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35 mm fixed lens rangefinders

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Smaug01

Smaug01

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Does anyone else here like that particular niche of camera?

To me, there's always been something magical about them:
  • Big enough to use a serious film size
  • Many had top quality optics
  • They could be compact (Olympus XA) or full size. (Yashica Electro 35)
  • They could be manual, automatic, in between or both
Right now, I've got the following:
  • Yashica Electro 35 GS; perfect condition except a dent in the filter ring :( This one had a fully electronic exposure meter and is aperture priority. It uses an electro magnet to control the shutter, which can go longer than 30 seconds. Great handling; really easy to shoot. This was my grandpa's, and once I found the adapter for the mercury battery, it has been a cracking good camera. I'm thinking of trying to pend that filter ring out with a needlenose pliers and a napkin wrapped around the jaws, so I can put a yellow filter on it. (as I plan to shoot mostly outdoors and B&W)
  • Rollei 35: Not technically a rangefinder, but a zone focus camera. Nice shape, but it only opens to f/4. Feels like there's dust inside that is keeping it from opening to f/3.5. Can't find anything but a yellow filter for this guy.
  • Rollei B 35: The budget model. I bought this as my grandpa had one, back in the day, and he loved it. I'll develop my first film with it soon. The selenium meter is dicey.
The problem with the above 3 cameras is that they have either 40 or 45 mm lenses, and I find that to not be a very good focal length for general outdoor photography, where these cameras are at their best. I want 35 mm, as that is often wide enough, but not so wide that it's useless for general people pictures. It's SUCH a small pool of cameras in that niche.
  • Olympus XA
  • Yashica Electro 35 CC
  • Minox 35
What have you got?

I was toying with the idea of getting a used Bessa R and a 35 mm lens for that. Would that be a good option.

Let me know if you have anything you might want to pass on.
 
I sincerely love that 40- 45mm field of view that you don't like. If I went back to film and wanted a new camera, I would happily pick from that list or add a couple options. I'd have to do fresh research, but of the top of my head I'd lean toward the Yashica, or maybe a Canonet. I well remember craving both of those back in the day.

The Bessa sounds like a great idea if you can afford it, since it offers the option of adding other lenses later.

A "digital Bessa" remains one of the cameras that don't exist that I want most.

--
Instagram: @yardcoyote
 
Last edited:
Smaug01 said:
Does anyone else here like that particular niche of camera?

To me, there's always been something magical about them:
  • Big enough to use a serious film size
  • Many had top quality optics
  • They could be compact (Olympus XA) or full size. (Yashica Electro 35)
  • They could be manual, automatic, in between or both
Right now, I've got the following:
  • Yashica Electro 35 GS; perfect condition except a dent in the filter ring :( This one had a fully electronic exposure meter and is aperture priority. It uses an electro magnet to control the shutter, which can go longer than 30 seconds. Great handling; really easy to shoot. This was my grandpa's, and once I found the adapter for the mercury battery, it has been a cracking good camera. I'm thinking of trying to pend that filter ring out with a needlenose pliers and a napkin wrapped around the jaws, so I can put a yellow filter on it. (as I plan to shoot mostly outdoors and B&W)
  • Rollei 35: Not technically a rangefinder, but a zone focus camera. Nice shape, but it only opens to f/4. Feels like there's dust inside that is keeping it from opening to f/3.5. Can't find anything but a yellow filter for this guy.
  • Rollei B 35: The budget model. I bought this as my grandpa had one, back in the day, and he loved it. I'll develop my first film with it soon. The selenium meter is dicey.
The problem with the above 3 cameras is that they have either 40 or 45 mm lenses, and I find that to not be a very good focal length for general outdoor photography, where these cameras are at their best. I want 35 mm, as that is often wide enough, but not so wide that it's useless for general people pictures. It's SUCH a small pool of cameras in that niche.
  • Olympus XA
  • Yashica Electro 35 CC
  • Minox 35
What have you got?

I was toying with the idea of getting a used Bessa R and a 35 mm lens for that. Would that be a good option.

Let me know if you have anything you might want to pass on.
Click to expand...
I have the Minox EL35 and the Konica Auto S3, as well as a Contax G.
 
Or are their lenses not good enough? :-)
 
yardcoyote said:
I sincerely love that 40- 45mm field of view that you don't like. If I went back to film and wanted a new camera, I would happily pick from that list or add a couple options. I'd have to do fresh research, but of the top of my head I'd lean toward the Yashica, or maybe a Canonet. I well remember craving both of those back in the day.
Click to expand...
There are TONS of fixed lens rangefinders with 40-45 mm lenses. Cheap as chips too! I just sold my Konica Auto S2 for $25. Only was missing the lens on top of the light meter. A guy bought it who will use it with his separate light meter to photograph his baby and another upcoming one. I was kind of flattered. :)
yardcoyote said:
The Bessa sounds like a great idea if you can afford it, since it offers the option of adding other lenses later.
Click to expand...
Realistically, I don't think I would. I should just pick up a 35 mm prime for my Olympus OM1N and be done with it.
yardcoyote said:
A "digital Bessa" remains one of the cameras that don't exist that I want most.
Click to expand...
Leica makes them, it's just a question of cost. ;)

By the way, check out rangefinder forum dot com. You'd fit right in. (if you're not already a member)
 
That's the whole point of a Bessa-- a less expensive RF body with a Leica mount. I'd put secondhand Voigtlander lenses on mine and rangefind all over the place.

