Thinking of getting a Rangefinder

kree · 25th May 2003

I'm thinking of getting a rangefinder soon, but am quite confused about the system (currently a 35mm slr user)
Some Questions:
1. What's the price range like? Are all rangefinders expensive like Leicas? (To my knowledge, I only know of Nikon, Leica and Contax)
2. Are lenses interchangeable among rangefinders, or are the lenses system dependent?

I'm thinking of getting one for better portability, (for street photography and snapshots) so that I need not drag my SLR ard everywhere (it takes up quite some space in the bag)...

Thanx for any recommendations and help!

Parchiao · 25th May 2003

Hello,

You might like to check out this website with regards to what rangefinders you can get today.

http://www.photozone.de/2Equipment/range.htm

http://www.cmpsolv.com/cgi-bin/outpu...ance&x=99&y=10

The mother of all rangefinder websites.

http://cameraquest.com/index.html

And a little extra something if you want to see what old rangefinders there are available. Just use babel fish to translate what you can't read.

It might be a better idea to read up on what kind of rangefinders that are available before you ask any questions with regards to a rangefinder as it is a totaly different setup, and each brand offers something that the other brand does not offer.

kg_yew · 25th May 2003

Look for parlin44. He has wide range of russian rangefinder like FED, Kiev and others. His items are mostly of very good condition, and is a knowledgeable and honest seller. I got a FED 2 from him and never regret it.

Nikonian Foo · 26th May 2003

How much on average does it cost to buy one of the Russian Leica copies in Singapore? I'm in UK right now before I go back in July and hope I can find a good price here. Actually, there is a website www.cameramate.com selling authentic Leica copies for US$125-135. It's expensive, but take a look at those cameras, man.....They look very real!

kg_yew · 26th May 2003

parlin44 has a wide range of bodies, with lots of lenses to choose from, in various condition. I think on average his price would start from abt S$120-? depending on how exotic you want your camera and lens. A user with clean glass? A specially painted limited one? Haha. Give him a call, and you will be amazed by his collection.( not taking commision from him!!! anyway)

clive · 26th May 2003

voigtlander BESSA R2?

http://www.cameraquest.com/voigtsys.htm

Peninsular plaza 2nd floor <Anthony> camera shop. that guy knows quite a bit

kg_yew · 26th May 2003

Another cheap option is to get a Bessa R with the leica threat mount (LTM) and buy used russian rangefinder lenses that uses LTM which are much cheaper, if you juz want to try out.

Nikonian Foo · 26th May 2003

Hmm...I'll give up the idea of buying it in UK!

alvin · 8th October 2003

Originally Posted by kg_yew

Another cheap option is to get a Bessa R with the leica threat mount (LTM) and buy used russian rangefinder lenses that uses LTM which are much cheaper, if you juz want to try out.

Pulling up an old thread.... what's the key difference between the lenses using the Leica screw mount versus the (newer?) M mount? Will the rangefinder still be coupled?

Red Dawn · 8th October 2003

Originally Posted by alvin

Pulling up an old thread.... what's the key difference between the lenses using the Leica screw mount versus the (newer?) M mount? Will the rangefinder still be coupled?

Hi

u can get one of the adapters to mount the screw mount lenses onto the M mount bodies and the rangefinder will still couple perfectly. That is of course provided the lens is made to be coupled with the rangefinder. For example, the Voigtlander 24mm f4 color skopar will not couple, since it is a scale focused lens.

So you can use lenses that are made all the way back in the 1930s on today's newest M mount Leica bodies. Now that's backward compatibility!

patch17 · 8th October 2003

Yashica Electro 35 GSN or GTN model.

a great and totally underated RF in my opinion. And way, way, way cheaper than a Leica or Bessa.

alvin · 8th October 2003

Thanks Red Dawn.
Is there an adaptor that does it the other way round? To allow M mount on a Bessa R? Bessa R2 costs quite a bit more...

