Rangefinders

[&Denekamp]

Alright, I have decided to give rangefinders a try. With 'a try' I mean that I'm not yet prepared to spend serious cash on them. I'd like to try something cheaper first. I've been digging through a lot of information on fixed lens(e) rangefinders, and after some further investigation on different types, I've narrowed my choice down to:

Canon (Canonet) QL17
Yashica Electro 35 GS/GSN
Konica S2/S3

The Konica is getting a lot of positive reviews, but it's very hard to find. The Canon is lacking some features (ie. slow shutter speeds), though on the plus side its very cheap. And the Yashica is my favorite atm. because of its stepless shutter. however its a litte bit more expensive. So I'm not yet sure as to what to get.
Any advice you guys could give to help make up my mind will be much appreciated.

mmm, rangefinders..:goodvibe: I think I'm already in love with them without ever trying one..:blushing:

So, help me make up my mind Thanks in advace!

Niels
​

 

[santino]

I don't know any of these cams but I can tell you that I prefer rangefinders over SLR's. they aren't versile but a joy to use. good luck.

 

[&Denekamp]

Thanks Santio, I can already tell I'm gonna like rangefinders. I've been bidding on one of those canons, but I've just been outbid.. well, bummer. I now have my eyes on a Yashica, that will prolly go for a lot less, so lets just hope that works out well. Down side is that its not the GSN but just a G version. But they're all quite the same, so..

 

[ThomThomsk]

I have a new Voigtlander Bessa R2a, which I love. I also started out with an eBay Yashica Electro 35 GSN, but it had lots of problems (not described in the auction - I got a refund). Take a look at this website:

http://www.yashica-guy.com/

Lots of information about common problems with that model.

Also on 60s and 70s rangefinders in general:

Olympus - http://www.ph.utexas.edu/~yue/misc/rangfndr.html
Various - http://www.photoethnography.com/equipment.html

And the best of all, covering lots of different models:

http://homepage.mac.com/mattdenton/photo/cameras/rangefinders.html

Light seals will often be a problem on cameras of that age, and check the battery situation - many of these, including the Yashica, were designed to take PX625 1.35 volt mercury batteries that are banned now, but there are alternatives. Yashica Guy has a solution for the GSN.

If it was me, I'd go for an Olympus or a Konica.

ThomThomsk