i need help!

[knodd]

hello guys,

i have seen many RF shots that i absolutely adore, but never really considered getting one myself, until recently (like last night). currently, i know almost nothing about RFs, although i have tried to piece together what information i could over the net.

getting a leica is definitely out of the question for me, my poor army boy pay definitely wouldn't allow me to do so, but are there any slightly lest costly alternatives you guys can recommend? i've read up abit on the voit bessa and the zeiss ikon but i have no idea how much they are, because most of my information so far has been gathered from online stuff so i don't know what are the going prices in singapore.

the voit R2A and R3A seem quite appealing to me, cos they got the same mount as leica but i really am not sure.

also, is it safe to go for a second hand RF or would you guys advise to get a new one?

i know there's tonnes of questions in this post but i'm really hoping to get some kind of direction in my hunt for a good value for money RF as now all i have a little bits of information drifting about in my head

thanks so much in advance!

[waileong]

Cameraquest

[benny]

I just got into rangefinder at the end of Feb too. It's a refreshing change from the SLR format. As mentioned above, www.cameraquest.com is a good source of information

If you are terribly tight on budget, then a used Voigtlander Bessa R2/R2A will probably be the cheapest Leica M mount (or ZM for Zeiss, VM for Voightlander, they all mean the same thing) camera you can get. The recent Zeiss Ikon in ZM mount should be around S$1500 just for the body alone. The Bessa L and T are also cheap, but the incremental cost of additional viewfinders will quickly drive the cost of ownership up as you add lenses. Do a search in the markeplace here to get a feel of used prices.

Chiif is the local Voigtlander distributor and here's the link to his site.

http://www.chiifcameras.com/content/view/51/68/

At this point, Leica, Zeiss and Voigtlander are the only 3 manufacturer (in order of cost) currently still producing M mount lenses for rangefinders.

An alternative to the M mount is the screw mount. If you will consider out of production models, you can get some old russian rangefinders with a 50mm lens for very little money.

Do check out this site too. www.rangerfinderforum.com

Hope the above is helpful for you.

Cheers,

[gommy]

Got a Brand New Silver Voigtlander R3M anniversary set with matching CV50mmf2 Heliar classic (I was told only 300 silver set produced) for sale. PM me if you are interested.

Originally Posted by knodd hello guys, i have seen many RF shots that i absolutely adore, but never really considered getting one myself, until recently (like last night). currently, i know almost nothing about RFs, although i have tried to piece together what information i could over the net. getting a leica is definitely out of the question for me, my poor army boy pay definitely wouldn't allow me to do so, but are there any slightly lest costly alternatives you guys can recommend? i've read up abit on the voit bessa and the zeiss ikon but i have no idea how much they are, because most of my information so far has been gathered from online stuff so i don't know what are the going prices in singapore. the voit R2A and R3A seem quite appealing to me, cos they got the same mount as leica but i really am not sure. also, is it safe to go for a second hand RF or would you guys advise to get a new one? i know there's tonnes of questions in this post but i'm really hoping to get some kind of direction in my hunt for a good value for money RF as now all i have a little bits of information drifting about in my head thanks so much in advance!

[jinglejangle]

i'm a student so i basically face the same budget problems as you. i'd say go get a second hand bessa R. it may be screw mount, but i think it's the most practical to learn with. get a russian lens or chiif maybe able to hook you up with something. one lens, one body, one type of film and endless shooting. that's how i learnt too. (:

[CooperS]

Get something you're comfortable with.

But my theory for RF is simple but harsh.

If you want the Leica, try to get one. Cos in the end, you'd still want one after toying with other cameras.

If you splurge now, your RF venture will cost less. Don't forget, you won't lose your pants if you get any Leica, especially if you get them at 2nd hand prices. The resale value should ride out.

[knodd]

but well i've never even used a rangefinder before so i'm thinking it might be better to get a cheaper one to get a feel of rangefinders before i'd really know what i want in a rangefinder and all.

argh i'm having problems contacting chiif! is he away or something. i emailed him but no reply maybe i'll PM him

[CooperS]

Originally Posted by knodd but well i've never even used a rangefinder before so i'm thinking it might be better to get a cheaper one to get a feel of rangefinders before i'd really know what i want in a rangefinder and all. argh i'm having problems contacting chiif! is he away or something. i emailed him but no reply maybe i'll PM him

Well, I also have another trash theory on that. Hahaha....

