Newbie wants to have a try on Rangefinder cam

[ahandre]

Hi All.

Shot film before using Ricoh SLR. Does anyone have any idea how to tryout rangefinder camera ? Rent / Borrow, etc ?

I really don't want to spend too much first. Please advise.

Cheers

[alternatve]

Hello, and welcome to the world of rangefinders! I see a few possibilities for you.

- If €you don't want to invest in any equipment at all, you could approach a senior member here and he might lend you a rangefinder, abeit an old and basic model.

- Or, if you are willing to spend a few bucks, you could get a fixed focus rangefinder like a Canonet or a Yashica. If you want lens interchangability, you could get Russian Rangefinders, but this suffer from low QC. Cameras to look out for are Canon Canonets, Yashicas and Russians FED, Zorki and Kievs. These usually go for around $150-$200 SGD, though you might find a few models going for as low as $100 SGD.

- If you have a bit more cash, you can get a Bessa R and a russian lens as a start of. The Bessa R is a good camera and if you get a good copy of a Russian lens, it's excellent to work with. Lenses to look out for are Jupiter 8 50mm f/2 and a Industar 61 L/D 53mm f/2.8. Bessa R prices start from $350, and the lenses are around $100 a copy.

I hope you enjoy your time here immensely.

Samuel

[Terence]

Occasional group outings are arranged from time to time so look out for those. It'll be a good opportunity to meet others and learn about RF photography. I'm sure someone will have a spare body/lens to loan you.

The folks over at the Alternative Photography thread also organise outings and some of them are RF users too. They seem to go out more frequently than the hardcore RF guys so you might also want to try them.

[blacvios]

Originally Posted by alternatve Hello, and welcome to the world of rangefinders! I see a few possibilities for you. - If €you don't want to invest in any equipment at all, you could approach a senior member here and he might lend you a rangefinder, abeit an old and basic model. - Or, if you are willing to spend a few bucks, you could get a fixed focus rangefinder like a Canonet or a Yashica. If you want lens interchangability, you could get Russian Rangefinders, but this suffer from low QC. Cameras to look out for are Canon Canonets, Yashicas and Russians FED, Zorki and Kievs. These usually go for around $150-$200 SGD, though you might find a few models going for as low as $100 SGD. - If you have a bit more cash, you can get a Bessa R and a russian lens as a start of. The Bessa R is a good camera and if you get a good copy of a Russian lens, it's excellent to work with. Lenses to look out for are Jupiter 8 50mm f/2 and a Industar 61 L/D 53mm f/2.8. Bessa R prices start from $350, and the lenses are around $100 a copy. I hope you enjoy your time here immensely. Samuel

I was a fellow like you so i jump into the world of rangefinder by getting a Yashica Gsn for about $80 know nothing about it, only that the lens is perfect. I sent it for a CLA at camera hospital for $150. Just got it back this week. Time to shot some pics

[ahandre]

Originally Posted by alternatve Hello, and welcome to the world of rangefinders! I see a few possibilities for you. - If €you don't want to invest in any equipment at all, you could approach a senior member here and he might lend you a rangefinder, abeit an old and basic model. - Or, if you are willing to spend a few bucks, you could get a fixed focus rangefinder like a Canonet or a Yashica. If you want lens interchangability, you could get Russian Rangefinders, but this suffer from low QC. Cameras to look out for are Canon Canonets, Yashicas and Russians FED, Zorki and Kievs. These usually go for around $150-$200 SGD, though you might find a few models going for as low as $100 SGD. - If you have a bit more cash, you can get a Bessa R and a russian lens as a start of. The Bessa R is a good camera and if you get a good copy of a Russian lens, it's excellent to work with. Lenses to look out for are Jupiter 8 50mm f/2 and a Industar 61 L/D 53mm f/2.8. Bessa R prices start from $350, and the lenses are around $100 a copy. I hope you enjoy your time here immensely. Samuel

Hi Sam. Thanks for the info.
Any idea where can I safely (with good condition and best price) get the Canonet QLiii, or Yashica GSN.
I tried on Ebay, but I just don't trust em (what do you think?).
Actually I wish the camera had shutter AND aperture control (GSN cannot, but will consider if it's cheap-cheap ).

Manual control, rocks


Cheers,

[enghong17]

Originally Posted by ahandre Hi Sam. Thanks for the info. Any idea where can I safely (with good condition and best price) get the Canonet QLiii, or Yashica GSN. I tried on Ebay, but I just don't trust em (what do you think?). Actually I wish the camera had shutter AND aperture control (GSN cannot, but will consider if it's cheap-cheap ). Manual control, rocks Cheers,

You can wait here in the B&S for those cameras to pop by or shop at the 2nd hand shops at peninsular. There's a Bessa L and a SW-107 in TCW for sale now if you want a cheap interchangable lens manual RF camera. There's also a Bessa R at another 2nd hand shop further down the road.

EH

[ahandre]

Originally Posted by blacvios I was a fellow like you so i jump into the world of rangefinder by getting a Yashica Gsn for about $80 know nothing about it, only that the lens is perfect. I sent it for a CLA at camera hospital for $150. Just got it back this week. Time to shot some pics

Hi Blacvios.

