it both the best and worst? I think so.

 

[Tim]

Heh, fun and interesting thread, which just goes to prove the old "Horses for Courses..." saying.

For instance, I can't see how anyone could not get on with a Leica M. But that's just me.
And personally, I have to agree about the Canonet QL17 being overrated. It's ok, but I couldn't live with one. But the missus thinks it's great.

My personal worst? Olympus 35SP. I know they are supposed to be great, I know all that, but I hated every minute of using that camera. Just could NOT get on with it. Ergonomics sucked, felt lousy in my hands, wasn't overly enamoured with the way the lens performed either. Of course, YMMV.......

 

[dexdog]

any bottom-feeder, like the Canon IIIa. This feature alone kills any joy obtained from using the camera.

 

[KoNickon]

I would have to say that my first RF, an Electro 35 GSN, just totally didn't impress me with build quality or its almost complete lack of manual exposure control. I know the lens is great, but the other aspects convinced me to sell it and I've never wanted another.

On the other hand, the Canonet GIII QL17 is delightful to use, though I realize a lot of folks don't think much of them.

Squinty viewfinders don't rank high on my list of favorite features -- so things like the Prominent I and the Canon bottomloaders have some things going against them. But I like them for other reasons.

 

[rbiemer]

Ironically, though, the correspondence concerning the transaction has developed into a friendship that makes me very happy, so in some way this "worst" camera has been my "best" purchase. 🙂

Lovely! I'd have been happy if my experience had turned out half so well.

any bottom-feeder, like the Canon IIIa. This feature alone kills any joy obtained from using the camera

.
When I got the Canon IV,I was actualy thinking "eh, it's a bottom loader. Maybe I can sell it and use the $ for something I'll really like." Turned out not to be a problem for me and the IV is going off for a CLA this week so I can continue to enjoy it.

I am so glad we don't all like/lust after the same cameras. If we did I probably couldn't afford to play! 😀
Rob

 

[pesphoto]

hmmm.....Konica auto S2. I know its a favorite of some, but it just seemed clunky.

 

[pesphoto]

oh yeah, don't like the Canonets either. Way too small and plastic feeling to me.

 

[Chuck A]

My personal worst? Olympus 35SP. I know they are supposed to be great, I know all that, but I hated every minute of using that camera. Just could NOT get on with it. Ergonomics sucked, felt lousy in my hands, wasn't overly enamoured with the way the lens performed either. Of course, YMMV.......

I agree with the Oly SP. I couldn't get into it either. I tried, but no dice. The metering was a pain, shutter was fairly loud and it didn't handle well. I liked the lens though.

Someone earlier voted for the RC. Now I disagree there. I use my RC alot and like it. The size makes it very easy to carry and the shutter is silent. It isn't tops but does a nice job until I can get a better rangefinder.

 

[Scarpia]

probably the fed 5b, it works fine but it's dead ugly and is built like i dunno what 😀

I love mine, but what you say is true. I am always amazed that it works properly, but somehow it does.
Kurt M.

 

[lubitel]

I just cant believe that M2 has been mentioned twice. I am shocked. It's a freaking leica - the goddess of rangefinders! how is this possible?

PS oooh that's my post number 666

 

[ffttklackdedeng]

Agfa Isolette! Opening the spring loaded lens folding mechanism without film made 'Klong!' while with film inside it was 'Schluurrp'. Made me think the complete film was sucked of the film plane. Also a lot of things to fix but I felt like it wasn't worth it. Succeeded by a Perkeo which was much nicer.

You're kidding with the M2, aren't you?

 

[rover]

Wow, worst RF?

Here are my choices, I kinda like them all

M6 TTL
M3
IIIc

Canon IVsb2
Canon VT
Canon P

I have sold quite a few fixed lens cameras and some Bessas, but I like those too.

Didn't actually like the GSN, it just was to big and wrong for me.

OK, my worst RF right now is my VT because the slow speeds are off and it needs a CLA. After the CLA I will have a tough time choosing.