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Anonymous
Hey, /p/, I more and more am finding myself inexplicably drawn to rangefinder cameras, despite the fact that I already have 3 fully functional and kickass cameras (a D300, an IR converted D1, and a N90s). Where would be the best place to find an old Nikon rangefinder? I realize it won't work with my existing lenses but I'm a whore and want Nikon. What can I expect to pay?
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>> Anonymous
>What can I expect to pay?
Left arm and first born. Enjoy.
>> Anonymous
Aren't old Nikon RF stuff even more expensive than old Leica RF stuff?
>> Anonymous
If you're going to buy a rangefinder just buy a Lieca, you know you want to.
>> Anonymous
Ebay is your best bet.
Expect to pay about the same as you did for the D300. (Body alone)
Nikon re-issued the S2 in 2000 with some (very very great) improvements, look for one of those if you can.
They mostly went to collectors so they'll be expensive but they will also be fucking perfect.
I say they're a waste in the hands of collectors.

A Voightlander R3M or A would be much more affordable and still a great camera, under a grand with a good lens. Made in the same factory as the new Zeiss Ikon, really great cameras, look on Cameraquest.com to buy those.
PS. Fuck Leica.
>> Anonymous
Holy jesus fuck, I am NOT paying a D300 for a rangefinder body. Shit, I had no idea they were that expensive. I'd rather buy another D300 as a backup body or a fine-ass piece of glass.

Damn, so Nikon has nothing that can be considered "reasonable"? I don't specifically want the one that I posted a picture of, that was just convenient.

If there's nothing cheaper by Nikon, what other brands and models should I look at, other than this Voightlander? I really don't want to pay over $300 if at all possible, because I'd be using it for sheer novelty and nothing serious.
>> Anonymous
>>178037
You can get a working Zorki or Kiev with some semi-decent soviet glass for like $50-100, but the viewfinders and rangefinders in those are crap compared to what you can get from Bessa, Nikon and Leica. Or just get a compact rangefinder camera without interchangeable lenses, like Yashica Electro, Canonet or Olympus 35-series.
>> Teus !QbSstcPD6U
>>I really don't want to pay over $300 if at all possible, because I'd be using it for sheer novelty and nothing serious.
hahahaha, digital kids these days

$300 even doesn't buy you a Bessa with a reasonable lens.

>>but the viewfinders and rangefinders in those are crap compared to what you can get from Bessa, Nikon and Leica
ahem, the Kievs have a 90mm base length. Leica is almost 50mm, Bessa is 37mm. The longer the base length, the more accurate your focusing

early Kievs were good (before 1960 or something like that), later Kievs have poor quality control. for $50 you can get a verified kiev4, and for $100-150 a Jupiter-3. 50mm f/1.5, very fine lens but the same story for quality control

you can also go for a more compact camera with a fixed lens.
>> Anonymous
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>>178042
Yes it does.
New: Bessa R- $250 + $50 (And that's on the high end of the spectrum) Jupiter-8 from Oleg
Used: Bessa R - $190-200 + $70-90 Canon 50 (1.8 Serenar or 1.4 recommended)

<- My setup, $290 for new body and good condition lens.
>> Anonymous
>>178037
That's plenty reasonable.
These are professional cameras, absolute top of the line in every aspect.
For what you're looking for?
Get an old fixed lens RF. I don't know of any by Nikon, however Konica has made some amazing ones (S and S2).
Ignore all Kievs and Zorkis, there can be some gems, but it isn't worth trying to figure out which are gems and which are not.

The poster above me mentioned the Bessa R, and is completely correct, except that finding a Bessa R is very difficult right now.

Here is an article you should read that basically outlines all your options in your price range. http://www.cameraquest.com/com35s.htm
Good luck.
>> Anonymous
>>178054
Not that hard if you keep track of the classifieds of speciality forums...
But if you just want to try out an RF, a canonet is a classic starter.
>> Anonymous
>>178057
Good point.
Care to share any of those spots?
I'm sure APUG.ORG and RFF?
Anything else come to mind?
I'm sitting happy with my HEXAR AF and a Super Ikonta BX but trying to help a friend get into a RF system.
>> Anonymous
>>178054
Cameraquest is an excellent source for RF info, and Stephen Gandy is a great guys to deaal with.
/plug
>> Anonymous
>>178058
Basically just APUG and RFF actually. I don't post as much on apug, but RFF has a great community.
>> Serenar !m827jEgWi.
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Please don't buy a Nikon rangefinder - the most practical one for using (the S2 you've posted) is decent, but only has framelines for 50mm and is still rather pricey.

