Anyone use a Rangefinder?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Aod
  • Start date Start date

Aod

Aod

Aod

Soldato
Joined
7 Oct 2004
Posts
8,662
Location
London
i'm thinking of purchasing a nice old 1970's rangefinder.
i've been trying to use my SLR to take photos of people unawares, but i was having issues focusing on people fast enough, even with a 28mm lens (which has a mahooosive dof)
aside from focusing issues, i'm vary wary of damaging my precious Olympii, so i baby them a fair amount, which has resulted in me missing a fair few good shots.
in addition, the SLRs are very noticeable, and very loud!

i've tried out a mamiya7 Medium format rangefinder, and the experience was rather pleasant, and i'm told that 35mm rangefinders are even better.

so, i was wondering if any of you guys could give my some advice/guidance/opinions or ideas.

:)
 
Last edited:
I don't yet, but I'm scouring the auction site for a Canonet ql17 Giii, should be able to pick one up for £60 or so, awesome bit of kit with a superb 40mm f1.7 lens.
 
I used to have a Canonet rangefinder;

canonet.jpg


These and similar can be picked up very cheaply - I sold mine for £25. Quality can be very high, the guy I sold mine to was a mountaineer and I heard from him that the canonet had become his first choice cam for high altitude work, chosen over his Nikon film slr and Leica M.

Focusing is very accurate but you would need to think ahead and practice to become quick at it.

I wish now I hadn't sold mine and just stored it but I hadn't used it for a long time. It was nice enough to take out and play with occasionally just because it had that solid mechinical camera feel :)

http://www.cameraquest.com/canql17.htm

http://www.photoethnography.com/Cla...eset.html?CanonCanonetGIIIQL17.html~mainFrame
 
freebooter said:
I used to have a Canonet rangefinder;

canonet.jpg


These and similar can be picked up very cheaply - I sold mine for £25. Quality can be very high, the guy I sold mine to was a mountaineer and I heard from him that the canonet had become his first choice cam for high altitude work, chosen over his Nikon film slr and Leica M.

Focusing is very accurate but you would need to think ahead and practice to become quick at it.

I wish now I hadn't sold mine and just stored it but I hadn't used it for a long time. It was nice enough to take out and play with occasionally just because it had that solid mechinical camera feel :)

http://www.cameraquest.com/canql17.htm

http://www.photoethnography.com/Cla...eset.html?CanonCanonetGIIIQL17.html~mainFrame
Click to expand...

thats what i'm hoping to get, but there are none going about.
you really shouldn't have sold it. they're not cheap anymore, with all the ones i've seen go for aboot £80
 
Inevitably they would go up in price after I sold :( It was about 3 years ago and at that time they were fetching much more money in the US but weren't in demand here. I was moving and needed to get rid of 'stuff', hadn't used it for years and had just bought a digicam and the light seals were going on the back (quite easy to repair but I didn't really want the hassle).

The ql17 gIII as I had was supposed to be the best of the Canonets but the other models were probably very good as well and from a quick look on another site ql19s seem to be available and v.cheap. Also do a bit of research and look for some other makes. IIRC Yashica made one that is supposed to be even better. That style of rangefinder were the compact camera of the 70s so there were a lot of different models produced.
 
Was going to suggest the Contax G range, G1 or 2, Being a range finder with autofocus and interchangeable lens, which are some of the finest you can get !!......BUT then I looked up the prices on auction .... OMG !!!:eek:
Fantastic bits of kit, wish I hadn't looked now, might want to extend my collection ..LOL
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom