Someone using rangefinder cameras?

[jonnen]

Hi!
I am interested to hear how many of you are using rangefinder cameras, like Leica's, Voigtlaender's, Konica's, Canon's and so on. I am very interested in buying one at the moment. Are you digitizing the films by a scanner or do you develop the normal fotos instead? I am thinking an aproach where I would take the pics by rangefinder in diafilm and then digitizing dias by a film scanner.

Jonne

[jonnen]

Nice to hear! I have also been looking for Bessa R2, R2A, or R3A models. Very nice cameras indeed!

Jonne

[jonnen]

Well, have to get a Voigtlaender camera in my collection very soon. Sounds great!

Jonne

[jonnen]

Thanks a lot Asim! That is truly a nice forum. Have to look through those nice topics there!

Jonne

[caribou]

there is a great digital rangfinder on the market Epson RD-1

all great photojournalists use Leica rangefinders

[caribou]

your right buddy Epson RD-1 overpriced and so are Leicas

but they (leicas) do produce great images, the look of a Leica lens is awesome and beautiful

[ditto1958]

Rangefinders are a really well-kept secret for some reason. Really good ones can be found on ebay in great condition, often for less than $50. Some of them have lenses which have to be seen to be believed. I have a Yashica Electro GSN ($12 + s & h on ebay) with an f1.7 lens which takes great pictures. My Olympus 35LC also has an f1.7 and takes equally sharp pictures.

Pros:

1. Tend to be somewhat smaller than slr's of same era.

2. Easier to focus than slr's.

3. Almost silent shutter easier to hold still when shutter released (reflex mechanism in some slrs is pretty strong).

4. Most have flash sync at any speed.

Cons:

1. Many have fixed lenses.

2. 1/500 is usually fastest shutter speed.

I tend to carry one with me when I travel. I am amazed when I go back and look at prints to see that often the rangefinder ones are better than the ones taken with my OM slr's.

[Narsuitus]

I use 6x7cm and 6x9cm Fuji rangefinders for weddings, large group shots, scenic shots, and architectural shots that do not require perspective control.

When needed, I digitize my positive slide film or negative print film. Otherwise, I have a professional lab do my printing.

[blumesan]

You didn't specify whether you are interested in a digital or film rf camera, however since you posted in this forum I will assumer film. I have a Contax IIa with an incredibly sharp (even wide open) Zeiss Opton 50mm/f:1.5. Bought it in 1953 in an Army PX in Korea. For 20 years it was my only camera. No light meter, no batteries, you have to make all your own decisions. I find doing that now and then makes me more aware of lighting and other conditions and less likely to be misled by what the automated exposure cameras tell me. I still take it out of the closet at least once a year and it still takes great photos. There are plenty of simiiar all mechanical rf cameras to be found on the used market and plenty of lenses to go with them. Most were built to last but will need a good cleaning and lube and servicing to ensure that speeds are still accurate. Good luck.
Mike.

[caribou]

most great photos were taken by a leica rangefinder,

I'm not sure why but but great photographers use leica................... beautiful lenses.

All you need is a Lecia M series and the passion in your heart and you too could take a timeless picture.

[blumesan]

Originally Posted by caribou

most great photos were taken by a leica rangefinder,

I'm not sure why but but great photographers use leica................... beautiful lenses.

All you need is a Lecia M series and the passion in your heart and you too could take a timeless picture.

Many great photographers have indeed used Leicas. But using a Leica (even with great passion) does not make one a great photographer

[k8do]

I will be using my rangefinder this weekend for some portraits... Of course it doesn't need batteries, it is almost silent, and it does fold up... It is a Speed Graphic 4X5... Does this count?

denny

[Narsuitus]

Originally Posted by k8do

I will be using my rangefinder this weekend for some portraits... Of course it doesn't need batteries, it is almost silent, and it does fold up... It is a Speed Graphic 4X5... Does this count?

denny

Only if it has a rangefinder attachment.*

[dougjgreen]

Originally Posted by ent2b

sorry, i must respectfully disagree. the Epson is quite nice, but at 6MP and it's overpriced position, i wouldn't buy it. as far as using leicas, sure, they are quite nice, but i daresay, the bessas give you 90-95% of the quality at 20-35% of the price. plus, if you want to use leica M glass, you can, or the tons of other manufacturers LTM glass as well, including leica, contax, canon, nikon, etc...

