I am totally infected with GAS and this video helped me make a wise decision not to buy an expensive piece of equipment (a high resolution overkill film scanner) and instead opt for a used "good enough" film scanner that has ok reviews (works, but not the very best) for less than 1/2 the money - Thanks for this video.
That is really nice to hear. I was wondering if my „PowerPoint“ intro will lead to less or to more views. But if it helped you, than this makes me really, honestly happy. 👋😊
I had a Canonet Glll just like that one in the video and I LOVED that camera. So small, compact, and the little click of the shutter was the perfect photographic experience. The pictures that it produced with that lens on it was fantastic, as well. Sure miss that camera!
The Leica CL is often overlooked- it is an Leica M-Mount camera, super compact and can sometimes be picked up for less then 400 € (normal pricing 400-800 €). I own two and love the compactness
Oh! This is really interesting. Indeed, I had no look into the Leica CL so far. With some nice Voigtländer lens, this could also be a very fine alternative. Thanks. :D
I absolutely agree with you. The whole canon P/V/VI/VII line is very nice. The old canon lenses are also great. I just got my first roll with the canon m39 50mm 1.4 back and the images are great. 😃
Best alternative to a meterless Leica money wise and build (loading it is miles ahead of the M system's). Sold mine to fund an M2. Prices, now, however are climbing as are all things in film.
Thank you. 😊 yes, the old Canon rangefinders would definitely fit in this list and would be on the higher places. But since I don’t have one of these (yet 😜) I had no experience and no footage of them. Maybe, they will be in part 2. 🙃 (There is no part 2 planned in the nearer future. 😙)
I have two more that would be in my top 5. On the one hand the Olympus 35 SP. It has an excellent lens, is fully manual, but can also be operated automatically. In contrast to the Canonet, it does not have an exotic filter thread (but 49 mm). It also has spot metering. Then the Werra 3. It has a pretty good range finder, frame lines in the viewfinder for all available lenses. For the Werra I have all three lenses, the 50mm Tessar, the 35mm Flektogon and the 100mm Cardinar. With the right setting, you can take great pictures with it.
Hi Thomas, thanks for your comment. Yes, I agreed with you. The Olympus 35 SP is the same level of quality. It Maybe differs in details to the Canonet. The Werra cameras are also very interesting. At the moment I have enough cameras to tell stories about, but at some point I will go into the Werra history, that is for sure. 👋😁
I have the Canonet QL19. I have no problem powering it with a standard 625a cell. It cost me £5 in a London market, the lens assembly being very loose, the repair was simply a matter of peeling back the leatherette and tightening the screws.
My QL17 had also a problem with the mechanics. The cranking lever blocked after 3 images. But fortunately I found the problem pretty fast. Had also to peel the leather and make a small pet moveable again. I am not sure about the QL19 but the QL17 needs 1.35V but to be honest: I haven’t tested it with 1.5V batteries, because I believe in the internet. 🖖😁
@@manugeee . You can get adapters which enable the use of hearing aid 1.4 volt cells. The battery on my camera goes in on edge, I don't know whether the models where the cell fits in flat are any different.
The Zorki 4 (and 4K) has shutter speeds from 1 to 1/1000 seconds. The 1/30 is located near the Bulb most likely because it's the speed for synchronizing with the flash.
I would like to nominate the Olympus 35 SP. Fantastic lens (42mm f1.7), rangefinder, light meter (including spot metering). I too lust for a Leica, but have gotten a lot of joy from this little beauty that is very affordable. Excellent topic and coverage. After think I had to pay for high priced digital cameras, I’ve returned to my roots & started shooting film again. First wish was medium format as I used to shoot with a Rollieflex T but wanted a single lens so went with the affordable Bronica SQ-AI system. Then 35mm and had always used Pentax (which I had given to my son), so went further back to 42M mount lenses and a Spotmatic which I’ve upgraded to a Bessa which I love. Long live film!
Exactly the Olympus was meant, when I said that the Canonet is one example for other similar cameras. Also really nice camera. 😄👍 As for the bronica, i also from time to time look for this one, but it’s not that cheap anymore and I still have a Yashica mat 124G and another 6x9 camera I will cover in my next video. ;-) And finally: Thanks for your compliment. 😊
Nice list and video! Some other candidates are: Konica ee matic Yashica Minister 700 Yashica electro 35 ccn Zeiss ikon Contessa folder 533/24 Voigtländer vitessa t
Your list is also very interesting. The contessa folder is a nice camera. The Yashicas seem also to be nice and not that common, Today. I have also a Kodak Retina IIIc with interchangeable lenses (or the half of lenses) and is colapsable. Thank you for your comment. There were some really interesting recommendations in it. 😁👍
I've got a Zorki 4 that is in pretty good shape, and another that has plenty of holes in the shutter. I really like that they are all mechanical, and the lack of a winding crank as seen on the 4K is not a big deal, but the one thing that really turns me off from using these cameras is that the rewind knob is probably the most annoying and inconvenient system I have ever used. It consistently takes me 3-5 minutes to unload a roll of film. It might help to have lubricate it a bit, but having to twist that little knob one turn at a time is just really terrible. Otherwise, it's pretty cool camera if you can find one in working condition.