If you can't afford a Leica, but you want interchangeable lens fun at a higher quality than the Russian stuff (which is quite usable), go Canon. I know it means becoming a brand war traitor, but they're really the best choice at this price point if you're willing to buy secondhand.

For $100-150 you can get a Canon 7, and for another $100 a Canon 50/1.8 (pic very related). A well maintained Canon will be a vastly better shooter than any Russian RF (lever wind, crank rewind, swing back reloading, 6 switchable framelines, if you're lucky a working meter, etc), and takes cheap Russian, not so cheap Canon, and expensive Leica lenses, to give a very condensed list. If you don't need the extra features, a Canon VI-L or P would be a good choice too.

>>178012
Your facts are a little off. S3 was rereleased in 2000, and SP was rereleased in 2003. Quite a few people are shooting with them (though not nearly enough).

Also Leica's a cool company. Eh's really cheap secondhand and isn't afraid of anything (but buying new Leica stuff is for idiots)

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>> Teus !QbSstcPD6U
>>but buying new Leica stuff is for idiots
I'm considering to buy a Summarit-m 50mm f/2.5 new. super compact and as sharp as the latest summicron. only downside: it's not good for lowlight.. I might get another 50mm f/1.2, but in AiS and better condition
>> Anonymous
>>178106
Guy with his 'facts a little off' here.
Just wanted to second the suggestion of Canon rangefinders.
The P is one of the most beautiful cameras I've ever seen.
Wont cost you a child like the remade Nikons will.
>> Anonymous
>>178042
>ahem, the Kievs have a 90mm base length. Leica is almost 50mm, Bessa is 37mm.
Yes, but this doesn't help much when the rangefinder is small and dark and easily slips out of adjustment. Still, can't beat Kievs at price/performance ratio, especially considering that unlike FEDs, they're fully compatible with Western-made lenses.
>> Anonymous
>>178330
What about a used Summicron or Elmar-M? Either way, more functionality, for a lower price.

Leica stuff would be worth it if their after-sales service was better, but everyone sends their stuff to third party repairmen so it doesn't matter.
>> Anonymous
The Canon P and 7 are fine cameras, but they're not even in the same ballpark as Leica Ms. I would recommend them as an alternative if what you're wanting is a Leica M. If you want a decent, affordable, vintage rangefinder, they're a fine choice.

One major downside to the Canons is that they use Leica screw-mount lenses. That means if you want to use Leica lenses, you're limited to very old ones, not the ones that made the M cameras famous.

If you want a rangefinder for "novelty" just get a cheap old Minolta, Canonet, or Kiev. When you are able to appreciate a fine piece of craftsmanship that exceeds anything produced by any company in any industry today, then you can get a Leica M or Nikon rangefinder. As a bonus, you'll no longer think that $1700 is an unreasonable price.
>> Serenar !m827jEgWi.
>>178652
I wouldn't say that Nikon RFs are a big leap above Canon ones (even the new ones), but I agree that an M is really something else. But then in the grand scheme of things, $100 for a Canon 7 is nothing once you've upgraded to an M, and you might as well be shooting now as opposed to saving up.

Thread mount lenses work fine on an M with no functionality loss, so those could be kept when upgrading. I wouldn't call them a downside at all - Leica thread mount lenses were the ones that got E. Leitz Wetzlar famous, and they're pretty cheap too. Then there are more technically advanced Canons made after Leica switched to the M mount, and yet more modern Voigtlanders made recently.

Then again, it's not like an M has to cost $1700. I'm considering getting a nice user condition M4-2 for $800, and I saw a beat up but functional M4 for around $850 at the same store. Then there are deals like the M3 that just went on RFF, which sold for $920 with a 35/3.5 Summaron and MR meter.