Yashica GSN. Handled one just a few days back, nice, the rangefinder has parallex correction. Too bad the one I held was not working

For the price of repair + purchase of the nonfunctional GSN i'm sure i could get a working GSN off ebay for much less.

sfhuang · 8th October 2003

Originally Posted by alvin

Thanks Red Dawn.
Is there an adaptor that does it the other way round? To allow M mount on a Bessa R? Bessa R2 costs quite a bit more...

Yashica GSN. Handled one just a few days back, nice, the rangefinder has parallex correction. Too bad the one I held was not working For the price of repair + purchase of the nonfunctional GSN i'm sure i could get a working GSN off ebay for much less.

saw a few yashicas up for auction at auctions.yahoo.com.sg. You may want to check them out.

chyeo · 9th October 2003

Originally Posted by sfhuang

saw a few yashicas up for auction at auctions.yahoo.com.sg. You may want to check them out.

eh those mostly spoilt ones leh...

read their descriptions know liao...

bessa r would be a good choice to start with, if you looking for new ones, can go john 3:16 in funan it mall, they have quite a lot of bessa stuff

sfhuang · 9th October 2003

Originally Posted by chyeo

eh those mostly spoilt ones leh...

read their descriptions know liao...

bessa r would be a good choice to start with, if you looking for new ones, can go john 3:16 in funan it mall, they have quite a lot of bessa stuff

spoilt meh? I don't know ....

how's the bessa r? do you have one to sell?

alvin · 9th October 2003

What's the difference between the mount of the Bessa R and R2? One is LTM another is the M mount right? What's the diff?

patch17 · 9th October 2003

You can try Cash Converters for a used GSN or GTN. Though some of the units can be spoilt, they're dirt cheap about $12 to $18, good for parts. Those that are "working" are about $50.00. Most if not all of them require a good clean, light seal replacement and fresh batteries.

if you just want to try RFs, suggest you start cheaply. And if you're not happy, at least the hole in your pocket won't hurt so much. Or you can sell them to me. hahaha

Keltzar · 9th October 2003

Originally Posted by alvin

What's the difference between the mount of the Bessa R and R2? One is LTM another is the M mount right? What's the diff?

It's like comparing pentax M42 screwmount (spotmatic era) and Pentax PK (K1000, MZ-N etc.) Or Canon FD vs Canon EOS.

Same company, different era.

Keltzar · 9th October 2003

I've used an assortment of rangefinders i.e. Zorki 4, 4k , Bessa L, Bessa R, Canon IVL, Canon 7.

My advice is spend a bit more and get the newer Bessa-R. They go for about US$245 +shipping from cameraquest. Technology makes everything easier to use i.e. more accurate meter, brighter focus , lighter/smaller.

My favourite travel combo is:

Voigtlander 15/4.5
Color-skopar 35/2.5
Leica Elmar 9cm f4

And if I have additional space I will also carry:
jupiter-8, 50/2
Orion 28/6.3

The body + 3 lenses fits nicely in a lowepro field pack no bigger than a waistpouch. The results from these lenses are stunning.

Th R2 using M-mount lenses will be somewhat more expensive to upkeep since M-mount stuff is still pretty pricey ... though you get nicer glass available if you can afford it e.g. nokton 35/1.2, leica ASPH 35/1.4, 50/1.0 , 80/1.4 etc.

alvin · 9th October 2003

Keltzar: thanks! Been seeking difference between the 2 mounts, finally got an answer =)

Q: Are there any russian optics that can provide a 24mm slr-equivalent focal length? I use mainly 50mm and the wide end of my 28-70 zoom. Thanks!

