Need some help (newbie)

[racethelights]

I've been playing around with lomo cameras and DSLR the past year but I've been really looking into getting myself a 35mm rangefinder since last month

Leica is definitely out of my reach (haha I'm a poor student), so I want to ask, whats a good beginner rangefinder to start off with?

I had a DSLR but I'm not too good with the technical stuff and I always shoot based on my feelings. So I'm a total noob at lenses or exposures or apertures.

My budget is about $200 - Is it enough to start off?

Really need some help here, hope you can help out!
Thanks so much in advance

 

[Joohander]

With $200 you can get a very decent fixed lens rf such as a Yashica electro, Olympus trip or a minolta hi-matic. I myself started off experenting with a GSN 3 years back and it really got me hooked. I really regret selling off that one! Look under the personal classifieds because these cameras do pop up fairly often! things to look out for in these 2nd hand cameras would be:

1. Shutter works
2. Meter works (if it has one) - test by covering meter and shooting and then pointing to a bright area and shooting, you should be able to tell the different shutter speeds
3. Light seals - the foamy stuff around the back door of these cameras tend to rot with time though it's no big issue and can be easily replaced; try to ask for $10 off if they are worn and seller nv mention
4. Dust/ fungus/ haze in vf or lens - point it to the light and try looking at various angles to see if there's any. Dust is fairly acceptable and pose no problem but haze and fungus will get worse over time and deteriorate the glass. Also look out for oil on aperture blades cos this can potentially lead to haze I think?

That's the main stuff off the top of my head! all the best in your search and I hope to see some photos! P.S. Can make use of the lomo subforum for your lomo shots too!

 

[racethelights]

With $200 you can get a very decent fixed lens rf such as a Yashica electro, Olympus trip or a minolta hi-matic. I myself started off experenting with a GSN 3 years back and it really got me hooked. I really regret selling off that one! Look under the personal classifieds because these cameras do pop up fairly often! things to look out for in these 2nd hand cameras would be:

1. Shutter works
2. Meter works (if it has one) - test by covering meter and shooting and then pointing to a bright area and shooting, you should be able to tell the different shutter speeds
3. Light seals - the foamy stuff around the back door of these cameras tend to rot with time though it's no big issue and can be easily replaced; try to ask for $10 off if they are worn and seller nv mention
4. Dust/ fungus/ haze in vf or lens - point it to the light and try looking at various angles to see if there's any. Dust is fairly acceptable and pose no problem but haze and fungus will get worse over time and deteriorate the glass. Also look out for oil on aperture blades cos this can potentially lead to haze I think?

That's the main stuff off the top of my head! all the best in your search and I hope to see some photos! P.S. Can make use of the lomo subforum for your lomo shots too!

Thanks so much for your tips! Will look out for these things when I buy a second hand cam! Thanks!

 

[kolomo]

i oso intending to get in RF, and I found this vid during my research...
[video=youtube;WD4hcH0Qhz4]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WD4hcH0Qhz4[/video]
hope it helps

 

[racethelights]

i oso intending to get in RF, and I found this vid during my research...
[video=youtube;WD4hcH0Qhz4]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WD4hcH0Qhz4[/video]
hope it helps

Thanks! Its really useful!

 

[Amaterasu]

I bought my Fed 2 for under $200. You can PM me if interested, it's still in great working condition but has some brassing lah.

Having used it, Fed 2 is a nice camera to have, just that you need an external light meter. Using a Yashica Electro GS now, not bad either.

 

[Scandiacus]

Bought my Canonet QL17, 45mm f/1.7 for $180. Shooting happily ever since. Everything working including meter.

 

[Yoricko]

I've been playing around with lomo cameras and DSLR the past year but I've been really looking into getting myself a 35mm rangefinder since last month

Leica is definitely out of my reach (haha I'm a poor student), so I want to ask, whats a good beginner rangefinder to start off with?

I had a DSLR but I'm not too good with the technical stuff and I always shoot based on my feelings. So I'm a total noob at lenses or exposures or apertures.

My budget is about $200 - Is it enough to start off?

Really need some help here, hope you can help out!
Thanks so much in advance

Sell everything except for your organs. Buy a Leica. If you don't like it, sell it for profit after a year (especially the lenses).

