Advice for film SLR/Rangefinder

[clubgrit]

It really depends on what and how you shoot, the camera is just a tool, it's all up to you. RFs don't do well with long lenses, not recommended for close-ups too. I lent a Leica to a friend and he didn't like the viewfinder (Leica has one of the better ones already), tiny rf focusing not conducive to his eyesight.

The page below has some insights, including size of the body. RF bodies may not be smaller than small SLRs, it's the lenses that are.

Rangefinder vs SLR

All this is moot of course if you can have more than 1 camera set. You can keep one or two RFs in the cabinet for those times one needs an RF's strengths - portability, low-light shooting, etc. like this combat photographer. Budget ? Chiif's program above should help (that is if you can read it)

"When there were no SLRs, everyone used rangefinders - Leicas, Contax (Robert Capa comes to mind) and of course the spectacular Nikon S series rangefinders. However, be advised that once the Nikon F became available in 1959, most combat photojournalists dumped their rangefinder cameras without a drop of remorse and as fast as they could. Rangefinders are still great (I have a complete Leica M6 TTL system - three bodies and eight lenses) for "street" photography, travel, extremely low light levels, etc. But, in a dangerous environment the significantly larger viewfinder image provided by the SLR is an overwhelming consideration. "
Source: http://www.cameraquest.com/combatph.htm

Hello all,

I'm currently using a FM2 with some AIS lenses. However, this is proving to be too heavy to lug around when travelling. Does anyone know of light weight and compact alternatives (SLRs included)? I'm considering switching to range finders for travelling - do you guys have models to recommend (with crisp image quality)? Would really appreciate advice on this. Thank you.

 

[chiif]

using switch(budget) {
case: ...
}

statements would have been more elegant coding...

haha

hahaha...

Agreed... Case statement is more elegant... :bsmilie:

But syntax is hard to remember with so many different variants across different languages...

 

[daredevil123]

I recommend the Contax G1 or G2. http://www.markusehrenfried.de/photography/thecontaxgsystem.html

Functions much like a rangefinder with exposure auto-bracketing! Beautiful pictures. My dad has it with all the different lenses and attachments and I get to borrow it anytime I want. Sweet!

 

[limonello]

OK... Since I am trained in IT, I can help you a little with this little program code. Might have syntax error, because can't remember & decide which language to stick to...

Program only apply to interchangeable lens RF bodies. Anyone spot any Run-Time error, please correct it. This is a Open Source Wiki-RF-program, anyone can chip in....

{
Funtion Buy_RF_body_only (var budget as integer[SGD])

if budget < 100 then
return (Russian bodies eg: Zorki, Fed2, Fed3, Fed5)
else if budget < 400 then
if screw_mount = 'OK' then
return (Bessa R, Canon P, Canon 7)
else
return (bargain or condition 5 or 6 Bessa R2)
end if
else if budget < 600 then
if screw_mount = 'OK' then
return (Leica IIIf condition 6 or 7 (be prepared to spend 280 on CLA), good condition Canon 7)
else
return (condition 6 or 7 Bessa R2, R2A)
end if
else if budget < 800 then
if screw_mount = 'OK' then
return (Leica IIIf condition 8 or 9)
else
return (condition 8, 9 or 10 R2A, R2M, R3A, R3M, R4M, R4A)
end if
else if budget < 1000 then
return (NEW R2A, R2M, R3A, R3M, R4M, R4A)
else if budget < 1400 then
return (condition 6 or 7 Leica M1, M2, M3, M4, M4-P or M4-2 (be prepared to spend 280 on CLA))
else if budget < 2000 then
return (Leica M6 condition 7,8,9)
else if budget < 3000 then
return (Leica M6 mint copy, but NOT M6J)
else if budget < 3600 then
return (Leica M7)
else if budget >= 3600 then
return (Leica MP)
end if
}


Lens one is very complicated to write... maybe run into pages long... :bigeyes:

This is a very malicious virus code. Be warned.

 

[chiif]

This is a very malicious virus code. Be warned.

no no no.... It's poison code!

 

[Neo]

thanks for the brief intro yet resourceful. which camera able to work even if the battery is flat? for example, canonet works beautifully even when the battery was not inserted and that is what i like best.

Hi Wee_ly,

All the Leica RF cameras (M, M2, M3, M4, M5, M6, MP) are able to operate without batteries. The only ones that depend on a battery to operate are those with a electronic shutter, which are the M7 and M8 (although the M7 has two mechanical speeds that operate without batteries).

