I've been researching all these cameras for weeks now. I would have saved so much time if I had just found this video first. this is one of the best camera comparison videos I've seen since it's not just comparing two at a time. Thank you for doing such a thorough comparison!
@@FilmPhotographyChannel no. Hahah. I'm leaving towards the Minolta though. I already have a Yashica GSN but it's too big for my taste. I love the look, fee, and focal length of my Yashica 35 CC but the bokeh leaves something to be desired. I usually prefer aperture priority but I've thought about the Canonet for 10 years. It just feels a little over priced to me.
Not sure if I want to spend $6000 on pure mechanical perfection… with that said I just paid $50 for a yashica 35 gsn so I can use some expired films in my freezer 😅 definitely a interesting comparison video though
@arricammarques1955 It’s no different than buying a luxury vehicle when a Honda, Toyota or Ford can get you from point A to B. But in the case of a Leica, they actually do inspire the photographer to “do more”. It’s hard to explain but I promise you it’s absolutely real!
Thank you so much for this content! Very useful. Just found a great deal on a refurbished Ql17 and this helped me take the step and actually get it. Can't wait to take some pictures with it.
Thanks for that. As if I needed another reason to spend more than I have on a Leica. Seriously though, great video. I learned alot! The film community is sleeping on the yashica MG1. They go for a fraction of the price of the electro models, I'm talking 30 vs over 150 with all of the features, including a light meter based in the lens module to work with filters BUT with a slightly slower lens.
Great comparison, thank you! I received a brand new Canonet QL17 as an 8th grade graduation gift and am fortunate enough to never have sold it -- and I still use it! I eventually picked up the companion flash a few years ago but never used it until a couple weeks ago. Wow. Of course it's needed some maintenance over the years but the quality of this camera continues to astound me.. focusing is easy, photos are sharp and the light meter still works as good as new.
Very comprehensive reviews. I've had every one of the cameras except for the Leica m6. I agree with your results. The Minolta hi-matics are excellent overall and right now my favorite is a fully automatic hi-matic e. It's just fun.
Thanks for sharing your video. I also have much love for compact 70s Japanese rangefinders. I have all of the ones you test here, save for the Olympus. I do, however, have a nice Konica Auto S3, which happens to be my favorite of all of them, it`s fill-flash gives the most natural-looking flash photos (great skin tones). The Minolta`s shutter sound (Bzzzzzzippp) always makes me smile. The GIII I last shot with a roll of Fujichrome 100, exposures were bang-on....these cameras really deliver, you can`t go wrong with any of them !
Wonderful comparison. Very well executed. Canonets are lovely, as long as the lenses are still in good condition, but if size is a consideration, then the Olympus 35RC is a contender. Beautiful little camera you can take anywhere.
I never got tired of watching your videos, specially this one. I have all the models in here except Leica M6.Last week I purchased a shoe box and I keep putting money on it. Some day I am sure, I'll have enough to complete my rangefinder collection. I realize the rest of rangefinder s will kept me busy for sure... Greetings from Terrassa , Spain.
Wow thanks so much. I’m really glad you’re watching. What a beautiful town you live in! There must be unlimited opportunities for photography! Everything from street photos, rivers, sunsets, nature, people, architecture, birds, animals-everything! Rangefinders are by far my favorite (especially Leica) but I sometimes really enjoy SLRs and look forward to using them. Other times only my fixed-lens compacts will do, lol.
Man. I bought an electro 35 back in 2005, all excited to have a baby leica. Then, when I couldn't find batteries, and it wouldn't let me manually set shutter speed, I figured the concept of a baby leica was too good to be true. Here it is, 15 years later, and I am just now learning about the options from olympus, minolta, and Canon that DO allow full manual control. I am sad for the past fifteen years I could have been using these guys.
Great video! I wish you had the Olympus 35SP for the comparison. I would have loved to see that one in the mix. I pick up the Yashica Electro for $5-$15 locally. I think yours might have an issue. I passed on a black one today for $40. I'll go back with a battery and test it when I can.
Eric, thank you so much for this side by side comparison and comments. I haven't shot file for some time, but I am feeling the desire to shoot some more film. In 1976 I bought a new Olympus OM1 and still have it. Some time ago I purchased an Olympus 35 RC which needed some TLC. I recently sent it off to have it CLA'd, new light seals, and the meter circuit modified to work on the 357/303 Silver Oxide Batteries. I am looking forward to getting it back and going out and running some film thru it. Your comments on quality of the images from all of these cameras was really appreciated. Keep up the good work.
I appreciate you doing a great video and spot-on choices for camera selection. It's so painful these days to pay and wait to get your photos developed, as well as the film cost. I have the GSN and Canonet and I do prefer the Canonet as well. It's called the "Poor man's Leica" for a reason. haha. The Yashica really gained popularity because it was used in Spiderman, but still a good and sharp camera nonetheless. It does feel comically big and not as solid as the Canon, but there are some different Yashica models that are worth the extra dollars. Just some cautionary notes, as I have purchased many different Yashicas; Most of the Yashicas that you find will have frozen shutters along with other notorious issues which are expensive to fix, so make sure to test that shutter!
I’ve heard about the Yashica issues. I bought my camera from a guy on eBay that refurbishes them and sells them. The one I bought had an issue (I forgot what it was) so I sent it back to him to fix. He fixed but as you can see in the video it still has issues. Like you said, it’s a good looking camera with a good rep. The lens is second to none. Also I like that it’s a little larger than the rest of the pack and the fact that it’s aperture priority.
Leaf shutters go no faster than 1/500s if I'm not mistaken. My father had the Olympus RD, and RC - very good lenses with full manual control, no film slip there. Later I did own a Olympus Trip. It had a poor transport system where film slip and inconsistent frames did occur. Thanks for an informative video - well put together!
The 1/500 max shutter speed was a fact of life for leaf shutters for a long time. Modern cameras like the Fuji X100 series has a leaf shutter that maxes out at higher speeds but won't let you open the lens up completely at those speeds, i.e., 1/2,000 only at f/4 and smaller, 1/4,000 only at f/8 and smaller. I suspect there may be some trickery with the built in electronic ND filter which may be employed to mimic a faster speed but I'm speculating.
"Leaf shutters go no faster than 1/500" - Well Eric does explain about the modern explanation of how a leaf-shutter can achieve such an incredible speed, but back in 1960 there was an amazing camera that did in fact achieve a 2,000th of a second ! - it's called a Minolta V2 - It also had a fantastic 45mm f/2 Rokkor lens...
Great information! I’ve never hear of the Minolta V2 and after a quick search I discovered that after 18 months in production, Minolta released the V3 with 1/3000 sec max speed and a fixed f1.8 lens. Just like the Fuji, the V2 will only open to f4 at 1/1000 and f8 at 1/2000 sec. I’m guessing the V3 would open up to f16 at 1/3000?
Have you ever had an opportunity to shoot the Yashica Lynx 14? Can't find a lot of info or sample pics taken with the 1.4 lens. Great comparison video!
I've never used the Yashica Lynx 14 but based on the lack of super-futuristic LEDs (lol), it looks like it's a generation or two before the GSN albeit with a faster lens. If it's anything like the GSN, I'm sure the massive 7-element 45mm f1.4 is a great lens. I like the smaller overall size of the camera body as well. So many film cameras, such little time!
Some remarks: You've got 157 likes extra on Flickr :-) The Olympus surprised me most, considering it is measuring exposure with 40 year old technique. Like JP said it would have been interesting if the Olympus 35 RD or SP would have been in the game. I believe the Minolta and especially the Yashica have issues, making the value of the comparison somewhat more redured. Overall, after seeing all the photos, the Canon is indeed the overall winner, but not by a large margin. The Leica excels in exposure but the lens you used did not that much better (green cast in quite some photos). But, most important of all: I loved this video! A real joy to watch. Great work! (subscribed)
Thanks so much. You make a great point about some of the cameras having issues. It’s very tricky to compare cameras this old which can exist in very different conditions and levels of serviceability. To me that speaks to the build quality of these 40 plus year old cameras because I’ve had 3 Canonets which were all in great working condition and the same for every Olympus I’ve ever owned. The Yashica was sent back to the seller (twice) for a repair/CLA and still had the shutter stickiness issue, light leaks under hard, direct light etc. the Minolta has been good but doesn’t have as nice a viewfinder window as the Olympus or Canonet. I’m really glad for your feedback and Flickr likes! Feedback from people that share their experiences in film photography is the best part of the channel to me. Thanks also sincerely for the sub!
