Rangefinder newbie wants to know a good recommendation to start off with

[hori]

woo, wide stuff.

I'll suggest going down to see Chiifei & get your hands on the lenses before buying.

I have a 15mm set on Flickr here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/agnosticgary/sets/72157623947696866/

Thanks for the link to your picture!

Where or who is Chiifei?

 

[theRenaissance]

Thanks for the link to your picture!

Where or who is Chiifei?

http://www.chiifcameras.com/site2/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1&Itemid=2

Our friendly Singapore CV dealer! :thumbsup:

 

[serial_lain]

I have the Hexar AF, it is a far different experience from the manual focusing rangefinders as everything is automated. However the autofocusing works on the principle of a rangefinder rather than your standard SLR autofocusing. Ultra silent, and super convenient.. If you want a cheaper M mount option, the Hexar RF offers AE and auto film advance, so its like a Leica M7's cheaper brother.

If I were you, based on the benefit of hindsight, I would get a used leica M2, or related bodies. If you don't like it, you can sell it and you won't lose money, possibly break even. If you do like it, you can take pride in the fact that you have one of the best picture making machines in the RF world. The Leica is built like a Rolls Royce. You wouldn't need to upgrade other than within the M series. Just my 15 cents worth haha

 

[hori]

http://www.chiifcameras.com/site2/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1&Itemid=2

Our friendly Singapore CV dealer! :thumbsup:

Thanks Renaissance

I have the Hexar AF, it is a far different experience from the manual focusing rangefinders as everything is automated. However the autofocusing works on the principle of a rangefinder rather than your standard SLR autofocusing. Ultra silent, and super convenient.. If you want a cheaper M mount option, the Hexar RF offers AE and auto film advance, so its like a Leica M7's cheaper brother.

If I were you, based on the benefit of hindsight, I would get a used leica M2, or related bodies. If you don't like it, you can sell it and you won't lose money, possibly break even. If you do like it, you can take pride in the fact that you have one of the best picture making machines in the RF world. The Leica is built like a Rolls Royce. You wouldn't need to upgrade other than within the M series. Just my 15 cents worth haha

Thanks for sharing your experience.

Without hindsight, and the possibility that I may not have much time devoted to RF shooting, I will want to be caution in my purchases. In fact, I purchase what I can afford and allocate budget to my camera equipment in a cautious manner. LOL. Yes, from the research I've done, Leica equipment appears to be the aspiring pinnacle for many RF photographers

 

[sim4nee]

There is no fixed lens Hexar RF.

All Hexars are M mount.

Hexar AF.....................:what:

 

[sim4nee]

Oh that one...

Quite different from a RF system actually. Its a compact P&S just like Contax T2/T3, Ricoh GR1s etc.

I think..........

Slightly more pro.

 

[sim4nee]

I have the Hexar AF, it is a far different experience from the manual focusing rangefinders as everything is automated. However the autofocusing works on the principle of a rangefinder rather than your standard SLR autofocusing. Ultra silent, and super convenient.. If you want a cheaper M mount option, the Hexar RF offers AE and auto film advance, so its like a Leica M7's cheaper brother.

If I were you, based on the benefit of hindsight, I would get a used leica M2, or related bodies. If you don't like it, you can sell it and you won't lose money, possibly break even. If you do like it, you can take pride in the fact that you have one of the best picture making machines in the RF world. The Leica is built like a Rolls Royce. You wouldn't need to upgrade other than within the M series. Just my 15 cents worth haha

After trying Bessa R, Hexar RF, Leica M4-P and M6 and I decided on M3, simple, no match in viewfinder in any of earlier mentioned. I wear spec, only M3 deliver the clearest. Never try M7 or Mp so can't tell. So to the OP try look into M3, it's ex even for 2nd hand, but as serial_lain mentioned if you like it that $1-2k is worth every single penny but if you don't like it sell it, you may not loose any money, actually you may even make some money out of it.

 

[Royale With Cheese]

Thanks for the link to your picture!

Where or who is Chiifei?

