Thanks for a great thread, I have been thinking of dabbling in rangefinders, and also thinking of shooting film again, so this would be a great and affordable way of doing both. The advice is really quite helpful.
weezintrumpete; Here is a question for you. What is the difference between the XA and the XA-2? As far as I can tell, the XA-2 is fixed at a TV of 1/500? Does the first have TV as well as AV priority?
I only really know about the XA....I've never used the other versions. From reading on the net, it seems as if the XA is the classic one...most widely used and appreciated.
In keeping with Alt custom, I'll recommend the original Contax T: http://patternassociates.com/rico/contax/misc/t.jpg
Features: manual focus with optical RF, full-time Av AE, Zeiss Sonnar 38/2.8, leaf shutter to 1/500, small. It doesn't quite make shirt-pocket requirements. Price is $200-$400 on eBay. You can diddle the ISO dial for exp. comp.
I was looking at a Canonet, but found an Olympus 35SP in beautiful condition that I couldn't pass up. I love it and would recommend it if you can find one. I'm still looking for a Yashica. Also look for the Olympus 35RD and RC.
Out of curiosity, what makes an RF and RF? I'm pretty sure its not just anything without a mirror... A rangefinder is a focusing system, does it matter if it works manually or automatically? Ie, is the Contax G1 a rangefinder?
Just be aware of the mercury battery issue and the fact that many of these old RFs have pretty terrible RF patches that can make it harder to focus. Make sure whatever you get has a decent RF patch in the viewfinder or you could end up not enjoying the RF experience.
And this folks, is why I love FM. Haha. So many suggestions! You guys know your stuff though. So it looks like I'm going to spring for one of the Yashica Electro series. After a little research, it seems like the GSN/GS/GX models (and their respective "T" counterparts) are all pretty similar except for a few minor details such as a hotshoe. AKA things I don't think I care about. Does anyone know if I'm completely wrong about that?
I'm going to try and grab a GSN, but I come across a well-priced GS or GX I may take a swing at one of those. And while I said earlier I'd like to handle the camera first, that was back when I was thinking $150-250. If I see one of these for less than $50, I might just grab it
So one MORE question: On ebay many of the cameras appear to have slightly hazy viewfinders (although so does weezintrumpete's that he posted). Should I be worried about that at all?
Thanks folks. I do think it'll be interesting to see where these digital "rangefinders" (aka ep1, gf1, etc..) will take us. It should be fun. Speaking of which, I have a story for all of you.
I have a Petri f1.9 Color Corrected Super. No meter, no nothing. Just a little yellow patch for focus.
Working ones are rare anymore. They tend to be found in basements and old musty closets. That '57 Chevy you saw at the car show is younger than this camera.
If you really want to confuse the natives, I have an Argus Model AF that dates back to 1937. I know the guy who bought it originally. The viewfinder is a square tube molded into the top of the camera. NO meter. Focus is by a scale on the lens. A string knotted every 12 inches was a very good accessory to have.
Just be aware of the mercury battery issue and the fact that many of these old RFs have pretty terrible RF patches that can make it harder to focus. Make sure whatever you get has a decent RF patch in the viewfinder or you could end up not enjoying the RF experience.
The poor viewfinders are what turned me off the fixed-lens RF's after owning 3 of them (2 Canonet QL17 G-III's and a Yashica Minister-D). The Bessa's are a massive step up in VF quality and R's are quite cheap.
Yeah thats the thing, what Mawz said. I got cought up talking about fixed lens RFs that I forgot to mention: if you can afford a Bessa (any Bessa), go for it! Value for money is just ridiculous!
mawz wrote:
The poor viewfinders are what turned me off the fixed-lens RF's after owning 3 of them (2 Canonet QL17 G-III's and a Yashica Minister-D). The Bessa's are a massive step up in VF quality and R's are quite cheap.
So true. A friend of mine was turned off to RFs after using an Oly SP and a Canonet QL17. Then I showed him the ZI's viewfinder (arguably the best on any RF) and he suddenly became more interested in them.
A Bessa with some Russian glass (Jupiter-8, Industars, but not the Jupiter-12!!!) is a very good way to go, though still more $ than FLRFs.
