Rangefinder?
- Thread starter oojabba
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NazgulKing
Senior Member
Last edited:
Thank you bro! Good link!!!
NazgulKing
Senior Member
Well, if you have more of a budget of about a thousand, you could get a Voigtlander Bessa + a lens.
If you are looking for a thousand and slightly over for a body alone, a Leica M2/M3 or a Zeiss Ikon would do the trick. Just a note though, these old cameras might be great to use etc. but they do need a bit of clean up and tuning.
@ NazgulKing
Well, I was thinking more of this would be THE Ragefinder Cam and I need not ever change again... Hahahaa! Cos I know no matter what, no matter when, no matter how, I will NEVER NEVER NEVER get to afford a good Leica or lens. hahaha so I was thinking spend that 1+k get a semi good one and that's it. How's the Zeiss Ikon?
Well, I was thinking more of this would be THE Ragefinder Cam and I need not ever change again... Hahahaa! Cos I know no matter what, no matter when, no matter how, I will NEVER NEVER NEVER get to afford a good Leica or lens. hahaha so I was thinking spend that 1+k get a semi good one and that's it. How's the Zeiss Ikon?
NazgulKing
Senior Member
The Zeiss Ikon is a competent enough camera. Might not feel as good as a Leica but the electronics and viewfinder are top notch. Which is fairly important.
Any idea where I can see the specs and/or price and buy one?
I had good experiences using the Canon and the Olympus as well as the Minolta Hi-matic 7.
virtualme78
Senior Member
A decent Leica M2 goes for $1000 and if u r lucky, you can probably get lesser than that. A good summaron f2.8 goes for about $1000 or so... Only the f3.5 version is cheaper
Thanks for the feedback man!! They are really valuable for me in making decisions.
I haven't decided yet but I was shown yet another few websites.
Voigtlander Bessa R
How much would you guys pay for this?
I haven't decided yet but I was shown yet another few websites.
Voigtlander Bessa R
How much would you guys pay for this?
Don't forget about voigtlander too. You can get the 35mm/1.4, 35mm/2.5, 50/1.5 all for about $400-600. Coupled with a Bessa R2 ($400), you can get a flexible rangefinder setup that can be easily upgraded and also much better than a fixed RF like Canonet (unless you get a mint copy).
Good thing is that almost all RF gear will hold it's value, if are patient are wait for a good buy.
Good thing is that almost all RF gear will hold it's value, if are patient are wait for a good buy.
oceanpriest
Senior Member
+1 for bessa R/R2 and 35 1.4
other alternative is to get a barnack iiic or iiif and a summitar/elmar/summaron
other alternative is to get a barnack iiic or iiif and a summitar/elmar/summaron
oystershred
Member
hi just to share my personal experience
i started out with a zorki 4k, but sold it for a leica iiic (really like that one but i sold it cos it only has a 50mm frame, effectively)
currently on a leica M2 now, loving it to bits. it cost me about 800 bucks, condition isn't THAT great where cosmetics are concerned. but very functional!
as for lenses, i'm using exclusively russian lenses. because i am too poor to afford lenses from any other country hahaha
but i'm having a positive experience with them! on an industar 61 (it's radioactive but i haven't grown any extra arms yet) and a jupiter 12, the former is a 50mm/f2.8, the latter is a 35mm f2.8. PM me if you want me to send sample photos
the industar cost me bout 60 bucks, the jupiter cost me bout 150 bucks
i'm also using a d7k great camera!
i started out with a zorki 4k, but sold it for a leica iiic (really like that one but i sold it cos it only has a 50mm frame, effectively)
currently on a leica M2 now, loving it to bits. it cost me about 800 bucks, condition isn't THAT great where cosmetics are concerned. but very functional!
as for lenses, i'm using exclusively russian lenses. because i am too poor to afford lenses from any other country hahaha
but i'm having a positive experience with them! on an industar 61 (it's radioactive but i haven't grown any extra arms yet) and a jupiter 12, the former is a 50mm/f2.8, the latter is a 35mm f2.8. PM me if you want me to send sample photos
the industar cost me bout 60 bucks, the jupiter cost me bout 150 bucks
i'm also using a d7k great camera!
Riotbmx
Senior Member
oystershred said:hi just to share my personal experience
i started out with a zorki 4k, but sold it for a leica iiic (really like that one but i sold it cos it only has a 50mm frame, effectively)
currently on a leica M2 now, loving it to bits. it cost me about 800 bucks, condition isn't THAT great where cosmetics are concerned. but very functional!
as for lenses, i'm using exclusively russian lenses. because i am too poor to afford lenses from any other country hahaha
but i'm having a positive experience with them! on an industar 61 (it's radioactive but i haven't grown any extra arms yet) and a jupiter 12, the former is a 50mm/f2.8, the latter is a 35mm f2.8. PM me if you want me to send sample photos
the industar cost me bout 60 bucks, the jupiter cost me bout 150 bucks
i'm also using a d7k great camera!