Loved your video - my niece has gotten the film bug 🐛. She got a point and shoot- I'm looking to get her going on a semi auto / with nice portable body - where she can experiment with manual settings. I am favoring the Olympus 35RD and the Canon you showed here
That’s great! Welcome to the world of film Photography (to your niece). Both cameras have superb optics. The canon is a little better but you’d need a loupe to see the difference. I’ve had the Canon for years and it’s been very reliable, durable and fun to use. It checks pretty much every box for me but either camera is a solid choice. The Canon has some minor differences that canon added without changing the model number. One is that the camera will require you to advance a few frames upon loading a new roll and the other might be the film “loaded” window on the back panel below the film advance. No big deal just fyi.
I tried Agfa print film before and have to say it’s not my favorite. I like the subdued color but I got lots of grain from shots taken in the daylight. I may have used old chemicals tho.
Great video. I own an Electro 35, and it is a bit fiddly (and getting worse... ) But I have found that it's limitations spur creativity! Yashikor also made a wide angle 1:4 for this model and a "Tele-wide Finder" that fit on the shoe (and was awful).
Because of this video I bought a really nice Canonet. Thanks for your expertise, sir. Also, your videos are just very enjoyable. Maybe something to do with you being a very cool guy.
Thanks so much! I’m glad you enjoy my videos. It’s feels good to hear this type of feedback. More importantly, your “new” Canonet is a really great camera with an awesome lens. I’ve had a Canonet for years and it is a really enjoyable camera in use that yields great photos. I hope you enjoy it as much as I’ve enjoyed mine. Cheers!
I have to say " thank you". This comparison will help me decide. I am waiting whether to go Yashica, Minolta, or Canon. I have also looked at Soviet cameras. Most of them were copies of Leica.
The safe choice is the Canonet because it does everything right and has the sharpest lens in the group. My personal fave is the Minolta because of the super sharp lens and the the rich, saturated contrasty color.
great collection, great review and comparison- have done some research on the rokkor lenses from Minolta, I may go for the 40mm rokkor F2, for my M2, but the Minolta 7S2 looks amazing in many test shots.
Thank you for the video - I was thinking in terms of image quality should it be a zeiss vs the rest comparison? ergonomics etc - no issue - but the photographic image is ultimately what we are viewing and in my opinion there in no Leica glass dna in the images . Any thoughts ? PS Minor point the Olympus SP lens has a G zuiko ( 7 elements 5groups ) the Oly DC has an F zuiko ( 6 elements / 4 groups ) G is seventh letter and F is sixth letter - good way to remember. Happy new year !
Hi yep, I’m familiar with the Olympus lens naming conventions. I mentioned it in a few of my videos but not this one. The Zeiss lens is the closest focal length that I own to the 40mm lenses in the group of cameras compared. It’s a Leica M-mount although it’s a Zeiss lens which is why I chose it for the comparison. In terms of image quality it’s as good as a proper Summicron from that era (early 2000s). And remember what makes a Leica special, ie the build quality, ergonomics, viewfinder, shutter etc which is also part of the comparison. Thanks so much for watching and have a great new year!
Boss This is an exhaustive test you did right cheer. Good golly. It had to take a long time to put together, I was wondering how you didn't mix up the negatives for each camera LOL. Good work
@@FilmPhotographyChannel hey I don't know if you've ever seen the rollei XF 35 it's semi automatic exposure Rangefinder with 40 mm 2.8 sonnar lens. I've been testing it extensively the past few weeks and will have a review up at some point. It looks like the smallest Rangefinder I've ever seen and I'm curious why rollei didn't make more Rangefinder models
I see you're spending money again, lol. Man, that camera is a little jewel! I've looked at it before but was turned off by the f2.3 max aperture lens. At the time I was only looking at cameras with f1.7 lenses (like the ones in the video) . Little did I know what a great lens this camera has. Now your gonna have me spending money!
@@FilmPhotographyChannel if you'd like to see some images from it I reviewed the lomography sprocket rocket a few weeks ago and for kicks I compared that cameras plastic lens did the Rollies professional lens. No don't buy it my man, fight the gear lust. I bought it because I have a serious aversion to rangefinders not being able to see what the lens is doing certain other restrictions so I bought the camera to see what Rangefinder fuss is all about. It's definitely lighter and smaller and quieter
@@Raychristofer I'm actually binge-watching your channel as we speak. I see the prices have gone way up on the Rollei! When I was looking for one, they were all $50-$60; now they're all $150-300!! I'm definitely a rangefinder guy; have been for years. I don't know if you've seen my "Leica M6 is better than SLRs" video, but it definitely sparked some pretty heated debate! th-cam.com/video/ho1uQJR8q-E/w-d-xo.html
Sounds like your version of the Electro35 needed some work. I do agree that the focusing patch on the camera I have always found lacking. In bright light situations one can sometimes get good focusing. I got my version (Electro35 GS) after my dad passed away. He bought it in London, England, in 1972 and I do love the lens which is the main reason I still have camera. Really enjoyed your video. Down to earth talk about the good and bad of each camera. One question: why a zeiss lens over a say a 35mm or 50mm summicron?
I’m not sure why I used the Zeiss over the Summicron. Probably because the focal length is a little closer to the 40mm of the cameras that I tested. The video was really more about comparing the cameras against each other. If you watch my Yashica Electro35 solo review I mentioned that I had to send back the camera for repair. The guy I bought it from refurbishes them and sells them on eBay. It still has light leaks and a loose rangefinder mechanism that moved around when focusing. I agree that the lens is phenomenal. I used to dream about owning the electro35 when I was a kid. It’s a beautiful camera.
Great Video. I've been wondering about these fixed lens rangefinders. I had a Canonet, but didn't like it. I think I just had a bad copy because the general consensus seems to agree with your findings. Well done.
I think you are prob right on. The Olympus I thought would do better. It is the only one I didn't own. Canon was always my fave but I did love the feel of the bigger body Yashica. It just felt good. I don't rem just the 2 lights tho so maybe I had a slightly diff model. Great fun / wonderful trip back in time.
@@FilmPhotographyChannel Enjoyed! Mostly digital now but I do load up a roll once in a while. Enjoy your vids. Just got a m39 adapter for my Fuji's & have some old lenses to play with from way back when.
I just bought a Yashica Electo35 Gsn and a Canon Ql17 g3 over the last 2 days. I'm excited I'm glad my money went to cameras that were comparable to a Leica in any way. I know they aren't Leicas since Leica makes more then just images production it's an experince and everything inside the body with all the moving parts are grade a . But I can't afford that experince yet so I'm glad I can get somewhat in the ballpark with image quailty after this video I'll probably put a few rolls threw it and set it on the desk next to my other film cameras and primarily use my canon but who knows everyone's experience can be a lil different I may preference the yashica for some other reasons. Either way I'm excited to get them in my hands hopefully they won't get lost in the mail.
The price of admission for Leica cameras is not cheap! I traded a lens and a Zeiss Ikon 35mm rangefinder camera to get my first Leica M6. I still had to come up with $400 and that was over 17 years ago! The good news is that my current M6 is now worth over $3000! I guess my point is that if you pay a premium for something, it’s good that it keeps its value so you don’t lose money in the long run. Both of your cameras take EXCELLENT photos, especially the Canonet. In my opinion the QL17 GIII is the best fixed lens 35mm rangefinder that you can buy. In that opinion I factor in the durability also. I’ve dropped my Canonet on concrete and even though it had a nasty dent, it continued to function and without light leaks. The Yashica has a great lens but I experienced lots of problems as I outlined in the video. It’s a great looking camera which gets you admirers as you walk about because it’s simply beautiful.
I'm here to defend the Yashica! It seems that you have acquired a bad copy/poorly maintained version. I've just bought a Yashica Electro 35 GS (same as the GSN but without a hotshoe). I can't compare it with the others but the frame lines move smoothly and consistently. The shutter release is quiet and does not get stuck (look up "pad of death" for the likely cause). The light leak is probably due to the seals breaking down (an issue that affects most older cameras and can easily be rectified), either around the film back or underneath the rewind crank.
I appreciate your endorsement of the build quality of the Yashica. The Electro 35 was the camera that I dreamed about owning as a young child. I mentioned in the video that I sent this camera back for repair to the person I bought it from. He got it working again but it still had these issues. I did here from some viewers that they also have the stuck shutter problem. The Yashica just doesn’t have the build quality and durability of the other cameras in the field that I tested. It’s also true of the very popular Yashica 124G of which I owned two. When I finally bought a proper Rollei TLR, the Yashica felt like a cheap tin box. That being said, I like that it’s an Aperture Priority camera so I can dial in the f1.7 max aperture and get the wonderful bokeh in my photos from the awesome lens. Ate the end of the day, the photos are what matters and the GSN delivers!
