How To Get Started With Rangefinder Cameras
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 21 ต.ค. 2024
- There are many affordable alternatives to Leica rangefinder cameras. You can get the Leica experience without the Leica sized bank account. Some of these cameras are capable of creating images of amazing quality.
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Great topic. You might also consider the Argus C series of cameras if you are in the US. I’ve been able to get a good working copy on eBay for as low as $3.99. The 50mm f/3.5 Cintar lens that comes standard with the camera is a 3-element Cooke triplet, whose design I’ve heard was derived from the Leitz Elmar you mentioned. Not as refined as the cameras you discussed, but a very serviceable entry-point into all-mechanical 35mm film rangefinders, if you can tolerate its boxy form factor and limited shutter speed.
I am working on a video specifically about the Argus C3. It is an iconic American camera. Thanks for watching and commenting!
Good point regarding the the critical focusing issue of using Soviet lenses on Japanese and Leica mounts.
Good topic. Another suggestion is the older Konica rangefinders. The Konica II series in particular are gems. Superb build and a bit of a cross between a Leica II or III and an M2 with a smallish but integrated, single window rangefinder/ viewfinder and standard, non fiddly film loading. The lenses are fixed with 45mm to 50mm variations. The film counter is set manually like an M2 and the film advance and rewind are performed by knobs on top of the camera. The shutter is cocked manually as well.
My version is the Konica II B-m, a budget version with a 45mm 3.5 Hexar lens. Other versions use 48-50mm F2 or F1.8 Hexanon lenses. Also the shutter release is the smoothest I have ever experienced on any camera and the leaf shutter is near silent. As mentioned the build on this version is superb but I find as the years progressed the build quality of the Konica series slowly became lesser.
I'll have to keep an eye out for one of those Konicas, thanks!
Thank you for the great video. Very in depth and super informative. Great timing for me as well, as over the past few weeks I’ve been looking at Canon Rangefinders (iid, and iii) and Canon lenses from Japanese eBay sellers, as well as some Russian lenses, so I learned a lot from you, e.g., the issue with Russian lenses on Japanese cameras. I have a Canonet QL17 and really have enjoyed the camera, which got me looking at these other Canon rangefinders with interchangeable lenses. Thanks so much. 🙏🙂
As I mentioned, I have had both Leicas and the Canon rangefinder cameras. In my opinion, the Canon rangefinder cameras are every bit equal to and in some ways better than the Leicas. Good luck with your search and acquisition and thanks for watching and commenting!
Very interesting discussion. I was bitten by the Russian rangefinder bug & have quite a few. I don't use them for shooters usually. They could have been great cameras but they are not. Some of the innovations such as diopter correction were wonderful. I had a Leica III F & M-3 but really never got along with them. I know I am swimming upstream with this but then I got a Canon 7 & love it!
The Canon 7 really is a great camera. I've been thinking of getting one myself.
Thank you for all your suggestions and helpful tips! By the way, would you mind telling us who the eBay seller is?
@@Akibatai00 the seller I spoke of is A-Store.Japan-Camera. They treated me very well.
Beautiful camera, but I don't think it's the IVSB. I have a IVSB and the shutter speed tops out at 1/1000. If your top speed is 1/500th, it's a different model.
Good catch! Shortly after making the video I figured out it is a IIS2 which is basically a IVSB2 without 1/1000 sec shutter speed.
@dongummphotography there's a good Canon rangefinder identifier on the web that identifies the cameras by narrowing d I wn their characteristics (for example, whether it has flash sync or not, etc.).