Jokes aside, just get whatever feels right. With budget like that, a fixed focal length rangefinder is your only option. I'd recommend an automatic camera with possible manual controls. Manual controls are important for creative photography and will help you establish a base for understanding the technical side of a proper exposure.

Right now I am using a Minolta 7sII as a let-it-be-stolen-without-any-heartache camera. 40mm 1.7 moderately fast lens with decent resolution and sharpness, body size just a bit thicker than consumer compacts, shutter priority and manual controls, flash sync at all speeds, accepts LR/SR44 batteries.

Remember, there is no perfect or best camera in the world. Only the ones that allow you work most efficiently with.

 

[racethelights]

Thanks so much for all the help and advice, really appreciate it! Currrently looking at the Yashica 35 GSN, any feedback about it?

Also I checked ebay out and the prices there are really cheap compared to the ones offered in the BnS section here but I've never purchased anything from there... Is it safe to buy from ebay?

Thanks for the help in advance!

 

[Yoricko]

You might be able to find a good one. The seller's description is always slightly better than the actual condition of the item.

 

[Joohander]

the GSN is a great performer, loved the lens and the solidness of the camera. that said, it is kinda bulky compared to most of the other fixed lens rfs around but i was fine with that!

 

[Scandiacus]

Thanks so much for all the help and advice, really appreciate it! Currrently looking at the Yashica 35 GSN, any feedback about it?

Also I checked ebay out and the prices there are really cheap compared to the ones offered in the BnS section here but I've never purchased anything from there... Is it safe to buy from ebay?

Thanks for the help in advance!

It's pretty solid starter RF. Take note that it's only aperture priority. No battery = no shots. If I remember clearly it can only shoot at 1/500 f/1.7 without battery.

You can look into the Canonet series. Can't think of any other fixed lens RF with manual override.

 

[djkenji]

hi, i have a question too for newbie still learning.

since racethelights open a thread for seeking help. I might not consider open another thread similar,

so my question is,

How do FED2 film counter work?

How to reset to 0, starting counting.


appreciated your answer

 

[osocan]

hi, i have a question too for newbie still learning.

since racethelights open a thread for seeking help. I might not consider open another thread similar,

so my question is,

How do FED2 film counter work?

How to reset to 0, starting counting.


appreciated your answer

You set it by rotating the counter dial. There are 2 nipples on the counter dial to help you rotate it.

FED 2 with a collapsible 50 is one neat set up. :thumbsup:

 

[djkenji]

You set it by rotating the counter dial. There are 2 nipples on the counter dial to help you rotate it.

FED 2 with a collapsible 50 is one neat set up. :thumbsup:

FYI, example currently the arrow is point on 15, so i can to dial 21 times until the arrow point on 0 to start new roll of film.

correct me if i'm wrong.

 

[osocan]

FYI, example currently the arrow is point on 15, so i can to dial 21 times until the arrow point on 0 to start new roll of film.

correct me if i'm wrong.

Load the film, fire a couple of blank shots, rotate the dial by pushing on the nipples to align arrow to first frame. The counter will advance one frame each time the film is wound.

 

[dankwan]

Sell everything except for your organs. Buy a Leica. If you don't like it, sell it for profit after a year (especially the lenses).

Jokes aside, just get whatever feels right. With budget like that, a fixed focal length rangefinder is your only option. I'd recommend an automatic camera with possible manual controls. Manual controls are important for creative photography and will help you establish a base for understanding the technical side of a proper exposure.

Right now I am using a Minolta 7sII as a let-it-be-stolen-without-any-heartache camera. 40mm 1.7 moderately fast lens with decent resolution and sharpness, body size just a bit thicker than consumer compacts, shutter priority and manual controls, flash sync at all speeds, accepts LR/SR44 batteries.

Remember, there is no perfect or best camera in the world. Only the ones that allow you work most efficiently with.

hear hear for Yoricko...he's completely right..... dont get caught up with all the bells and whistles, the important thing is get whatever feel right...(funny thing is that Ive been playing with RF for years and now going back to lomo like TS)

 

[newghost]

how about a yashica lynx 14?