@@FilmPhotographyChannel Thanks for the detailed reply. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that Yashicas have the build quality of a Leica. I only paid £27 for mine and, while I was probably a little lucky, I never would have got say, a Canonet, for that price, so that probably says something about it. Nevertheless, it seems like a decent camera and I just thought it was worth giving another point of view. Keep up the good work, I loved the format of the video!
Thanks for the video, very useful! What do you think of the Yashica Electro 35 GX? This was i think the latest version of the Electro series, better than the GSN, and it's comparable to the Canonet Ql17 giii since it has almost the same size, 40mm f1.7 , parallax correction and light meter in the lens. I'm buying my first film camera and I'm trying to figure out which one would be best in between these two. Thanks!
I’ve never had the GX but if I had to guess I would think the Canonette would be a better choice. Besides the build quality the Canon lens is better (not by much) than the Yashinon based on my comparison video results. It looks like the GX has the same shutter as the GSN but I don’t know if it has the same issue. The GX is absolutely beautiful and I think would serve anybody very well. On a daily basis you would probably be perfectly happy with either but the Canon I think is probably the best ever in this genre. Hope this helps!
@@FilmPhotographyChannel thank you i am so looking forward to get my scans back :)) also shot 3 rolls with my hassy 500cm that just came back from cla.
Yashica is super with the parallax correction. Your sample is faulty. Most probably the hair spring which is responsible for the function is not in place/groken.
I agree that it’s faulty. When I originally bought it I sent it back to the guy I bought it from and he repaired it but it later went bad. There’s a lot that I like about this camera still. This was my dream camera when I was a kid but I couldn’t afford it back then. It’s got a wonderfully sharp and contrasty lens and mechanical issues aside it’s a pleasure to use.
Thanks for this. I haven’t shot film in 20 years, but have been curious to pick up a film camera. I want to get into the Leica system, either film or digital, I know I would be happy with digital, but not sure if I would be happy with film. Was looking for cheap alternative to see if I even like shooting film. Love the punchy contrast of the Minolta, I’m guessing it shoots great black and white.
Nice comparison. You should have thrown the Canonet QL25 into the mix, it is so much better built than the QL17 and the view finder is just as good as a Leica - if you get one with a clear finder and a rangefinder mirror in good condition. The QL25 lens is also really sharp - on par with Voigtländer on Leica in my experience - you have to make sure the rangefinder is adjusted though, and it's pretty cheap as well.
Thanks for the video! I know that these take a lot of time to produce, and with five rolls of film, you are investing a lot of your money for the sake of a test. I had the Canon and really liked the lens, but eventually gave it to a friend of mine when I got my M6. My Canon also had some internal issues and needed the seals replaced but for the most part still functioned. That Zeiss lens really is something though, I have the f/2 version and really like it. I am not suuuuuper impressed with the lens at f/2, and tend to shoot it at 2.8 or stopped down when I can, but I have found that f/2 to be nice when inside, and in those situations, the lower contrast and lesser image quality didn't seem to bother me. One of the other comments was talking about the Rollei, I have the 35T and shot two rolls with it last weekend. It is a nice camera, mostly for the size, but that small size as I am sure you know comes with its drawbacks. As in no rangefinder. And with that, I think that you have a much different shooting experience, especially when you are trying to photograph people like I enjoy doing.
Hi Zach, Thanks for weighing in. I've been wanting to do a test like this for a while so I didn't mind using up the Ektar. This is my third Canonet QL17 GIII. The first one was damaged, the second one I got rid of when I bought the M6 (like you did) and the third one I'll probably keep forever. The Zeiss lenses are special and I chose the f2.8 over the f2 because of the much smaller size and the smaller f-stop lenses tend to be sharper. The trade-off of course is the f2 has much better BOKEH! As far as tiny cameras like the Rollei, I've yet to even pick one up, but any camera with a Zeiss lens is ok with me. That being said, I'm not a fan of zone focusing. I have a Minox 35MB which also has no rangefinder so I picked up a tiny shoe mounted rangefinder and just use it that way instead of estimating. I'll probably get a Rollei 35 one day.
I had a Canonet ql17. It had an excellent lens, but unfortunately, I didn't enjoy using it. I sold it for the same price I bought it for, which was great. I'm hoping to get a Leica M-A one day.
Thank you for an excellent comparison. If I were to do something similar, I would compare the following rangefinders that I own and use: Argus C-3 #1 35mm rangefinder with 50mm f/3.5 interchangeable normal lens Canon Canonet QL17 G-III 35mm rangefinder with 40mm f/1.7 fixed normal lens (48mm filter size) Minolta Hi-Matic 9 35mm rangefinder with 45mm f/1.7 fixed normal lens (55mm filter size) Contax G1 35mm rangefinder with 45mm f/2 interchangeable normal lens (46mm filter size) Fuji GW670iii medium format rangefinder with 90mm f/3.5 fixed normal lens (67mm filter size) With the exception of my Contax G1, all my rangefinders are battery independent because that is what I prefer. Batteries may be needed for built-in light meters but batteries are not required for actual picture taking. I do not have a normal lens for my Leica because if I ever really needed to use a normal, I could always use one of my other rangefinders. Instead, I prefer to use a 35mm wide-angle as my go-to lens. I was pleased that the Canonet and the Minolta were the top two contenders in your comparison. I have been very pleased with mine. I have never performed a head-to-head comparison between my rangefinders but I am sure the 6x7cm medium format rangefinder would win because of its superb image quality.
Hi, nicevideo/comparation, I love your channel. No surprises here, I own those cameras and I knew the result. That said, I have to mention also that my Leica M6 is a dream camera with any lens, no surprises here either. But a rangefinder from a little earlier 60's that positively surprised me was my fully mechanic, no batteries required is my beloved Rank-Mamiya with EV number indicator to set the exposure and fitted with a stunning fix lens 40mm f:2.8 Mamiya-Sekor. The quality of the pictures is on par with the best modern lenses I own. My darling Rank-Mamiya is in a pristine condition. I just had to mention it to you because I know you would like it.
Hi Rolando, wow what a great pull! I've never heard of this camera nor was I aware that Mamiya ever made a 35mm rangefinder camera! This is why I love getting feedback from film photographers out there. I will be looking into this camera and don't be surprised if you see a review posted on the Rank-Mamiya! Many thanks.
Hello and thanks so much for watching and commenting. I love to get feedback on any of the cameras that I review. Please sub to my channel if you didn't already and greetings back to you my friend from the Washington DC Metro area!
In terms of image quality, probably near the top of the field since it has a 7 element 42mm f1.7 lens while the others all have 6 element lenses. I know that more elements doesn’t necessarily make a better lens but this is Olympus that we’re talking about and they make great glass. I’ve read a review that says it gives you the speed of a Summilux (close) and the sharpness of a Summicron; high praise indeed! I wonder how it would compare to the Canonet since it came out on top in my comparison.
superb collection, good review and comparison.......I think in this comparison Leica has lens hood and rest doesn't have, any way Leica build is ultimate all knows...
@@FilmPhotographyChannel Much appreciated. I figured the Canonet and Minolta would be tops. I've been binge watching your vids ..... Really good stuff and great collection!
@@FilmPhotographyChannel Loving it mate getting some nice street shots out of it. I have a new vid going up at the weekend from my latest effort with the Oly It's a cracking camera. Cheers Paul
olympus 35rd is a great option too. honestly the leica is better mostly because it can take a beat whereas these cannot that much. the image quality will not be much different if you use your camera well and clean
With Leica it would depend on how much money you’re willing to spend. If you want a proper Leica lens, I like the Summicrons. ‘Crons are going to be an f2 max aperture and you can get a 50mm for less than your M6. Voigtländer makes the best wides for the Leica platform due to their great sharpness and tiny size. The Voigtlander 21mm color-Skopar is incredible. I have a 35mm Zeiss f2.8 Biogon-C which is an incredibly sharp lens also. The 35 crons are too pricey for me. I like my 90mm f2.8 Tele Elmarit for portraits. I hope this helps.
@@FilmPhotographyChannel I was thinking of maybe a 28mm focal length. I shoot street...Atlanta and occasionally I shoot my musician friends...my top budget plan was maybe 2400 at tops....I've been discovering that m as n of the other brands block the rangefinder which was very disappointing...cause I thought ok maybe this is the one....my street stuff is usually going to be black and white...color sometimes but k was worried about sharpness...music studios are sometimes lowlights....but I do shoot day and night street....u seem like one of the most knowledgeable brothers on this topic...live your videos...honestly why I'm asking your guidance bro. Thank you Sincerely your lil brother Patrick
Zeiss ZM lenses have comparable or better optics than Leica lenses for about one-third the price when new. I had a 28mm and 50 f2 planar. They’re almost too sharp. They look great but the build quality isn’t as good as Leica. They aren’t bad in terms of build quality but not up to Leica standards.
