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|| SportsShooter.com: Member Message Board
Non-Leica Rangefinders
Nic Coury, Photographer
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Monterey | CA | | Posted: 12:23 AM on 10.14.10 |
->> I'm looking for a film rangefinder and Leicas are just so freakin' expensive, even if they are the best.
I like the Minolta CLE (made by Leica), which is an M-mount and meters in the body and the Voightlander Bessa R3a seems enticing.
Anyone try either of these or have any other suggestions.
Maybe I'll just get an F3...
Thanks,
~ nic |
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Andrew Nelles, Photographer
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Chicago | IL | usa | Posted: 12:59 AM on 10.14.10 |
| ->> I had a Voigtlander R2 for about a year, the shutter jammed, and that was the end of it. Sent it off to several shops for quotes, was told it was unrepairable due to lack of parts, or was quoted repair rates well above the value of the camera. Ended up getting a deal on a used Leica M6 and never looked back. |
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David A. Cantor, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Toledo | OH | USA | Posted: 1:02 AM on 10.14.10 |
->> "the Minolta CLE (made by Leica)"
No...
" The Minolta CLE is a TTL-metering aperture-priority automatic 35mm rangefinder camera taking Leica M lenses, introduced by Minolta in 1981...Leica and Minolta signed a technical cooperation agreement in June 1972." source - http://www.camerapedia.org/wiki/Minolta_CLE |
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Dylan Lynch, Photographer, Assistant
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Edmonton | AB | Canada | Posted: 1:02 AM on 10.14.10 |
->> I've had a few Voigtlanders and liked them just as much as the Leicas I've had. The r3a is probably my favorite, just because it's nice to have a meter/aperture priority. I for into rangefinders because i wanted something quick and easy and discreet, the aperture priority was ideal for that.
I've moved on to a Mamiya 7, but if I needed to shoot 35mm again, I'd likely go with another Bessa. |
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Dylan Lynch, Photographer, Assistant
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Edmonton | AB | Canada | Posted: 1:03 AM on 10.14.10 |
| ->> oh, and this website is KING for rangefinder information: http://www.cameraquest.com/ |
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Nic Coury, Photographer
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Monterey | CA | | Posted: 2:11 AM on 10.14.10 |
->> Thanks Dylan. CameraQuest is awesome.
@David. I know it was directly made by Leica, but they had some say in it. |
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Robert Hanashiro, Photographer
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Los Angeles | CA | | Posted: 3:32 AM on 10.14.10 |
->> Contax G2.
Love mine. Still use it from time to time.
Love the 21mm. |
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Jesse Jones, Photo Editor, Photographer
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Gainesville | Fl | USA | Posted: 9:29 AM on 10.14.10 |
| ->> I have a Contax G1 with the Zeiss 45 f2. Great camera and lens and the only auto-focus rangefinders out there. You can get the G1's pretty cheap the G2's are a little more expensive but can use a wider array of the Contax-Zeiss lenses. There are quite a few modified-G1's out there used that you can get on the cheaper side and they will function with the 21 (that Robert mentioned), 35mm and the zoom lens they made. While not the traditional manual focus rangefinder the G1 and G2's were excellent cameras with good ttl metering and once you figure out the quirks of their AF system accurate auto-focus. |
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George Bridges, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Washington | DC | USA | Posted: 9:58 AM on 10.14.10 |
->> The Konica Hexar is a nice camera and the three lenses they made for it are very sharp.
It takes the Leica M mount so you can add in Leica glass as you get the cash (r win the lottery)
I had one for a few years and liked it, I always carried it on vacation (three pictures from it of spots in Europe hang on my wall now) and on assignment occasionally. Finally sold it off a year or so ago after realizing that I wouldn't even shoot film on vacation anymore. |
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Yamil Sued, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Peoria | AZ | USA | Posted: 10:15 AM on 10.14.10 |
->> I got a Leica M4-2 with a German 50 Sumicron Version 3 for a song, the funny thing is that this is "EXACTLY the same camera and lens I sold back in 2003!! And I got it from someone different that I sold it to back in 03!! Love my M4-2!!
Y |
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Andrew Malana, Photographer
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San Diego/Tokyo | CA | USA | Posted: 10:22 AM on 10.14.10 |
->> Mine is the Olive Drab Voigtlander Bessa R2 with Ultron 35mm f1.7
Shutter clunks but still workin... |
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Yamil Sued, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Peoria | AZ | USA | Posted: 10:27 AM on 10.14.10 |
->> BTW, I got a Winder M4-2 for my RF at KEH for a whopping $31!!
These sold on Ebay for over $200 for the same model!
I got the EX Model, I could have gotten the LN Model for $36, but the salesman told me that the$5 difference was in minor cosmetics and told me to get the cheaper one!!
Y
PS: This is the Bessa Distributor in the US
http://www.cameraquest.com/voigtrwhich.htm |
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Steve Ueckert, Photographer
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Houston | TX | | Posted: 10:32 AM on 10.14.10 |
->> Nic--
Are you going to be changing lenses, or can you live with just a 35mm? Do you want AF? Do you need TTL metering or a motor?
The Hexar AF has a fixed 35mm that is said to be as good as a pre-ASPH Summicron. The Hexar RF has the M mount. Both are motorized and the AF has a silent mode that is scary silent, often the shooter has to check the frame counter to confirm an image was made. Both have excellent meters.
Then there are the Contaxes, the G2 is the one to consider. Their glass is first rate but limited by a proprietary mount.
The greatest variety of glass is with the M mount, more now than ever before particularly with the addition of the fine lenses from Cosina Voigtlander. There is lots of excellent Leica glass available now as well, the current apo and ashperic offerings are amazing. Their predecessors are what the legends used. Which is to say a non-apo or non-asph Leica lens is still pretty damn good.
I just got a F3 HP and love it. I still consider it the very finest manual focus 35mm SLR. First time I've every used one without the MD-4 and it handles nicely!
Many could shoot all day with just a M2 and something like the CV 35/1.7 or if more speed is desired, the CV 35/1.2 is approaching cult status it is so good. For a little more a M6 with a meter could also be had by a patient shopper.
I just got a F3 HP, I still consider it the finest manual focus 35mm SLR. This is the first time I've ever used one without a MD-4, it handles quite nicely. |
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Steve Ueckert, Photographer
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Houston | TX | | Posted: 10:38 AM on 10.14.10 |
| ->> Oops, copy and pasted twice. Where's my second cup of java? |
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Jesse Jones, Photo Editor, Photographer
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Gainesville | Fl | USA | Posted: 10:41 AM on 10.14.10 |
| ->> I am going to chime back in. While I do have a Contax G1 and plan on getting another, I am also planing on grabbing a Leica as well. The Cosina Voightlander M-mount lenses that many have mentioned are really stunning and inexpensive compared to Leica standards. There is something to be said about shooting with a rangefinder. If you are considering a manual Nikon SLR you can grab FM's really cheap. I got one with 1 tiny dent on it for $50. So some sweet deals are out there. |
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Nic Coury, Photographer
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Monterey | CA | | Posted: 11:57 AM on 10.14.10 |
->> I could definitely live with like a 35mm and a 75mm.
As it were now, I shoot most of my photos with a 16-35 at 35 and an 85.
I liked the R3a, because it has the auto frameline selection thing and is electronic.
But the Contax G2 seems cool too.
