Recommended Rangefinders?

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Archive 2009 · Recommended Rangefinders?

weezintrumpete
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p.4 #1 · Recommended Rangefinders?

The Bessas are apparently great bang for the buck. Not nearly as nice as Leicas (although some will say that some of the features they have far surpass some Leicas, such as AE and aperture priority, compared to something like the M6). I had one on loan for a week or so (a Bessa R I think) and really liked it.

Still, they are far more expensive than the cheap rangefinders most of us are talking about there. Especially when you add a lens, you can come close to $1000. Having said,that, they sure are tempting.

Oct 08, 2009 at 02:43 PM

mikethevilla
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p.4 #2 · Recommended Rangefinders?

Still, they are far more expensive than the cheap rangefinders most of us are talking about there. Especially when you add a lens, you can come close to $1000.

Haha glad you understand me Pat. I'm stoked for my GSN to get here!

Oct 08, 2009 at 09:16 PM

mawz
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p.4 #3 · Recommended Rangefinders?

You can get pretty cheap with the Bessa's too. A R with a Russian 50/2 can be done for under $300, a Canon 50/1.8 gets you into $400 territory.

They have some distinct advantages over many Leica's, especially cheaper M bodies. Metering, a reasonable flash sync (1/125), manually selected framelines, easier loading and a 1/2000 max shutter. You do give up build, longevity and the more accurate focusing system of the M's though.

Gotta say I'm quite happy with my R, although I didn't go terribly cheap as my lenses are the 28/1.9 (bought NOS) and the Nikkor 5cm f1.4

Oct 08, 2009 at 09:22 PM

sirimiri
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p.4 #4 · Recommended Rangefinders?

I picked up an R4M not too long ago. It's petite but is definitely a budget camera.

Little things like film advance, somewhat raw rewind knob action...but for the price, what could one expect? Especially when new, it still costs less than it's nearest "competitor" (built 30 meters away on an adjacent line? heh heh) the Zeiss Ikon.

I wish there were some sort of lock on the Bessa R(x)M cameras, similar to the Nikon FM2n, in which the cocking lever, when fully pushed against the shutter button housing, locks the shutter.

Cock the R4M and it is apparently ready to go off in perpetuity, with no provision to lock?

Oct 08, 2009 at 10:03 PM

3rd_i
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p.4 #5 · Recommended Rangefinders?

sirimiri wrote:
I wish there were some sort of lock on the Bessa R(x)M cameras, similar to the Nikon FM2n, in which the cocking lever, when fully pushed against the shutter button housing, locks the shutter.

Cock the R4M and it is apparently ready to go off in perpetuity, with no provision to lock?

That's what's great about the R(x)A's, is the locking switch located at the base of the shutter. That and AE

I'm doing RF on a budget now, I picked up a used R3a for a bit under $300 on eBay, and currently shoot with two Russian lenses: a Jupiter-8 50mm f/2 and Jupiter-9 85mm f/2. Combined they cost me about $100 (although getting a nice J-9 is almost like winning the lottery). Eventually I'd like to get something wider, but it's fun making do with what I've got for now. I hardly touch my 5D these days now that I've gotten in to developing my own B&W.

The R3a came with the vertical alignment slightly out of whack and leatherette coming loose, but both were easy fixes. As far as build quality I can tell it's not a $2000 camera, but it's not as if it feels like it's going to fly apart in my hands. I'd definitely recommend it.

Edit: just won a Super Ikonta 532/16 this afternoon, which is a 6x6 folding camera with an RF-coupled 80mm f/2.8 lens. Can't wait to combine my love of the square format with an RF camera!

Oct 09, 2009 at 12:23 AM

sirimiri
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p.4 #6 · Recommended Rangefinders?

Great Scott, man...you're on a tear. Somebody, stop him! Before he sucks up the world's remaining rangefinder stock! :P

3rd_i wrote:
I'm doing RF on a budget now, I picked up a used R3a for a bit under $300 on eBay, ...

Edit: just won a Super Ikonta 532/16 this afternoon, which is a 6x6 folding camera with an RF-coupled 80mm f/2.8 lens. Can't wait to combine my love of the square format with an RF camera!

Oct 09, 2009 at 06:12 AM

patrickphoto
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p.4 #7 · Recommended Rangefinders?

Leica Cle. M mount, smaller, less expensive. great camera!

Oct 10, 2009 at 03:20 AM

mawz
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p.4 #8 · Recommended Rangefinders?

patrickphoto wrote:
Leica Cle. M mount, smaller, less expensive. great camera!

Limited framelines (40/90 only), battery compatibility issues, unreliable meter, costs more than a used R or R2 which are functionaly better (better VF with longer EBL, better metering, more framelines, no battery issues).

The CL does win on small, only the Minolta CLE can match it. And the CLE gives up metered manual (unmetered only) in return for fixing most of the CL's other issues.

Oct 10, 2009 at 12:51 PM

Kyle Nordeen
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p.4 #9 · Recommended Rangefinders?

Just won a GSN on eBay!

I was going to hold out for the GTN, but they are ~3x more expensive.

I can't wait for it to get here.

-Kyle

Oct 10, 2009 at 07:33 PM

weezintrumpete
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p.4 #10 · Recommended Rangefinders?

Congrats! I also have a Yashica GT along with my GSN...I thought I'd like the look of the black one better, but it turns out that I love the classic look of the silver one. Post some shots with it (and of it) when you get it!

Oct 10, 2009 at 10:07 PM

weezintrumpete
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p.4 #11 · Recommended Rangefinders?

Slightly OT, but does anyone else need a reason to get a GSN?

Let's see some shots from these cameras in this thread when they get here!

Oct 13, 2009 at 02:05 AM

mikethevilla
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p.4 #12 · Recommended Rangefinders?

Haha I'd say that's enough reason all on its own!

I'll be posting my shots fo sho once it gets here. But I'm afraid it'll be awhile. First it's shipping to AZ and then out to me in London (long story). Bah. The anticipation is killer.

Oct 13, 2009 at 02:12 AM

ulrikft
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p.4 #13 · Recommended Rangefinders?

Mine is not as interesting as the above, but a canonet ql19 and a gsn:

This image is copyrighted by the owner

Oct 13, 2009 at 01:31 PM

weezintrumpete
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p.4 #14 · Recommended Rangefinders?

I didn't realize the Canon was so much smaller than the Yashica...thanks for the photo!

Oct 13, 2009 at 02:27 PM

kidtexas
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p.4 #15 · Recommended Rangefinders?

That diamond shape rf patch on the Yashica always put me off. Then again, the one I looked through was old and yellowed - maybe they aren't all like that. I guess a non-square patch could be more effective in lining up more shapes while focusing, but still...

Oct 13, 2009 at 02:35 PM

bremen
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p.4 #16 · Recommended Rangefinders?

weezintrumpete wrote:
Slightly OT, but does anyone else need a reason to get a GSN?

Let's see some shots from these cameras in this thread when they get here!

weezintrumpete:

OKAY, I can resist no more!

I just bought a GSN on eBay! So now I'm only missing a pretty lady...

Oct 13, 2009 at 04:42 PM

PhotoMaximum
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p.4 #17 · Recommended Rangefinders?

The GSN is sort of becoming one of the go-to-camera props in advertising. Yesterday I was thumbing through a national magazine and noticed a credit card ad with a model holding a GSN body.

I have two of them but really do not use them. I find they look cooler from a distance. The actual feel and build seems somewhat cheap, but then again they were pretty cheap...

Oct 13, 2009 at 04:54 PM

mikethevilla
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p.4 #18 · Recommended Rangefinders?

Haha agreed. I saw one on a t-shirt today! I was like, "hey that's my camera! err... will be my camera.... once it gets here."

Oct 13, 2009 at 08:06 PM

Kyle Nordeen
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p.4 #19 · Recommended Rangefinders?

GSN just came in. Just needs a battery and it will see some use.

-Kyle

Oct 17, 2009 at 04:57 AM

lou f
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p.4 #20 · Recommended Rangefinders?

no one has mentioned the olympus rd yet? great little camera. i have the dc version my self, great vf, 40mm f1.7 the only down side is iso 800... oh yea cheap too.

http://www.cameraquest.com/olyrd.htm

Oct 17, 2009 at 11:48 AM

bremen
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p.4 #21 · Recommended Rangefinders?

Finally found the battery that works...

... here's my "newly" arrived GSN!

Oct 31, 2009 at 07:15 PM

mikethevilla
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p.4 #22 · Recommended Rangefinders?

What the heck did I buy?

Item description said Yashica Electro 35. So does everything on the camera, no "G" or "GS" or "GSN" anywhere. However, the ASA goes up to 500. I thought the original Electro's only went up to ASA 400.

Currently taking/uploading the photos of it, so I'll be able to post these in a few minutes if you guys want them.

Nov 09, 2009 at 06:32 PM

weezintrumpete
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p.4 #23 · Recommended Rangefinders?

Interesting...as far as I can remember, my GSN goes up to 1000 ASA. I'd love to see a photo of it...

How's everyone elses Electro's doing?

Nov 09, 2009 at 07:04 PM

mikethevilla
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p.4 #24 · Recommended Rangefinders?

Ok. After a little research, I'm fairly convinced that it's a regular Electro 35 (no G, GS, or GSN), but I'm still confused as heck about it going up to ASA 500. Everything I've read says it should only go up to ASA 400. Of course, none of this really matters since IT DOESN'T FREAKING WORK! Dang... Such is life. Here's some pics for you guys. More on the blog

This image is copyrighted by the owner

And I'm going to go ahead and guess that this is the reason it doesn't want to work...

This image is copyrighted by the owner

Nov 09, 2009 at 07:13 PM

PhotoMaximum
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p.4 #25 · Recommended Rangefinders?

The black rubber stuff on the camera looks different from the GSN copies I have.

I won an eBay auction for two copies of the GSN. Both had battery issues and did not work. In the end I did some battery substitutions and fiddled with the wiring by removing the top plates. I forget what I did actually, but both of my copies work.

In the end I shot one test roll which produced average results in my opinion and they have sat in my gear cabinet ever since...

Nov 09, 2009 at 08:50 PM


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