But I'm not ready to go back to film right now.

Instagram: @yardcoyote
 
Smaug01 said:
Does anyone else here like that particular niche of camera?
Click to expand...
Kinda sorta...

I've got an Olympus 35RD that is a lovely bit of kit, but as a type the 35mm fixed lens RF's tend to be full of compromises.

They've often got great, fast lenses, but then they all have a super short RF base so accurately focusing wide open is hit and miss.

They rarely have parallax correction.

They rarely have full manual control, and the ones that do usually have terrible ergonomics (the 35RD shutter speed ring being a case in point).

There's lots of blogs around now selling them as a 'poor mans Leica', but as someone who uses both (the aforementioned 35RD and a M2), they really aren't.
 
Smaug01 said:
Does anyone else here like that particular niche of camera?

To me, there's always been something magical about them:
  • Big enough to use a serious film size
  • Many had top quality optics
  • They could be compact (Olympus XA) or full size. (Yashica Electro 35)
  • They could be manual, automatic, in between or both
Right now, I've got the following:
  • Yashica Electro 35 GS; perfect condition except a dent in the filter ring :( This one had a fully electronic exposure meter and is aperture priority. It uses an electro magnet to control the shutter, which can go longer than 30 seconds. Great handling; really easy to shoot. This was my grandpa's, and once I found the adapter for the mercury battery, it has been a cracking good camera. I'm thinking of trying to pend that filter ring out with a needlenose pliers and a napkin wrapped around the jaws, so I can put a yellow filter on it. (as I plan to shoot mostly outdoors and B&W)
  • Rollei 35: Not technically a rangefinder, but a zone focus camera. Nice shape, but it only opens to f/4. Feels like there's dust inside that is keeping it from opening to f/3.5. Can't find anything but a yellow filter for this guy.
  • Rollei B 35: The budget model. I bought this as my grandpa had one, back in the day, and he loved it. I'll develop my first film with it soon. The selenium meter is dicey.
The problem with the above 3 cameras is that they have either 40 or 45 mm lenses, and I find that to not be a very good focal length for general outdoor photography, where these cameras are at their best. I want 35 mm, as that is often wide enough, but not so wide that it's useless for general people pictures. It's SUCH a small pool of cameras in that niche.
  • Olympus XA
  • Yashica Electro 35 CC
  • Minox 35
What have you got?

I was toying with the idea of getting a used Bessa R and a 35 mm lens for that. Would that be a good option.

Let me know if you have anything you might want to pass on.
Click to expand...
 
fferreres said:
Smaug, in you list of “pluses” there is not a single benefit stemming primarily from their inability to have other lenses on them.
Click to expand...
There are a few pluses from the fixed-lens aspect:

- Most (all?) fixed-lens RF's have leaf shutters, which are almost silent and allow high-speed flash sync. AFAIK all interchangeable-lens 35mm RF's have focal-plane shutters.

- Simplicity - no need for a bayonet mounting system with an integrated mechanical rangefinder linkage.

- Lens designed specifically for the body without having to cater for a mount spec.
 
tassienick said:
fferreres said:
Smaug, in you list of “pluses” there is not a single benefit stemming primarily from their inability to have other lenses on them.
Click to expand...
There are a few pluses from the fixed-lens aspect:

- Most (all?) fixed-lens RF's have leaf shutters, which are almost silent and allow high-speed flash sync. AFAIK all interchangeable-lens 35mm RF's have focal-plane shutters.
Click to expand...
Werra 3,4,5.
tassienick said:
- Simplicity - no need for a bayonet mounting system with an integrated mechanical rangefinder linkage.

- Lens designed specifically for the body without having to cater for a mount spec.
Click to expand...
 
tassienick said:
fferreres said:
Smaug, in you list of “pluses” there is not a single benefit stemming primarily from their inability to have other lenses on them.
Click to expand...
There are a few pluses from the fixed-lens aspect:

- Most (all?) fixed-lens RF's have leaf shutters, which are almost silent and allow high-speed flash sync. AFAIK all interchangeable-lens 35mm RF's have focal-plane shutters.

- Simplicity - no need for a bayonet mounting system with an integrated mechanical rangefinder linkage.

- Lens designed specifically for the body without having to cater for a mount spec.
Click to expand...
Some more I can think of:

- You just accept what you have and master when to detect a good shot for that specific focal length

- No remorse of maybe what would have happened if you had included X lens in your bag as you walked out today. It is what it is and it’s already settled

- Intimate knowledge of the particular lens

- Forces you to switch mindset and WALK as opposed to twisting rings from your non ideal vantage point.

