Good Budget Rangefinder Camera

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Drpepper99uk

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Hi,

I have been looking at various Rangefinder cameras on the bay and elsewhere and I'm unsure of what to look at with regards to my budget. I have read various websites that mention about budget rangefinder camera's(£100 or less) but to be honest I'm still none the wiser... Having never used a rangefinder camera before, but wanting to have a go I'm looking to buy something that's simple to use but has some extra control(if there is such thing) where needed. I did see a nice looking Canon Canonet G-III QL17 up for sale for not much, but I decided against buying it due to being unsure of it's workings and image results.

Any ideas?
 
The problem with a lot of 20 yr+ cameras is the shutters freezing up due to being stored away for years on end, and getting them fixed usually costs more than what you can buy them for. My advice is to go to a 2nd hand camera shop and try a few out. Online shops like ffordes.com are excellent for this as well because for the most part they guarantee their cameras will work within 3 months of purchase.

The Canon QL17 is an excellent choice. I'd also take a look at something like a Yashica GSN. Check out cameraquest for some good info on various rangefinders.
 
Hi Pepper

I have used a lot of RF from the 70s; and for most parts, theye are very rugged and well made; and lahave very few problems. So you have a wide variety of choice for very little money.

Prices for a decent ( and by that I mean, pretty good ) camera will range from 30£ - 100 £. The exceptions are certain brand names - primarily Leica and Zeiss. These 2 have outstanding lens; and are much more expensive.

The best value for money are the RF from the 70s : brands like Yashica, Minolta, Konica, Olympus, Ricoh etc.

3 things to ask before buying : is the RF misaligned; does the shutter get stuck and is the lens scratched very badly. If the answer to any of the question is Yes, avoid the camera.

The key issue is what size do you wish, do you want manual over-ride; and what is the largest f stop ( i.e the smallest f number you want).

As a ball park, you can expect to pay the following kind of prices for a camera in good working order

Ricoh 500 : 25 -30£
Konica S2, Minolta 7s : 40 - 60 £
Olympus RC : 60 - 90 £
Yashica G series : 40 - 70£
Leica III series : starting from 150 £
Contax series : starting from 200£
Voigtlander : 30 - 100 £
If you can tell us what you are looking for in the camera; whats important and not important to have, we can make some recommendations.

The folding RF are another matter, and not upto everyone's taste

Ujjwal

P.S : Its a slippery slope; and you will eventually end up buying a Leica CL or a Contax G1. So you might consider avoiding the pain; and getting one right away. Both are fantastic cameras :lol::lol:
 
Just interested to know, why you would want to use a rangefinder over a 35mm manual SLR.
 
ujjwaldey8165 said:
Hi Pepper


Ricoh 500 : 25 -30£
Konica S2, Minolta 7s : 40 - 60 £
Olympus RC : 60 - 90 £
Yashica G series : 40 - 70£
Leica III series : starting from 150 £
Contax series : starting from 200£
Voigtlander : 30 - 100 £
If you can tell us what you are looking for in the camera; whats important and not important to have, we can make some recommendations.
Click to expand...

Good lord. I had a couple of Olympus RCs that I bought in the 70s, and they were still working fine, but I just tossed them in the bin when I left South Africa 6 months ago. Didn't think I would ever use them again and it never occurred to me that they might have any value at all!
 
I just inherited a Zorki 4K, immaculate, only had three films through it, from the brother in law. Bought it years and years ago to take fishing. Then got married the same year and never went any more!

Arthur
 
ah5168 said:
Just interested to know, why you would want to use a rangefinder over a 35mm manual SLR.
Click to expand...

Smaller, lighter, quiet shutter, lens design not compronised by having to clear the moving mirror of an SLR.


Steve.
 
MartynK said:
Good lord. I had a couple of Olympus RCs that I bought in the 70s, and they were still working fine, but I just tossed them in the bin when I left South Africa 6 months ago. Didn't think I would ever use them again and it never occurred to me that they might have any value at all!
Click to expand...

Good lord! I wonder how many such cameras are going to the tipping site every year.

Please, if anyone wants to throw away a perfectly working camera, especially RF, send them to me. I will put money to charity, pay for the postage, use it, fix if is fixable; and then pass it on to other enthusiasts for free.
 
ah5168 said:
Just interested to know, why you would want to use a rangefinder over a 35mm manual SLR.
Click to expand...

Hi,

I just fancied trying one out, what with all the latest digital SLR's about it's easy to forget past camera's and tachnology which at some point will sucumb to the inevitable and be a part of camera/photography history.

Thanks for all the helpful replies guys, I'll keep my eyes peeled for something suitable(I like the look of the Yashica GSN rangefinder, although finding one that works is proving hard work!!!)

I'll let you know how I get on with finding something.


Mike.
 
I bought a Voigtlander Bessa R2 from ebay for £130. It's in mint condition and I'm really looking forward to getting out with it.

Waiting for a lens to arrive. Bought a Voigtlander 35mm f2.5 Skopar screw lens and adapter for M mount for another £245 so it's not the cheapest route to trying a rangefinder but hopefully will be decent quality and easy to sell if it doesn't suit me.
 
Canonet QL25: amazing and very solid camera, never let me down
 
Fuji GS645 (medium format), doesn't have B a time, but it's a very fast and solid camera
 
I've just picked up a Yashica Electro GTN and I have to say I love it already, I've only put 2 films through it, a Kodak Gold, which is horrid film and some Portra VC which has now become my favourite colour print film ever. I love the camera, the 1.7 lens and the simple to use controls. It's a bit chunky but it's a great camera, get one if you can,I doubt you'll be disappoiinted and if you are you can always stick it on ebay, I doubt you'll lose much money, if any. Shots from mine here..Flickr

4405360425_e88dbfda67.jpg
 
Nice... offers made in your ad thread :D
 
Canon QL17 III and Minolta 7s or the 7sII if you can find one.

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