Which Rangefinder for Best Quality Results?

[davies24]

Hmmm, tricky question I know and very subjective but in people's opinions which range finder gives best quality results?

I'm currently using an Agfa Super Isolette which gives good results but the lack of built in metering and the fixed 75mm lens limits me. I'm finding in a toss up between the Agfa and the SLR, the SLR is winning more and more.

I have been looking at the Mamiya 7II but from what I have read that seems a little bit plasticky and the metering can sometimes be a bit hit or miss.

Any other opinions or suggestions in this area welcomed.

Thanks.

[thomasw_]

welcome to rff!

a few questions for clarification:

35mm or 120?
what do you like to shoot?
which focal lengths would you like?
do you have a budget or loads of loonies?

[sepiareverb]

Are you trying to start a fight?

[davies24]

Start a fight? Nooo... I specifically avoided mentioning the make and model of my SLR for that very reason.

35 or 120... not really that bothered. Probably 120 for the bigger negative. Ideally 6x7 but as the Super is 6x6 putting a limit like that would be churlish.

I'll shoot pretty much anything. Probably predominantly architecture, landscape and general street scenes. I will most likely stick with the SLR for airshows and the like.

Focal lengths. Well my main usage on the SLR (35mm) are 24mm upto 60 or 70mm. Though I do use everything from 15mm upto 400mm. For the main roles for an RF I would probably be looking in the region of 40 to 150mm (120).

Budget, hmmm must admit not paid much thought. Possibly around 2000 UKP ($4000?) so not looking at Leica pricing.

[davies24]

That price would also have to include one or two general use lenses.

So any suggestions of likely makes or models?

Thanks.

[charjohncarter]

davies24, welcome, my friend has the Mamiya 7II. He likes it, but when we go out it seems to me to be a pain to change the lenses. You have pull a film cover over before you remove the lenses. It takes great images and really is not that big, so you get plenty of real estate for the camera size.

[cbphoto]

Quality is very subjective. In 120 cameras, Fuji made some killer models. I have a GW670II which is mind-blowing, although you have to be ok with the very modern/harsh "Japanese look" optical rendering. I used to have a Mamiya 6, which was the same story. A real pleasure to use, either of them. Beautiful handling. The Fujis can be found for reasonably low prices.

In 35, Leica.

[RObert Budding]

The Mamiya 7 II is not plasticy. It's really well built and it has an aluminum alloy body. Plastics are used for non-structural elements to save weight. It's a great camera with superb lenses.

[mfogiel]

davies24
You have made a wrong type of question, so you are likely to get very wide ranging answers, however, my first pruning regards if you want colour or B&W ?
In case of colour, forget the film right away - get a Leica M8 with the Elmarit ASPH 28/2.8 and off you go.
In case of B&W, forget digital right away, and then we have the question of how large you want to print. If you'll be happy to print up to 16x20 get the Zeiss Ikon with the 35/2 Biogon, and 21/4.5 C Biogon. If you want to print bigger, get the Mamiya 7 with the 65 and 43 lenses. There's no point in looking beyond - these are the best cameras and best value for money as well.

[jplomley]

Mamiya 7 is the best game in town for ultimate image quality. It easily furnishes 20 x 24 inch prints that rival my 4x5 images made with Rodenstock glass.

[jplomley]

Forgot to add that the Mamiya 7 meter is fine for negatives, but I use a Sekonic 1- degree spot meter when shooting chromes.

[rich815]

More than likely you will be more of a limiting factor than any camera, and no offense meant. Just get one that feels good in your hands and go shooting. People here can talk subjectively about all sorts of aspects and some even fully (and I can guarantee this) contradicting the other. What good will all that do you? Personal experience with different cameras is the only true way to determine which works best for you. Buy with patience and in a smart way and you can likely re-sell anything you do not like for same, sometimes more, and even if less than you paid it will likely be a cheap "rental". Asking which for the "best quality results" is simply ludicrous.

[jjovin]

In 35mm format, Zeiss Ikon will give you the most accurate focusing and the brightest range finder. Because of that, it will give you the best results. Then you pick up a lens
of your choice, probably Zeiss again.
In 120 format, Hasselblad 903 swc or an Alpa are hard to beat.
(I am assuming you are using film. Otherwise, I have no advice.)

[kuzano]

And since you are OK with 35 OR 6X7... How about right in the middle. Have you looked at the fuji GA645Zi....

Great Fuji Glass
6X4.5.... 2.7 times more frame than 35
15 shots per roll of 120, 30 shots per roll of 220
Good metering
Autofocus
Zoom from 45 to 90 same relative zoom range as your 35mm spec of 28-70
Solid and dependable
Onboard flash, plus accessory/hot shoe

All in one package, very transportable.

Tons available with low actuation count. The counter is tricky. It's a digital readout and you have to add two zero's to the count to get the actual shutter actuations. Shutter rebuilt suggested at 5000 actuations, but Fuji techs say that if you're not having problems disregard the shutter rebuild suggestion. I had one at over 7000 actuations. I see them all the time on eBay with counts from 1,000 to 3,000.

[kuzano]

You trigger the readout on the digital mode screen. Then you add 100, or two zeros for the count. For instance if the readout is 30, the camera has 3000 actuations. Please check me out on that, because I sold my last one about 4 year ago.

[rpsawin]

Originally Posted by davies24

Hmmm, tricky question I know and very subjective but in people's opinions which range finder gives best quality results?

I'm currently using an Agfa Super Isolette which gives good results but the lack of built in metering and the fixed 75mm lens limits me. I'm finding in a toss up between the Agfa and the SLR, the SLR is winning more and more.

I have been looking at the Mamiya 7II but from what I have read that seems a little bit plasticky and the metering can sometimes be a bit hit or miss.

Any other opinions or suggestions in this area welcomed.

Thanks.

It would be helpful to know what type of photography you want to do. I use Leicas and the M7II. Personally, I prefer the Lecias for street shooting and the M7II for landscape/seascape/industrials. Normally I shoot b&w negative film but seeing a mf chrome on a light table has me shooting some color stuff as well.

THe M7II is a well built camera with some of the best glass available. The meter is great. As someone else pointed out the use of a 1 degree spot meter is very helpful, and that it true with any internal meter. The major disadvantage to the Mamayi is the limited selection of lenses and the fairly steep cost.

Best regards and Happy New Year.

Bob

[davies24]

Thanks all for the suggestions and comments. Plenty to mull over.

Currently the favourite to me looks like the Fuji GA645Zi which I have never heard of or seen. The Mamiya is also close because of the wider negative, manual focus and interchangeable lenses but TBH I'm more likely to get use out of the Fuji being an all in one kit with the least messing about if I so choose.

Cheers.