would you buy a MF leica rangefinder?

[frank_horn]

Andy- Have you gotten to examine a Rolleiflex GX 2.8 TLR? Is the

shutter like the old Rolleis, or did the make it electronic? There

must not be much demand for TLR cameras these days.

Jeff- I went to a Hasselblad site and learned that they currently

make both focal plane and between-the-lens models. I thought they

abandoned focal plane about 15 years ago. The 'blad is a very

complicated and extensive system. You have to really know what you

are buying with certain models. They have titanium shutters that can

easily be damaged and repairs can run $500US! (Focal plane shutters>)

[andy_piper2]

Frank: The Rolleiflex GX has a mechanical battery-free shutter. The

metering is now TTL (viewing lens).

 

<p>

 

Hasselblad abandoned focal plane shutters in the 1950's - and

REINTRODUCED them sometime within the past 20 years in order to add

faster lenses. The leaf shutters were too small for f/2 lenses.

[andrew_phillips]

I must agree with Jeff Spirer. I bought a Mamiya 7 six years ago,

just prior to an extended trip around Europe and I have never had

disappointing results. A very accurate meter and bitingly sharp

images - with the 65mm lens. It is a very easy camera to use (much

easier than my M6TTL) but the lenses are to slow for low light work.

 

<p>

 

I like the M6 for it special applications - it is beautifully made -

but that rewind lever is a wee prick of a thing. It always jumps out

of my fingers and runs backwards - while I mutter curses.

 

<p>

 

By the way, has anyone got any information on the 43mm and the 50mm

lenses for the Mamiya 7? I would like to get the widest angle

possible, but have heard murmers about the 43mm having unacceptable

light fall off and distortion? Jeff's picture in this thread looked

ok to me.

 

<p>

 

I was just wondering if the 50mm would be a better bet?

 

<p>

 

Andrew Phillips

[richard jepsen]

I owned a RF645 and a Rollie. The RF645 w 65mm is a great street

shooter. The Rollie is not but can be used with zone focus. The RF

image quality does not fall off when used wide open. F/4 is very

usable. The camera is easy to rotate to a horizontal orientation.

Big negatives trump small ones even if they are from a Leica.