Best fixed lens RF viewfinder?

[Steve M.]

I'm surprised the Konica Auto S2 didn't make the list. It has a fantastic finder.

[scottgee1]

Originally Posted by Steve M.

I'm surprised the Konica Auto S2 didn't make the list. It has a fantastic finder.

It did, way back on page 1, post #15.

[Vince Lupo]

I voted 'other' -- Kodak Retina IIIc (or IIIC), though admittedly the lens isn't quite 'fixed'.

[Mablo]

Well, there is a fixed lens Retina rangefinder with a splendid, large and bright viewfinder: it's the quite rare Retina IIS.

http://www.leitzmuseum.org/CameraMak...del-024-2.html

[jcb4718]

Dare I mention the Voigtlander Vitomatic? It has a big bright 1:1 viewfinder with projected framelines and rangefinder. Great for people (like me) with glasses. I have a Vito B with a small viewfinder (which is pretty hopeless if you have glasses). Mount a Kontur finder on top and it's a different matter. I even made a little double shoe so I could mount the Kontur and a rangefinder side-by-side. If you have time to focus the lens after reading the rangefinder, it's great. One bonus with the Vitomatic: the film wind-on is silent. All the Vito's make a slight ratcheting noise but the Vitomatic is silent. It really was the high water mark for this particular range of cameras.

[tonal1]

Originally Posted by jcb4718

Dare I mention the Voigtlander Vitomatic? It has a big bright 1:1 viewfinder with projected framelines and rangefinder.

Yeah, that is the sweetest viewfinder I've ever looked through, period. Makes the Leica look dull and squinty by comparison—if you can imagine that. Must be experienced to believe. Too bad they didn't make a wide version... I've only looked through a scale-focus version, so I can't speak to the version with a focusing patch.

[tonal1]

Originally Posted by scottgee1

No hate, just a question: Are you original owner of the camera? If not, has it been serviced by a knowledgeable tech? If neither, I'd suggest you don't know what the lens/camera can really do.

Pre-digital I had a Giii QL17 (in black no less) that was properly serviced and provided exceptional results. When I showed prints, people usually asked our favorite question: "What camera did you use?"

That said, I'd quite agree; very nice VF.

Mine was overhauled a couple times. The camera does have a nice lens, I just don't like the lowish contrast, and mediocre wide open results.

Actually, those cameras are superb. They bother me because they are so close, like shadows, to cameras 20x their value, that I end up holding them to that standard, which is not reasonable, I suppose. The QL17 is the camera to master so you can identify precisely why you might actually need an M. Then, it's hard to go back. I enjoy Minox 35's more than QL17's because those cameras have no pretense and know exactly what they are. QL17 is like driving a 240z when you really wanted an XKE.... but I digress.

[PCStudio]

Fujica V2 /Konica S2 / Minolta Hi Matic 7s @ 45 mm
Konica Auto S35 @ 38 mm
oly , canon , yashica e.t.c are below average -
-----------------------------------------------
High priced level RF - Contax G/ Konica Hexar/ Nikon 28Ti /35Ti .

[HoodedOne]

Today I received a Contax T, that I bought from eBay. And I was surprised how bright it's viewfinder is. The focussing patch is a little hard to see when it's a bit dark. But everything else about that viewfinder simple amazes me.


Contax T / 002 by HoodedOne, on Flickr

[scottgee1]

Ah, yes, a Contax T. Bet you'll enjoy shooting with it -- and the results!

And, it's built like a . . . Contax!

[racoll]

While I absolutely love my GIII-QL17, I'm extremely impressed by my Yashica Electro 35 CC, a fantastic camera with a phenomenal lens.

Andy

[jaredangle]

Definitely the Yashicas and Canonets. The larger size allows a bigger, less squinty viewfinder.

[denmark.yuzon]

My vote would be the Konica Auto S2..



Very nice viewfinder... and also the Olympus 35SP.. sorry no pics..

[RObert Budding]

The Konica IIIa has an excellent finder.

[Dralowid]

I recommend trying a Weltini. The viewfinder/rangefinder is good and they come with either 50mm Tessars or Elmars.

They are particularly suited to those with at least two left hands, or perhaps a pair of hands and a third ambidextrous appendage.

You'll understand what I mean when you get your hands on one.