Practice with the best equipment so that you will not give yourself any excuses for failing.

Haha no la, please don't take my word for it. Do get something you'll like. Welcome in advance.

[gommy]

Originally Posted by knodd but well i've never even used a rangefinder before so i'm thinking it might be better to get a cheaper one to get a feel of rangefinders before i'd really know what i want in a rangefinder and all. argh i'm having problems contacting chiif! is he away or something. i emailed him but no reply maybe i'll PM him

Hahaha chiif don't want to sell you Bessar, he wants you to buy Leica
Just joking. hehehe
CooperS has sound advice; I got my Leica virus from him

[chiif]

hee hee...

Gommy... please don't infect people with the "L" virus. It is more deadly than the HFMD and worst still.... it is INCURABLE!

OK... to the new comer to RF...

My advise is... get a working body that fits your budget. Know your own shooting style. If you are a macro, tele-birdy shooter, stick with the DSLR & long zooms. If you are the wide-angle, street-shooter, easy-back-ach-shooter, carry-less-gear shooter, like to shoot low light shooter then maybe RF is for you.

Then the next question is... can you live with film? If you are the person who cannot live without instant gratification, there are only 2 cameras available, R-D1s & M8. If you can live with film, then you can explore Bessa FIRST and then Leica second.

And of cos... you can call me and arrange to view the Bessa & lenses to make a more informed decision on whether a R2, R3 or R4... A or M.

[CooperS]

Originally Posted by chiif hee hee... Gommy... please don't infect people with the "L" virus. It is more deadly than the HFMD and worst still.... it is INCURABLE! OK... to the new comer to RF... My advise is... get a working body that fits your budget. Know your own shooting style. If you are a macro, tele-birdy shooter, stick with the DSLR & long zooms. If you are the wide-angle, street-shooter, easy-back-ach-shooter, carry-less-gear shooter, like to shoot low light shooter then maybe RF is for you. Then the next question is... can you live with film? If you are the person who cannot live without instant gratification, there are only 2 cameras available, R-D1s & M8. If you can live with film, then you can explore Bessa FIRST and then Leica second. And of cos... you can call me and arrange to view the Bessa & lenses to make a more informed decision on whether a R2, R3 or R4... A or M.

Virus 'V' also can be very addictive and incurable!

Hahaha.

[chiif]

A "L" virus with "Naughty-lux" strain can cover ALL the "V" virus hospital bills!

So it's not so bad afterall. Once gotten the "V" virus, one gets to immune to all other viruses for a short while at least.... until the "L" virus kicks in again at a later time.

[benny]

Originally Posted by chiif A "L" virus with "Naughty-lux" strain can cover ALL the "V" virus hospital bills!

How true....

Kenna the the "L" virus from gommy after I got the "V" virus from chiif. Jialat! Thank goodness it can be addressed by a lack of vitamin M in the interim period. But eventually......

Cheers,

[CooperS]

Originally Posted by benny How true.... Kenna the the "L" virus from gommy after I got the "V" virus from chiif. Jialat! Thank goodness it can be addressed by a lack of vitamin M in the interim period. But eventually...... Cheers,

Some poisons have no cure. This kind of poison.... still got cure! Just get more poisoned! Like Gommy! Very soon he'll recover. Cos no more poison for him to buy liao. Hahaha.

[chiif]

Originally Posted by CooperS Some poisons have no cure. This kind of poison.... still got cure! Just get more poisoned! Like Gommy! Very soon he'll recover. Cos no more poison for him to buy liao. Hahaha.

How can there be no more poison??????

There are still the hassey's 503CWD with Carl Zeiss lenses or the H3D II.

Life can never run out of poison...

[gommy]

Originally Posted by chiif How can there be no more poison?????? There are still the hassey's 503CWD with Carl Zeiss lenses or the H3D II. Life can never run out of poison...

Ya, and the "X" virus too started by the Master & his humble Disciple
Maybe can find cure with old traditional Chinese way {yi du kon du}
To stop one virus, get infected by another!!