Closest 35mm Equivalent to a Fuji GS645?

[Bobfrance]

Hi collective gurus!

I recently bought myself a Fuji GS645 and I have to say I absolutely love is.
The viewfinder is ace, both in position and size, is has a simple lightmeter and nothing else, the controls are tactile and simple and I can even fit it in a coat pocket. I honestly never thought I'd take to a plastic folding camera so much.
the only downside is that a MF camera is dearer on the film

My question is. What is the closest equivalent to it in the 35mm rangefinder world?
Is it a Leica M6? A bessa? I just dunno!

I await your wisdom...



Bob.

[Bobfrance]

Bump!

______

[bmattock]

I'm not sure what you want. Equivalent, how?

Same form? Perhaps a Kodak Retina IIa. Or an Agfa Karat IV.

Same function? The sky is full of ducks. We could name them forever.

Same build quality? Ditto.

Same pocketability? I'd say the Olympus 35 RC or RD. Others may suggest alternatives.

I guess I'd need to know what you mean by 'equivalent'.

[Xmas]

A QL just like you have already...

Noel

[clintock]

I'd say a bessa R with a 50/2.5. The finder simplicity, plastic feel and the skopar is so small it rivals a folder.
Or your G1...

[ChrisPlatt]

Contax T

Chris

[Bobfrance]

Plenty of food for thought folks, thanks.

I'll look into them for sure, although Noel may have hit the nail on the head. I need to get my Canon QL working it's a lovely, simple and well built camera and it might just get me though my current attack of GAS.



Bob.

[Abbazz]

Bob,

If what you like in the Fuji is the vertical form factor, then I guess you have to look for a half frame 35mm camera. An Olympus Pen maybe?

Cheers,

Abbazz

[bmattock]

Ask any question about cameras, and you're going to get a recitation of whatever everyone's favorite ax happens to be. Sheesh. Forgive me for asking for a clarification. Buy a Canonet. Have fun.

[ChrisPlatt]

I think the Contax T is in several ways like the GS645.
Both have a fabulous lens, an excellent meter, and fold to fit in a pocket.

At one time I pared my collection down to just these two cameras only.
Indeed, both are strong contenders for my "favorite ax"...

Chris

[Bobfrance]

Hi All,

I'd never really looked at the Contax T before. I always assumed it was a fully auto P&S. Upon realising it has aperture & focus rings, the whole package looks a lot more tempting.

My only reservation is that the viewfinder still looks fairly small (an issue when you wear glasses I'm afraid). I think I'll have to find one in a shop and try it.

In clarification I think what I'm after is a large/clear viewfinder positioned in the corner of the camera body, manual control with built in metering, in a size that will fit in a pocket. In that order.

I'm not sure such a thing exists, but to be fair to the cannonet, it comes fairly close. Just a bit bulky still.

Bob.