Your favorite budget rangefinder?

bigdog · 08-09-2005

I would like to hear what people think is the best/favorite fast fixed focal length rangefinder keeping the price/performance for camera competitive with that of Bessa R body with 35/2.5 C Lens ($399)

Anybody have experience with the Konica Hexar 35mm f/2.0, the Konica Auto S3 38mm f/1.8 or the YASHICA ELECTRO 35 CC 35mm f1.8?

JoeFriday · 08-09-2005

$399 is a budget rangefinder? I think $39.99 is more like it.. LOL

for around $40 you have nearly any FSU, most Minolta Hi-Matics, Yashica GSN, possibly a Canonet QL17 GIII, or my personal favorite, a Vivitar 35ES

I even got a Contax IIa with a Sonnar 50/1.5 for almost exactly half of your 'budget' range

Dan Chang · 08-09-2005

go for Konica Auto S2, nice viewfinder, nice lens except full size.

Byuphoto · 08-09-2005

I agree with Joe. I have an R but really love the under $50 GSN and QL17. I would love to get a Vivitar

captainslack · 08-09-2005

I love my Minolta A5! If I could only figure out where its leaking light at.

back alley · 08-09-2005

favourite fixed lens rf with a great lens is the oly 35rc.

dmr · 08-09-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeFriday

possibly a Canonet QL17 GIII

I might second the suggestion for the QL17 GIII. Nice little camera and very sharp semi-wide fixed lens. It's compact and easy to use. The only gripe I have about it is that it doesn't have a metered or match-needle manual mode, it's either auto or full manual.

My other suggestion, which probably won't get seconded here

is the Mamiya Super Deluxe.

parks5920 · 08-09-2005

GSN, baby, GSN!

Skinny McGee · 08-09-2005

GSN with 1.7.... cheap, color coated ,metered. some times you can find them for $30.00 or $40.00 sometimes cheaper ..........

Kin Lau · 08-09-2005

In my stable I have the GIII QL17, HiMatic 7S, Oly SP, Yashica GS, Konica S2 and Oly XA. All _totaled_, they cost less than a Bessa R + 35/2.5 and match or exceed that combo.

einolu · 08-09-2005

I have to agree with joe and say the OLY RC. Its the perfect size. Though I dont own one (yet), I have used it and its a lovely camera. Only problem that its is a bit hard to find these days.

Another good deal is the Fed 2 and the 22 Industar.

ray_g · 08-09-2005

My favorite is the Oly 35 SP. Among the items you mentioned in your budget, the Hexar AF.

wlewisiii · 08-09-2005

Kiev 4am with a Jupiter 8m. Even being the lowest end of the family, it's still a Contax at it's heart, a Sonnar for it's soul, and easily available for $30 - 40. No, it's not a fixed lens camera. But it has some really great glass available and handles sweetly.

William

Beniliam · 08-09-2005

I have the Canonet and I have to say that the lens and the meter surprise me. The focal that I more like its the 40 mm. In Leica you dont see the lines. In this camera yes. Have a very good body and nice mechanism for charge the film. I think is one of the best photographic discover in my life. Very good quality for inexpensive price.

bmattock · 08-09-2005

Minolta Hi-Matic 9. Paid $5 for mine, new in the box.

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks

JoeFriday · 08-09-2005

I just developed the first roll of film I've put through one of my Canonets.. I'm amazed at the quality of the shots.. no, it's not quite Sonnar or Leica quality.. but it's damn good for a $40 camera.. and the ease of use is outstanding.. I can focus quicker with it than my Contax

Scarpia · 08-09-2005

Minolta Unionmat (Japanese version of the Hi-Matic) with 45mm F2.8 Rokkor. Uses EV system exclusively and meter not working properly, but lens is amazing and RF works perfectly. I use an EV table downloaded from internet.
Kurt M.

ChrisN · 08-09-2005

Fast fixed lens? That sounds like a Yashica Lynx 14! Not small or light, but has a match-needle meter full manual control.

cralx2000 · 08-09-2005

Canon QL17 GIII the best.

Wayne R. Scott · 08-09-2005

My choices:

1st Olympus RC
2nd Canon Ql-17 GIII
3rd Yashica GSN or GT
4th (not really a rangefinder) Rollei 35S
5th (This one blows away the others for quality) Ansco Speedex Special "R" 120 roll film.

Wayne

johne · 08-09-2005

For those who like the oly RC, I agree. I also have excellent one I would sell. If interested, contact me directly. [Got an M2 and lens on way--hopefully!]\Johne

Two pics of RC in MY Gallery. FYI

Fedzilla_Bob · 08-09-2005

My Old School QL17, pre GIII.

I can't seem to get my hands on the latter version.

Gabriel M.A. · 08-09-2005

I think the Minox 35GL. It's quiet, unintrusive, fits in my pocket. And it only cost me, well...it was well within my Ramen Noodles budget when I got it

richiedcruz · 08-09-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmattock

Minolta Hi-Matic 9. Paid $5 for mine, new in the box.

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks

I also vote for the Hi-Matic 9. Hi-Matics in general seem to be underrated compared to Canons, but if you can put up with the size difference the lens is amazing. When I had my first test roll from my Hi-Matic developed, the co-owner of my favorite lab just had to know what kind of camera I had used to take them.

I paid about $10 for mine off of E-B**. Mine did not come in its box, but was about as close to new as you could get, otherwise.

Richie

Poptart · 08-10-2005

I have a Canon QL 1.7 GIII, a Yashica GSN, a Minolta 7SII, and an Olympus XA. I've used the Oly the most. I just got the Canon & Yashica and have only fired them up. The Minolta has a nice lens but I've had limited experience with it. I like the Oly for its brilliant clamshell design and the soft shutter.