Hi there, I feel with you. Pure mechanical cameras are very cool, when working correct. According to the rewind knob: did you try to pull it up for rewinding, or do you turn it in the collapsed position? I made the mistake too, the first time i rewinded a film with a Zorki. 😅😁
Your final recommendation of an R4 is interesting since on my own journey into Leica Land I ended up with an R7 and the 50mm F2 Summicron. I have more than a few 35mm cameras having collected them for over 45 years, and I find the quality of the output from the Leica to be the best of the cameras in my collection (Nikon [6], Canon [4], Minolta [3], Olympus [3], etc.), but I find the Contax RTSII with the Zeiss 50mm is pretty darn close. The only way I can improve on the output quality from there is to go to my Rollieflex 6008, but that is another game altogether. Nice summary video.
I feel with you. The last couple of years, I got more and more into film photography and gathered a lot of Canon SLRs over time. Also learned how to open them and so some repairs. As an engineer, this is really interesting for me to learn how they work. Especially the pure mechanical ones are so fascinating. I have not yet decided wether my Leica or my Canon is "the better" camera. A Canon F1N is close to the Leica R7. Same for the Canon T90 and the Leica R8. But the Leica has definetily a better user Interface and exterior finish. Contax Cameras seem also to be very nice and of high quality. But they are rare and expensive. But also highly interesting. :) Thanks for your comment.
I'm with you. My poor man's Leica is my mint Leica R7. It is an amazing SLR! The R glass is a half step below superb. My poor man's RF is a mint Canon P. Happy shooting.
@@Mountainmovingstudios I have a P too, plus a couple of others, none are Leica's. I am currently running a roll or two through a newly acquired Olympus 35 SP. We shall see if the lens quality is as good as everyone says. My 1st rangefinder with auto exposure making it very fast to deploy and capture.
I recently purchased a near-mint colour-dial Zeiss-Ikon Contax IIa with a Sonnar 50mm f1:2 lens. It cost me 50€. I already had a pre-war Sonnar f1.5 5 cm lens. Hard to beat, especially at that price. Only downside is that you are pretty much locked into Zeiss-lenses with Contax mount, and the good ones rarely come cheap..
That is a great camera and a great price. I have a couple of Kiev 4a here, but they all are somehow be broken. But these are also pretty beautiful pieces. Nice catch! 👍🙂
Thanks for your comment. 😁 I actually only have a list of German workshops. I am not shure from where you are. But maybe you can find a camera workshop near to you. Lenses, especially the older fully mechanical ones, should be repairable. Electronics are the problem, because these cannot be replaced that easily.
Interesting review. Zorky 4 is a discovery for me and seems interesting vs Leica 3 : real lever, detachable back easier to load better max speed and Jupiter made some great lenses. Then the Bessa R is really great (even if a little « plastic » ) and give access to the L39 mount where you can choose vintage look (canon are probably the best there), new and sharp ones (voigtlander 35mm is affordable) or Leicas … which are Leicas. Finally for SLR which is probably the best way to access Leica quality at low price I would advice to go directly to R5 which electronic is more reliable than R4 and with better functionalities. Be careful for Leica R lenses you must buy 3 cams lenses to get the metering at full aperture (there are still on the market 1cam lenses which are less expensive but not as easy to use (metering at real aperture). The sound of the Leica shutter is amazing and the choice in aperture mode between average or centered weighted metering is great. The viewfinder is also very good and makes focusing quite easy.
Hi there again, :-) Yes, you are right about the cam situation of the Leica R Mount, I went into the trap and bought a 2-Cam 135mm lens and found out about all the generations and possible mistakes. It ended in my latest video, where I put all this back together. 😁
In-terms of modern digital cameras, the Fuji X100V is an alternative to the Leica Q. Also the Nikon Z7ii (with 47 Mega Pixels) is the alternative to the Leica SL-2.
