Looking for a 35mm film camera

[brandonkbk]

Dear all,

Would like to seek your help in recommending a good 35mm film rangefinder... Currently thinking of buying a good 35mm film camera which can produce nice photos... but there are so many brands out there that I don't know which camera to buy.... Please help to recommend..... Thanks to all first.....

 

[Maxleung]

It all depends on your budget, do you just want to try out an RF or you are looking into investing a whole set of gears?

Cos if you are just trying out, you can buy those RFs with fixed lens. If you are serious enough, you can get RFs with interchangeable lens.

All boils down to your budget, there are many brands for the body, ranging from Konica Hexar RF, Voigtlander Bessa, Minolta CLE, and of course the most well made Leica.

Lens also have different price range for different brands, the Voigtlander lens are great and value for money, you can look for Chiff camera. Leica lens are a little pricey in comparison, but of course you are paying for the quality of the glass too. There are many other lens available too such as the old LTM (Leica Thread Mount) lens, can be used with adapter to be mounted on the M bodies.

Hope this gives you a better idea.

 

[Maxleung]

http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?t=600122

Take some time to read the above link.

 

[brandonkbk]

Thanks all for the feedback... I thinking more of a rangefinder with interchangeable lens.... Apparently Leica brand seems to be the most popular and expensive.... Heard that M4 is quite good..... But looking for cheaper alternative with comparable results.....

 

[Yoricko]

M4-2, M4-P, M5 (big fat one with meter), and the CLE are other Leica interchangable bodies you might consider.
The M4-2 and M4-P is made using cheaper parts assembly to reduce production cost.

A mintish set would probably cost you more, so find some user marks and it should be slightly cheaper

Anyways if you buy a Leica at the right price, you can sell them off at the same price sometime later if taken good care of.

 

[azzurri]

For value for money rangefinders, there is always Voigtlanders. Check out Chiif's website.

 

[paapoopa]

how about the Zeiss Ikon?
anyone recommend that?

and comparing it to the konica hexar

 

[bene123]

I love to use the Zeiss Ikon It has the biggest viewfinder. But quite hard to get one in singapore. And given the price i would get a used M6 classic instead.
I think the Voig is a good choice. If you really love the RF way then you can jump. to M7,8,9

 

[snapx3]

I think it is the lens that will make a bigger difference in picture quality, rather than the body. The Voigtlander R3A plus Nokton 40mm is a good combination to start. Or get the body, and a Lecia summicron 40mm.

 

[The Dry Box]

If you are not sure how knee deep you'll be into rangefinders, I think you should try the Voigtlanders Bessa from BnS or from chiif first. Invest in lenses, and once you decided that's the way to go, invest in a M.

Lens prices are pretty stable so long you kept it well maintain. If you ever decide that the system is not for you, at least the loss is minimal.

Nice pictures depends on the skill of the photographer, and a little character from the lens. The camera body probably helps a little, because it affects the way you take picture.

It took me a while before I went from dslr to grd to bessa to rolleiflex to M3 and finally settle down with ltm cameras! For my needs, it's more of the size of the camera that's important... think you need to find out yours.

 

[brandonkbk]

Hi all....

First of all... thanks for all the valuable advices.....

I have currently shortlist my list to Voigtlanders 3A, Zeiss Ikon and Konica Hexar.... Do admit that there are both pros and cons to all three of them and each one of them comes with their own characters.... Hope to make up my mind soon.....

 

[Yatlapball]

If you are looking for "producing nice photos", perhaps more than ever its not about the camera itself...

 

[hamustar]

If you are looking for "producing nice photos", perhaps more than ever its not about the camera itself...

not the camera itself...but the lens... :bsmilie:
Jus jokin, i know what u mean.

 

[mamypoko]

Going into Leica? Just get a nice user M4-2 or M4-P, otherwise go for Voigtlander, very good value for money, with warranty as well