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Anonymous
Hey /p/, what would you suggest as an inexpensive yet very good rangefinder camera?

I'm looking to get one, because I enjoy shooting film, but carrying around an SLR with hefty lenses gets annoying after a while.

Pic related. From what I've gathered, this is probably one of the better ones I can get (Canonet gIII ql-17), but I would like some suggestions for other options as well. I do already have a rangefinder, and old Argus brick, which I use, but I want something a little more modern and compact than that.
>> ac
I've got a QL17 GIII and, although I've only gotten a chance to send one roll of film through it, I absolutely love it.

I actually went through the same process you did a few months back. I'm guessing the unmentioned start of this quest was "Boy, I'd like a Leica" then "Boy, I'd like a rangefinder but not to be thousands of dollars in debt". ;)

The other one I tried out was the Minolta HiMatic 7s which was... less good. The manual controls are extremely difficult to use, and the thing's as big as a classic (I.e., pre-big-hand-grips-on-everything) SLR. Also, the lens was fucked up, but that's just a peculiarity of my particular copy.

So yeah, I'd say go for the Canonet. You'll be happy with it. Prepare to invest in a light seal repair kit as well, though.
>> Anonymous
GIIIs are nice, but the viewfinder leaves quite a bit to be deisred. The best value for the money in a rangefinder, IMO, is a Voigtlander Bessa R2. They're very good cameras and the viewfinders are about up to Leica standards. They run in the high $300 range.
>> heavyweather !4AIf7oXcbA
A Voigtlander rangefinder with a 40mm Nokton is m-m-m-m-massive win, and really fucking affordable. Another option is to find an old Leica CL in good condition, and find a cheap 40 or 50 Summicron to go with it. The Canon 7 is a pretty good option too, those are nice cameras, and you've got the distant possibility of picking up "the dream," the 50mm f/0.95
>> Anonymous
I bought a late 60s Minolta AL-F Rangefinder at a local op shop for 7$. Its beautifally made and a pleasure to use. You can find them on ebay for 10-20 dollars easy. They often come with a nice leather camera jacket so you can wear it around. As far as i can tell they are only cheap these days cause they were quite popular when they came out.
>> ac
>>48575
I've heard the f/0.95 sucks. Like the only thing it has going for it is the extra fraction of a stop, but the Noctilux pwns it optically
>> Teus !QbSstcPD6U
>>48661
yeah, the noctilux is much more modern and sharper
>> heavyweather !4AIf7oXcbA
>>48661
Well derr. But the Canon lens is a lot, and I mean a LOT cheaper. You will never hear me sully the greatness of the Noctilux. It's the finest lens ever made. But the whole M system is out of my price range for a long time.
>> Teus !QbSstcPD6U
>>48710
dunno. I heard the noctilux would be a bit soft on all apertures. but you buy such lens to shoot wide open or below f/2.8 anyway.