Agreed. The Fuji is really great and a joy to shoot. Stunningly good image quality and I like the colours very much. For the Leica SL series: for me it’s just an alternative to the other mirrorless cameras on the market. I don’t see any huge advantage between a Leica SL, Sony A7x, Nikon or canon camera. They are all up to date and only differ slightly. One is as good as the others. But the Nikons are really nice. Had a Z7I in my hands a while ago and the viewfinder is so much better than my Sony A7 III‘s.
I bought a Leica R8 a year ago. I was very good for 9 rolls of film. Then it got a problem. Now it is waiting for me to fid somebody to fix it. I guess it will be cheaper to buy an R3-R5 to use my lenses 😊. By the way I also have a Canon model 7. It is a wonderful camera, and it is fitted with the same 50mm f1.4 lens you have on the Bessa-R
Dont scare me. I also recently found a Leica R8 and hope it will ist a long time. 🙂 I also saw the canon Models and they have definitely a place on my „want to have“ list. Really beautiful cameras and as I have already a lens for it, I think on some day, I will get one. 🙂
I didn’t really miss it but meant especially the Olympus 35 when I said that there are others like the canonet. I my mind both are of same quality with maybe minor differences. But both are still very excellent. Thanks for your comment. 😁👋
Thanks for your compliment. 😊 I started with the R4 in the video, but it is already a very capable camera with a lot of modes. The leicaflexes are fire sure also very oldshool but for sure of high quality. 2-cam lenses are also cheaper to buy. 😉
Understandable. 😁 I just got a 135mm elmarit and a pretty rare Sigma Mini wide 28mm 2.8with R mount. I am not that sure about the last one, but having 28mm / 50mm and 135mm is a great range, I think.
Forget the Zorki 4K. I've had four of them (hoping each time that I'd found a good one) and they all failed. The Zorki 4 is the better product, but not by much. The Industar lenses are fine though. For more information, check out Zenography (Russian Rangefinder Group Test).
I think with these old cameras there is always a certain risk potential, if they still work or not. Maybe there are some Zorki 4, which had a better quality during the production time. For shure at the end, everything available in their stores was used to build a camera. Working or not. Therefore I think every camera has to be tested. But maybe the chances are better with the Zorki 4s than with the Zorki 4Ks. 🙂
Thanks for your request. There won’t be a video about the Yashica Electro 35 gs the next time mainly because I don’t own one. And there are also a lot of other projects waiting on my shelf. So be excited. The next video is almost done. 😁
I have got the Zorki 4K and a FED 2 (you forgot to mention the FEDs that are also very Leicable), though one of them have started to misbehave (shutter problems) and now suddenly, the Leica clone is no longer a Leica when looking for a repair shop. Being no pro when it comes to photo and cameras I still would throw in the old Soviet Kiev cameras (Contax copies I believe) and another German darling - AKArette. Edit: Got a list of various FEDs and ZORKIs from an Italian guy, who pointed out which models were better and what issues to be expected from other models. If interesting I can look for that list and share it.
Hello Magnus, Yes, the old FED cameras are not mentioned in this video. You are right. I think it’s mostly because I don’t own a FED because I found the zorkis nicer without knowing why. Talking about the Kiev, I totally agree with you. In fact I have in total 3 Kiev 4/4a at home. But only one in a condition which makes it worth to test a film. The other one has definitely to slow exposure times and the last one is disassembled for a Video project I tried. When the working one proves itself, there will be an own video just for the Kiev at some point. The AKArelle was never in my focus, yet. Thanks for that Tipp. 😁👍 For the list of FEDs and Zorkis: Yes, please. If you give me the link, I will put it into the video description, as well. 👋😊
@@manugeee Sorry no link, but this message from a nice Italian guy from Italy: First: Zorki 1, early Zorki 4, Zorki 5 and Zorki 6 have the better silk curtains. Really made to last. My Z1, Z4 and early Z4 have their curtains like new. The latter Z4 (and 4k) have good curtains; the quality is not superb as the previous models but I never have had a problem with these). Fed 2 (early models, not the one similar to Fed 3) has also very nice curtains. Fed 3, 4, 5 have bad curtains: after few rolls I needed to repair a microhole in two Fed 3, in two Fed 5 and one Fed 5B. Avoid these models. Every soviet camera need a professional CLA: you need to substitute the old grease with a new lubrificant. After this CLA thei works very well.