You’re so right! When I made this video Ektar was $5.99/roll. Nowadays the prices have skyrocketed. I have precious few rolls of Ektar left in the freezer. I refuse to pay $15-$20 per roll that it’s selling for now.
@@FilmPhotographyChannel I got given a gift voucher for a photography shop after leaving a previous job recently. I got a good deal on a tripod, but had £50 left ($63), couldn't find much else on the site to buy, but the did sell film. I bought 2 rolls of ektar, it didn't cover the shipping :D
The Olympus 35 DC has a great lens! I didn't rate it number one in this comparison because the Canon and the Zeiss lenses were (a little) better, but you will love the image quality, sharpness, and color from this camera. Based on the build quality, clear & sharp viewfinder and excellent lens, I'm not sure why it sells as cheaply as it does. Here are some photos taken with the Oly-35DC: flic.kr/s/aHsmArnfRo . Also, my in-depth review of this camera: th-cam.com/video/IHfkiEfrm3s/w-d-xo.html
I just bought the Olympus 35 RC for $20 bucks, it’s in good condition it’s a smaller camera than the one in your video. Do you know any info on it? Is it good? It looks nice...
@@johnnybenavidez5486 Great choice! The 35 RC also has a great 5-element 42mm lens, (one more element than most) albeit a 2.8 vs a 40mm 1.7 as in the 35 DC. It is very sharp. It has auto and manual modes and a similar smart flash system similar to the 35 DC. It won't let you take an over/underexposed photo so if you press the shutter and the photo doesn't snap, there's not necessarily anything wrong. It should be great fun to use.
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I believe that the Leica thing is overestimated. Prices are just insane, while you can buy great cameras and take great photos with a Yashica Electro 35 and even with a Zorki 4K.
Absolutely true. It’s also true that you can take a really bad photo with a super expensive Leica. It’s definitely a “want” and not a “need”. The fact that Leicas are increasing in value is good if you own one. You’re not likely to lose any money if you ever sell it. I’ll have to mention two things: most people who own Leicas don’t think that they paid too much and the Leica mystique is very real. Every time I pick up my Leica (which I’ve owned for 10 years) I feel inspired to create something beautiful. And the fact that the camera is so well made and so simple to use goes a long way towards leaving everything up to me. Hard to explain but it’s very real; to me anyway.
Your secret is safe with me. The guy that sold it to me took it back to fix some things but I don’t remember having a light seal problem. In fairness, I’ve only seen the flaring when pointed directly at the sun like in the video.
I think your Yashica Electro 35 is faulty. The sticky shutter button and the lack of a "pop" or "clunk" during wind on means that the "Pad of Death" has gone gooey, so it's not gonna expose correctly. Happens to all of them and can be fixed, but it's very fiddly to do.
I bought this one as a "CLA'd" camera that even had the circuit board replaced. I was told by one of my viewers that his also had a sticky shutter although I've only ever used this one so I don't know if it's a common problem. The exposures from this camera have been spot-on; no problems there.
Interesting vidéo ! Like you a have a Leica and a couple of other rangefinder cameras. I own a Leica M4, camera that in my opinion has an even better viewfinder than the m6 (50mm more accurate at 2-3m and no 75mm frame in it…), with my only Leica lens, a 50mm 2,5 Summarit. I saved a long time to be able to buy this camera and lens, and I don’t regret it. Yes Leica cameras are just the best. Perfect lenses, perfect viewfinders and rangefinders, perfect mechanics, etc. Yes, but even if not perfects other cameras are also a joy to use and will deliver great quality pictures... I have a Minolta 7SII that I picked up for 4 euros in a garage sale … a very good camera indeed, but no, it’s not my favorite. The viewfinder isn’t great. No, my favorite among the non Leica rangefinders is… the Olympus 35 RC! I picked one up for a little more money, 25 euros at the big « braderie de Lille » , and for me it’s a great, great camera. Half the weight of the Leica, a quality 42mm photo lens that « only » opens at 2.8 but makes it much smaller (and at 2.8 still offers nice background blur…) The viewfinder is not bad at all, but of course not as accurate as the Leica and doesn’t have automatic parallax correction either. So to get a precise idea of what is really recorded on the film, I put the camera on a tripod and a small piece of tracing paper instead of the film... Here are the representations of the viewfinder at 0.85 and 2m, , even if you don't read french... 35mm-compact.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=55&t=59427 Knowing that really helps me frame my pictures better! Otherwise another camera I like a lot is the Olympus XA… I found two for... no, I don't dare tell you the price because I'll start to piss you off! :)
Thanks so much for sharing. I enjoy my small rangefinders as well but as you mentioned , the rangefinders and overall build quality can’t touch the Leicas.
Probably the Leica M6. I think because I’ve had it so long and am so used to using it. I also like my Leica M3, Nikon F3, Canonet QL17GIII and Minolta HiMatic 7SII a lot but the M6 is my favorite.
I just got a yashica 35 and man do I love the look and feel of these type of camera. I want more eventually.
That yashica was my dream camera when I was a kid. It has a great lens too.
Same here (GTN black version)
Thanks for the shutter sound comparison. It’s such an important part of a camera’s experience.
I've been researching all these cameras for weeks now. I would have saved so much time if I had just found this video first. this is one of the best camera comparison videos I've seen since it's not just comparing two at a time. Thank you for doing such a thorough comparison!
Hi Jean, thanks so much. Have you decided yet?
@@FilmPhotographyChannel no. Hahah. I'm leaving towards the Minolta though. I already have a Yashica GSN but it's too big for my taste. I love the look, fee, and focal length of my Yashica 35 CC but the bokeh leaves something to be desired. I usually prefer aperture priority but I've thought about the Canonet for 10 years. It just feels a little over priced to me.
One of the best camera videos I have seen. Thank you for your time!
Thanks so much for watching! I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Great channel! Love seeing film coming back. Your reviews are great and on point
Such a good resource to have so many of these heavy hitters compared! Much appreciated.
Not sure if I want to spend $6000 on pure mechanical perfection… with that said I just paid $50 for a yashica 35 gsn so I can use some expired films in my freezer 😅 definitely a interesting comparison video though
It's not the camera but the photographer. Why, blow $6 grand for a Leica?
@arricammarques1955 It’s no different than buying a luxury vehicle when a Honda, Toyota or Ford can get you from point A to B. But in the case of a Leica, they actually do inspire the photographer to “do more”. It’s hard to explain but I promise you it’s absolutely real!
Thank you so much for this content! Very useful. Just found a great deal on a refurbished Ql17 and this helped me take the step and actually get it. Can't wait to take some pictures with it.
It’s a really good camera with a great lens. The QL17GIII gets out of the way (kinda like a Leica) and let’s you focus on photography.
Thanks for that. As if I needed another reason to spend more than I have on a Leica.
Seriously though, great video. I learned alot!
The film community is sleeping on the yashica MG1. They go for a fraction of the price of the electro models, I'm talking 30 vs over 150 with all of the features, including a light meter based in the lens module to work with filters BUT with a slightly slower lens.
Thanks so much.
Wow!! That was a lot of work! Wonderful production. I have the Olympus and Yashica; I agree with the comments you made about both.
Hi Kevin, thanks for stopping by and sharing. Lot of work, lot of film but I love doing it.
Great comparison, thank you! I received a brand new Canonet QL17 as an 8th grade graduation gift and am fortunate enough to never have sold it -- and I still use it! I eventually picked up the companion flash a few years ago but never used it until a couple weeks ago. Wow. Of course it's needed some maintenance over the years but the quality of this camera continues to astound me.. focusing is easy, photos are sharp and the light meter still works as good as new.
Very comprehensive reviews. I've had every one of the cameras except for the Leica m6. I agree with your results. The Minolta hi-matics are excellent overall and right now my favorite is a fully automatic hi-matic e. It's just fun.
Interesting. I haven’t run across the the Himatic-E as of yet. I’ll have to look into it. Thanks!
Thanks for sharing your video. I also have much love for compact 70s Japanese rangefinders. I have all of the ones you test here, save for the Olympus. I do, however, have a nice Konica Auto S3, which happens to be my favorite of all of them, it`s fill-flash gives the most natural-looking flash photos (great skin tones). The Minolta`s shutter sound (Bzzzzzzippp) always makes me smile. The GIII I last shot with a roll of Fujichrome 100, exposures were bang-on....these cameras really deliver, you can`t go wrong with any of them !
That’s a fact. I’ve heard a lot about the Konica Auto S3. Everyone mentions how good the lens is. I might have to get one.
nice wrap up , and good comparison video , well done .. you have a good relaxed presenting style, coming across easy and watchable ...
Thanks so much. I enjoy making these videos.
Wonderful comparison. Very well executed. Canonets are lovely, as long as the lenses are still in good condition, but if size is a consideration, then the Olympus 35RC is a contender. Beautiful little camera you can take anywhere.
This is an exact video I want, great work!🙌🏻
I’m happy you found it useful.
So helpful and informative as usual! Thanks for all the efforts you put in these videos. They do matter!!
I never got tired of watching your videos, specially this one. I have all the models in here except Leica M6.Last week I purchased a shoe box and I keep putting money on it.
Some day I am sure, I'll have enough to complete my rangefinder collection. I realize the rest of rangefinder s will kept me busy for sure... Greetings from Terrassa , Spain.
Wow thanks so much. I’m really glad you’re watching. What a beautiful town you live in! There must be unlimited opportunities for photography! Everything from street photos, rivers, sunsets, nature, people, architecture, birds, animals-everything!
Rangefinders are by far my favorite (especially Leica) but I sometimes really enjoy SLRs and look forward to using them. Other times only my fixed-lens compacts will do, lol.
Love this camera shootout, killer review and opinion. Thank you for your service sir.
Thanks so much for watching!
Man. I bought an electro 35 back in 2005, all excited to have a baby leica. Then, when I couldn't find batteries, and it wouldn't let me manually set shutter speed, I figured the concept of a baby leica was too good to be true. Here it is, 15 years later, and I am just now learning about the options from olympus, minolta, and Canon that DO allow full manual control. I am sad for the past fifteen years I could have been using these guys.
Great video! I wish you had the Olympus 35SP for the comparison. I would have loved to see that one in the mix. I pick up the Yashica Electro for $5-$15 locally. I think yours might have an issue. I passed on a black one today for $40. I'll go back with a battery and test it when I can.
Thanks for your work from Canarias
Eric, thank you so much for this side by side comparison and comments. I haven't shot file for some time, but I am feeling the desire to shoot some more film. In 1976 I bought a new Olympus OM1 and still have it. Some time ago I purchased an Olympus 35 RC which needed some TLC. I recently sent it off to have it CLA'd, new light seals, and the meter circuit modified to work on the 357/303
Silver Oxide Batteries. I am looking forward to getting it back and going out and running some film thru it.
Your comments on quality of the images from all of these cameras was really appreciated. Keep up the good work.
I appreciate you doing a great video and spot-on choices for camera selection. It's so painful these days to pay and wait to get your photos developed, as well as the film cost.
I have the GSN and Canonet and I do prefer the Canonet as well. It's called the "Poor man's Leica" for a reason. haha. The Yashica really gained popularity because it was used in Spiderman, but still a good and sharp camera nonetheless. It does feel comically big and not as solid as the Canon, but there are some different Yashica models that are worth the extra dollars. Just some cautionary notes, as I have purchased many different Yashicas; Most of the Yashicas that you find will have frozen shutters along with other notorious issues which are expensive to fix, so make sure to test that shutter!
I’ve heard about the Yashica issues. I bought my camera from a guy on eBay that refurbishes them and sells them. The one I bought had an issue (I forgot what it was) so I sent it back to him to fix. He fixed but as you can see in the video it still has issues. Like you said, it’s a good looking camera with a good rep. The lens is second to none. Also I like that it’s a little larger than the rest of the pack and the fact that it’s aperture priority.
I am dusting off my much-forgotten Canonet GRIII Q17 today, and taking her out for some fun. Thanks!
You're very welcome. Enjoy it; it's a great camera.
I have the Minolta 7s. I'm trying my first roll in it at the moment.
Minolta has some of the best lenses of the film era. Great cameras
@@FilmPhotographyChannel I'm curious what are the differences between the 7s and 7s II, beside the size. S7 is pretty big.
Leaf shutters go no faster than 1/500s if I'm not mistaken.
My father had the Olympus RD, and RC - very good lenses with full manual control, no film slip there.
Later I did own a Olympus Trip. It had a poor transport system where film slip and inconsistent frames did occur.
Thanks for an informative video - well put together!
The 1/500 max shutter speed was a fact of life for leaf shutters for a long time. Modern cameras like the Fuji X100 series has a leaf shutter that maxes out at higher speeds but won't let you open the lens up completely at those speeds, i.e., 1/2,000 only at f/4 and smaller, 1/4,000 only at f/8 and smaller. I suspect there may be some trickery with the built in electronic ND filter which may be employed to mimic a faster speed but I'm speculating.
Thanks Eric. Interesting info on the Fuji X100.
Thanks so much!
"Leaf shutters go no faster than 1/500" - Well Eric does explain about the modern explanation of how a leaf-shutter can achieve such an incredible speed, but back in 1960 there was an amazing camera that did in fact achieve a 2,000th of a second ! - it's called a Minolta V2 - It also had a fantastic 45mm f/2 Rokkor lens...
Great information! I’ve never hear of the Minolta V2 and after a quick search I discovered that after 18 months in production, Minolta released the V3 with 1/3000 sec max speed and a fixed f1.8 lens. Just like the Fuji, the V2 will only open to f4 at 1/1000 and f8 at 1/2000 sec. I’m guessing the V3 would open up to f16 at 1/3000?
Have you ever had an opportunity to shoot the Yashica Lynx 14? Can't find a lot of info or sample pics taken with the 1.4 lens. Great comparison video!
I've never used the Yashica Lynx 14 but based on the lack of super-futuristic LEDs (lol), it looks like it's a generation or two before the GSN albeit with a faster lens. If it's anything like the GSN, I'm sure the massive 7-element 45mm f1.4 is a great lens. I like the smaller overall size of the camera body as well. So many film cameras, such little time!
Some remarks: You've got 157 likes extra on Flickr :-) The Olympus surprised me most, considering it is measuring exposure with 40 year old technique. Like JP said it would have been interesting if the Olympus 35 RD or SP would have been in the game. I believe the Minolta and especially the Yashica have issues, making the value of the comparison somewhat more redured. Overall, after seeing all the photos, the Canon is indeed the overall winner, but not by a large margin. The Leica excels in exposure but the lens you used did not that much better (green cast in quite some photos). But, most important of all: I loved this video! A real joy to watch. Great work! (subscribed)
Thanks so much. You make a great point about some of the cameras having issues. It’s very tricky to compare cameras this old which can exist in very different conditions and levels of serviceability. To me that speaks to the build quality of these 40 plus year old cameras because I’ve had 3 Canonets which were all in great working condition and the same for every Olympus I’ve ever owned. The Yashica was sent back to the seller (twice) for a repair/CLA and still had the shutter stickiness issue, light leaks under hard, direct light etc. the Minolta has been good but doesn’t have as nice a viewfinder window as the Olympus or Canonet. I’m really glad for your feedback and Flickr likes! Feedback from people that share their experiences in film photography is the best part of the channel to me. Thanks also sincerely for the sub!
Loved your video - my niece has gotten the film bug 🐛. She got a point and shoot- I'm looking to get her going on a semi auto / with nice portable body - where she can experiment with manual settings. I am favoring the Olympus 35RD and the Canon you showed here
That’s great! Welcome to the world of film
Photography (to your niece). Both cameras have superb optics. The canon is a little better but you’d need a loupe to see the difference. I’ve had the Canon for years and it’s been very reliable, durable and fun to use. It checks pretty much every box for me but either camera is a solid choice. The Canon has some minor differences that canon added without changing the model number. One is that the camera will require you to advance a few frames upon loading a new roll and the other might be the film “loaded” window on the back panel below the film advance. No big deal just fyi.
Wonderful video and camera collections. I have a Minolta CLE. I think you should try it. Very nice Leica M mount rangefinder camera.
Thanks for the tip! I've read great things about them but I've never even held one in my hands. Maybe one day!
Agfa print film. I used it when I wanted subdued color. Colors come back kind of " pastel".
I tried Agfa print film before and have to say it’s not my favorite. I like the subdued color but I got lots of grain from shots taken in the daylight. I may have used old chemicals tho.
Great video. I own an Electro 35, and it is a bit fiddly (and getting worse... ) But I have found that it's limitations spur creativity! Yashikor also made a wide angle 1:4 for this model and a "Tele-wide Finder" that fit on the shoe (and was awful).
Because of this video I bought a really nice Canonet. Thanks for your expertise, sir. Also, your videos are just very enjoyable. Maybe something to do with you being a very cool guy.