For me, the best aspects of a fixed prime lens are its effects ON THE PHOTOGRAPHER. Of course, burg shooter or fast action sports fans and fashion photographers will need something different. So the comment applies generally more for a general case.
 
Last edited:
paul_kew said:
tassienick said:
fferreres said:
Smaug, in you list of “pluses” there is not a single benefit stemming primarily from their inability to have other lenses on them.
Click to expand...
There are a few pluses from the fixed-lens aspect:

- Most (all?) fixed-lens RF's have leaf shutters, which are almost silent and allow high-speed flash sync. AFAIK all interchangeable-lens 35mm RF's have focal-plane shutters.
Click to expand...
Werra 3,4,5.
Click to expand...
Hah I know I'd miss something!

Interesting cameras, as I understand it the leaf shutter was in the body, rather than the lenses?
 
I love this topic, but it's better placed in rangefinderforum.com
 
What about the 2005 Nikon SP ?

8f3f9659eb18491b93eaa9f43cd71a40.jpg

or if happy enogh guessing the distance you can manual focus the 35 Ti



dbd627a9a18145968fb24c52caa7b4e9.jpg
 
Last edited:
tassienick said:
Smaug01 said:
Does anyone else here like that particular niche of camera?
Click to expand...
Kinda sorta...

I've got an Olympus 35RD that is a lovely bit of kit, but as a type the 35mm fixed lens RF's tend to be full of compromises.

They've often got great, fast lenses, but then they all have a super short RF base so accurately focusing wide open is hit and miss.

They rarely have parallax correction.
Click to expand...
Yashica Electro 35 and Konica Auto S2 do.
tassienick said:
They rarely have full manual control,
Click to expand...
Konica Auto S2 does.
tassienick said:
and the ones that do usually have terrible ergonomics (the 35RD shutter speed ring being a case in point).
Click to expand...
Yashica Electro 35 and Konica Auto S2 don't.
tassienick said:
There's lots of blogs around now selling them as a 'poor mans Leica', but as someone who uses both (the aforementioned 35RD and a M2), they really aren't.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I believe it. But if they're anywhere even CLOSE, it's a pretty good deal. If you're OK with aperture priority, try out an Electro 35. They're bigger than Leicas, but oh so good. Got to be OK with a 45 mm lens, though.

The Canonet QL17 is a good one too. I had an Olympus 35 RC (like your RD, but with a slower lens) The Canonet was better. I'd like to try an Olympus 35 SP; that's supposed to be about the best one.

Don't forget the Rollei 35. Got to be good at scale focusing, but other than that, it's perfect!
 
fferreres said:
Smaug, in you list of “pluses” there is not a single benefit stemming primarily from their inability to have other lenses on them.
Click to expand...
Of course not, because this is what keeps the cost reasonable.
fferreres said:
I know this is not what you asked but I think something like a Contax G is a great option, and you get to decide which “fixed” lens goes in and stays there for as long as you want.
Click to expand...
Autofocus and auto-winding kind of ruins it for me. But the build quality and lenses were fantastic. I'd go with the 35mm f/2 Planar...
fferreres said:
I own 3 Rollei 35...lovely little cameras...quite hard to shot right. I like the Sonnar upgraded one that isn’t the cheap latest version.
Click to expand...
I think it just takes practice. As a matter of fact, I'm about to import some negative scans from my 35 and see if I can figure out how to invert them. I think the trick is to not shoot wide open, except in case of emergency. Hyperfocal distance covers a lot of distance misjudgments...
 
fferreres said:
tassienick said:
fferreres said:
Smaug, in you list of “pluses” there is not a single benefit stemming primarily from their inability to have other lenses on them.
Click to expand...
There are a few pluses from the fixed-lens aspect:

- Most (all?) fixed-lens RF's have leaf shutters, which are almost silent and allow high-speed flash sync. AFAIK all interchangeable-lens 35mm RF's have focal-plane shutters.

- Simplicity - no need for a bayonet mounting system with an integrated mechanical rangefinder linkage.

- Lens designed specifically for the body without having to cater for a mount spec.
Click to expand...
Some more I can think of:

- You just accept what you have and master when to detect a good shot for that specific focal length

- No remorse of maybe what would have happened if you had included X lens in your bag as you walked out today. It is what it is and it’s already settled

- Intimate knowledge of the particular lens

- Forces you to switch mindset and WALK as opposed to twisting rings from your non ideal vantage point.

For me, the best aspects of a fixed prime lens are its effects ON THE PHOTOGRAPHER. Of course, burg shooter or fast action sports fans and fashion photographers will need something different. So the comment applies generally more for a general case.
Click to expand...
Excellent points.

Out shooting with my Rollei 35 today, I found I had to think more, and it was gratifying and educational. I remember feeling like this when I first learned photography.
 
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