I used to own a Minolta 😂CLE rangefinder in the 80s. Used to get great images with it, but I had problems using the rangefinder with my eyesight. No idea if they are available anywhere now. Edit: I just found a video comparing the Minolta CLE and Leica CL ua-cam.com/video/4LZyHJEp7X8/v-deo.html
Hi there, thanks for your comment. 😁 They seem to be rare. I quickly googled them and found some with a 40mm lens for more than 1000€. That is quite a price. 😅
Would recomend Kiev 4, ints a contax clone but it has one of the biggest viewfinder magnifications of all rangefinders, 30% more than leica making it very good for fast lenses
I agree. Unfortunately the 3 Kiev 4, I have here at the moment, all have broken ribbons of the shutter. One seems to be working now but I am still skeptic with the exposure times. The other two are definitely not working at the moment. Therefore I didn’t put them into the video. But if But when they are working, they are nice cameras. 😁
@@manugeee In the next time I make some pictures with this camera. She would been built in the later sixties. Very interesting is her optics. Yashinon - DX, 1:1.4, f =45mm. You can search her. But she is very seldom, because she was very expensive. Greatings from Germany.
Hello Garvin, you are right. The old canon Rangefinders are on my bucket list for somewhen in the future. Those are really beautifull cameras and they would fit to the 50mm m39 lens, i have. :)
I had none of these in my hands yet, but I am looking for a good offer for a while now. But my g.a.s. Is not that strong at the moment, because I have so much stuff to work on at the moment. That the Olympus has to wait. 😅😇
@@danielduffey8680 ah i didn’t knew this. I am not so much into moon travels. (And Tour de France)😜🤪 But yes. You can have fun with each of these cameras and make good photos. That’s the important part and the reason I have so much stuff. 😅
Hi Diane, thanks for your comment. 😄 yes, the R9 is unreasonably priced as well. In my comparison i focussed on the old fashioned classical SLRs. The R8 and R9 are somehow special and a topic for themself. But in general you are right of course.
@@manugeee & Diane the R8 (which is for me probably the most beautiful film manual focusing machine) is far more reasonable than the R9 for more or less the same functionalities and usually less expensive (around 500€) and more easy to find than the overpriced 6.2. But true that the R5 is far more affordable.
@@philmtx3fr yes. The Leica R8 is also a really great camera. I had not the time to shoot a roll of film with it, yet. But she already appeared in my latest video about the Leica R Mount. 😇
Thank you for your comment. I have heard lots of good things from Minolta and some of these are really hidden gems. Especially the ones build in corporation with Leica. 🖖😁
There are some larger laboratories in Germany to which I always send the films. The bigger Drugstores also offer development. So I sonnig struggle to develop film. I do not dare to Develop by myself at home, yet. 😁 But buying film in stores is pretty hard and expensive. The one store had some Kodak stock the last time. But for the price of 36 shot Rolls you only get 24 film rolls anymore.
They aren't Leicas, the Ricoh is a decent fixed lens compact. Chinon's Bellami is too automatic for my taste. May I recommend the Olympus 35 RC and 35RD. Also the non selenium metered Olympus Pens are superb.
To be honest, because I don’t knew about them in detail. The Japanese Leica copies are very rare in Germany. If I want one, I have to import them from Japan. So thanks for your question, you just taught me something new. :-D
..the question is, what makes an analog picture to get this kind a "leica-Style" ? yes, the lens.!! the camera can be anything else.... the same in MF, a pentax67 - the lens 2.4 105mm makes " the style"....i would not buy a M Leica without a leica lens... but i would buy an old cam which can use a leica lens... 🙂
Absolutely. The lens is the main factor for the image look. Unfortunately you also have to give a liver in exchange for an M Mount Lens. Therefore the number of M-Mount Lenses in my shelf is = 0. :-) But lucky me there is an R-Mount. 😆
Here are the 35mm film rangefinder cameras I used until I could afford a Leica M6 with 21mm f/1.4, 35mm f/1.4, and 90mm f/2 lenses: Canon Canonet QL17 G-III with fixed 40mm f/1.7 lens Minolta Hi-Matic 9 with fixed 45 f/1.7 lens Argus C-3 with 35mm f/4.5, 50 f/3.5, and 100mm f/4.5 lenses Contax G1 with 21mm f/2.8, 28mm f/2.8, 45mm f/2, and 90mm f/2.8 lenses I also used Fuji "rangefinder style" digital cameras before I could afford a Leica M10 digital rangefinder.
Hi there, Thanks for your list. The Argus is a really crazy camera. 😁 the definition of brick. The contax is also very nice. But your Leica Lens line up is also very superb. 👌 Bye. 👋
@@manugeee I got one in Puri Orissa. It was out of order. Shutter speed 1/100 /& B was working. Electronics could not be done, but replaced Film advance mechanics with a trashed Minolta. It had a 35mm lens. Did some photos, with good out come..