Very interesting, may I know where did u get it ?

THanks

[Terrence]

Originally Posted by blacvios I was a fellow like you so i jump into the world of rangefinder by getting a Yashica Gsn for about $80 know nothing about it, only that the lens is perfect. I sent it for a CLA at camera hospital for $150. Just got it back this week. Time to shot some pics

u got it CLA for S$150? seems to be expensive, for me at least.

[twk.jon]

Originally Posted by enghong17 You can wait here in the B&S for those cameras to pop by or shop at the 2nd hand shops at peninsular. There's a Bessa L and a SW-107 in TCW for sale now if you want a cheap interchangable lens manual RF camera. There's also a Bessa R at another 2nd hand shop further down the road. EH

Eh, could you specify which direction down the road? Interested in the Bessa R but I'm not sure where to look, maybe this 2nd hand shop might be the answer. Would appreciate the help.

[enghong17]

Originally Posted by twk.jon Eh, could you specify which direction down the road? Interested in the Bessa R but I'm not sure where to look, maybe this 2nd hand shop might be the answer. Would appreciate the help.

Its a silver Bessa R, $390. At Cam-X, peninsular shopping centre, same building as TCW. Alt if you have more busget, can get the R2 from Skyes or R2A/R3A from Chiif.

[sykestang]

Yo bro... it is Sykes.

Yes, rangefinders are fun camera to own. If you can shoot well with a RF, you'd find that your exposure control, focus, etc photography basics will be improved.

For a start, if you're not sure if you really like RF I would not recommend you to get a Bessa. Instead go get a simple basic Russian made FED. A good one will cost ard $130SG including lens and shipping in eBay.

I do have some old used russian lens of various focal length selling from ~$20-$40ea, these came as part of a lot of goods I got from my regular supplier. if you're interested let me know. However, please be informed, these are old used lenses, so some may need some simple cleanup/servcing.

[zguy]

Originally Posted by ahandre Hi Blacvios. Very interesting, may I know where did u get it ? THanks

i also got my Yashica GSN thru ebay for US$25. about US$50 after shipping costs. The phyiscal condition is almost new. Only the light seals seems to be breaking up. Affordable entry to the the world of RF.

I have ran a roll thru it, exposure seems right. if interested, pls see this album : here

[chiif]

Originally Posted by sykestang Yes, rangefinders are fun camera to own. If you can shoot well with a RF, you'd find that your exposure control, focus, etc photography basics will be improved.

To add on what Sykes has said.... The fun of photography is back to the basics...

[blacvios]

Originally Posted by ahandre Hi Blacvios. Very interesting, may I know where did u get it ? THanks

In peninsular shopping centre, walk walk, see see, knew the focussing out but the lens is good condition. So just grab bring to camera hospital, CLA plus adjusted metering to use 6V 4LR44 instead of the old battery, cleaned up viewfinder and fix focussing, light seals and stuff. Will take my first roll this weekend at my friends ROM.

[clubgrit]

That's cheap, great camera. Mine worked too, but I didn't like the yucky sticky light seals, so I changed them. It's not difficult to change the light seals, and I bought my kit from eBay seller interslice (Jon Goodman). Nice guy too.

Originally Posted by zguy i also got my Yashica GSN thru ebay for US$25. about US$50 after shipping costs. The phyiscal condition is almost new. Only the light seals seems to be breaking up. Affordable entry to the the world of RF. I have ran a roll thru it, exposure seems right. if interested, pls see this album : http://cqlow.multiply.com/photos/album/108

[zguy]

Originally Posted by clubgrit That's cheap, great camera. Mine worked too, but I didn't like the yucky sticky light seals, so I changed them. It's not difficult to change the light seals, and I bought my kit from eBay seller interslice (Jon Goodman). Nice guy too.

coolz...what do u use as a solvent to get rid of the stickyness from the old light seals?

This matt denton site mentioned Windex. i'm not sure what it is here.

[twk.jon]

Originally Posted by sykestang For a start, if you're not sure if you really like RF I would not recommend you to get a Bessa. Instead go get a simple basic Russian made FED. A good one will cost ard $130SG including lens and shipping in eBay.

Would any FED be available locally, say, one of the peninsular plaza shops? Also are there any particular models to look out for?

Sorry, I'm quite unfamiliar with Russian-made RFs. Also I don't really want to deal using eBay, prefer to handle things like these in person.

Thanks for the advice.

[clubgrit]

I used lighter fluid ... recommended as well in the seal kit instructions ... The seal kit is for many types of cameras, not just the yashica, so you'll have a lot of seals

Originally Posted by zguy coolz...what do u use as a solvent to get rid of the stickyness from the old light seals? This matt denton site mentioned Windex. i'm not sure what it is here.

[ullyss]

windex!
best cleaning solvent ever, cleans my stuff sparkling!

great to clean window and glass too

[ullyss]

Originally Posted by sykestang I do have some old used russian lens of various focal length selling from ~$20-$40ea, these came as part of a lot of goods I got from my regular supplier. if you're interested let me know. However, please be informed, these are old used lenses, so some may need some simple cleanup/servcing.

russian lens! i want! got P6 mt?