New to rangefinders (Sort of)

[Jude1982]

Hello everyone!

I'm new to these forums and would love to get some advice from you. From young, my dad had bought me a camera and I have been using it for like 10+ years. Did'nt know what it was called and only thought of it as a "film camera". But when I went overseas for a few years, no one took care of the camera and it became full of mould and fungus after I came back =(

Really want to pick up photography now that I have time and did some research and found out that the camera was actually called a rangefinder! What I did was to google [film camera with patch in viewfinder] :embrass:

Anyways, I wanted to get some help from you all.

- Can you guys give me some advice on how to check the camera if I were to get it from the BnS section? Im totally clueless regarding this one as it's not as easy as checking a digital camera
- Would there be any issues with servicing/repairing these cameras and stuff like looking for spare parts since these cameras are really old?
- Any place in Singapore that I could bring my old camera and lenses for servicing/cleaning. Hate to see this camera go to waste as it's been with me since young.

Thanks so much in advance!!

Anyway here is a shot of the "film camera"

htt p://gallery.clubsnap.com/showphoto.php/photo/186174/title/photo40/cat/500]

 

[hookonclassic]

Konishiroku (Konica): Konica Auto S2 Price Guide: estimate a camera valueHi, welcome to the rangefinder forum.

Allow me to assist you re-post the picture:

This seem to be Konica Auto S2 rangefinder camera. Some google from here...Konica Auto S2 Rangefinder Camera

If may get your camera CLA (Clean, Lubricate and Adjust) by "camera hospital" in Sunshine Plaza, but I guess the cost of CLA may cost more than the camera. Some google on the cost of the camera from web: Konishiroku (Konica): Konica Auto S2 Price Guide: estimate a camera value

 

[pixelbrain]

i concur with hookonclassic's advice.. the CLA cost will be far more than what the camera's worth on the 2nd hand market, I wouldn't bother with the repair unless this particular piece has sentimental value. You mentioned the lens is full of mold and fungus as well, if so it'll be hard to fix fully. Otherwise, if you're just looking for a rangefinder camera to get started, there are plenty of cheap fixed lens rangefinders on the market, in both Buy&Sell as well as eBay.

Fixed lens rangefinder cameras worth mentioning are the Yashica Electro GSN, Canonet QL17 GIII, Olympus 35SP, just to name a few popular ones..

hope this helps.

 

[Jude1982]

Thanks! Will go and check out camera hospital. Just wanting to get the camera fixed up for keepsake.

For the actual picture taking, am looking to get my hands on an m4 or m4p but not sure how to check camera whether camera is functioning properly or not. Any tips on some basic things I need to look out for?

 

[Shadowleong]

Thats quite a rare camera you have there! I have the auto s which has a slightly different lens compared to yours. The hexanon lenses are very underated!!