Building a Budget 35mm Film rangefinder under $100
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 3 ต.ค. 2024
- Building a budget 35mm rangefinder film camera under $100! In this episode I set out to build a rangefinder film camera for under $100 to show that you don't need top spend an arm and leg to have a quality camera. The build in this episode is one of the best rangefinders in my opinion out there and in the next video I will be showing you guys the results and how it performs so please drop a like if you enjoyed this video and subscribe for more film photography!
Amazon affiliate links - Any purchase made through these links will give me a small amount)
RANGEFINDER ACCESSORIES:
Lens Hood 1 - amzn.to/3LyBBhD
Lens Hood 2 - amzn.to/3xszlSS
Rope Strap - amzn.to/3LyBS49
Soft Shutter release - amzn.to/3eUt6RD
Light Meter - www.kekscamera...
ACCESSORIES:
Kodak film holder - amzn.to/3uGbCO4
Tiffen ND filter set - amzn.to/37fdQuY
Peak Design Strap - amzn.to/3O7d2sT
Go Pro Hot shoe mount - amzn.to/3uF4ZM9
Go pro hero 10 - amzn.to/38CQmQP
28mm Viewfinder - amzn.to/3M6h16X
MY FILM RECOMMENDATIONS!:
Portra 400 - amzn.to/3IM530u
Portra 400 (pro-pack) - amzn(Amazon affiliate links - Any purchase made through these links will give me a small amount)
MY FILM RECOMMENDATIONS!:
Portra 400 - amzn.to/3IM530u
Portra 400 (pro-pack) - amzn.to/3iGQVLl
Kodak Gold 200 - amzn.to/3IKnDWA
Kodak Gold 200 (3-pack) - amzn.to/3Llo0bQ
Fuji Superia 400 - amzn.to/3wI5Vkc
Lomography 800 - amzn.to/3IJjsuj
Ilford HP5 - amzn.to/3JMMc6M
Buy the Ricoh GRIII - Ricoh GRIII - amzn.to/3rT3WnK
Fuji Xpro 3 - amzn.to/37ptwLT
Camera Bag (small) - amzn.to/3n9iJtq
Camera Bag (Large) - amzn.to/3b2jU8B
Sigma 35mm 1.4 DG DN Art - amzn.to/3pR5Oxj
Ricoh GRII - amzn.to/3ajPfnO
Ricoh GRIII - amzn.to/3rT3WnK
DEALS:
Rope Camera Strap - amzn.to/36CZuk1
Rope Strap (cheaper) - amzn.to/3ptnZZi
Bulk Loader (the one I use) - amzn.to/32FMMzu
100ft Ilford HP5 - amzn.to/3nlBZ5r
Voigtlander Light Meter - amzn.to/3nnZdYI
ND Filter/step down rings (The one I use) - amzn.to/38FAHOJ
My favorite Film Stocks:
KODAK COLOR PLUS - amzn.to/2PRUu2J
PORTRA 160 - amzn.to/3cQdrfi
KODAK GOLD 200 - amzn.to/2xocWdO
PORTRA 400 - amzn.to/2Q0MbCi
LOMO 400 - amzn.to/2XuVten
FUJI SUPERIA 400 - amzn.to/2XGWlwL
ILFORD HP5 - amzn.to/2Xxadcv
CINESTILL 800T - amzn.to/37jYlO1
TMAX P3200 - amzn.to/30pEc7U
DELTA 3200amzn.to/3feAuls
MY EDITING RIG:
My computer - amzn.to/3eWDz9j
Editing mouse - amzn.to/2CPwQ3Z
Clicky Mechanical Keyboard - amzn.to/2WXuyXp
4k Monitor - amzn.to/30KAAvS
SSD (for editing) - amzn.to/3jGNS56
Landscape Essentials:
ND Filter/step down rings (The one I use) - amzn.to/2WAKv5N
Shutter Release Cable - amzn.to/2OC0mMS
My favorite Landscape Film - amzn.to/2ODPDSi
Hey King. I love your videos! I’m a 75 year old, who’s been shooting digital for the last 20 years. I’m just now getting back to film, which I shot for the first 40 years or more.
