Getting a Rangefinder

[cocoa]

I remember him! Jay was better cos Jay makes much more sense, and to be honest, he knows his Leica stuff very well

He's banned from PN already right?

Don't think Jay was "better". While he knows his Leica stuff very well, he's got no photo to show but this guy has u see. :bsmilie:

 

[zaren]

Thanks. The Color 35 is really cute, though there's probably only one on Ebay now that I can chase down. I'm currently hunting for a 7s with the f/1.8 lens...might be a fun one to use. Seems that it doesn't even need batteries to function.

ok good luck in hunting down ur rangefinder!

 

[cannonball]

posted a question prior to the RFW (rangefinder war)...

I was surfing ebay and see quite a few good deals..
do you guys shop from there as well?
and a very dumb question...u guys pay by paypal?
and usually...how much is the transportation (via ship or air)

I wanna start bidding..but lost about how to do it..

and the danger of ebay? any bad encounters with buying a RF from there?

 

[fWord]

ok good luck in hunting down ur rangefinder!

Thank you. Indeed I shall carry on hunting. Sometimes the hunt itself is quite fun. Either that or I'll just settle on something like the XA. After all, as they say, the best camera is the one that's always by your side and the XA is nicely pocketable.

 

[szekiat]

posted a question prior to the RFW (rangefinder war)...

I was surfing ebay and see quite a few good deals..
do you guys shop from there as well?
and a very dumb question...u guys pay by paypal?
and usually...how much is the transportation (via ship or air)

I wanna start bidding..but lost about how to do it..

and the danger of ebay? any bad encounters with buying a RF from there?

once in a while, there are a few good deals to be had on ebay but otherwise if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. As a rule, i always stay away from sellers/buyers that want to deal privately and from those that refuse to use paypal. Remember, he might offer u a much better price but dealing officially means that if anything goes wrong, u can file a claims to ebay and paypal and get some of your money back.
RF gear is over priced in singapore. Go to www.rangefinderforum.com or the photo.net leica section to see how much things really go for. In fact, why not buy there?

 

[rebbot]

once in a while, there are a few good deals to be had on ebay but otherwise if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. As a rule, i always stay away from sellers/buyers that want to deal privately and from those that refuse to use paypal. Remember, he might offer u a much better price but dealing officially means that if anything goes wrong, u can file a claims to ebay and paypal and get some of your money back.
RF gear is over priced in singapore. Go to www.rangefinderforum.com or the photo.net leica section to see how much things really go for. In fact, why not buy there?

However the folks at RFF may not wanna deal with overseas buyers. I have been hunting down a Hexar RF for the longest time ever as well. May just give up now.

Also have replied to your email. Thanks!

 

[Terence]

The RFF folks are a great bunch. Doesn't hurt to ask if overseas shipping is possible. Most of the regular traders will consider overseas trades. I work with a couple of them on a regular basis.

Anyone interested in a beat up CLE that works great?

 

[rebbot]

The RFF folks are a great bunch. Doesn't hurt to ask if overseas shipping is possible. Most of the regular traders will consider overseas trades. I work with a couple of them on a regular basis.

Anyone interested in a beat up CLE that works great?

Any chance one of them is giving up a hexar RF that you know of?

 

[Terence]

Any chance one of them is giving up a hexar RF that you know of?

I would've grabbed it for myself if I knew of someone.

 

[rebbot]

I would've grabbed it for myself if I knew of someone.

:bsmilie: oh well. Drop me a mail if you see a second one then. ;p In regards to the thread, after reading on the hexar RF, I feel that its quite a good rangefinder to start off with and at a reasonable price as well.

Cheers!

 

[Terence]

Actually, I think the Bessa R2 or R2a would be a better RF platform to start with. It's cheaper and more readily available.

 

[rebbot]

Actually, I think the Bessa R2 or R2a would be a better RF platform to start with. It's cheaper and more readily available.

Hmmm am not too familiar with the Bessa series of cameras though I almost got meself a Bessa L and the 15mm for fun. Any comments on the R2 or R3 series? Would like to know more about them from actual users.

Cheers!

 

[Terence]

Stay away from the Bessa L as it's not really versatile without a viewfinder and any means of focusing. The Bessa R isn't that well constructed. The R2 and R2a/R3a will be better alternatives. Both have the convenience of a built in meter, while the R2a/R3a is a more modern body with aperture priority, an improved film winding crank and brighter viewfinder. The R2 currently goes for about $500-$700 used, depending on condition while the latter will be marginally higher. The voigtlander lenses are also economical and provide decent performance. The entire line is generally value for money, with the exception of a few lenses and the older bodies. Support and parts are readily available as the line is still in production and Cosina Voigtlander (CV) is in good financial health, their long term survivalibilty is not an issue.

 

[szekiat]

i tried the r2a for a while but found the shutter to be very poorly dampened. It is value for money as terence has mentioned. I'll email you about my views (don't wanna start another war).

 

[rebbot]

Great! Thanks guys! Hmmm however the hexar RF isn't too far off for that price and seem more reliable with a better build. Only problem would be parts and service I reckon?

Appreciate your views szekiat!

Cheers!

 

[szekiat]

contrary to what you think, the r2a probably has better built and definitely is less fragile. One of the weak points of the hexar

 

[rebbot]

contrary to what you think, the r2a probably has better built and definitely is less fragile. One of the weak points of the hexar

Hmmm okay and I thought the Hexar looks pretty well built since there were no complains from some of the its users I know. Guess that would be a deciding factor as well. Maybe I shld take a look at the R2/3m/a instead. :think:

 

[szekiat]

haha, lots of alignment issues on the hexar RF. I got so fed up i used balsam glue to lock it!

 

[Terence]

Hmmm okay and I thought the Hexar looks pretty well built since there were no complains from some of the its users I know. Guess that would be a deciding factor as well. Maybe I shld take a look at the R2/3m/a instead. :think:

You know who to look for if you want a new R2a/R3a Gray ya? His email below in the sig line.

SK mentioned the shutter, he's right but it isn't as bad as it sounds. I've used mine quite extensively without any real issue. It is louder than most other RF cams but nothing louder than a modern DSLR. You need to hold the cam properly when releasing the shutter as the poor dampening might result in a light vibration at times. It's not a big deal though, really. I'm still able to handhold the R2a down to 1/8 with no problems.

 

[rebbot]

haha, lots of alignment issues on the hexar RF. I got so fed up i used balsam glue to lock it!

That bad huh? I read about it. However, all rangefinders do have their fair share of alignment problems once in awhile, isn't that so? I hope I can get my hands on a copy next week.