Rangefinder info and advice please

[Wander]

I've wanted a rangefinder 35mm for a long time. I've always lusted after Leica's but the sticker shock has and continues to keep me from owning one.

I am starting the look into getting one and I am wondering if the Zeiss Ikon range finders are a good alternative to the Leica. I guess what I am wondering is if the 2x price tag of the Leica is similar to the difference in price of a Rolex vs something like a Omega or Tag which is 1/2 the price but very close in quality and function. I am familiar with Zeiss lenses and their very good reputation for quality, is this still the case and are the range finder bodies also of the same quality?

 

[Wander]

Thanks for the links Dave. It looks like I've got a lot of reading/learning to do. I would hate to pay the money for a Zeiss and still want the Leica. I don't mind buying a used Leica-especially if it's less than the Zeiss which shouldn'e be a problem. Now I just need to learn what to look for.

Your comment about the M3 being old but still rebuildable sounds a lot like my Land Rover IIa.......

I can see I'll have a lot to learn about using a rangefinder as well, the SLR's and DSLR's have spoiled me, I thought my K1000 was basic!

 

[Michael Slade]

Mamiya 7

 

[bajasurf]

Olympus 35RC

http://cameraquest.com/olyrc.htm

http://kenrockwell.com/olympus/35rc.htm


Rockwell´s review is more thorough

Oh Yeah $15

 

[Wander]

The Olympus reminds me on the Cannon/ Cannonet 28 I have. It was my sisters who got it in the late 70's but never did much with it. It's in pretty much new condition but does need new light sealing. I left it alone as well when I was a kid because I wanted an SLR and interchangable lenses so I saved and bought a K1000 (still have it) and then moved on to Nikon.

 

[mrbishi]

Can I suggest taking a look at the Voigtlander Bessa range.

They are superbly built cameras at an excellent price that can take M mount lenses. The Voigtlander lenses themselves are superb and also really well priced. I personally shoot with a Bessa R2a and a 35mm f1.7 Ultron - and it's my daily workhorse.

I live in Perth, Western Australia and purchased it from http://www.cameraquest.com/ - I'd highly recommend them.

In medium format I also shoot a fair bit with a Mamiya 6 rangefinder that is a beautiful piece of kit.

 

[Wander]

The Voightlanders look very nice. If I read the information correctly are the Voightlanders and Zeiss Ikon's made by the same people (Cosina)?

I also want to confirm that the "M" model indicates it uses an M mount so that it will take Leica lenses (as long as they don't protrude too deep into the body?

The 250 yr package with the 50 f2 looks very attractive and has a good price plus the presentation box makes it a very nice package.

Are any of the bodies or lenses (Leica, Voightlander or Zeiss) still made in Germany or have they all moved to Japan?

 

[Lost Canadian]

Matt, have you tried a rangefinder? If so proceed, if not proceed with caution. I almost bought a Voigtlander until happenstance had me playing with a Nikon Rangefinder, let's just say I hated the experience. I totally understand the romantic allure of a RF, but actually using one felt totally antiquated to me. I'm glad I didn't drop money on one as it would probably just sit on my bookshelf collecting dust.

Now that said, if I was looking for a film camera that could provide maximum resolution in small light weight package, there's probably nothing better than Mr. Slade's suggestion, but that's only because of what the camera offers in terms of output, and not because of shooting experience.

 

[Wander]

Trevor,

I have messed about with an old Cannon that my sister gave me-a Cannonet 28 which appears to be in the small RF's of the 70's category. That camera needs new sealing so right now it's not in use at all.

I did have a chance to look at some RF's at B&H last year in NYC. The quality of the Zeiss and Voightlander I looked at were impressive. They did not have any new or used Leica's at the time. The euro was very high (1.6 range) and european customers had cleaned B&H out of there Leica stock-nothing like an instant 40% discount.

As for the Mamiya, that is very nice and having Med Format would be good but I was thinking about the compact size of a 35mm RF and the advantages of that. The Mamiya is still a little large in comparison-not that big by any means but still a little on the big side.

 

[mrbishi]

Different people prefer different things. What feels antiquated to one feels perfectly natural to another.

These days I find most of my shooting is done with my Mamiya 6 Medium format rangefinder or my Voigtlander Bessa R2a. I've never felt slowed down by them and actually in a lot of situations particularly on the street I feel I'm at an advantage over a DSLR user.

I think you'll find a R2a / R3a body on Camera Quest combined with the 35mm f2.8 pancake is a very good value starting proposition. If for some reason you find out you hate it then you'll easily be able to sell it all without much of a loss. The Voigtlander R2a/R3a can take any Leica M mount lense and also Leica screw mount with an adapter.

My Nikon DSLR kit that I've spent thousands on doesn't get taken out much but still has a place in my kit of cameras.

 

[Lost Canadian]

Different people prefer different things.

Totally! My only point to you Matt is that if you have not, you may want to try before you buy. I was all ready to drop the coin on a rangefinder until I actually used one and found that didn't like it.

 

[Wander]

That is a great idea Trevor, it's always good to try first. Now I just have to find someone I know that has one and is willing to loan it out....

 

[mrbishi]

Just a note the Olympus EP2 isn't a rangefinder.

The only true digital rangefinder ever produced was the Epson RD1/s.

I owned an EP1 for a while but the controls on it were infuriating and far inferior to a real rangefinder. The lack of a second dial on the rear of the body was really painful.

 

[Wander]

Although a digital option is nice I'm leaning to film for this. I've already got a DSLR and a couple digi point and shoots. I am also leaning toward saving up and buying a used Leica even though this will take longer. I don't know if it's just fan speak but what I've read from the links here and others I've found the Leica's just sound so much nicer than everything else. I'm sure my shots will still suck but at least I'll know it's me! Now...which body to get? Should I go for a M4 or wait on an M6-even though that would mean about 2x the money. First I need to learn more about them and what are the good dealers to buy from.

 

[Sawaro]

Another option is the Contax G2. Its certainly not for everybody, but if you can deal with the, uh peculiarities of this camera its an amazing system. Its all about the lenses with the Contax, they are super sharp and free of aberrations ect. Legend has it that the 45 tested sharper than some fancy Lieca 50. Its very well built and I get great results. Its aperture priority only and focusing is a bit of a pain sometimes. Systems (28,45,90mm lens and body) are available on ebay for around $1000 in great shape.

http://www.kenrockwell.com/contax/g-system.htm