This handsome boy :bsmilie:

 

[Royale With Cheese]

After trying Bessa R, Hexar RF, Leica M4-P and M6 and I decided on M3, simple, no match in viewfinder in any of earlier mentioned. I wear spec, only M3 deliver the clearest. Never try M7 or Mp so can't tell. So to the OP try look into M3, it's ex even for 2nd hand, but as serial_lain mentioned if you like it that $1-2k is worth every single penny but if you don't like it sell it, you may not loose any money, actually you may even make some money out of it.

The M3 framlines are solid :thumbsup: "Lao Hui" also can see :thumbsup:

But for a new comer, I would suggest trying out all which lens you are keen on. The M3 if I'm not wrong, only supports 50/90/135mm lenses. Any other frame lines, you would have to use an external VF.

Better to read up this thread to know the different framelines, VF magnification on various RFs. Very nicely done up by the very kind catus jack
http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?t=600122

 

[blacvios]

I think i am still a newbie, a bessa R screwmount is a good starting point (used prices $300-$400), if on a budget slap on a jupiter 8 50mm f2($100) and you are good to go, voigtlander screwmounts are also value for money.

 

[axis90x]

i rmb seeing someone post that bessa is loud?
is that true?

 

[sim4nee]

i rmb seeing someone post that bessa is loud?
is that true?

Not louder than any DSLR for sure.

 

[axis90x]

Not louder than any DSLR for sure.

but is it noticeable?

 

[Royale With Cheese]

but is it noticeable?

aiya, when you are in a crowd street shooting, its hardly audible but of course the Leica connoisseurs would beg to differ. :think:

Put it this way, the Bessa shutter sounds better than my Hexar RF. Hexar RF sounds like a compact P&S when the shutter is triggered. But anyway, as long as the RF camera serves its purpose & its reliable, why bother?
Leica is a ending point for all RF users but I just feel that if I'm not that good at picture taking, I'm not up for the Leica yet.... Just mho

Slightly more pro.

Heehee! Master Sim, you are the pro lei, when you holding workshop again? I missed the previous one....... Seems like all the boys had a great time!

Eh, but seriously ah, the Hexar AF focuses like an RF? I thought the focusing mechanism is like T2/T2, Ricoh GR1, Minilux? Sorry ah, not knowledgeable on compact AFs



I feel that you need a manual RF to actually fully "feel" what it is like to shoot an RF. If not, the feeling like G1/G2, not saying that its not a good camera as well but, manual focusing is the highlight of RF?

 

[Hammerklavier]

but is it noticeable?

I have a R2A and the shutter sound is significantly louder than my Canon 450D. It could be I got a bad copy since everyone was saying bessas should not be louder than a DSLR :dunno:. Other than that, I am rather pleased with the camera for the money.

 

[serial_lain]

Eh, but seriously ah, the Hexar AF focuses like an RF? I thought the focusing mechanism is like T2/T2, Ricoh GR1, Minilux? Sorry ah, not knowledgeable on compact AFs

I feel that you need a manual RF to actually fully "feel" what it is like to shoot an RF. If not, the feeling like G1/G2, not saying that its not a good camera as well but, manual focusing is the highlight of RF?

The Hexar AF and Contax G1/G2 autofocus works based on the rangefinder system, meaning its an automated rangefinder, compared to SLRs, which use a different system, like infra red, phase difference etc etc.. Point and shoots usually don't use the same system as these automated rangefinders..

 

[Royale With Cheese]

The Hexar AF and Contax G1/G2 autofocus works based on the rangefinder system, meaning its an automated rangefinder, compared to SLRs, which use a different system, like infra red, phase difference etc etc.. Point and shoots usually don't use the same system as these automated rangefinders..

Oh I see! Didnt know the Hexar AF is an automated RF system! Thought it was just a P&S!

 

[fridgemaster]

i rmb seeing someone post that bessa is loud?
is that true?

oh yeah its loud
gaurantee + chop louder than leica
but not noticable 1 la .. unless u very ji jiao lor ...