What's your favorite Fixed-Lens RF?

[LOOP]

konica Hexar AF

[ChrisPlatt]

- Contax T -

[raid]

The Konica III M has a very sharp lens [50mm/2.0] and has a 100% viewfinder. It has all manual exposure control and is built extermely well to last. It has a rangefinder. The Konica Hexar AF is not a RF camera. I have the Hexar AF.

[ampguy]

Hexar AF here.

[Spider67]

Olympus 35 RC

1)size&handling
2)The lens
3)the finish just like a mini-Leica

it replaced a Retina IIc as my backup camera thanks to the lightmeter.

[rgripp]

Olympus XA - cannot take a bad photograph, and a real treat to use !

[literiter]

Zeiss Super Ikonta B/MX coated Tessar. Unlike the nice little Olympus XA above my Ikonta can actually take bad photos, but thats my fault.

1) Lightweight and compact when folded
2) Pretty good lens
3) 6 x 6

[oftheherd]

Obviously there are a lot of good fixed lens RFs out there. My first was an Olympus but after more than 30 years, I don't recall which. I now have the 35 SP. I also have a Petri Computer 35 (surprising no one has mentioned Petri), and three Canonets. I have the 19 and two 17 IIIs. The 17s are my favorite:

Small
Good optics
Manual when wanted.

What's not to like?

[Frank Lambert]

My $25 Konica S2....

Sharp Hexanon 1:1.8
Easy to work on
Fits my big hands nicely
Full manual or auto

[pvdhaar]

Originally Posted by ampguy

Hexar AF here.

Hear, hear..

Although it may not officially qualify as an RF, it's still one of the greatest cameras around..

[feenej]

Olympus 35RC. Actually I'd like to try an CLA'ed SP, I think it would be a better camera, tho more bulky.

[horibilis]

Gotta go with the Olympus XA! If you haven't used an XA then yoiu haven't lived.

Quiet, great six element f2.8 lens with up to 15 seconds exposure & great exposure metering for auto exposure. Close up the clam shell & stick it in your pocket, always handy & they're inexpensive on Ebay.

dave d

[clarence]

I have a tough time deciding between the Zeiss Ikon Contessa 35 and the Kodak Retina IIIc. The former trumps the other in compactness and aesthetics, but the latter is cheaper and has a faster lens. The Retina also uses the EV system, which I still cannot get used to.

In any case, one will have to go, and it is the Contessa.

Clarence

[Kent]

1) Olympus 35RC
2) Minolta Hi-Matic F
3) Zeiss Ikon Voigtländer Vitessa 500AE w/ BLIK rangefinder

My AGFAs are also pretty nice...

[FallisPhoto]

I collect, so I have about 50 rangefinders at present. I keep coming back to the Yashica Lynx 5000 though.

Excellent build quality
Superb lens
Rugged

[Anglekat]

Canonet QL17 G-III

1) Sharp fast lens
2) Small & easy to carry
3) I think it`s beautiful !!

[Charlie]

I don't know if it officially qualifies as a rangefinder, but the Conax T3 was my favorite. Magical lens. I still kick myself for selling it.

[George Bonanno]

Konica Auto S2

[shadowfox]

Originally Posted by nikon_sam

Olympus 35-S

1. G. Zuiko 4.2cm 1.8 lens (super sharp with a soft look)
2. All metal, no batteries, leaf shutter
3. Light Value/Exposure Dial on the back

This is an unexpected and good choice

My top Fixed-lens RF is Olympus 35 SP.

Runner-ups are Olympus 35 RD and Minolta Hi-matic 7sII.

[conradyiu]

Minolta 7S
1. taking good pic;
2. feel good on my hand;
3. my father's first camera when he was young;

I am planning to get 7SII & Oly SP though

[d_ross]

Fuji gsw690

it's so big nobody could believe your taking their picture with it!

[ray*j*gun]

Kodak Retina Automatic.

1) Wonderful Lens
2) Super quality (german)
3) Cheap to buy even Mint
4) Syncs at all speeds
5) Has an auto setting and the light meter still works!
6) Easy to use, with a bright easy to focus finder.

[ray*j*gun]

A pic of the Retina.

[cosmonaut]

Originally Posted by Anglekat

Canonet QL17 G-III

1) Sharp fast lens
2) Small & easy to carry
3) I think it`s beautiful !!

Ditto and Ditto again. It's so quite I wonder if it's even working at times. A pure joy to own.

[Sam R]

Rollie 35...are you kidding me. I worked in the retail camera business in the 70's and I can only think of one store in the twin cities that carried this camera in stock. If you were selling a friend or relative, generally it was down to two. Yashica Electro 35 (if your friend was not mechanically inclinded, big camera) or the Canon GIII. GIII was small, had very nice quick load system, and had a companion strobe that was coupled to the rangefinder. These two camera's sold more units in a day than Rollie sold in a decade. By the way I have owned a Rollie 35 and a Canon GIII.