So as mentioned, the M5, M6 and MP will operate without batteries as they're fully mechanical. But these models do have built in light-meter which will not work without batteries.

Hope this helps.

 

[hamustar]

Wee_ly,
For non-Leica alternatives, the Olympus 35RC/RD and the Olympus Trip35 can operate without batteries as well.

The keywords you'd be looking for are "mechanical shutter". Some SLRs like the Pentax K1000, Spotmatics and the MX/LX are also battery-independent. The batts are only used to meter light to give you hints on the correct shutter speeds.
Most beautiful in my opinion is the Bessaflex :heart:

Rangefinders...most of the russian RFs are batteryless. Voigtlander R, R2, R%M are some examples as well.

Hi Wee_ly,

All the Leica RF cameras (M, M2, M3, M4, M5, M6, MP) are able to operate without batteries. The only ones that depend on a battery to operate are those with a electronic shutter, which are the M7 and M8 (although the M7 has two mechanical speeds that operate without batteries).

So as mentioned, the M5, M6 and MP will operate without batteries as they're fully mechanical. But these models do have built in light-meter which will not work without batteries.

Hope this helps.

 

[wee_ly]

yes, i was asking about fully mechanical shutter RF. i have no held a voigtlander neither have i held a leica rf before but i totally agree with Yoricko's statement - just get a leica once and for all if rf is what you looking for.

having said that, after being warned of the malicious virus code, i think i better stay away from this thread until the anti-virus patch for the virus has been released by McAfee, Norton, etc...? :bsmilie:

 

[hamustar]

it's more a trojan. It comes in harmlessly as 1 single RF body. And then the addiction starts.

A good serum would be in a form of a spousal anti-body.:bsmilie:

 

[chiif]

yes, i was asking about fully mechanical shutter RF. i have no held a voigtlander neither have i held a leica rf before but i totally agree with Yoricko's statement - just get a leica once and for all if rf is what you looking for.

having said that, after being warned of the malicious virus code, i think i better stay away from this thread until the anti-virus patch for the virus has been released by McAfee, Norton, etc...? :bsmilie:

Resistance is futile... once exposed... it just hybernate in your body and will spread slowly to other parts of your body without any warning or notice...

Once you discovered... it's too late...

Best is to give in and get the ultimate antidote right away... MP + Noctilux

U will suffer less pain along the way...

 

[LowLights]

Resistance is futile... once exposed... it just hybernate in your body and will spread slowly to other parts of your body without any warning or notice...

Once you discovered... it's too late...

Best is to give in and get the ultimate antidote right away... MP + Noctilux

U will suffer less pain along the way...

With friends like you who needs enemy :sticktong :bsmilie:

 

[Daikoku]

Resistance is futile... once exposed... it just hybernate in your body and will spread slowly to other parts of your body without any warning or notice...

Once you discovered... it's too late...

Best is to give in and get the ultimate antidote right away... MP + Noctilux

U will suffer less pain along the way...

Ultimate poison

 

[clubgrit]

To give more confusion, I would add the Zeiss Ikon too, which according to this article, Cosina made for those who want a more premium camera than the Voigtlander which they also make. So it's like a higher-end Voigtlander .

Nice article, with pics of other RFs

http://theonlinephotographer.typepad.com/the_online_photographer/zeiss-.html

and more ...

http://www.photomalaysia.com/forums/showthread.php?t=41726

good luck in your search



.

 

[wee_ly]

To give more confusion, I would add the Zeiss Ikon too, which according to this article, Cosina made for those who want a more premium camera than the Voigtlander which they also make. So it's like a higher-end Voigtlander .

Nice article, with pics of other RFs

http://theonlinephotographer.typepad.com/the_online_photographer/zeiss-.html

and more ...

http://www.photomalaysia.com/forums/showthread.php?t=41726

good luck in your search



.

oh my..... good luck to my bank account after having been poisoned by those links (especially the one in photomalaysia). :sweat:

hey where is the anti-virus? has someone worked that out? please help!

 

[azzurri]

oh my..... good luck to my bank account after having been poisoned by those links (especially the one in photomalaysia). :sweat:

hey where is the anti-virus? has someone worked that out? please help!

It's called BAU... buy and use ;p

 

[patch17]

since you've already got nikon lenses, why not consider an EM.

it's lighter than the FM2, shoots in aperture priority with manual B and 1/90 sec mode, has a built in meter and is waaay cheaper than a leica or bessa and more versitile than a canonnet, olympus or yashica.

 

[cy_j]

FM10 for the cheapest!!!!