Your videos have been a great inspiration to me.
I think that rangefinder is my next project!
Many thanks, and blessings to you!
Can confirm; a DIY light seal job, soft release, good strap, and hood make a WORLD of difference on a low-budget rangefinder. My Kiev 4a is heavy, but an absolute blast to shoot
What material do you use to replace the light seal with?
Konica Auto S2 - sharp 45mm f1.8 lens, great viewfinder with parallax correction, quiet shutter, very beautiful with integrated hood, 55mm filters, sturdy, manual override, some say kind of big and heavy. Cheers!
The ql17 is a great camera! It's sibling the ql19 is also great with basically all the same features just with a f1.9 lens. Also for anyone that doesn't know or notice if they get these camera's they have a quick load system so they're similar to loading the more modern auto film camera's. Super easy and quick to reload.
QL19 also have a 45mm lens :)
I have that camera, actually with a similar setup. I cannot say anything bad about it, it has absolutely delivered and i expect it to continue to do so. Also, keep up the great work ❤️
Too funny. My best friend (40 years ago) had this camera. It works....very well. And, will serve you well. Also, it has a leaf shutter, making outdoor fill flash in broad daylight much easier. Congrats.
Just found one of these cameras in my dads old desk and currently devouring everything online to make the most of this new found tool. Great video as always!
The vented lens hood is definitely the best for a rangefinder. Since you're looking through the viewfinder and not the lens, like with an SLR, the "vent holes" are designed to give you more view for composition, less obstruction, when shooting. I use one with my Yashica Electro 35 GSN.
I've always thought the vented hoods are made that way to not block the rangefinder window? The one that casts the double image. I wouldn't think that a non vented straight walled hood would make that much of a difference to the composition considering the viewfinder is often on the far left on most rangefinders
@jamesal6138 The lens hood is still in the way. Vents help you see the bottom right corner more than a regular hood.
It defeats the point of a $100 setup to go and put a light meter on top that's over $100 in its own right.
He could have used the camera's light meter and it'd be fine, the expensive meter is for hid convinience
Shut up dude! You do realise who this guy is? You do realise his father is the guy who personally taught Vladimir Putin the sunny sixteen rule when Putin was a young lad? How do you feel now? Be honest!
Yes this is not under $100 I would have taken the time to get batteries and see if the light meter worked or just buy a hood and strap and sunny 16 it
@@vgg175 it still defeats the purpose of the video to have it, it was about the setup not slapping a meter on the top which is In itself the same value of the setup.
@@mgman6000 agreed, a wein cell doesn't cost that much in the grand scheme of things and if you balk at the cost of a wien cell you could always use a zinc hearing aid battery and a spacer for less than $5 for 6
you should post some results! the lens on the ql17 is ridiculous, I really feel like it's one of the more slept on, affordable 35mm options out there
Yes Please! Was sad not to see some pictures from the test roll or a teaser vid/plug for a complete video about using the $100 budget rangefinder camera! I’m still scrolling through your entire video list…
The price of these whipsaws wildly. Sometimes they go high, a month later cheap.
I'm so glad people haven't found out about the Yashica Electro 35 CCN. The only 35mm f/1.8 fixed lens rangefinder as most others were 40-45.
Note that 35mm f1.8 lens on the Yashica 35 CC/CCN is radioactive though. There's a TH-cam video of someone testing it with a geiger counter.
Kievs and Feds are ten a penny .... I found a Kiev complete with a Industar 50 at £30 in a UK antique store.
The QL however is a hell of a lot nicer ... I'd rather have an Olympus 35 RC though.
Great video ...