Ich hätte es ausgehalten. Mir ist ja klar, wie ich mich anhöre. Aber ich wollte die großen Zielgruppe und ich rede es mir als „meinen Beitrag zur interkulturellen Kommunikation“ schön. 🤪😁
@@xyzxyz1908 ah! I see. We are not speaking in the same language, it seems. There is a large community of people who Rediscovered the joy of film photography. I think I missed stating that in the beginning. But hence that there are almost no new film cameras and because the old stuff is working fine when maintained and used probably. Maybe one day you find the same spark and see what i wanted to say in this video. 😀
@@manugeee Perhaps you are right. Some people may have interest in film photography, but it should be limited to a small percentage. I don't think it is easy to find any shop to develop the film unless you do it yourself
If you take a look on eBay you'll most of the Soviet era cameras are being sold out of the Ukraine. I believe most of those cameras were actually built in the Ukraine during Soviet times.
Just saying..2 of the big 5 Soviet Era camera companies were out of Ukraine. By all means..send your $ to Ukraine. Please do not sponsor Russia until they have decided whether or not they want to be the new North Korea or join the 21st century.
@@anandarochisha Just buy whatever you want from your local carboot sale, flea market, or antique fair and stop virtue signalling. You're not impressing anybody.
I am totally infected with GAS and this video helped me make a wise decision not to buy an expensive piece of equipment (a high resolution overkill film scanner) and instead opt for a used "good enough" film scanner that has ok reviews (works, but not the very best) for less than 1/2 the money - Thanks for this video.
That is really nice to hear. I was wondering if my „PowerPoint“ intro will lead to less or to more views. But if it helped you, than this makes me really, honestly happy. 👋😊
I really enjoyed this fantastic series of review with great narration and explanations.
Thank you very much. I am happy that you liked it. 😁
I had a Canonet Glll just like that one in the video and I LOVED that camera. So small, compact, and the little click of the shutter was the perfect photographic experience. The pictures that it produced with that lens on it was fantastic, as well. Sure miss that camera!
I feel with you. The Canonet is just great. The perfect film everyday camera. 😄
The Leica CL is often overlooked- it is an Leica M-Mount camera, super compact and can sometimes be picked up for less then 400 € (normal pricing 400-800 €). I own two and love the compactness
Oh! This is really interesting. Indeed, I had no look into the Leica CL so far. With some nice Voigtländer lens, this could also be a very fine alternative. Thanks. :D
Because of the shortened rangefinder, focus is not as accurate as a full sized Leica M.
Yes it is. This cl was was developed in cooperation with Minolta.
Canon P could be the interchangeable Lens option canon wise
I absolutely agree with you. The whole canon P/V/VI/VII line is very nice. The old canon lenses are also great. I just got my first roll with the canon m39 50mm 1.4 back and the images are great. 😃
Best alternative to a meterless Leica money wise and build (loading it is miles ahead of the M system's). Sold mine to fund an M2. Prices, now, however are climbing as are all things in film.
Thnx for the line up of these beautifull cameras.
You’re welcome. 😁
Nice video. but you missed Canon P and Canon 7 which would surely fit in in the 1st/2nd place here
Thank you. 😊 yes, the old Canon rangefinders would definitely fit in this list and would be on the higher places. But since I don’t have one of these (yet 😜) I had no experience and no footage of them. Maybe, they will be in part 2. 🙃
(There is no part 2 planned in the nearer future. 😙)
I have two more that would be in my top 5. On the one hand the Olympus 35 SP. It has an excellent lens, is fully manual, but can also be operated automatically. In contrast to the Canonet, it does not have an exotic filter thread (but 49 mm). It also has spot metering. Then the Werra 3. It has a pretty good range finder, frame lines in the viewfinder for all available lenses. For the Werra I have all three lenses, the 50mm Tessar, the 35mm Flektogon and the 100mm Cardinar. With the right setting, you can take great pictures with it.
Hi Thomas, thanks for your comment. Yes, I agreed with you. The Olympus 35 SP is the same level of quality. It Maybe differs in details to the Canonet.
The Werra cameras are also very interesting. At the moment I have enough cameras to tell stories about, but at some point I will go into the Werra history, that is for sure. 👋😁
Thanks! After my two R4 i have a R6.2 with 50mm 2.0 and 180mm 3.4 Apo - the rest of my Film-Eqipment.
