Tips for Cheap 1st Rangefinder

[martinsmith99]

I'm thinking of trying out a rangefinder to see if I like them. I want something that is fairly reliable and it's main use would probably be wide angle landscape or street photography.

Any tips for buying something that isn't going to cost much?

[Attila]

Yashica Electro 35 without hesitation I got one from Andy (F16Sunshine) truly amazing camera produce superb result still the best one what I seen from cheap ones. Problem is many of them on Ebay not working fine.

Sample made with cheap film, this camera produced best result to me on cheap film including my $$ lenses and cameras like Olympus OM 18mm or Heliar 15mm or Nikkor UD 20 etc.

http://www.mflenses.com/gallery/v/filmcamera/yashica_electro_35/

[Nesster]

Yep, the Yashicas are very good with great lenses. If you want wider though, say, the classic 35mm street focal length, pickings are slimmer.

I can think of the Olympus XA, and there's a Yashica Electro CC

Here's a good intro
http://www.cameraquest.com/com35s.htm

[rick_oleson]

Don't know what your budget is; 'not much' is pretty subjective. The Canonet QL17-GIII has a 40mm f/1.7 lens, and its price is generally pretty good considering its specs.

You might also look at some interchangeable lens models: Zorki 4's are cheap, and you can get the 35/2.8 Jupiter-12 lens to fit. The lens will probably cost more than the camera. Another one to consider is an Argus C44 - it also has an available 35mm wide angle, made by Steinheil. The Argus and Zorki are both generally reliable, though neither is perfect; the Argus' shutter is distinctly audible, so don't sneak around with that one. The Canonet above is about as silent as a camera can get.

[martinsmith99]

I suppose budget wise I'm looking at 20-60GBP. So some of the ones listed are too pricey.

Thanks for the replies.

[rick_oleson]

The Zorki 4 should fit well into your budget. It will come with a 50mm lens rather than a wide angle, but you can add that later as conditions permit.

There are also a large variety of generic Japanese fixed-lens, leaf-shutter rangefinders that don't cost much, and many have lenses in the 40-45mm range for a slightly wider view.

Another that you might find is the Agfa Super Solinette, a nicely made German fixed-lens model with coupled rangefinder. It's very smooth and quiet and came with either an f/3.5 (Apotar, I think) or an excellent f/2.0 Solinar lens. At least the f/3.5 model, and perhaps both, should fall within your budget. Reliability and quality with this camera should be no problem; the only thing to watch for is stiff focusing, Agfa used a funny grease that hardened with age. If you get an example that focuses smoothly it's a very nice camera.

[LucisPictor]

Cheap fixed lens RF:
- Minolta Hi-Matic F (2.7/38 )
- Ricoh 500 RF (2.8/40)

A little more expensive, but still within your budget:
- Olympus 35 RC (2.8/42)
- Rollei XF 35 (2.3/40)

Even a little more expensive:
- Minolta Hi-Matic E(1.7/40)
- Yashica Electro 35 GS (1.7/45)
- AGFA Super Silette Automatic (2.8/50)
- AGFA Super Silette 2 (2.0/50)

The only exchangeable lens RF I have is the very affordable FED-3b.
And I have these leses to go with it:
- Jupiter-12 2.8/35 P
- Jupiter-8 2.0/50
- Industar-61 L/D 2.8/53
Each of these lenses is recommendable.

[martinsmith99]

I really like the look of the Oly 35 RC.

[Rob Leslie]

Vivitar 35ES or Minolta Hi-Matic F
Both have had films through them last year and were OK all light seals checked and replaced if needed all working as should be and in nice condition.

£20 for the Minolta £30 for the Vivitar + P & P

mail me if you want one of them.

P.S I no longer want them as I don't use much film and have the Ricoh 500G and Olympus XA when I want to play.

[martinsmith99]

I'll PM you about the Vivitar. Looks a nice camera reading the spec.

I also found your sample pics from the `other' forum. They look more than good enough for my ability.

[Rob Leslie]

Camera is on the way to you tomorrow

[martinsmith99]

Arrived today. Thanks!!

[martinsmith99]

I have an old National PE-145 flash that I want to use with this camera. Any idea what the GN setting should be on? I have no documents with the flash.

I've found a distance scale for the flash and it says F4 @ 3.5m at 100asa, so if I understand GN properly, it's 4x3.5= GN of 14.

Am I correct? Sorry for such a basic question, but I'm used to TTL, light meters and chimping.

[mUg]

I own an Xa, and i think it's very comfortable to take around while you travel, work or whatever. It's very small and fits in almost every pocket. As huge positives, it has a 35 2.8 lens and it uses common batteries as LR/SR44.

On the cons side, i can think only about its viewfinder patch which it's not as visible as in other cameras, but still usable. The other cons is that its prices are a bit high on ebay, but i think you can buy one for 50$.

If you're interested about other cameras i think Yashicas and Canonets are interesting and has been sold in zillions pieces.