Yep)
Found one of these at an estate sale for 25$ . Functional and in great condition . Amazing range finder
I have just purchased this camera fully refurbished and I really excited to seeing the results. I'm travelling to Spain in December and want to carry light so for me this was a great change to my Leica. Amazing content as usual 👌
Canonet, Yashica Electro and others are good starter rangefinders but with a bit of Ebay skills, you can pick up a Canon 7 and 50mm 1.8 ltm lens for about $150.
Agreed. They are cheaper than dirt for some reason. I bought two for around $100, and one had been serviced first. The self timer broke soon after I bought it but so what.
Don’t sleep on the Yashica Lynx14!!!
I bought a yashica electro 35 gs from 1976 for $70 and it came with a whole bunch of extras and it's such an awesome camera! It also came with the original receipt with the address and name of the original owner 😊
Old voigtländer rangefinders are nice
Nice camera. I hope you gave the ebay seller good feedback for addition of the flash, prompt postage and good packaging. The black lens hood is more practical, but the silver, vented hood looks cool.
I have that exact flash I got when I purchased a Vivitar XC-30, never used it but it is on a shelf. It's a great looking little thing.
Your Canonet est certainly broken. Or will break. Let me explain. I don't know why, but Canon decided that you should push a little metal lever to put the camera in Bulb mode. The direct result of this design choice is making people force putting the camera in Bulb mode and by doing so, bend the metal part that connect the speed dial to the speed mechanism inside the camera.
How do I know this ? Your speed is misaligned to the white marking. It can never break, but it's safer to know for people who want to get this camera.
I own one and love it. Not the G3 version, but all Canonet suffer from the same problem. So if you see a Canonet for sale and the speed are misaligned, go away, it's basically a lemon.
Dayum I've been looking for one of those for the past year. I haven't bite the bullet and dropped $100 or more for one. I remember seeing these on eBay for $30 or more it's insane how pricey these have got.
Just whatever you do don’t try to use the timer. Bricked my QL 17 that way
I bought a ql17 that was stuck in the timer position not running. The solution: Spray electronic cleaner into the opening near the self timer. And never touch it again.
apparently the goal was to make a ql 17 canon look customised.
imo, adding that light meter atop the hot shoe ruins everything (esp considering that the camera has an inbuilt light meter that will in all probability work if you merely replace the old battery.
Sold mine because I prefer slr but they are nice cameras for sure
Those vented lens hoods are used if a solid hood would obstruct the rangefinder window especially on Leicas.
Love the build, I have one with a working light meter. I need to show it some love and you have inspired me.
your channel is GOLD
I honestly feel like a Minolta Hi-Matic E or F would have been a slight improvement on the Canonet! But the two are very similar. Several experts have said the 40mm Rokkor-Q f/1.7 fixed lens is a tad better than the Canonet's lens. I had one about 20 years ago I bought for $5 at a thrift; it got left behind in a move from NM to VA. I just bought a replacement this spring. I love them!
Sweet video! I think a cool idea for a video could be about the FED3. It is a low budget range finder from Ukraine. Keep killing it! You're a huge inspiration!
I've been shooting the QL 17 for years, and recently put it down to give my Oly 35 RC some game time. I will admit that I miss my Canonet, bit the 35 RC although is a bit small, has a sharp lens and is super budget friendly.
I have a canon 7, very happy with it
rangefinder results and experience video pls!!
Hell, didn’t I watch a Canonet video of yours already? Love it!
I have a Kodak Retina IIa, which is a fixed lens rangefinder (technically you can swap out the lens element) and it's one of my favorite film cameras I've ever shot. Last I checked it was like 60 on eBay.
Already had and wanted to add it. “Wink wink”. Lol nice product placement
this video should be named buying accessories for your rangefinder lol
Owned a black paint Q17 G3, was nice, but interchangeable lenses are a must, so Leica was the choice by end of the day.
Lately I am having tons of fun using a similar setup with a Konica Auto S2 (fully manual / beautiful 45mm 1.8 Hexanon lens) and the Hedeco lightmeter.