The 6.2 should be very nice! I also use the R7 and the 50mm 2.0. pretty nice. Just this week an R8 arrived and I am eager to test it the next time. 😁👍
I have the Canonet QL19. I have no problem powering it with a standard 625a cell. It cost me £5 in a London market, the lens assembly being very loose, the repair was simply a matter of peeling back the leatherette and tightening the screws.
My QL17 had also a problem with the mechanics. The cranking lever blocked after 3 images. But fortunately I found the problem pretty fast. Had also to peel the leather and make a small pet moveable again.
I am not sure about the QL19 but the QL17 needs 1.35V but to be honest: I haven’t tested it with 1.5V batteries, because I believe in the internet. 🖖😁
@@manugeee .
You can get adapters which enable the use of hearing aid 1.4 volt cells. The battery on my camera goes in on edge, I don't know whether the models where the cell fits in flat are any different.
The Zorki 4 (and 4K) has shutter speeds from 1 to 1/1000 seconds. The 1/30 is located near the Bulb most likely because it's the speed for synchronizing with the flash.
I would like to nominate the Olympus 35 SP. Fantastic lens (42mm f1.7), rangefinder, light meter (including spot metering).
I too lust for a Leica, but have gotten a lot of joy from this little beauty that is very affordable.
Excellent topic and coverage. After think I had to pay for high priced digital cameras, I’ve returned to my roots & started shooting film again. First wish was medium format as I used to shoot with a Rollieflex T but wanted a single lens so went with the affordable Bronica SQ-AI system. Then 35mm and had always used Pentax (which I had given to my son), so went further back to 42M mount lenses and a Spotmatic which I’ve upgraded to a Bessa which I love. Long live film!
Exactly the Olympus was meant, when I said that the Canonet is one example for other similar cameras. Also really nice camera. 😄👍
As for the bronica, i also from time to time look for this one, but it’s not that cheap anymore and I still have a Yashica mat 124G and another 6x9 camera I will cover in my next video. ;-)
And finally: Thanks for your compliment. 😊
@@manugeee I’ve been looking for a 6x9, so I’m looking forward to that video. The Mamiya Super 23 is one option. Best regards.
@@danbuchman7497 okay, now I have to tell you, so that you won’t be disappointed, the 6x9 camera I shot is of the lower price range. 😅
Nice list and video! Some other candidates are: Konica ee matic
Yashica Minister 700
Yashica electro 35 ccn
Zeiss ikon Contessa folder 533/24
Voigtländer vitessa t
Your list is also very interesting. The contessa folder is a nice camera. The Yashicas seem also to be nice and not that common, Today.
I have also a Kodak Retina IIIc with interchangeable lenses (or the half of lenses) and is colapsable.
Thank you for your comment. There were some really interesting recommendations in it. 😁👍
I've got a Zorki 4 that is in pretty good shape, and another that has plenty of holes in the shutter. I really like that they are all mechanical, and the lack of a winding crank as seen on the 4K is not a big deal, but the one thing that really turns me off from using these cameras is that the rewind knob is probably the most annoying and inconvenient system I have ever used. It consistently takes me 3-5 minutes to unload a roll of film. It might help to have lubricate it a bit, but having to twist that little knob one turn at a time is just really terrible. Otherwise, it's pretty cool camera if you can find one in working condition.
Hi there,
I feel with you. Pure mechanical cameras are very cool, when working correct.
According to the rewind knob: did you try to pull it up for rewinding, or do you turn it in the collapsed position? I made the mistake too, the first time i rewinded a film with a Zorki.
😅😁
Your final recommendation of an R4 is interesting since on my own journey into Leica Land I ended up with an R7 and the 50mm F2 Summicron. I have more than a few 35mm cameras having collected them for over 45 years, and I find the quality of the output from the Leica to be the best of the cameras in my collection (Nikon [6], Canon [4], Minolta [3], Olympus [3], etc.), but I find the Contax RTSII with the Zeiss 50mm is pretty darn close. The only way I can improve on the output quality from there is to go to my Rollieflex 6008, but that is another game altogether. Nice summary video.
I feel with you. The last couple of years, I got more and more into film photography and gathered a lot of Canon SLRs over time. Also learned how to open them and so some repairs. As an engineer, this is really interesting for me to learn how they work. Especially the pure mechanical ones are so fascinating.
I have not yet decided wether my Leica or my Canon is "the better" camera. A Canon F1N is close to the Leica R7. Same for the Canon T90 and the Leica R8. But the Leica has definetily a better user Interface and exterior finish.
Contax Cameras seem also to be very nice and of high quality. But they are rare and expensive. But also highly interesting. :)
Thanks for your comment.