Thanks so much! I’m glad you enjoy my videos. It’s feels good to hear this type of feedback. More importantly, your “new” Canonet is a really great camera with an awesome lens. I’ve had a Canonet for years and it is a really enjoyable camera in use that yields great photos. I hope you enjoy it as much as I’ve enjoyed mine. Cheers!
I have to say " thank you". This comparison will help me decide. I am waiting whether to go Yashica, Minolta, or Canon. I have also looked at Soviet cameras. Most of them were copies of Leica.
The safe choice is the Canonet because it does everything right and has the sharpest lens in the group. My personal fave is the Minolta because of the super sharp lens and the the rich, saturated contrasty color.
Had a lot of flare issues with my Canonet GIII.
I had a collapsible rubber lens hood somewhere that helped get rid of flare. Haven’t seen it for a while.
I wonder how the Minolta CLE with Rokkor 40mm hold up against the Leica 6!
So many cameras in this category. I’d love to review them all!
great collection, great review and comparison- have done some research on the rokkor lenses from Minolta, I may go for the 40mm rokkor F2, for my M2, but the Minolta 7S2 looks amazing in many test shots.
Wow, great comparison! Thanks very much for the vid!
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you for the video - I was thinking in terms of image quality should it be a zeiss vs the rest comparison? ergonomics etc - no issue - but the photographic image is ultimately what we are viewing and in my opinion there in no Leica glass dna in the images . Any thoughts ?
PS Minor point the Olympus SP lens has a G zuiko ( 7 elements 5groups ) the Oly DC has an F zuiko ( 6 elements / 4 groups ) G is seventh letter and F is sixth letter - good way to remember. Happy new year !
Hi yep, I’m familiar with the Olympus lens naming conventions. I mentioned it in a few of my videos but not this one. The Zeiss lens is the closest focal length that I own to the 40mm lenses in the group of cameras compared. It’s a Leica M-mount although it’s a Zeiss lens which is why I chose it for the comparison. In terms of image quality it’s as good as a proper Summicron from that era (early 2000s). And remember what makes a Leica special, ie the build quality, ergonomics, viewfinder, shutter etc which is also part of the comparison. Thanks so much for watching and have a great new year!
Boss This is an exhaustive test you did right cheer. Good golly. It had to take a long time to put together, I was wondering how you didn't mix up the negatives for each camera LOL. Good work
Hah, it did take a minute for true.
@@FilmPhotographyChannel hey I don't know if you've ever seen the rollei XF 35 it's semi automatic exposure Rangefinder with 40 mm 2.8 sonnar lens. I've been testing it extensively the past few weeks and will have a review up at some point. It looks like the smallest Rangefinder I've ever seen and I'm curious why rollei didn't make more Rangefinder models
I see you're spending money again, lol. Man, that camera is a little jewel! I've looked at it before but was turned off by the f2.3 max aperture lens. At the time I was only looking at cameras with f1.7 lenses (like the ones in the video) . Little did I know what a great lens this camera has. Now your gonna have me spending money!
@@FilmPhotographyChannel if you'd like to see some images from it I reviewed the lomography sprocket rocket a few weeks ago and for kicks I compared that cameras plastic lens did the Rollies professional lens. No don't buy it my man, fight the gear lust. I bought it because I have a serious aversion to rangefinders not being able to see what the lens is doing certain other restrictions so I bought the camera to see what Rangefinder fuss is all about. It's definitely lighter and smaller and quieter
@@Raychristofer I'm actually binge-watching your channel as we speak. I see the prices have gone way up on the Rollei! When I was looking for one, they were all $50-$60; now they're all $150-300!! I'm definitely a rangefinder guy; have been for years. I don't know if you've seen my "Leica M6 is better than SLRs" video, but it definitely sparked some pretty heated debate! th-cam.com/video/ho1uQJR8q-E/w-d-xo.html
I have a Konica S2 that I got as a gift love that camera
Sounds like your version of the Electro35 needed some work. I do agree that the focusing patch on the camera I have always found lacking. In bright light situations one can sometimes get good focusing. I got my version (Electro35 GS) after my dad passed away. He bought it in London, England, in 1972 and I do love the lens which is the main reason I still have camera.
Really enjoyed your video. Down to earth talk about the good and bad of each camera. One question: why a zeiss lens over a say a 35mm or 50mm summicron?
I’m not sure why I used the Zeiss over the Summicron. Probably because the focal length is a little closer to the 40mm of the cameras that I tested. The video was really more about comparing the cameras against each other. If you watch my Yashica Electro35 solo review I mentioned that I had to send back the camera for repair. The guy I bought it from refurbishes them and sells them on eBay. It still has light leaks and a loose rangefinder mechanism that moved around when focusing. I agree that the lens is phenomenal. I used to dream about owning the electro35 when I was a kid. It’s a beautiful camera.
Always informative. What about the Olympus 35 SP vs the Leica? The would be a great comparison too! Thanks
Thanks so much. Sounds like a great idea. If I ever get my hands on one...
Olympus 35 SP for the win.
Great Video. I've been wondering about these fixed lens rangefinders. I had a Canonet, but didn't like it. I think I just had a bad copy because the general consensus seems to agree with your findings. Well done.
Glad it was helpful!
I think you are prob right on. The Olympus I thought would do better. It is the only one I didn't own. Canon was always my fave but I did love the feel of the bigger body Yashica. It just felt good. I don't rem just the 2 lights tho so maybe I had a slightly diff model. Great fun / wonderful trip back in time.
Thanks for checking in. It sounds like you enjoy these cameras as much as I do.
@@FilmPhotographyChannel Enjoyed! Mostly digital now but I do load up a roll once in a while. Enjoy your vids. Just got a m39 adapter for my Fuji's & have some old lenses to play with from way back when.
I'd be interested in a review of the Konica Auto S3. The lens is reputed to be second to none.
I just bought a Yashica Electo35 Gsn and a Canon Ql17 g3 over the last 2 days. I'm excited I'm glad my money went to cameras that were comparable to a Leica in any way. I know they aren't Leicas since Leica makes more then just images production it's an experince and everything inside the body with all the moving parts are grade a . But I can't afford that experince yet so I'm glad I can get somewhat in the ballpark with image quailty after this video I'll probably put a few rolls threw it and set it on the desk next to my other film cameras and primarily use my canon but who knows everyone's experience can be a lil different I may preference the yashica for some other reasons. Either way I'm excited to get them in my hands hopefully they won't get lost in the mail.
The price of admission for Leica cameras is not cheap! I traded a lens and a Zeiss Ikon 35mm rangefinder camera to get my first Leica M6. I still had to come up with $400 and that was over 17 years ago! The good news is that my current M6 is now worth over $3000! I guess my point is that if you pay a premium for something, it’s good that it keeps its value so you don’t lose money in the long run. Both of your cameras take EXCELLENT photos, especially the Canonet. In my opinion the QL17 GIII is the best fixed lens 35mm rangefinder that you can buy. In that opinion I factor in the durability also. I’ve dropped my Canonet on concrete and even though it had a nasty dent, it continued to function and without light leaks. The Yashica has a great lens but I experienced lots of problems as I outlined in the video. It’s a great looking camera which gets you admirers as you walk about because it’s simply beautiful.
Enjoyed your video sir! Nice style.
Thanks so much James!
I'm here to defend the Yashica! It seems that you have acquired a bad copy/poorly maintained version. I've just bought a Yashica Electro 35 GS (same as the GSN but without a hotshoe). I can't compare it with the others but the frame lines move smoothly and consistently. The shutter release is quiet and does not get stuck (look up "pad of death" for the likely cause). The light leak is probably due to the seals breaking down (an issue that affects most older cameras and can easily be rectified), either around the film back or underneath the rewind crank.
I appreciate your endorsement of the build quality of the Yashica. The Electro 35 was the camera that I dreamed about owning as a young child. I mentioned in the video that I sent this camera back for repair to the person I bought it from. He got it working again but it still had these issues. I did here from some viewers that they also have the stuck shutter problem. The Yashica just doesn’t have the build quality and durability of the other cameras in the field that I tested. It’s also true of the very popular Yashica 124G of which I owned two. When I finally bought a proper Rollei TLR, the Yashica felt like a cheap tin box. That being said, I like that it’s an Aperture Priority camera so I can dial in the f1.7 max aperture and get the wonderful bokeh in my photos from the awesome lens. Ate the end of the day, the photos are what matters and the GSN delivers!
@@FilmPhotographyChannel Thanks for the detailed reply. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that Yashicas have the build quality of a Leica. I only paid £27 for mine and, while I was probably a little lucky, I never would have got say, a Canonet, for that price, so that probably says something about it. Nevertheless, it seems like a decent camera and I just thought it was worth giving another point of view. Keep up the good work, I loved the format of the video!