25th May 2003	#1
kree Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 112	Thinking of getting a Rangefinder I'm thinking of getting a rangefinder soon, but am quite confused about the system (currently a 35mm slr user) Some Questions: 1. What's the price range like? Are all rangefinders expensive like Leicas? (To my knowledge, I only know of Nikon, Leica and Contax) 2. Are lenses interchangeable among rangefinders, or are the lenses system dependent? I'm thinking of getting one for better portability, (for street photography and snapshots) so that I need not drag my SLR ard everywhere (it takes up quite some space in the bag)... Thanx for any recommendations and help! __________________ My FREE digital pics (Creative Commons)

8th October 2003	#11
patch17 Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: here and there Posts: 748	Yashica Electro 35 GSN or GTN model. a great and totally underated RF in my opinion. And way, way, way cheaper than a Leica or Bessa. __________________ Today is a gift; that's why it's called the present. The toys

9th October 2003	#16
alvin Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: London, United Kingdom Posts: 611	What's the difference between the mount of the Bessa R and R2? One is LTM another is the M mount right? What's the diff? Last edited by alvin; 9th October 2003 at 12:39 PM.

9th October 2003	#17
patch17 Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: here and there Posts: 748	You can try Cash Converters for a used GSN or GTN. Though some of the units can be spoilt, they're dirt cheap about $12 to $18, good for parts. Those that are "working" are about $50.00. Most if not all of them require a good clean, light seal replacement and fresh batteries. if you just want to try RFs, suggest you start cheaply. And if you're not happy, at least the hole in your pocket won't hurt so much. Or you can sell them to me. hahaha __________________ Today is a gift; that's why it's called the present. The toys

25th May 2003	#2
Parchiao Deregistered Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 1,937	Hello, You might like to check out this website with regards to what rangefinders you can get today. http://www.photozone.de/2Equipment/range.htm http://www.cmpsolv.com/cgi-bin/outpu...ance&x=99&y=10 The mother of all rangefinder websites. http://cameraquest.com/index.html And a little extra something if you want to see what old rangefinders there are available. Just use babel fish to translate what you can't read. It might be a better idea to read up on what kind of rangefinders that are available before you ask any questions with regards to a rangefinder as it is a totaly different setup, and each brand offers something that the other brand does not offer.

25th May 2003	#3
kg_yew Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: east Posts: 589	Look for parlin44. He has wide range of russian rangefinder like FED, Kiev and others. His items are mostly of very good condition, and is a knowledgeable and honest seller. I got a FED 2 from him and never regret it.

26th May 2003	#4
Nikonian Foo Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Earth, Solar System, Milky Way Posts: 176	How much on average does it cost to buy one of the Russian Leica copies in Singapore? I'm in UK right now before I go back in July and hope I can find a good price here. Actually, there is a website www.cameramate.com selling authentic Leica copies for US$125-135. It's expensive, but take a look at those cameras, man.....They look very real!

26th May 2003	#6
clive Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 2,573	voigtlander BESSA R2? http://www.cameraquest.com/voigtsys.htm Peninsular plaza 2nd floor <Anthony> camera shop. that guy knows quite a bit

9th October 2003	#19
Keltzar Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: West Posts: 3,161	I've used an assortment of rangefinders i.e. Zorki 4, 4k , Bessa L, Bessa R, Canon IVL, Canon 7. My advice is spend a bit more and get the newer Bessa-R. They go for about US$245 +shipping from cameraquest. Technology makes everything easier to use i.e. more accurate meter, brighter focus , lighter/smaller. My favourite travel combo is: Voigtlander 15/4.5 Color-skopar 35/2.5 Leica Elmar 9cm f4 And if I have additional space I will also carry: jupiter-8, 50/2 Orion 28/6.3 The body + 3 lenses fits nicely in a lowepro field pack no bigger than a waistpouch. The results from these lenses are stunning. Th R2 using M-mount lenses will be somewhat more expensive to upkeep since M-mount stuff is still pretty pricey ... though you get nicer glass available if you can afford it e.g. nokton 35/1.2, leica ASPH 35/1.4, 50/1.0 , 80/1.4 etc.