Michael

[Dave S.]

I voted for the Canon QL17 G-III. I also think the viewfinder / rangefinder on my Yashica Electro 35 CC is very bright and contrasty. I've owned the following (most were either professionally CLA'd or cleaned by me):


* Canon QL17 G-III
* Polaroid 250
* Yashica Electro 35 CC
* Yashica Lynx 5000

Agfa Selectronic S
Agfa Super Silette with Solinar f2
Anscomark M
Canon A35 F
Fujica Compact Deluxe
Kodak Retina IIa
Konica Auto S 1.6
Konica Auto S2
Olympus 35 RC
Olympus XA
Petri Racer
Vivitar 35ES
Yashica Electro 35 GTN
Yashica Electro 35 GX
Yashica Lynx 14
Yashica Lynx 14e



That said, I recently bought a Voigtlander Bessa R3a with a Nokton 40mm 1.4 MC and the viewfinder / Rangefinder on it is clearly superior to all the above. I now primarily use the R3a and the above cameras marked with a "*".

NOTE: I've been experimenting with inserting a colored gel filter behind the viewfinder window on my Yashica Lynx 5000 to improve its rangefinder patch contrast. A 1/4 or 1/2 blue gel filter seem to be most effective.

[scottgee1]

Originally Posted by Dave S.

NOTE: I've been experimenting with inserting a colored gel filter behind the viewfinder window on my Yashica Lynx 5000 to improve its rangefinder patch contrast. A 1/4 or 1/2 blue gel filter seem to be most effective.

Dave, do you place the gel over the entire VF window?

btw, nice list! The Polaroid is an interesting choice.

[Dave S.]

Scottgee1: Good question. I've only had time to play with placing a gel over the outside of the viewfinder window to see if it improved contrast - it does. My plan is to insert the gel inside (under the top plate) and over the entire VF window.

That said, I plan to insert a 1/4 blue gel over the entire VF window that has a small square of 1/2 or full blue gel centered on it so that it just covers the rangefinder patch area. The trick will be how to attach the smaller gel to the larger one accurately and without degrading the VF image. I plan to use a very small dab of spray adhesive (probably applied with the end of a toothpick) to each corner of the smaller gel - then attach it to the larger one and insert the whole thing under the top plate. By the way, I chose to use blue gels because they are the most contrasting color with the yellow/gold colored frame lines and RF patch in the Yashica Lynx 5000.

I suspect this may be the best combination to improve frame line contrast, RF patch contrast, and maintain a bright viewfinder.

[Dave S.]

The Polaroid 250 is just a blast! I have so much fun shooting Fujifilm FP 3000b B&W film with it. I keep it loaded and sitting around the house for instant candid shots of family and friends - really fun.

[filmfan]

The only reason for not voting Hexar AF is if it has not been used by the voter

[bugmenot]

Originally Posted by filmfan

The only reason for not voting Hexar AF is if it has not been used by the voter

However, is Hexar AF really a rangefinder? The OP asked for the best fixed lens Rangefinder. The Hexar AF doesn't fully fit that role ...

[Koni Kowa]

The Hexar (AF) is not a rangefinder camera : it's a point and shoot camera with IR autofocus system. And it has a huge viewfinder.
The Konica Auto S2 and S1.6 (same camera, different max. aperture) both have a very good and clear VF (slightly blue, however) with a precise frame for the 45mm lens and parallax correction. I have had all the cameras of the list in my hands, and the Konica Auto S2/S1.6 wins, to me. The GIII QL17, all Olympus, the 7SII and the Auto S3 have very good lenses but poor VFs. The Minolta 7S and the Yashica GSN have nice and large VFs too.
I forgot to say that I wear glasses, which may be important to explain my choice here.

Originally Posted by rolleistef

The best fixed lens rangefinder is the one you use!

I agree that too... but mine is not in the list.

[Dana B.]

Fujifilm GF670 MF RF folder. Seems like looking through a plate-glass window.

[Kent]

Ma fav (Yashi Electro 35GS) is not in the list, but the GSN is close enough.

[John E Earley]

My favorite is an oddball in this group of light, metered rangefinders.

The Ricoh 500 with the quick winder and an f2.8 lens. It has a very good rangefinder with lots of contrast and a bright view. It's heavy but built like a tank.