Thank you for this comparison!
Thanks for the video, very useful! What do you think of the Yashica Electro 35 GX? This was i think the latest version of the Electro series, better than the GSN, and it's comparable to the Canonet Ql17 giii since it has almost the same size, 40mm f1.7 , parallax correction and light meter in the lens. I'm buying my first film camera and I'm trying to figure out which one would be best in between these two. Thanks!
I’ve never had the GX but if I had to guess I would think the Canonette would be a better choice. Besides the build quality the Canon lens is better (not by much) than the Yashinon based on my comparison video results. It looks like the GX has the same shutter as the GSN but I don’t know if it has the same issue. The GX is absolutely beautiful and I think would serve anybody very well. On a daily basis you would probably be perfectly happy with either but the Canon I think is probably the best ever in this genre. Hope this helps!
great video man, just got a Biogon 35f2 for my MP, cant wait to get the first rolls back from the lab
That is an EXCEPTIONAL lens. I absolutely love the color, contrast, 3D pop and sharpness from the Biogon. Congrats and enjoy!
@@FilmPhotographyChannel thank you i am so looking forward to get my scans back :)) also shot 3 rolls with my hassy 500cm that just came back from cla.
Awesome! Fun idea for a review/comparison.
Thanks, I enjoyed it once I figured out how I wanted to do it.
Yashica is super with the parallax correction. Your sample is faulty. Most probably the hair spring which is responsible for the function is not in place/groken.
I agree that it’s faulty. When I originally bought it I sent it back to the guy I bought it from and he repaired it but it later went bad. There’s a lot that I like about this camera still. This was my dream camera when I was a kid but I couldn’t afford it back then. It’s got a wonderfully sharp and contrasty lens and mechanical issues aside it’s a pleasure to use.
Nice vid! I’m interested in seeing a comparison of those 4 compact rangefinders to a Leitz Minolta CL, though.
Sure, if I ever get my hands on one.
cool 👍🏻
Thanks for this. I haven’t shot film in 20 years, but have been curious to pick up a film camera. I want to get into the Leica system, either film or digital, I know I would be happy with digital, but not sure if I would be happy with film. Was looking for cheap alternative to see if I even like shooting film.
Love the punchy contrast of the Minolta, I’m guessing it shoots great black and white.
Nice comparison.
You should have thrown the Canonet QL25 into the mix, it is so much better built than the QL17 and the view finder is just as good as a Leica - if you get one with a clear finder and a rangefinder mirror in good condition. The QL25 lens is also really sharp - on par with Voigtländer on Leica in my experience - you have to make sure the rangefinder is adjusted though, and it's pretty cheap as well.
Thanks. Unfortunately, I don't own the QL25 but I know that the smaller max aperture lens compacts usually yield sharper results.
Sunday morning here. Watch that video for the third time. Going to Flickr to check out higher resolution pictures. Good video...
Thanks for tuning in. I'm working on a couple of vids right now. I must've developed 6 rolls of film in the past 7 days!
Thanks for the comparison sir!
Q.
At 3:40 into the video. WHAT is the great bridge behind you?
That is the Woodrow Wilson Bridge on the Alexandria, VA side. Beautiful structure.
Thanks for the video! I know that these take a lot of time to produce, and with five rolls of film, you are investing a lot of your money for the sake of a test. I had the Canon and really liked the lens, but eventually gave it to a friend of mine when I got my M6. My Canon also had some internal issues and needed the seals replaced but for the most part still functioned. That Zeiss lens really is something though, I have the f/2 version and really like it. I am not suuuuuper impressed with the lens at f/2, and tend to shoot it at 2.8 or stopped down when I can, but I have found that f/2 to be nice when inside, and in those situations, the lower contrast and lesser image quality didn't seem to bother me.
One of the other comments was talking about the Rollei, I have the 35T and shot two rolls with it last weekend. It is a nice camera, mostly for the size, but that small size as I am sure you know comes with its drawbacks. As in no rangefinder. And with that, I think that you have a much different shooting experience, especially when you are trying to photograph people like I enjoy doing.
Hi Zach, Thanks for weighing in. I've been wanting to do a test like this for a while so I didn't mind using up the Ektar. This is my third Canonet QL17 GIII. The first one was damaged, the second one I got rid of when I bought the M6 (like you did) and the third one I'll probably keep forever. The Zeiss lenses are special and I chose the f2.8 over the f2 because of the much smaller size and the smaller f-stop lenses tend to be sharper. The trade-off of course is the f2 has much better BOKEH! As far as tiny cameras like the Rollei, I've yet to even pick one up, but any camera with a Zeiss lens is ok with me. That being said, I'm not a fan of zone focusing. I have a Minox 35MB which also has no rangefinder so I picked up a tiny shoe mounted rangefinder and just use it that way instead of estimating. I'll probably get a Rollei 35 one day.
I had a Canonet ql17. It had an excellent lens, but unfortunately, I didn't enjoy using it. I sold it for the same price I bought it for, which was great. I'm hoping to get a Leica M-A one day.
Thank you for an excellent comparison. If I were to do something similar, I would compare the following rangefinders that I own and use:
Argus C-3 #1 35mm rangefinder with 50mm f/3.5 interchangeable normal lens
Canon Canonet QL17 G-III 35mm rangefinder with 40mm f/1.7 fixed normal lens (48mm filter size)
Minolta Hi-Matic 9 35mm rangefinder with 45mm f/1.7 fixed normal lens (55mm filter size)
Contax G1 35mm rangefinder with 45mm f/2 interchangeable normal lens (46mm filter size)
Fuji GW670iii medium format rangefinder with 90mm f/3.5 fixed normal lens (67mm filter size)
With the exception of my Contax G1, all my rangefinders are battery independent because that is what I prefer. Batteries may be needed for built-in light meters but batteries are not required for actual picture taking.
I do not have a normal lens for my Leica because if I ever really needed to use a normal, I could always use one of my other rangefinders. Instead, I prefer to use a 35mm wide-angle as my go-to lens.
I was pleased that the Canonet and the Minolta were the top two contenders in your comparison. I have been very pleased with mine.
I have never performed a head-to-head comparison between my rangefinders but I am sure the 6x7cm medium format rangefinder would win because of its superb image quality.
Thanks. Great write-up.
Hi, nicevideo/comparation, I love your channel. No surprises here, I own those cameras and I knew the result. That said, I have to mention also that my Leica M6 is a
dream camera with any lens, no surprises here either. But a rangefinder from a little earlier 60's that positively surprised me was my fully mechanic, no batteries required
is my beloved Rank-Mamiya with EV number indicator to set the exposure and fitted with a stunning fix lens 40mm f:2.8 Mamiya-Sekor. The quality of the pictures
is on par with the best modern lenses I own. My darling Rank-Mamiya is in a pristine condition. I just had to mention it to you because I know you would like it.
Hi Rolando, wow what a great pull! I've never heard of this camera nor was I aware that Mamiya ever made a 35mm rangefinder camera! This is why I love getting feedback from film photographers out there. I will be looking into this camera and don't be surprised if you see a review posted on the Rank-Mamiya! Many thanks.
@@FilmPhotographyChannel Just to say that Mamiya have the Mamiya Rubi that is a top model, and a fold one Mamiya 6. Just look at it. Cheers 😃
I have a Canonet 17 quick loading and an Olympus SP. I liked your video very much.. You don't find this information easily.. Greetings from Spain.
Hello and thanks so much for watching and commenting. I love to get feedback on any of the cameras that I review. Please sub to my channel if you didn't already and greetings back to you my friend from the Washington DC Metro area!
Great work
Super . Really appreciated the information
Thanks!
That little Minolta 7sII is about $350-400 on ebay! Definitely not cheap. Very cool Rangfinder shootout! Thanks a Eric!
Wow! Prices have really gone up. I'm pretty sure I paid less than $200 back in 2012. Thanks for stopping by!
Not sure how the Olympus 35 SP would have fared in this comparison ?
In terms of image quality, probably near the top of the field since it has a 7 element 42mm f1.7 lens while the others all have 6 element lenses. I know that more elements doesn’t necessarily make a better lens but this is Olympus that we’re talking about and they make great glass. I’ve read a review that says it gives you the speed of a Summilux (close) and the sharpness of a Summicron; high praise indeed! I wonder how it would compare to the Canonet since it came out on top in my comparison.
Thanks!
superb collection, good review and comparison.......I think in this comparison Leica has lens hood and rest doesn't have, any way Leica build is ultimate all knows...
Nice vid .... very well put together!
Thanks so much. It took forever!