Hmm... |
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Sam Morris, Photographer
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Henderson (Las Vegas) | NV | USA | Posted: 12:33 PM on 10.14.10 |
| ->> Like Andrew, I have the olive drab Bessa R2 and have really enjoyed it. The glass, I have a 21, 50 and 90, is really nice and it is affordable. Cameraquest has been quick to respond to any questions or problems I have had. |
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Jason Orth, Photographer
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Lincoln | NE | USA | Posted: 12:56 PM on 10.14.10 |
| ->> Funny you mention it. I recall a similar endorsement to me few years ago I got one of the Voigtlanders, an R and it was great. Later got an R3a and it is the only film camera I still use. |
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Dylan Lynch, Photographer, Assistant
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Edmonton | AB | Canada | Posted: 1:39 PM on 10.14.10 |
| ->> the thing that scares me about the G2 is not being able to confirm autofocus... since the vf's aren't TTL, you have no way to know what's in focus and what's not. I'd rather be in control of the entire operation than leave it to a camera. |
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David Seelig, Photographer
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Hailey | ID | USA | Posted: 1:48 PM on 10.14.10 |
| ->> The voigt glass can be like sigma glass very bad quality control. In would go for the zeiss zm glass which has much better quality control and is great glass if you are trying to save a few bucks . Body wise I would look for an old m42 for the cheapest Leica m body or an old m2 . The voigts are loud. |
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Nic Coury, Photographer
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Monterey | CA | | Posted: 2:36 PM on 10.14.10 |
->> Hey David, thanks for the info.
M4-2 looks kinda cool and I found this blog:
http://leica-m4-2.blogspot.com/ |
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Yamil Sued, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Peoria | AZ | USA | Posted: 6:18 PM on 10.14.10 |
->> The M4-2 is one heck of a camera!! I need to send mine to DAG to get it CLA'd!! I might replace the Vulcanite Cover for some real Lather too.
Y |
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N. Scott Trimble, Photographer
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Lake Oswego | OR | USA | Posted: 9:03 PM on 10.14.10 |
->> hAVE A LEICA 3 G, A CONTESSA AND A NIKON S. THE S HAS YET TO SEE A ROLL OF FILM, AND I JUST CAN'T BRING MYSELF TO DE-VIRGINIZE HER! BUT FROM WHAT I HEAR, ITS A FANTASTIC CAMERA TO SHOOT WITH, EVEN RATING ABOVE THE LEICA IN ITS DAY IN SOME CIRCUMSTANCES AND LENSES.
SORRY FOR THE CAPS, I AM ON A COMPUTER WITH NO LOWERCASE TODAY! |
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David A. Cantor, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Toledo | OH | USA | Posted: 10:30 PM on 10.14.10 |
->> Scott,
I shot for many years with Nikon SP/S3. The 35mm f1.8 was a brilliant lens as was the 35mm f/2.5 that later ended up in the Nikonos. The original Gauss design 105mm f/2.5 and the 50mm f1.4 were viciously sharp and all the lenses were nice and contrasty. At the end of the day the Leica M rangefinder was just superior in it's brightness and the cameras just handled a bit smoother with a more secure lens mount. But my first front page NY Post photo was from the SP and the 105 that the small man in the Richard Nixon mask with a .38 at my head forgot to remove from my shoulder during a bank robbery. |
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Michael Myers, Photographer
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Miami | Florida | USA | Posted: 2:58 AM on 10.16.10 |
| ->> Scott, you can probably fix the caps-lock problem. Whatever you did for the first letter created a lower case "h" in your post. There's probably some kind of "caps lock" button that will fix it for you, if you need to use it again..." |
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N. Scott Trimble, Photographer
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Lake Oswego | OR | USA | Posted: 7:37 PM on 10.16.10 |
| ->> Michael, I was using a computer dedicated in caps for work. It is a program you have to go into to turn it off, and wasn't worth the hassle. that's all... |
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Jesse Jones, Photo Editor, Photographer
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Gainesville | Fl | USA | Posted: 4:02 PM on 10.18.10 |
| ->> Bill- I have actually been looking for an X-Pan or the Fuji branded version for a while now.... Seems whenever KEH has one I don't have the funds available to grab it.... Those are really nice cameras too.... |
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Jason Kaye, Photographer
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Honolulu | HI | | Posted: 6:27 PM on 10.20.10 |
| ->> I've got a Hexar RF and Canon 7s. I love them both and don't use them nearly enough. |
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