Did you get the lenses shimmed?
Thedraperyfalls
New Member
It depends on what you want, really.
If you want a Leica, nothing will replace it. Even though on paper there are many much more capable alternatives.
So if the end goal is a Leica, just grit your teeth and buy a Leica. You would be happier in the long run.
If you are really on a shoe-string and still want a Leica, you can always check out the Leica CL.
Technically it's still a Leica and it's a very nice and nifty camera, you can use it with the CV 40 1.4.
If you are looking for a true user camera then look no further than the Voigtlander Bessa range.
They may not feel as refined, prestigious, hefty, substantial or silky smooth as a Leica, but they get the job done.
That is not to say they are clunky machine either.
The Bessas are beautiful in their own way and handles well.
Furthermore, the Bessas have the added benefit of being much newer and still in production (excluding the Leica M7 which you still can buy new).
That means they generally have less problems and when faulty, repairs are much more convenient.
Depending on your preferred focal length and whether you need AE.
You can consider the R2A, R2M, R3A, R3M, R4A, R4M.
'A' being the ones with AE and 'M' being manual, but still having a built in meter.
If you are keen, you can read about the differences between the models HERE.
I would recommend going for the newer R2M/A over the older R2.
The differences include rewind crank, eyepiece, diopter, viewfinder display, 0.7mm minimum focus distance and metering pattern.
Overall, in my humble opinion the R2M/A are better cameras compared to the R2.
A rung above the Bessa, arguably, would be the Hexar RF and Zeiss Ikon.
Both are very capable cameras and highly advanced, they also have the moniker of being the poor man's M7.
Among their features are AE, motor-rewind on the Hexar, fantastic viewfinders and 1/4000 top-speed on the Hexar.
If you are willing to shell out a bit more, do consider these fantastic cameras.
The Zeiss Ikon is still being serviced by Cosina (at far as I know).
The Hexar would be slightly more difficult to get serviced.
For the fixed lens, affordable options, it's already very well covered in the above link.
The Canon QL17, Yashica GSN, Lynx and others are very popular cameras.
However, they are still old cameras and need some tender loving care.
And there there are the Nikon rangefinders and various Canon models which warrant another whole essay.
But essentially, these are your options. I sincerely hope it helped.
If you want a Leica, nothing will replace it. Even though on paper there are many much more capable alternatives.
So if the end goal is a Leica, just grit your teeth and buy a Leica. You would be happier in the long run.
If you are really on a shoe-string and still want a Leica, you can always check out the Leica CL.
Technically it's still a Leica and it's a very nice and nifty camera, you can use it with the CV 40 1.4.
If you are looking for a true user camera then look no further than the Voigtlander Bessa range.
They may not feel as refined, prestigious, hefty, substantial or silky smooth as a Leica, but they get the job done.
That is not to say they are clunky machine either.
The Bessas are beautiful in their own way and handles well.
Furthermore, the Bessas have the added benefit of being much newer and still in production (excluding the Leica M7 which you still can buy new).
That means they generally have less problems and when faulty, repairs are much more convenient.
Depending on your preferred focal length and whether you need AE.
You can consider the R2A, R2M, R3A, R3M, R4A, R4M.
'A' being the ones with AE and 'M' being manual, but still having a built in meter.
If you are keen, you can read about the differences between the models HERE.
I would recommend going for the newer R2M/A over the older R2.
The differences include rewind crank, eyepiece, diopter, viewfinder display, 0.7mm minimum focus distance and metering pattern.
Overall, in my humble opinion the R2M/A are better cameras compared to the R2.
A rung above the Bessa, arguably, would be the Hexar RF and Zeiss Ikon.
Both are very capable cameras and highly advanced, they also have the moniker of being the poor man's M7.
Among their features are AE, motor-rewind on the Hexar, fantastic viewfinders and 1/4000 top-speed on the Hexar.
If you are willing to shell out a bit more, do consider these fantastic cameras.
The Zeiss Ikon is still being serviced by Cosina (at far as I know).
The Hexar would be slightly more difficult to get serviced.
For the fixed lens, affordable options, it's already very well covered in the above link.
The Canon QL17, Yashica GSN, Lynx and others are very popular cameras.
However, they are still old cameras and need some tender loving care.
And there there are the Nikon rangefinders and various Canon models which warrant another whole essay.
But essentially, these are your options. I sincerely hope it helped.
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