I'm with you. My poor man's Leica is my mint Leica R7. It is an amazing SLR! The R glass is a half step below superb. My poor man's RF is a mint Canon P. Happy shooting.
@@Mountainmovingstudios I have a P too, plus a couple of others, none are Leica's. I am currently running a roll or two through a newly acquired Olympus 35 SP. We shall see if the lens quality is as good as everyone says. My 1st rangefinder with auto exposure making it very fast to deploy and capture.
I recently purchased a near-mint colour-dial Zeiss-Ikon Contax IIa with a Sonnar 50mm f1:2 lens.
It cost me 50€.
I already had a pre-war Sonnar
f1.5 5 cm lens.
Hard to beat, especially at that price. Only downside is that you are pretty much locked into Zeiss-lenses with Contax mount, and the good ones rarely come cheap..
That is a great camera and a great price. I have a couple of Kiev 4a here, but they all are somehow be broken.
But these are also pretty beautiful pieces. Nice catch! 👍🙂
Great presentation!! The canonet performs on par with the leica!!
Thank you, JUDE. Yes, the Canonet is really great and a joy to use.
Similar to the Zorki 4k I recently got a Fed 3, it’s a beautiful camera and it still takes amazing images
Thanks for this video. Do you know who can service R mount lenses?
Thanks for your comment. 😁
I actually only have a list of German workshops. I am not shure from where you are. But maybe you can find a camera workshop near to you. Lenses, especially the older fully mechanical ones, should be repairable. Electronics are the problem, because these cannot be replaced that easily.
Interesting review. Zorky 4 is a discovery for me and seems interesting vs Leica 3 : real lever, detachable back easier to load better max speed and Jupiter made some great lenses. Then the Bessa R is really great (even if a little « plastic » ) and give access to the L39 mount where you can choose vintage look (canon are probably the best there), new and sharp ones (voigtlander 35mm is affordable) or Leicas … which are Leicas. Finally for SLR which is probably the best way to access Leica quality at low price I would advice to go directly to R5 which electronic is more reliable than R4 and with better functionalities. Be careful for Leica R lenses you must buy 3 cams lenses to get the metering at full aperture (there are still on the market 1cam lenses which are less expensive but not as easy to use (metering at real aperture). The sound of the Leica shutter is amazing and the choice in aperture mode between average or centered weighted metering is great. The viewfinder is also very good and makes focusing quite easy.
Hi there again, :-)
Yes, you are right about the cam situation of the Leica R Mount, I went into the trap and bought a 2-Cam 135mm lens and found out about all the generations and possible mistakes.
It ended in my latest video, where I put all this back together. 😁
In-terms of modern digital cameras, the Fuji X100V is an alternative to the Leica Q. Also the Nikon Z7ii (with 47 Mega Pixels) is the alternative to the Leica SL-2.
Agreed. The Fuji is really great and a joy to shoot. Stunningly good image quality and I like the colours very much.
For the Leica SL series: for me it’s just an alternative to the other mirrorless cameras on the market. I don’t see any huge advantage between a Leica SL, Sony A7x, Nikon or canon camera. They are all up to date and only differ slightly. One is as good as the others. But the Nikons are really nice. Had a Z7I in my hands a while ago and the viewfinder is so much better than my Sony A7 III‘s.
I bought a Leica R8 a year ago. I was very good for 9 rolls of film. Then it got a problem. Now it is waiting for me to fid somebody to fix it. I guess it will be cheaper to buy an R3-R5 to use my lenses 😊. By the way I also have a Canon model 7. It is a wonderful camera, and it is fitted with the same 50mm f1.4 lens you have on the Bessa-R
Dont scare me. I also recently found a Leica R8 and hope it will ist a long time. 🙂
I also saw the canon Models and they have definitely a place on my „want to have“ list. Really beautiful cameras and as I have already a lens for it, I think on some day, I will get one. 🙂
very well made film !
Hi Vittorio,
Thank you very much. 😁
You missed out the rather lovely Olympus 35 RC ...
I didn’t really miss it but meant especially the Olympus 35 when I said that there are others like the canonet.
I my mind both are of same quality with maybe minor differences. But both are still very excellent.
Thanks for your comment. 😁👋
Nice video! I would suggest the Leicaflex (SL)(SL2), you could be surprised about the price and after buying about the quality. And it's real Leica!
