Low cost 35mm rangefinder recommendations (and good places to buy)?

FishyFish

FishyFish

Suspended / Banned
Messages
8,792
Name
Nige
Edit My Images
No
I've been using an Olympus Trip 35 recently and the film bug has bitten to a degree. I now fancy a camera that will provide more control, but without the bulk of an SLR. I don't have a huge budget (probably around £50ish), so what would be good choices in that price range? Or should I set my sights higher?

Also, where are good places to buy film cameras and gear? Car boot sales and charity shops are likely to yield the best bargains, but without any guarantee of functionality. eBay gives loads of possibilities, but at a higher cost and (in most cases) still without a guarantee of a fully working camera unless sourcing from a reputable seller (which will likely have higher prices attached). Can anyone any recommended any camera shops that deal in 2nd hand film cameras (preferably with online ordering available) please? Basically I want something that's working and good to go from the off, rather than having to faff around replacing seals etc.

Thanks.
 
Also, there's always chance that you'll need to replace seals, especially on a 'bargain' camera but for an hour of your time and less than £10 in materials it's not a difficult task but makes a big difference.
 
stevelmx5 said:
Also, there's always chance that you'll need to replace seals, especially on a 'bargain' camera but for an hour of your time and less than £10 in materials it's not a difficult task but makes a big difference.
Click to expand...

True - I had to do it with my Trip - and to be honest, seals aren't that big a deal (I've still got loads of the foam I used). I guess it's other fixable faults that I'd prefer to avoid if possible. I'm not someone who takes a lot of pleasure from the tinkering and repairing aspect of old kit (although I know it can be a big draw for some). I just want to load it with film and take pictures. :)
 
All of the 35RCs I've had (there have been a few!) have been generally solid and only one needed the internal lens elements to be cleaned up.
 
stevelmx5 said:
Olympus 35RC. Tiny rangefinder with excellent glass and won't break the bank buying one.
Click to expand...

Good choice!
Cracking little camera, prices are going up though as more people find out how good it is.
Think about the 35RD too, a little better spec than the RC, should find one around the same price range.
The SP is the best of the Olly rangefinders, but will cost in excess of £100 for a decent one.
 
The Yashica Electro 35 is also a good camera, very well thought of by lots of shooters.
There are many variations of this camera, the GSN being my favourite, fast 45mm f1.7 lens, aperture-priority auto-exposure mode,
Metering is handled by an element on the front of the unit and max supported film speed is 1000 ASA.
The Electro is larger than the RC, but by no means big.
 
The Soviet era Kievs can be good. I've owned several in the past and used one just before I got into digital. They're capable of excellent results but you do need to be very picky in choosing one. Generally speaking, the older ones are better. 4 (with meter) and 4a (meterless) are nicely in your price range at the moment. The weakest point is the complicated shutter curtain so make sure you check that carefully.

The viewfinder is simplistic, being a design from the mid-thirties but it's certainly better than the tiny tunnel on most screw mount Leicas. The standard lens can be outstanding and I've been lucky with all the specimens I've used. Here's a shot from my last Kiev...

29050598842_0e148aab91_b.jpg
 
I agree with everything above about the 35RC. I threw mine out, with the matching flash unit, during a house move a few years ago because I didn't think I'd ever use them again...
 
MartynK said:
I agree with everything above about the 35RC. I threw mine out, with the matching flash unit, during a house move a few years ago because I didn't think I'd ever use them again...
Click to expand...

Well, we all do silly things sometimes! ..............................................No we don't!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :oops: :$
 
My suggestion: Voigtlander Vito CLR. No light seals to be replaced, the meter does not use a battery so no problems adapting the camera for modern batteries, solid German engineering with little to go wrong. Looks good too!

(Also biassed towards Voigtlander!)
 
Last edited:
Deckard said:
Canonet QL17-GIII is another option.
Click to expand...

+1 robust camera, cracking 40mm f/1.7 lens, meter, quite a bright viewfinder patch (the achilles heel of many rangefinders). There's a QL19 as well, slightly heavier IIRC.

The original XA (not the XA2 etc) is another option, patch a bit faint in the ones I've seen, incredibly compact and supremely pocketable.
 
Last edited:
medwaygreen said:
I am going to give you a heads up on this camera, it is still a bit of a sleeper and can still be had for next to nothing on that site.

Vivitar 35ES. A very close copy of the Minolta 7SII which has a very good following.

Here is an interesting test review from May of this year.

http://www.35mmc.com/21/05/2016/vivitar-35es-review/

Just found this which is enlightening for a camera of this type,actual performance shoots.

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=105453
Click to expand...

Thanks Richard.

When you say "that site", do you mean the http://vintageclassiccamera.com/ site that Andysnap mentioned? I've checked there, but they don't have any at present, so wondered if you mean somewhere else?
 
FishyFish said:
Thanks for the advice everyone. I now have a new toy to play with:

Now to take some pictures!
Click to expand...

Yes! result! :woot:
Enjoy, and don't forget to post the pics!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top