Wow, spent all weekend shooting Tri-x and some Kodachrome with a friends Leica M4. So different than using my D700. I need to get one of these puppies!

I think a rangefinder is a great addition to my bag,

Cheers,


Tobin

What can I say, I like my Bessa R so much that my collection of 35mm SLR's is facing a potential selloff. And I shoot a reasonable amount of film (104 rolls so far this year).

Tobin, did you get a chance to use the close part of the focusing range on that kit?

Heh I'm such a sucker for good gear photos, and this is a good one

Re an RF making a good addition to a bag, I dont think it'll work that way. These little machines demand your udivided attention and they are consuming, the more you use them the more you get sucked in...

It is a great experience I just got my new 25mm Zeiss biogon and the accessory viewfinder is amazing! I just have to get used to one viewfinder for focus one for composition. When my M9 arrives hopefully the combo will be put to even better use for some serious landscape shooting.

Yes it is!

Hey Carstenw, No it was in the bag I didnt try it. I was just so blown away at how easy it was to focus with the rangefinder. I might get a M7/M6 not sure yet

If you think 35mm rangefinders are good, try a Medium format one... ;-)

Before you get a boat load of M lenses, you might want to try a fixed-lens Fujifilm medium format rangefinder (a.k.a. Texas Leica). My favourite was the GW670II. Last time I checked, Dante Stella was a great resource for these beauties: http://www.dantestella.com/technical/gw.html

P.S. Rats, Ed beat me to it.

Rangefinders definitely have their charm... it sure does enhance the whole experience... just wish they weren't so darn expensive.

As compared to full auto exposure - ultra fast autofocus - big bulky camera's you could drive a nail in with - I would take a reasonably priced (sub $1000) rangefinder any day.

I had a Mamiya 6 and then I got a $30 Fuji GW690II. Both are amazing cameras. The 6X9 just blows everything else I've used away.

pascal03 wrote:
Rangefinders definitely have their charm... it sure does enhance the whole experience... just wish they weren't so darn expensive.

As compared to full auto exposure - ultra fast autofocus - big bulky camera's you could drive a nail in with - I would take a reasonably priced (sub $1000) rangefinder any day.

A Bessa R and a Canon 50/1.8 can be quite reasonable in price. Under $500 for the pair. get a Russian 50/2 instead and you can be going for under $300.

My first Leica was a IIIc with 5cm/3.5 lens. Two rolls into it and I was hooked. I didn't have a light meter so I mostly shot in daylight using sunny 16. Maybe one of the most rewarding times shooting any type of camera. And they can be bought fairly inexpensive.

$30 GW690II ? Crikey, that's crazy cheap. I thought I got a good deal getting a pair (GW670III and GSW690III) for $300 each, as-new in boxes with low counts. What's the deal on the $30 one? damn.

Jcowell- you're right, I was thinking of the Fujis. they are a sweet camera. I just got an Mamiya 7 though, so it will be interesting to see how that stacks up vs. the GW/GSWs. Now I just need to find a M7 43mm lens....

-Ed

wjlapier wrote:
My first Leica was a IIIc with 5cm/3.5 lens. ... Maybe one of the most rewarding times shooting any type of camera.

Me, too. Got it from my Dad, and still have it. My lens is a 5cm Summitar, precursor to the Summicron. I use it on my M8. I'm currently studying the rangefinder focusing. My 28 Elmarit is a little off, but I know what is needed. Once rangefinder calibrated, I feel it will be the equal to, if not superior to the 5D/R28 Elmarit combo.

Ed Sawyer wrote:
$30 GW690II ? Crikey, that's crazy cheap. I thought I got a good deal getting a pair (GW670III and GSW690III) for $300 each, as-new in boxes with low counts. What's the deal on the $30 one? damn.

It was used and the RF was misaligned. I paid another few dollars to get it looked at and fixed up. Now it works perfect. The shop I bought it from said it was junk and un-repairable !

Tobin, be careful ... you might get hooked
Bought my first RF film camera last year, and it's always with me ever since. I seldom shoot my canon DSLR anymore, except in those situations where I can not use ISO 400

Bob

Tobin, be careful ... you might get hooked
Bought my first RF film camera last year, and it's always with me ever since. I seldom shoot my canon DSLR anymore, except in those situations where I can not use ISO 400

Bob

Hahaha I hear ya Bob. The feel, the quiet shutter. I find the leica feels like my omega watch. The build, quality etc.

I think I will need the 35 f2 summicron and the 50 summilux 1.4 for the kit but I need to start saving!