RIP QL17 prices 😆I've got a Datematic that is nearly identical.
What material do you use to replace the light seal with?
Ricoh 500G the manual choice, Cosina 35 for automatic exposure. I got nice results from both of these compact rangefinders.
I also have a Yashica Lynx 1000 but it's very heavy and bulky, a small SLR like a Pentax ME Super or Cosina CT-1 Super are probably a more versatile choice at that point and they're lightweight too.
I always use my Petri Color 35 even though it doesn't have a rangefinder.
what material do you use for light seals?
I just got the canon canonet QL17 and I can’t wait to use it 👏
What is the difference between this camera and the cabinet 28?
You need the torch on the other side of the glass to see haze etc. Do these cameras have a B setting? That‘ll let you see through.
that looks like a decent little light meter, would work great on my Rollei 35. il have to look more into it and wait for your review on it.
Funny, I have that exact camera (I think… 40mm f1.7?) and figured it might be a Canonet. It’s an awesome one to take pics with. My go to these days though for just portability is the Olympus XA2.
If you run into the shutter issue like I did with the Canonet, I can vouch for Lezot Camera, as they fixed mine up real nice! It’s hard to find a shop that can do the work on it because the way the lens is build you have to get at the shutter in a very awkward way
I wouldn't consider replacing light seals & buying accessories as a build. You might as well call it a rangefinder accessories video.
I usually put a clear filter on to protect the lens. It’s cheap.
That camera for $70 is quite a bargain, particularly if the meter works. As he notes, having to lean the light seal which have turned to goo is standard operating procedure for this camera. Replacing them is very simple if you have the right foam material to make the new seal strips. Of course, if the meter doesn't work, you can use a hand meter and set both shutter and aperture manually. The original Canon hood for the camera was a ventilated type. Finding the original hood would be next to impossible, but after-market versions will work fine. The cost of the meter he's looking is more than the camera total expense, but very fine choice.
The silver lens hood looks better on that camera
Nice video. I have the same camera with a working meter. Amazing pics. After 6 rolls in the summer sun without a lens hood I think I've had maybe one or two shots with any noticeable flare. I'm going to skip the lens hood as I feel it's not necessary from my test rolls. What I did do is take the vintage metal canon lens cap and UV filter off of my Canon FL 50mm 1.8 lens and put it on my QL17 Giii as they share the 48mm filter size.
Cool video man! I love looking for those cameras that give you way more bang for your buck rather than going for the super hype cameras haha
Kiev 4! Best £100 rangefinder
Sorry forgot to write: the camera does not accept neither a strap nor a lens hood. The lightmeter is of old type and does not need a battery. There's a kind of calculator dial so you can chose a shutter-speed : f-stop combination to your liking ........................... And I like that camera!
Very cool :)
Sample shots pls.
What’s the difference between this Cannonet and the regular one ?
Does that vented hood get in the way of the viewfinder? I picked up a 48mm Quantaray rubber collapsible hood in the $1 bargain bin at Coastal Film Labs and it blocks half of the split image rangefinder, so the prism shows part of the split image and the other part is just the black hood. Does the venting help with this or is it still in the way?
great video man
Nice work! It will be interesting to see what kind of results you get. I would not have had the patience to wait and take some test pictures once I had the light seals fixed. Kudos for using an actual box opener instead of scissors to open the eBay box. :)
If you can build a box with a Leica mount, all that matters is the lens.
I have a Canonet QL17 G-III for sale on my eBay page, well it’s an auction but it works well.
I own one of these and the lens hoods intrude too much into the viewfinder frame.
Some sunny day, you will discover the Soviet rangefinder cameras and realize you missed out while they were cheap.
Vented lens hood by far the best look.👍👍
I wish I woulda seen This b4 I bought my canon P 😭
You bought trinkets. You din build sh*t 😂
Lol I picked one of these up for $35 at a Thrift Store. Works Flawlessly too. You got me on the SD1000, but I won this round brotha lol
The rope color is perfect!
I have this camera and I love it but I do find it difficult to focus quickly because the viewfinder and focus patch aren’t super bright. Do you have any suggestions on how to help with that?
I have a few friends who put a tiny square of black electrical tape on the front of the viewfinder lens to help with things like that. You just want it to cover the rangefinder patch and focus by aligning the center patch with the outside image, just like on an SLR with a focus prism on the groundglass.
@@Francois_L_7933 sweet, thank you so much for the tip! I will definitely try it out 👍🏼
Broooo. I literally had this camera in my watch list and even cart at one point. I ended up picking a Ricoh 500G I stead because I got a stupid good deal on that but I’ve looked at that listing several times!! So funny!
Love what you did with it. Doing the same thing on the Ricoh right now.
you have the patience to change the light seals but you do not, as you yourself say in the video, have the patience to go out and buy a suitable battery for the camera???
Name your top budget rangefinders 👇🏼, GO!
Hi-matic 7, 7s, or 7sII
Gold plated leica m6
Canon 7 rangefinder
Konica S3, Yashica GX and Minolta CLE
Yashica Electro GSN. Not completely manual, but that SS is stepless and the 40mm lens is sharppp 🤌
You can buy a Yashica Electro 35 for even less and it is hassle free… Just sayin
Always love your videos
Fungus on the lens are outtacontrol... Clearly visible... xD
For $70 that’s a steal… cause they definitely go for more on eBay
That’s a $100 range finder i would of just bought the battery lol nice video though I did most of this with my yashica minister iii
1000 times better than Bushnell
Where is your M2
I just picked up a FED 4 for $6.49 at my local Goodwill, it seems like it's in nearly perfect condition. I'm just a little scared to actually use it.
I have the successor to that camera the fed 5. They're great little cameras. Make sure to advance your film before you set the shutter speed though. That's a common issue with them that can mess them up if you're not aware of it.
Definitely try it out. Just don't point it at the sun as it can burn a hole in the shutter. And like WorldInThe Statham said, wind before adjusting the speed. That applies to all Soviet rangefinders and all Leicas before the M series.
I have a problem 😭 how tf did I know it was a Canon QL even before the reveal? 😂
Look no further than a Soviet Fed2 and Jupiter 8. Probably cost you $50-70.
Way more than capable camera,i would put it against a leica any day,for what you get,fast standard lens between a 35 and a 50, built in light meter,aperture priority and great build and size,it's a no brainer,and thats from a guy that has 2 of them as well as two leica M bodies and a a few iconic rangefinders (canon7,contax iia,iia leica iif )etc
You’re a happy consumer!
Yesterday I was lucky, found an FED-4 rangefinder camera. It is similar to a Leica M4. Look here: th-cam.com/video/UuA-fMUcSUs/w-d-xo.html - I just paid EUR 17,50 on a flea market. It came with a film, but I discovered that when I tried to figure out how to load film. The outside condition was very well, all I had to do was to clean the viewfinder.
Check prices on electro 35 range finder realise you could have done it for cheaper and cry
Great channel, but how is this exactly "building" a camera? You bought an existing one and refurbished it. Awful clickbait title.
Petri Color Corrected 2,8 is the best under 75$ rangefinder CHECK IT OUT
I love the content except these budget videos. Its cool to say "i got lucky finding this under $100" but the title wording always makes it seem like its something easily repeatable to a beginner. I couls say I got "the best camera you can find for $25" which is a Minolta Maxxum 450si with a 50mm 1.7f lens (same guy has a maxxum 9 for $160 and had a maxxum 700si setup last week for $25), but thats purely luck. The budget on these cool old cameras isnt what matters, its the cameras themselfs. If you did a straightforward review of a camera and cut out the hype up, it would be easier for people who find that camera to also find a youtube video about it.