Andy Collins

Oh wow! Congrats, Mike!! What a beautiful gift!

The RD is a beautiful camera, but they are notorious for sticky shutter/blades. I've owned 3 and all ended up having that problem. The DC is an "automatic" version of the RD and doesn't seem to have the same shutter issue. Aside from being automatic, it's the same camera with the same body and lens. Definitely one to try!

That's a good-looking Konica, Rick! I've never had the opportunity to use that particular model.

If I were going to have to choose only one rangefinder, it would be the Konica Auto S2, like Mike mentioned. Not compact at all for sure, though. I think this is an amazingly underrated camera! The lens produces some of the sharpest pictures I've ever taken, easily matching some of the later and more expensive AF compact cameras like the Yashica T4 or Stylus Epic, in my experience, and a lot of nice SLR lenses. There are so many excellent rangefinders to choose from and so many that I love to use (from the Canon 7 to the Yashica Lynx 1000), but this is the one camera that I'd choose over the other RFs. I'm always amazed that it doesn't command a much higher price than what it does, because it's certainly worth it!

I'm making an effort to get back into shooting film, so this weekend I'm shooting one of my favorites, my black XD11, along with this lovely little camera I got for about $5. It's a Vivitar XC-3, a camera I've never heard of or even knew existed until a week ago. I'm shooting a Tamron (screw-mount adapter) 35-135mm zoom that my father used to use on his Vivitar 220/SL.

Dave, thanks for the links and the info! I thought that it was quite likely a Tokina, but wasn't sure. JDM, I've had the Vivitar Series 1 70-210/3.5 and found it to be a wonderful lens. I'll probably find one for the XD11.

The last time I had a question about a lens, it was the Pentax 28-135 beast of a lens that seemed to have so much promise. Unfortunately for me, my example had issues and did not focus properly, and did not focus to infinity. As a result, my pictures turned out not to be very sharp at all and I ended up selling it to someone who seemed to think they could fix it. This time I have acquired a black Minolta XD11 with a hefty and very nice looking Vivitar 35-105/3.5 lens. I have never used this lens, but it seems to be quite popular on eBay. Has anyone used this lens before and if so, what do you think of it? Who made it and is it a quality lens, or just another generic, cheap lens? I would appreciate any information I can get about it.

I sold mine a long time ago, so I don't have one to look at. I believe there is a screw somewhere on the camera that you can remove that allows access to the rangefinder adjustment screw. I use one of those small screwdrivers for fixing eyeglasses to make such adjustments. I wish I could be of more assistance.

Very cool, Rick!

Maybe consider a Canon refurb 80D since it has the latest Canon video technology.

A couple of shots...

Canon 8675A001 - EOS Rebel GII SLR Camera Instructions Manual (Page 60 of 80) You have to manually pull up the flash to use it.

Maybe they will produce another film rangefinder. Film and film cameras seem to be making a bit of a comeback...Kodak Ektachrome, Polaroid's 'new' One-Step and new Polaroid instant film, who knows what's next! It's exciting, for sure!

https://www.dpreview.com/news/8486497158/yashica-might-be-about-to-make-a-comeback-in-the-camera-market Check this out! How cool if it happens!!

Came across this little magical cluster in the woods the other day...

#2

This was a juvenile hawk that was sitting on the ground, looking a little overwhelmed by his apparently new-found ability to fly. He was a bit clumsy when he finally took to the air, but he looked a lot more regal sitting on the branch. Sorry the branches were in the way but this was the best shot I could get before he left. 5D3, 100-400L. ISO 10000 on the first shot, ISO 2000 on the second one.

Wow!!!

I agree that the cloud cover actually helped in some ways. I had a #13 welding mask to shoot through (which was definitely dark enough) but it created a lot of weird flare and other effects, so shooting in the partly cloudy conditions turned out to be a good thing. This was with my 5D3 and 100-400.

Yes!

I would just buy another one. There are several on ebay right now in the $50 range, which you'll easily pay for repair combined with postage to send yours in to a repairman, I would bet.

I like all of these, but I really like the last one just the way it is!

#3...

#2...

Here are a couple from this past week...