Rangefinder Camera
Which 35mm rangefinder camera would you suggest?
I've just started to get a little interested in photography and I don't really know cameras out there. I've looked at canonet ql17 and that's about it. Any suggestions for cameras?
PS: If it's not obvious, film only please 
Pluto, you have to first decide what your budget is, if you have any interest in particular brands, what you are going to use the camera for and what features you want it to have before anyone can actually give you a useful opinion here. As of right now, people are just telling you what they like (such as the guy above me who is obviously just obsessed with Minolta,) which may not have anything at all to do with what you like or can afford. Interchangeable lens rangefinders are generally very costly. Much more so than the Canon QL17. But then the cheaper cameras can be a gamble! This is a big thing to consider, particularly for someone starting out.
In any case, here are some suggestions:
If you want automatic exposure to some degree:
Voigtlander Bessa R2A, R3A, R4A, (around $600 new for the body only, then you'll need at least one lens which can cost around another $300)
Zeiss Ikon ZM (around $1600 without lens)
Leica M7 (around $5k without lens)
If you want automatic exposure to some degree but cannot afford the prices above:
Leica or Minolta CL or CLE ($500 without lens)
Canon Canonet QL17, 28 or whatever model of the Canonet series ($50-$200)
Olympus 35 SP (in my opinion, much nicer than the Canonets but bigger, $50-$200)
Yashica GSN Electro (good for shooting in lower light, $50-$150)
Minolta Hi-Matic 7s (cheap but effective, $100 or less)
Olympus XA ($60 or less) tiny, pocketable rangefinder, maybe not so great for learning on but a good second camera or for travel
Contax G1 or G2 ($200-$300 with or without lens) also features auto focus and other auto features
If you want full manual only and a light meter (there are also many meterless rangefinders out there but perhaps too many to list!)
Kodak Retina IIIc (from $50-$200) very "old school" folding 35mm cameras but accurate and fun
Leica MP ($5k without lens)
Leica M6 TTL ($1500 without lens)
Leica M6 ($1000 without lens)
Voigtlander Bessa R2M, R3M, R4M (around $600 for the body only)
There are many many other options but this list should give you an idea of the most common 35mm rangefinders out there. My price points should be within ballpark but don't be surprised if they're a bit off depending where you look.
Personally, if you're just starting out, I'd recommend the Olympus 35SP. It's a better built and more functional camera than the very popular and perhaps often overpriced Canon QL17. It's meter works in both manual and auto modes whereas the Canon does not display the meter in manual, seems dumb to me because that's when you'd want it! Also, it's important for a new photographer not to rely on auto features. The Olympus is well-built and I don't come across them broken much but often come across broken QL17's, Yashicas, Minoltas and other of the cheap RF's mentioned above. The Olympus 35SP has a fresnel viewfinder, which is crucial to decent rangefinders; something else the Canons lack but Leicas, Voitlanders and Zeiss have. The SP was my first somewhat serious rangefinder and is a cheap but good start into things. I would suggest not spending the big bucks until you are sure you want to keep going.
You can't go wrong buying new but buying used it common and not a bad thing either. But you have to be careful DO NOT BUY CAMERAS FROM EBAY OR CRAIGSLIST!!!! People who don't care about what you end up with suggest doing that all the time here but there is a whole art and craft to buying used cameras for cheap and getting ones that actually work and you are not there yet. Buy from a reputable local camera shop or find an online store such as KEH.com, CollectibleCameras.com or BHPhoto.com. There are others too if you look for them but these are the main ones.
35mm rangefinder photography is a beautifully historical, fascinating and engaging type of photography. It teaches and practices a unique discipline where you have to really think about what you are doing and interact with your subject in ways you wouldn't think of with a DSLR. It's not a path for everyone but everyone could learn something from trying it.
Feel free to email me anytyme with questions! I am a Leica/Voigtlander shooter but also own some of the models listed above. Good luck and have fun!
JohnnyMartyr@Hotmail.com
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