Newbie to Rangefinders

wlewisiii · 07-16-2004

Hello all,

Well, not compleatly new to rangefinders, but somehow the old coincidence rangefinder on a tank cannon isn't quite the same as what's under discussion here... As a new member, I thought I'd mention what brings me here as a way of saying hello to one and all.

Over the 4th of July, we were visiting relatives at thier northern Wisconsin cabin. While in town looking for interesting photos to shoot, I stopped in at a flea market. I left with $8 spent on a Yashica Electro 35 GSN. The mercury battery was dead, but it looked "kewl" and seemed fully functional (advance worked, shutter clicked, ASA nob moved the shutters on the front, no leaking/corrosion in the battery compartment, etc) . A moment with Google pulled up Yashica-Guy's web site and while waiting to receive his battery adapter, I picked up a lens cap, strap and my "usual suspect for BW filter - a YA2 Orange. I got the battery today, installed it and then popped a roll of T400CN into it to start playing. The arrows are wild - I didn't realize just how big and bright the viewfinder ones would be. It will be very interesting to me to see what I get back from this first roll of film. Also fun to take a really dim light shot of my cat and listen to the really long time between the shutter opening and closing...

Not having any experiance with this style of camera, finding this place was wonderful as well. I've already learned a bunch of good things while lurking here the past few days and I'm looking forward to learning more.

I'm basically in the process of becoming an "advanced amature" - my other camera's are a Canon Rebel Xs with it's oem 35 - 80mm zoom, a Canon AE-1 Program with it's original 50mm and a couple of inexpensive medium zooms that my Mother bought for it and a Yashica-Mat 124G that has become my primary camera. (I have really come to love the 6x6 format due to that camera. It's meter is wonky so I have an even more elderly GE light meter that does what I need at this point.) My next camera purchase will probably be a Mamiya 645E though I'll admit that playing with this GSN has me glancing the Voigtlander direction. Pity I can't afford the Mamiya 7II and get a fix for both current obsessions.

Finally I'm in the process of putting together a home darkroom because I feel the need to actually try printing my own again. I learned it once upon a time when I first learned real photography, but didn't keep up with it. Plus since I shoot almost exclusively black and white, perhaps I can save a penny or two towards more film this way.

Well, that's enough blathering for now.

William

back alley · 07-16-2004

welcome will!

sounds like you've got a pretty good start on the world of photography. there are a few here who like the yashica rf cameras and i think most of us have a couple of 70s rf cameras hanging around the house.
i look forward to seeing some of your shots with this 'new' camera.
as far as buying second hand cameras, beware!! it rarely stops at one!

joe

Rich Silfver · 07-16-2004

William welcome!

One quick note - if you really love the 6x6 (and I do as well) - why not look into a Mamiya 6/6MF - that way you get; 6x6, Rangefinder camera and some of the sharpest lenses ever made

wlewisiii · 07-16-2004

I've been wondering about the Mamiya 6, but haven't found too much about them online - then my google-fu is hardly perfect. Do you know of a good place that says what to look for and look out for? Not to mention what appropriate prices for the body and lenses would be?

Thanks!

William
(ed spelling)

Kris · 07-16-2004

Be careful with Yashica GSN. That evil - ehm, excellent - camera got me hooked into RF world. Now you have your eyes on Voigtlander stuff, soon you will be wanting a Leica.

Welcome to RFF William.

Rich Silfver · 07-16-2004

William,

first of all you will hear a lot about the fact that the Mamiya 6/6MF is a discontinued product and the fact that the film advance system can not be repaired anymore.

That is all true - but I have honestly ever heard about one instance of advance lever failure and Mamiya sold 1000's of these beauties. I have a 6MF myself and it is a VERY solid camera.

Price-wise it's all about condition, condition, condition.
The Mamiya 6/6MF is truly one of the best MF 6x6 cameras (granted with all the limitations that comes with using a rangefinder camera such as closeup/macro limitations as well as telelens limitations). You should be able to get a 'kit' off some place like ebay/keh/b&h/adorama (body and standard lens) for about 1,000 dollars (+/- 100 dollars).

Here are some links that you may find to be of interest:

Photo Net Review

Ken Rockwell's Mamiya 6 review

Ken Rockwell comparing Mamiya 6 and 7

MF site's discussion thread about Mamiya 6/6MF

Dante Stella's review of Mamiya 6MF

wlewisiii · 07-16-2004

Thank you. This gives me something to work with. Now I just have to figure out a way to make money with it so I can convince the boss^h^h^h^hwife that it's a good investment...

What? Like ya'all don't have the same issue?

William

DickS · 07-17-2004

Don't stop with the GSN. Yashica over the years made about 20 different models including several Lynx models which allow you to set the aperture and the shutter speed. I think they are all great.

You got yours at a very good price.

Dick

rover · 07-17-2004

I have had some sucess buying cameras that look somewhat similar. I think I am kidding myself thinking my better half doesn't notice the difference. After all, if I won that user M2 on ebay for $500 that I bid on last night (it sold for $525) I would just pop a chrome lens on it and say it was my GSN or Himatic 9.

wlewisiii · 07-17-2004

I just got back from picking up that first roll - T400CN developed at a one hour shop. Yowza! That lens is probably the best I own! (That's not saying too much in my case, but still...) I'll have to see if I can get the wifes Mac and scanner talking nice to each other to show what I got.

But no sign of light leaks to my eyes, focus was where I expected (some dof foibles, but that's more pilot error than anything.) and all in all I'm a very happy fellow. <me does happy dance> Looks like a really good camera to keep with a roll or two in the car so I can always have a camera along.

William

Rich Silfver · 07-17-2004

William, happy to hear the roll turned out well - and do post some samples if you get them scanned

Soon you may find yourself eyeing an Olympus 35SP....and if you do....you know you're on the right track

The above is obviously a highly subjective comment as I LoVe the SP/SPn...

Flinor · 07-17-2004

Rover wrote:

I have had some sucess buying cameras that look somewhat similar. I think I am kidding myself thinking my better half doesn't notice the difference. After all, if I won that user M2 on ebay for $500 that I bid on last night (it sold for $525) I would just pop a chrome lens on it and say it was my GSN or Himatic 9.

Way off topic but several years ago I collected Colt National Match pistols and the conversation always went something like this: "Is that a new gun?" No, honey, you've seen this one before. See it's blue with walnut grips and it's a .45." I didn't fool her but she humored me as she does now with rrangefinders.

Gerry

NoTx · 07-18-2004

Hey. That is a good ide on collecting guns. I like it

Wilson Combat... Kimber... Para... Colt...

Doug · 07-18-2004

Welcome, William! While you're having fun with the "new" Yashica, let me tempt you with this for the future: http://www.tamron.com/bronica/prod/rf645.asp

I think they're still running the $450 rebate...

wlewisiii · 07-18-2004

Posted 8 shots from the first roll to my gallery. Nothing too spectacular, but I'm still pretty happy with them for a play/test roll.

That Bronica looks tempting. The other one I noticed recently was the Fuji GA645Zi. Anyone here own one of those? I'm not too hip with the local search engine yet...

William

Rich Silfver · 07-18-2004

William, Dante Stella's writings is always fun, interesting - and actually often technically correct

Check out http://dantestella.com/technical/ga645.html

Doug · 07-19-2004

I have a Fuji GA645Wi, somewhat similar to the Zi but with a fixed 45mm f/4 lens. There was also a companion model i with a fixed 60/4. This is my first try of an auto-everything motorized rig, essentially a big point'n'shoot.

The AF has been useful in that I can point the camera at the subject, maybe from an odd or awkward direction, and have it still end up in focus. And if focuses pretty close, to 2.3 ft.

The Fuji rangefinder cameras, both 645 and larger, seem to be very well made with excellent glass. My only doubts come with the earlier GS645 series maybe being easily damaged.

The Zoom model has a redesigned body, and of course the zoom lens, for which I have mixed feelings. First, it has to be handy, but then the downside is weight, bulk, and slow aperture.

oftheherd · 07-19-2004

For a mind meld of MF and RF, at least consider Mamiya Press/Super Press 23 systems (the newer ones) . Interchangable lenses and backs, ground glass focusing with cut film holder backs, and not as heavy as you would think. Plus a 6x7 negative instead of the anemic 6x6 size. Quick and fun to use, but of course, not as small and easy to carry as the 35mm rangefinders, and no built in light meter.

(Nuts, there goes a spike in the ebay prices again.)