@@FilmPhotographyChannel Much appreciated. I figured the Canonet and Minolta would be tops. I've been binge watching your vids ..... Really good stuff and great collection!
@@WaywardAce That's awesome; Have fun!
Bummer I was hoping for one of the Nikon S rangefinders to be in your testing. :)
So many cameras, so little time...
Just found your channel today. Very informative stuff! Subbed.
Excellent. Thanks!
Great review mate it was a toss up between the canon and the oly 35-sp for me I went for the oly as that was available at the time no regrets 📷❤️
Thanks much. The Oly has a fantastic lens. I’m sure you’ll like it.
@@FilmPhotographyChannel Loving it mate getting some nice street shots out of it. I have a new vid going up at the weekend from my latest effort with the Oly It's a cracking camera. Cheers Paul
I’ll keep an eye out for your vid. Thanks
Film Photography Channel you’re a top bloke Cheers ❤️📷
olympus 35rd is a great option too. honestly the leica is better mostly because it can take a beat whereas these cannot that much. the image quality will not be much different if you use your camera well and clean
Thanks! Great video
Glad you liked it!
Great review thank you.
What would be a good leica lens to start out on ? Bought my m6.
With Leica it would depend on how much money you’re willing to spend. If you want a proper Leica lens, I like the Summicrons. ‘Crons are going to be an f2 max aperture and you can get a 50mm for less than your M6. Voigtländer makes the best wides for the Leica platform due to their great sharpness and tiny size. The Voigtlander 21mm color-Skopar is incredible. I have a 35mm Zeiss f2.8 Biogon-C which is an incredibly sharp lens also. The 35 crons are too pricey for me. I like my 90mm f2.8 Tele Elmarit for portraits. I hope this helps.
@@FilmPhotographyChannel I was thinking of maybe a 28mm focal length. I shoot street...Atlanta and occasionally I shoot my musician friends...my top budget plan was maybe 2400 at tops....I've been discovering that m as n of the other brands block the rangefinder which was very disappointing...cause I thought ok maybe this is the one....my street stuff is usually going to be black and white...color sometimes but k was worried about sharpness...music studios are sometimes lowlights....but I do shoot day and night street....u seem like one of the most knowledgeable brothers on this topic...live your videos...honestly why I'm asking your guidance bro. Thank you
Sincerely your lil brother
Patrick
What do you think about the 28mm elmarit?
It has a good reputation but I’ve never used one.
Zeiss ZM lenses have comparable or better optics than Leica lenses for about one-third the price when new. I had a 28mm and 50 f2 planar. They’re almost too sharp. They look great but the build quality isn’t as good as Leica. They aren’t bad in terms of build quality but not up to Leica standards.
Cool, thanks!
I want an M4, but my Konica Hexae has served me well.
Thanks for that. Very useful info
You’re welcome! Thanks for watching
Are all the pictures uploaded in your flickr account? Awesome video, as always :)
Thanks, I'm uploading as we speak. Should be about 10-15 min. I'm adding a link to the description.
Great content! Subscribed!
Thanks so much!
Watching someone burn through 5 rolls of ektar , in 2023, you might as well be testing baseball bats with Ming vases :)
You’re so right! When I made this video Ektar was $5.99/roll. Nowadays the prices have skyrocketed. I have precious few rolls of Ektar left in the freezer. I refuse to pay $15-$20 per roll that it’s selling for now.
@@FilmPhotographyChannel I got given a gift voucher for a photography shop after leaving a previous job recently. I got a good deal on a tripod, but had £50 left ($63), couldn't find much else on the site to buy, but the did sell film.
I bought 2 rolls of ektar, it didn't cover the shipping :D
Very informative review 👍
Thanks
Very useful my man thank you!
You’re welcome!
Does the Olympus 35 RC have that same good lense? And is it worth $25, I’m thinking about buying one?
The Olympus 35 DC has a great lens! I didn't rate it number one in this comparison because the Canon and the Zeiss lenses were (a little) better, but you will love the image quality, sharpness, and color from this camera. Based on the build quality, clear & sharp viewfinder and excellent lens, I'm not sure why it sells as cheaply as it does. Here are some photos taken with the Oly-35DC: flic.kr/s/aHsmArnfRo . Also, my in-depth review of this camera: th-cam.com/video/IHfkiEfrm3s/w-d-xo.html
I just bought the Olympus 35 RC for $20 bucks, it’s in good condition it’s a smaller camera than the one in your video. Do you know any info on it? Is it good? It looks nice...
@@johnnybenavidez5486 Great choice! The 35 RC also has a great 5-element 42mm lens, (one more element than most) albeit a 2.8 vs a 40mm 1.7 as in the 35 DC. It is very sharp. It has auto and manual modes and a similar smart flash system similar to the 35 DC. It won't let you take an over/underexposed photo so if you press the shutter and the photo doesn't snap, there's not necessarily anything wrong. It should be great fun to use.
I believe that the Leica thing is overestimated. Prices are just insane, while you can buy great cameras and take great photos with a Yashica Electro 35 and even with a Zorki 4K.
Absolutely true. It’s also true that you can take a really bad photo with a super expensive Leica. It’s definitely a “want” and not a “need”. The fact that Leicas are increasing in value is good if you own one. You’re not likely to lose any money if you ever sell it. I’ll have to mention two things: most people who own Leicas don’t think that they paid too much and the Leica mystique is very real. Every time I pick up my Leica (which I’ve owned for 10 years) I feel inspired to create something beautiful. And the fact that the camera is so well made and so simple to use goes a long way towards leaving everything up to me. Hard to explain but it’s very real; to me anyway.
Perhaps the Yashica needed new light seals? It's a common problem with older film cameras. I know this because I am, in fact, Spiderman.
Your secret is safe with me. The guy that sold it to me took it back to fix some things but I don’t remember having a light seal problem. In fairness, I’ve only seen the flaring when pointed directly at the sun like in the video.
Thank you! Really helpful:)
Me watching for the yashica “not quite as nicely engineered… but it’s the Spider-Man Camera” glad I just bought one😂
Great optics on that one too.
Thank you of this!!!
In 2021 thank you for this video.
I think your Yashica Electro 35 is faulty. The sticky shutter button and the lack of a "pop" or "clunk" during wind on means that the "Pad of Death" has gone gooey, so it's not gonna expose correctly. Happens to all of them and can be fixed, but it's very fiddly to do.
I bought this one as a "CLA'd" camera that even had the circuit board replaced. I was told by one of my viewers that his also had a sticky shutter although I've only ever used this one so I don't know if it's a common problem. The exposures from this camera have been spot-on; no problems there.
Interesting vidéo ! Like you a have a Leica and a couple of other rangefinder cameras. I own a Leica M4, camera that in my opinion has an even better viewfinder than the m6 (50mm more accurate at 2-3m and no 75mm frame in it…), with my only Leica lens, a 50mm 2,5 Summarit.
I saved a long time to be able to buy this camera and lens, and I don’t regret it. Yes Leica cameras are just the best. Perfect lenses, perfect viewfinders and rangefinders, perfect mechanics, etc.
Yes, but even if not perfects other cameras are also a joy to use and will deliver great quality pictures... I have a Minolta 7SII that I picked up for 4 euros in a garage sale … a very good camera indeed, but no, it’s not my favorite. The viewfinder isn’t great. No, my favorite among the non Leica rangefinders is… the Olympus 35 RC! I picked one up for a little more money, 25 euros at the big « braderie de Lille » , and for me it’s a great, great camera. Half the weight of the Leica, a quality 42mm photo lens that « only » opens at 2.8 but makes it much smaller (and at 2.8 still offers nice background blur…) The viewfinder is not bad at all, but of course not as accurate as the Leica and doesn’t have automatic parallax correction either. So to get a precise idea of what is really recorded on the film, I put the camera on a tripod and a small piece of tracing paper instead of the film... Here are the representations of the viewfinder at 0.85 and 2m, , even if you don't read french...
35mm-compact.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=55&t=59427
Knowing that really helps me frame my pictures better!
Otherwise another camera I like a lot is the Olympus XA… I found two for... no, I don't dare tell you the price because I'll start to piss you off! :)
Thanks so much for sharing. I enjoy my small rangefinders as well but as you mentioned , the rangefinders and overall build quality can’t touch the Leicas.
What is your fav 35mm film camera if you had to have one?
Probably the Leica M6. I think because I’ve had it so long and am so used to using it. I also like my Leica M3, Nikon F3, Canonet QL17GIII and Minolta HiMatic 7SII a lot but the M6 is my favorite.
@@FilmPhotographyChannel How about the MP black paint?
35 SP
This is a near perfect video. Thank you
Thanks so much!