Rangefinder cameras

not spavin · 19th May 2010, 04:35 PM

I've recently been unleashing my shit little Nikon EM recently, and despite its many limitations I love how portable and simple it is to use.

That's got my coveting a 35mm rangefinder - something that has enough flexibility for creative control, but it primarily built for portability and grabbing instant shots on the move.

Been looking around, and it seems that Leica are the best bet but they're also canny expensive. Can anyone recommend any cheaper models, perhaps ones that I could buy an old and inexpensive version of on eBay?

AB22 Easy Tiger · 19th May 2010, 04:53 PM

I have a Yashica rangefinder that I bought after being given that Yashica SLR.

I've started to carry it just about everywhere with me, it's costing me a fortune in film and processing.

Got the camera for $20 off eBay.

If you buy one, just make sure the light meter works or, like me, you'll be guessing.

clyde · 19th May 2010, 05:09 PM

try one of the russian leica copys maybe? can be picked up for around £40 on the bay, i just got that Zorky one of hauser, real nice it is too but the shutter wont fire..or alternatively visit a few boot sales as bound to find one sooner or later.

not spavin · 19th May 2010, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AB22 Easy Tiger

I have a Yashica rangefinder that I bought after being given that Yashica SLR.

I've started to carry it just about everywhere with me, it's costing me a fortune in film and processing.

Got the camera for $20 off eBay.

If you buy one, just make sure the light meter works or, like me, you'll be guessing.

I've seen that mentioned on a few sites alright.

I'm torn between getting something like that (or a Leica copy), or else selling my Yashica Mat and using the money to buy a Leica M3. Don't really get that much use out of the Yashica Mat - it's a terrific camera, but too bulky / fragile to carry around with me.

AB22 Easy Tiger · 20th May 2010, 12:54 AM

You could always take out a mortgage on the Leica M9

not spavin · 20th May 2010, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AB22 Easy Tiger

You could always take out a mortgage on the Leica M9

Five-bastard-grand.

I've sure it's amazing and everything, but five grand for what is essentially a manual focus point and shoot?

Mind, the old M3s seem to be going for around a grand on eBay.

Quote:

Originally Posted by AB22 Easy Tiger

I have a Yashica rangefinder that I bought after being given that Yashica SLR.

I've started to carry it just about everywhere with me, it's costing me a fortune in film and processing.

Got the camera for $20 off eBay.

If you buy one, just make sure the light meter works or, like me, you'll be guessing.

What model is it? Seems that you can get Yashica Lynx and MG1 for next to bugger all on eBay.

AB22 Easy Tiger · 20th May 2010, 02:23 PM

It's a Lynx 5000

smoker · 26th May 2010, 09:41 PM

Leicas are silly money. What about the Nikon S2? This was a popular rangefinder back in the day and seems to go around the 500-750 mark on ebay.

My old man had a Yashica rangefinder and IIRC the light meter was screwy on that too. It certainly kept overexposing everything. He gave it to me to play with and I ended up breaking it. :(

not spavin · 27th May 2010, 11:39 AM

Think I'm going to go for an Olympus XA, on the advice of Andym.

They seem to go for under £100, and they seem to produce really nice results from what I can see on Flickr.

I think I'll have the forget about getting a Leica til I win the lottery. Or get REALLY drunk in front of eBay one night...

clyde · 27th May 2010, 08:00 PM

spav mate, get yaself to a car boot sale man, i got a zenit EM on sunday for £2, not tried it out yet but looks to be in great nick.

just googled that olympus xa cam, wasnt expecting it to look like that, will keep an eye out for one over the summer.