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Archive 2009 · Recommended Rangefinders?

sirimiri
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p.4 #1 · Recommended Rangefinders?

The R3M/A would be the ticket for higher focal lengths with it's 1:1 viewfinder - but it still has the shorter baseline/offset in all the Voigtlanders that is less desirable for focus accuracy, than the Zeiss.

Oct 06, 2009 at 03:45 PM

cgiff
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p.4 #2 · Recommended Rangefinders?

Spyro P. wrote:
Not at all. Discreet is a function of the photographer, not the camera.

Dont stare, dont track people with your lens, dont fire bursts. Make all your decisions re aperture/dof, focus range, ISO and shutter speed and dial them into your camera before you even start looking for photos. Use the same lens for a while, learn its fov and get used to framing without looking through the camera. Then lift the camera to your eye, take the photo, put it down again, dont stare and move on to the next photo. Do that and you've done everything possible not to be annoying, if people still have a problem with a split-second *click*, the problem is theirs, not yours.

Thanks for the input, it is appreciated and I get the sentiment. But there's definitely something to be said for a discreet camera... I would carry my D700 & 35/1.4 every day for a few months, and prefocus, shoot from the hip, etc. But carrying a big dSLR with even a small prime always grabs attention more than an OM-1. But even then, it's an SLR and feels a bit conspicuous on the subway late at night. That's all I meant.

TWoK wrote:
The OM-1 and 40/2 is really as good if not better in every single way. The thing is thought that many RF lenses are as small as the OM 40/2, but are even faster.
That's what I figured, thanks for the confirmation.

That said, I'm still awfully interested.

Oct 06, 2009 at 08:34 PM

pingflood
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p.4 #3 · Recommended Rangefinders?

I'm a Leica guy myself (have an M4-2 and a IIf) but I think one of the biggest bargains today is the Minolta Hi-Matic. I paid like $12 for one and the lens was excellent and the meter nice and accurate. It did take merc batteries so I used a zinc-air cell one.

Oct 06, 2009 at 08:59 PM

Spyro P.
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p.4 #4 · Recommended Rangefinders?

cgiff wrote:

Thanks for the input, it is appreciated and I get the sentiment. But there's definitely something to be said for a discreet camera... I would carry my D700 & 35/1.4 every day for a few months, and prefocus, shoot from the hip, etc. But carrying a big dSLR with even a small prime always grabs attention more than an OM-1. But even then, it's an SLR and feels a bit conspicuous on the subway late at night. That's all I meant.

I know sorry, sometimes I'm thinking outloud and end up way off topic

To be more on topic: I have an OM2n (which is essentially an OM1 with aperture priority) with a 35mm f2 zuiko and a Zeiss Ikon with a 35mm f2 biogon. I can assure you that the Ikon/Biogon combo is not smaller in any dimension, or lighter, or quieter, or easier to pack, or looks more retro or old than the OM, therefore I dont see how it can be considered more discreet.

Oct 06, 2009 at 11:01 PM

TWoK
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p.4 #5 · Recommended Rangefinders?

Sell the 35/2 Biogon is probably the absolute worst example of a small setup. That lens is large in RF mount, I mean really huge compared to the 35 'cron and bigger than the CV 35/1.4.

Oct 06, 2009 at 11:14 PM

mawz
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p.4 #6 · Recommended Rangefinders?

TWoK wrote:
Sell the 35/2 Biogon is probably the absolute worst example of a small setup. That lens is large in RF mount, I mean really huge compared to the 35 'cron and bigger than the CV 35/1.4.

The current Zeiss 35's are massive in either RF or SLR versions.

Oct 06, 2009 at 11:32 PM

TWoK
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p.4 #7 · Recommended Rangefinders?

mawz wrote:
TWoK wrote:
Sell the 35/2 Biogon is probably the absolute worst example of a small setup. That lens is large in RF mount, I mean really huge compared to the 35 'cron and bigger than the CV 35/1.4.

The current Zeiss 35's are massive in either RF or SLR versions.

Word.

Oct 06, 2009 at 11:37 PM

Spyro P.
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p.4 #8 · Recommended Rangefinders?

Υeah its thin but long. Dunno why I bought it, I dont really like this focal length anyway. Just saw some photos that I liked... I'll probably swap it for something else, probably a 28.

Oct 06, 2009 at 11:38 PM

TWoK
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p.4 #9 · Recommended Rangefinders?

Spyro P. wrote:
Υeah its thin but long.
That's what she said.

Oct 06, 2009 at 11:41 PM

Spyro P.
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p.4 #10 · Recommended Rangefinders?

You putting me off lenses now

Oct 06, 2009 at 11:46 PM

mikethevilla
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p.4 #11 · Recommended Rangefinders?

Spyro P. wrote:
Υeah its thin but long.
That's what she said

Owned.

Oct 07, 2009 at 02:25 AM

Tom Hicks
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p.4 #12 · Recommended Rangefinders?

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/modules.php?name=Jig

go here and read all about it .

Oct 07, 2009 at 02:29 AM

weezintrumpete
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p.4 #13 · Recommended Rangefinders?

Damn you guys...you have me looking at old rangefinders now and I told myself that I wasn't going to spend any more money on this stuff!

Oct 07, 2009 at 02:41 AM

kidtexas
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p.4 #14 · Recommended Rangefinders?

TWoK wrote:
Sell the 35/2 Biogon is probably the absolute worst example of a small setup. That lens is large in RF mount, I mean really huge compared to the 35 'cron and bigger than the CV 35/1.4.

It is big for a 35/2 in RF, but it is over emphasized a *wee* bit on how large it is. It's the size of a 50 Summicron. Yeah you can get smaller lenses, but it's not large and unmanageable. It is a really nice one too. I used one pretty much for all my shooting for a year - it's great. It was just the wrong focal length, so I sold it

Oct 07, 2009 at 03:53 AM

trifilmer
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p.4 #15 · Recommended Rangefinders?

What about a Voightlander Bessa? Interchangeable lens, classic look. Nice.

Oct 07, 2009 at 04:51 PM

weezintrumpete
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p.4 #16 · 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 #17 · 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 #18 · 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 #19 · 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 #20 · 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

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