film rangefinder

Hi,

Sorry this is not Leica-specific question, but i wanted to get some opinion from you guys.
I'm interested in buying a film rangefinder camera to see what it's like.

As much as I'd like, I can't afford a Leica (not even a used one!), so started looking for other options. Looks like alot of people here liked Bessa as an alternative.

So, for a beginner like myself, what Bessa series would you recommend? I looked at R3A and R3M but don't know which is better for me. Feel free to recommend any other film rangefinder cameras, as i'm open.

Thanks for the advices!

Check out rangefinderforum.com for discussions and their classifieds.
Check out Keh.com for good prices on used equipment.

The r4 a uses battery for metering/ exposure. the r4m is all manual. You can just carry a spare set of batteries and use the metered camera.

You should figure out what lens you plan to use most. If you are not into wide angles you need not get a camera with wide angle framelines.

Figure out what your goal is, what your budget is, and check out the sites above and cameraquest.com for some info. Dont forget to include developing costs in your budget. The Chromogenic films are good for standard lab processing.

I find the rangefinder experience to be different and its main advantage for me is size\weight but it really makes me appreciate things the DSLR offers like Image stabilization, Zoom lenses, and the isolation the fiewfinder provides which helps me ignore distractions.

Ironically folks will say the camera gets out of the way and then say they had to walk across the street to get a shot because of not having a zoom. If the camera makes you walk across the street its in the way, especially for rapidly changing street scenes. I understand the argument but it seems a bit aggrandizing.

Good luck... Share a pic when you get a chance.

I had it narrowed down to the Bessa R3A and the Zeiss Ikon (both use a battery and have an "aperture priority" mode -- a built-in light meter). I ended up with the Zeiss, mostly because I felt it was more "Leica-like".

CameraQuest.com is a great source of all the information you need on cameras and lenses.

Also, don't be afraid to get into doing your own developing. I didn't think I wanted to but a bunch of nice guys over at the RangefinderForum talked me into it and I'm glad I did. It's so fun to develop yourself... and it's EASY (doing B&W). No darkroom needed... I do it in my master bathroom.

Amy
--



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Thanks for the advice.
I found the rangefinderforum to be very useful.

In the end, I knew I wanted a new Bessa if i were going to get one, and with lense prices, I decided to put a hold on it until i can afford a decent lense with Bessa.
I ended up getting a film rangefinder though. Canonet QL17 GIII.

I'm looking forward to getting my foot into rangefinder photography while continuing leica photography with d-lux4.

I looked into developing B&W, it looked pretty simple to do and pretty cheap also.

I ended up getting a Canonet QL17 GIII and this is my first film rangefinder. I'll decide whether i want to purchase more expensive gear if i like my experience with it.
I'll post some pictures when the camera arrives.

Hi,

Just typed this elsewhere "PS And don't forget that everyone made a CRF P&S camera at one time. The Olympus 35 ED with its RF, 38mm f/2·8 lens is seriously underpriced at present. Try and get one with the lens hood, lens cap and manual as they each cost more than the camera on ebay! "

I hope it's some use.

There's also the FSU Fed and Zorki range and the Kiev range. Good copies of the old Leica II and then developed to the FED 2 which many regard as a superb bargain CRF camera but it means a meter is needed. A FED 2 with a Jupiter - 8 lens (F/2 50mm copy of the old Zeiss) takes a lot of beating and an old Weston Master meter will compliment it. Both will probably need an overhaul but an overhauled one will still be cheaper than many alternatives.

Have you looked here: http://www.rangefinderforum.com ?

Regards, David

I recommend something a bit different from a Bessa (nice though it is):
Try a medium format rangefinder.

I have a Fuji GA645 camera, it's like a big AF compact withfull manual override and they are cheap now 2nd hand. The fuji fixed lens is absolutely awesome. The 6x4.5 format is around 2.7 times bigger than 35mm, yielding ultra-slick images. You will be amazed, I guarantee that.

There are older manual focus 6.45 Fujis on the market but then do check if the bellows of those things are still ok.
For more money, a Mamiya 6 or possibly even a Mamiya 7 are interesting as well.

Rangefinder medium format cameras are still very portable unlike their reflex cousins.

--Nice decision starting with that Canonet. I'll look forward to seeing some pictures. If you haven't already seen Karen Nakamura's classic camera site, she has a nice section on your new Canonet...

http://www.photoethnography.com/ClassicCameras/index-frameset.html?CanonCanonetGIIIQL17.html~mainFrame

W.C.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/29320396@N05/show/
Digilux 2
CL

Variety is the spice...

Once you get your output options sorted out, scan or print. the GA645zi I find to be amazing. I think it's worth the effort because you get loads of tonal range from the format and the camera is not small but it's slender and eazy to put away or pull out:

fuji645zi



In retrospect I think it is a wonderful choice because the difference in the image quality is satisfying:

Pentax645

see my response to the poster who asked about M film recommendations. If you want interchangable lenses there is always the russian leica copies but I have found them to be iffy. There is also the olcer canon range finder cameras with darn nearly leica like build fit and finish. My favorite its the canon P because it features a one to one finder with frame lines for 35 50 and 85 if memory serves. There are hundreds and hundreds of lenses out there that will work in the screw mount leica most old and most cheap. Some really good. The new cosina lenses are screw mount. There canon screw mt lenses are quite good as were some nikon offerings in leica screw mount. In screw mount Leica lenses the f2 Summitar coated is a sleeper and from about f 5.6 on will be as good as the earily summicrons. Another but more expensive used Leica lens for the screw mount cameras is the 35mm f2.8 summaron which is a world class performer in the same league as the early 35mm f2 summicornis only a stop slower. There were a few f 2 35mm sumicrons made but be prepared to mortgage the farm to get one. The bottom line here is there were dozens of Japanese russian american etc, range finder cameras made that accept Leica screw mount lenses and hundreds and hundreds of lenses out there that will work on them.

if you dont need interchangable lenses then there are milions of cameras from Canon minolta olympus konica etc that will deliver first class performance for well under a hundred bucks. Wow think of it a range finder camera with a fixed 40mm leens just like the Canon ql17 so popular here sounds a lot like the precurser of the Leica x1 go figure.
--
bosjohn aka John Shick [email protected]

TheCanonet is a good and reasonably cheap way of trying out rangefinders. Check carefully for lens fungus and squidgy light traps (the latter is easily repairable - look for kits from "interslice" in EBay - and even the lens is relatively easy for a competent repair place to take apart as long as fungus has not wrecked the lens coatings).

Here's mine, which has had both of the above jobs done, plus a bit of pimping via Cameraleather.com just for the hell of it:



Stick some decent film in and you may be surprised at the results. These were from Fuji Reala:













Have fun with your new camera!
--
http://jonschick.smugmug.com/

My long waited Canonet just arrived today.

I'm so happy! Now i know the difference between SLR and RF focusing. This weekend I'm taking it out with a first roll. I already tested out a few shots but not having instant preview, i'll have to get used to.

One thing I'm trying to figure out is I can't really see the metering inside the viewfinder that well. Depeding on the background and angle I look at it, it's blurry or focused. Is this common?

Thanks for your interest and welcoming me to RF!

I sometimes find the metering needle a little hard to see too, but not blurry. Certainly much better outdoors than in.

Have fun!
--
http://jonschick.smugmug.com/

Even with my Leicas, I've often been tempted to pick up one of these little gems. Have fun with it and post some pictures!
--

• Mark Ehlers (formerly 'markE')

http://www.pbase.com/marke



'Good street/wildlife photography is a controlled accident,
a vision of preparation and surrender materialized.'