ken_kartes Posted March 26, 2005 Share Posted March 26, 2005 I have read that Leicas are not for everyone, understandably. As nice as they are they are out of my price range right now.What would be the next suggestion for someone interested in a good quality rangefinder then. Something that meters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vic_. Posted March 26, 2005 Share Posted March 26, 2005 What's your price range? You could buy used gear. Otherwise, get a Bessa R3A or R2A, you can still use Leica lenses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnmarkpainter Posted March 26, 2005 Share Posted March 26, 2005 Go to www.cameraquest.com The Bessa R2a is a great entry into Rangefinder shooting jmp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
les_lammers Posted March 26, 2005 Share Posted March 26, 2005 Get a Bessa and an older Leitz lens. If RF's float your boat you can get a Leica later. There are many options. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike_elek Posted March 26, 2005 Share Posted March 26, 2005 Ken, for the price of a new digital P&S, you could pick up a LTM Leica, possibly a IIIf with a Summitar. It's a very nice combination and a nice entry into Leica. The LTM Leicas are really sweet little cameras, and I think you would be very pleased with the camera and the photos.<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike_elek Posted March 26, 2005 Share Posted March 26, 2005 By the way, this one cost me about $320. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saotome_genma Posted March 26, 2005 Share Posted March 26, 2005 When they say leicas ain't for everyone, I think they mean rangefinders in general. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nasmformyzombie Posted March 26, 2005 Share Posted March 26, 2005 My cheap walk around kit consists of a Canon 7 ($225, ok, funky selenium meter), 35mm f3.5 Summaron ($300) and Canon 50mm f1.8 black ($200). When I want AE functionality (or an on board meter), I swap the Canon 7 for a Minolta CLE ($525). For me, the superior materials and build quality of the older gear is preferable to the modern conveniences of the CV products. I use CV only for occasional use stuff---ultra wide angle lenses 15mm and 21mm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nasmformyzombie Posted March 26, 2005 Share Posted March 26, 2005 Forgot the photo...<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ken_kartes Posted March 26, 2005 Author Share Posted March 26, 2005 What I mean is cost wise. I want a rangefinder because they are quiet and compact. I want one that is of good quality. I want one that meters. I have a Nikon 35mm slr system now, but it can be noisy and intrusive. I don't mind an older rangefinder either, but metering is important to me. Thanks for inputs so far. I do also have a Canon QL17 which is great for what it is, if I could expand on that the next rangefinder would have interchangable lenses with metering. Does the IIIf meter? BTW Peter you have a nice camera collection. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gus_gus1 Posted March 26, 2005 Share Posted March 26, 2005 There is a guy in the USA who deals in used Leica. I do not know if sells out of the country or not. I have been dealing with him for years and I vouch for his honesty. His prices are very resonable. Maybe he can give you a good deal on a Leica. His name and Ph# are Jim Kuehl, 515-225-0110 Gus. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scott_mcloughlin Posted March 26, 2005 Share Posted March 26, 2005 Another vote for a Bessa. Nice camera. Nice lenses. Small and compact. Shutter is not as quiet as a Leica, but there's no mirror slap sound. Try the R and 35/2.5 combo at cameraquest. Great value, and you can see if you like it. Scott Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_chan5 Posted March 26, 2005 Share Posted March 26, 2005 I've always been happy with the somewhat maligned Hexar RF. It has a somewhat whiny film advance motor that belies the quiet of the electronic shutter, but I don't feel that is particularly offensive (others do). The Bessas are good cameras (but a Leica replacement they are not). The Bessa R2's are going for reasonable prices on the used market. And if you are willing to work with an external VF for framing, the Bessa T is a handy little camera and cheap as dirt these days. The Minolta CLE has a very loyal following. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superia400_junkie Posted March 26, 2005 Share Posted March 26, 2005 I was looking at the Bessa with the Nikon mount on adorama. Also, put a couple of bids on a Yashica on Ebay. I would like to get something cheap and used, that could give me a feel for the functions of a Leica. Focusing and the like. Anything out there sub $500 that I could mount my Nikon lense too? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terry_rory Posted March 26, 2005 Share Posted March 26, 2005 I assumed you had already identified what you needed for Nikon mount RF lenses? (The Bessa R2S with Nikon mount) It is $599 at cameraquest..... <a href="http://www.cameraquest.com/voigt_r2s_r2c.htm">click here</a> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harvey_edelstein1 Posted March 26, 2005 Share Posted March 26, 2005 I was at the WPPI trade show and spoke with Hasselblad about their distributing the Zeiss Ikon camera and it sounds interesting. It is a brand new camera not an upgraded Bessa. What sounds good is it has a longer rangefinder base, and life size viewfinder that they claim is 1/3 f stop brighter than any previous rangefinder. For my old bad eyesight this is major not minor improvement. They say the body will be only $1600. Oh, I forgot it has an easier film loading system. I'm afraid this is bad news for Leica but good news for us. The 85mm lens is going to be manufactured in Germany. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
back_alley_. Posted March 26, 2005 Share Posted March 26, 2005 wanting a built in meter will really limit your choices. joe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frank granovski Posted March 26, 2005 Share Posted March 26, 2005 Ken, as the other member suggested, get a used Leica. I think there's a lot of good deals out there in the used Leica market. A few weeks back a local camera shop where I bought my CL sold a minty M3 for $999 Canadian. That's about $800 USD. If not Leica, perhaps wait for the Zeiss Icon? The Hexar RF seems to be a good camera but it's noisy. I just bought my wife a Contax G2 for $1200 Canadian---that's a really nice camera. It's a bit complicated for me, though. It took me 3X as long to figure it out than my used professional black Leica CL. (The G2 is not a M-Mount.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter_evans4 Posted March 26, 2005 Share Posted March 26, 2005 <p>What you're looking for doesn't exist, so forget about it. 45mm is a handy lens width; get a <a href="http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=006Q0Q">Konica Auto S2</a>. You can supplement that with a Fuji "Natura" for a wider angle and an SLR for narrower.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ken_kartes Posted March 26, 2005 Author Share Posted March 26, 2005 The closest I seem to have seen is the Canon 7, I like the QL17 I have now. The only thing that it lacks is the ability to change lenses. I have done some checking on the Canon 7 since posting my question and like it so far, also the bessas' look interesting but are a bit pricey for what I want to spend. Any inputs from you Leica fans on the Canon 7 would be great. I appreciate all expertice given so far! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrew_c2 Posted March 26, 2005 Share Posted March 26, 2005 Olympus 35sp. Spot meter; amazing f1.7 lens. I'm going to be getting rid of mine soon; email me if you'd like and we can set something up (goes for anyone else here as well). Best Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenny allyn Posted March 26, 2005 Share Posted March 26, 2005 I would consider a Bessa (I have an L) ... I even like some of the Russian stuff ... I have not tried a Canon 7 yet but it's on my list... any non metered camera can have a VC shoe mount meter added ... CLs and CLEs are nice and have a meter ... OH ... and the Hexar RF ... the switch on the top turn it to C not S You want really quiet ... Black Hexar AF in stealth mode Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
del_gray Posted March 26, 2005 Share Posted March 26, 2005 Ken, did you look at the Bessa R (different from the R2, R2a, or R3a)? It is a screwmount body, but is much less expensive than the M mount bodies. As mentioned above you can buy it now with a 35/2.5 lens for just over $400, which is truly a steal. Added to the fact that it has a meter, easy film loading, very bright viewfinder, and you can use most of the new Cosina/Voigtlander lenses as well as a great selection of screwmount Leica lenses (and Canon, Nikon...), makes this a cheap, versatile body that is a great first choice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter_evans4 Posted March 26, 2005 Share Posted March 26, 2005 <p><em>I want a rangefinder because they are quiet and compact. I want one that is of good quality. I want one that meters.</em></p><p>The Canon 7 is big and heavy, the finder may well have developed flare, the build quality isn't that great, the meter is likely to have aged and is a bit fiddly to use, and it doesn't have an accessory shoe.</p><p>The rarity of the accessory shoe is somewhat exaggerated, but Canon 7 plus (or perhaps even without) accessory shoe will cost you more than a Bessa. I don't want to knock the 7 (I have and use a 7sZ), but you'd better be realistic about it.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superia400_junkie Posted March 27, 2005 Share Posted March 27, 2005 Joined the Rangedinder Society tonight. A working retro Yashica Electro 35 for a whopping $22 on ebay! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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