Or you could by a Konica Hexar RF, and get 110% of the quality of a Leica for 40% of the price. And the Hexanon lenses are the equals of their Wetzlar-born counterparts, also for 40% of the price.

Personally, I love shooting with Rangefinders, but I've never owned (although I've certainly used several) Leica Manufactured bodies. Every Leica M-mount camera I've actually bought was either a CV Bessa, a Konica Hexar RF, or a Minolta CL or CLE. And the Hexar RF and the Minolta CLE are objectively superior to anything Leica has ever made. And they even each even have modern back doors with hinges and pressure plates to allow you to rapidly change rolls of film.

[JohnL]

FWIW, a new RF announced a few months ago is supposedly about to hit the market -- the Zeiss Ikon. Built by Cosina (like the Voigtlanders), its main difference (apart from cosmetics) will be be much larger RF base length, which should make for more accurante focusing, especially with tele lenses. Up to (maybe) 135mm may be viable, certainly if not too wide open. Price will probably be about half way between Voigtlanders and Leicas

[Sidebyte]

Originally Posted by blumesan

You didn't specify whether you are interested in a digital or film rf camera, however since you posted in this forum I will assumer film.* I have a Contax IIa with an incredibly sharp (even wide open) Zeiss Opton 50mm/f:1.5.* Bought it in 1953 in an Army PX in Korea.*

I also had a Contax 11a with a variety of lens that my father gave me in 1978. I bought a Nikon "S" in the PX in Yokosuka, Japan in 1954, wish I still had it. I still use my Voigtlander Bessamatic SLR era 1960 though. I was a U.S. Navy photog for 8 years during that period also.

[Paul Shields]

Anyone used the Olympus 35 rangefinders? They're very fine quality and can be picked up much more cheaply than a Leica (but then again, what couldn't? :P). The original XA is also worth a punt - easily get one for under $100 and it makes a great candid/streetlife camera.

[Latinbob]

Originally Posted by blumesan

Many great photographers have indeed used Leicas. But using a Leica (even with great passion) does not make one a great photographer

Very true. I imagine they got a lot of use due to their build quality and ruggedness. I have a Leica IIIf and it seems like its hewn out of solid steel. I'm sure I could hammer a nail in the wall with it and not dent it a bit (not that I'll try!).

[chicagoeye]

A fun roulette-o-luck is to try and find a FED from Russia.* I have a few that I've gotten lucky with from ebay.* The FED 2 seems to be one of the best before they started mucking with the design and made it look un-Leica and feel less solid.* They can usually be had for about $50-100. They usually have a 50mm 2.8 of some variety attached to it.* The Industar 61L/D is one of their sharpest.* These came standard on the FED 5 series, and I bought a 5 solely for the glass and put the body in the closet. The 5 also can be used for other parts like the improved take-up spool and the "normal size thread" tripod mount.

More info on the FED line can be had here...
http://www.geocities.com/fzorkis/fed2_9.html

And from a previous post, here's one from my FED
http://www.photocamel.com/index.php/topic,8068.0.html

[Jim Jones]

I've used Leica rangefinder cameras for 53 years, and Nikon SLRs for 39 years. They each excell at different tasks. The Leicas, even bought overseas, were expensive until I prorate that cost over their lifetime. The film run through those camera cost much more. Most of my current Leica gear is about 35 years old, and performing like new. We don't know how durable the current rangefinders from other companies will be. There have been advances in optical design and lens coating, but not enough to make much difference to most photographers.