Thanks for your compliment. 😊
I started with the R4 in the video, but it is already a very capable camera with a lot of modes. The leicaflexes are fire sure also very oldshool but for sure of high quality. 2-cam lenses are also cheaper to buy. 😉
Love my r7 and 35mm and 90mm elmirit .. tons of character
Understandable. 😁
I just got a 135mm elmarit and a pretty rare Sigma Mini wide 28mm 2.8with R mount. I am not that sure about the last one, but having 28mm / 50mm and 135mm is a great range, I think.
Forget the Zorki 4K. I've had four of them (hoping each time that I'd found a good one) and they all failed. The Zorki 4 is the better product, but not by much. The Industar lenses are fine though. For more information, check out Zenography (Russian Rangefinder Group Test).
I think with these old cameras there is always a certain risk potential, if they still work or not. Maybe there are some Zorki 4, which had a better quality during the production time. For shure at the end, everything available in their stores was used to build a camera. Working or not.
Therefore I think every camera has to be tested. But maybe the chances are better with the Zorki 4s than with the Zorki 4Ks.
🙂
Yashica Electro 35 35mm Rangefinder Câmera de filme com kit de lente 1:1.7 45 mm
The Zorki 4k has no strap lugs. Most Zorki 4 cameras have strap lugs.
I use a 4k with a leather half case.
Can you do it for yashica electro 35 gs
Thanks for your request. There won’t be a video about the Yashica Electro 35 gs the next time mainly because I don’t own one. And there are also a lot of other projects waiting on my shelf. So be excited. The next video is almost done. 😁
I have got the Zorki 4K and a FED 2 (you forgot to mention the FEDs that are also very Leicable), though one of them have started to misbehave (shutter problems) and now suddenly, the Leica clone is no longer a Leica when looking for a repair shop.
Being no pro when it comes to photo and cameras I still would throw in the old Soviet Kiev cameras (Contax copies I believe) and another German darling - AKArette.
Edit: Got a list of various FEDs and ZORKIs from an Italian guy, who pointed out which models were better and what issues to be expected from other models. If interesting I can look for that list and share it.
Hello Magnus,
Yes, the old FED cameras are not mentioned in this video. You are right. I think it’s mostly because I don’t own a FED because I found the zorkis nicer without knowing why.
Talking about the Kiev, I totally agree with you. In fact I have in total 3 Kiev 4/4a at home. But only one in a condition which makes it worth to test a film. The other one has definitely to slow exposure times and the last one is disassembled for a Video project I tried.
When the working one proves itself, there will be an own video just for the Kiev at some point.
The AKArelle was never in my focus, yet. Thanks for that Tipp. 😁👍
For the list of FEDs and Zorkis: Yes, please. If you give me the link, I will put it into the video description, as well.
👋😊
@@manugeee Sorry no link, but this message from a nice Italian guy from Italy:
First: Zorki 1, early Zorki 4, Zorki 5 and Zorki 6 have the better silk curtains. Really made to last. My Z1, Z4 and early Z4 have their curtains like new. The latter Z4 (and 4k) have good curtains; the quality is not superb as the previous models but I never have had a problem with these). Fed 2 (early models, not the one similar to Fed 3) has also very nice curtains. Fed 3, 4, 5 have bad curtains: after few rolls I needed to repair a microhole in two Fed 3, in two Fed 5 and one Fed 5B. Avoid these models.
Every soviet camera need a professional CLA: you need to substitute the old grease with a new lubrificant. After this CLA thei works very well.
I used to own a Minolta 😂CLE rangefinder in the 80s. Used to get great images with it, but I had problems using the rangefinder with my eyesight. No idea if they are available anywhere now.
Edit: I just found a video comparing the Minolta CLE and Leica CL ua-cam.com/video/4LZyHJEp7X8/v-deo.html
Hi there, thanks for your comment. 😁
They seem to be rare. I quickly googled them and found some with a 40mm lens for more than 1000€.
That is quite a price. 😅
Would recomend Kiev 4, ints a contax clone but it has one of the biggest viewfinder magnifications of all rangefinders, 30% more than leica making it very good for fast lenses
I agree. Unfortunately the 3 Kiev 4, I have here at the moment, all have broken ribbons of the shutter. One seems to be working now but I am still skeptic with the exposure times. The other two are definitely not working at the moment. Therefore I didn’t put them into the video.
But if
But when they are working, they are nice cameras.
😁
Just bought an FED-4 at a fleamarket :)
The one with a film in it? ;-)
Have fun and good light with your new old camera. 🖖😁
What's about Yashica IC Lynx 14E? She is very seldom in Germany.
Good question. I would say, I don’t know. 😁
To be honest, I have not heard of this camera before. But as you say, it’s very seldom here. :-)
@@manugeee In the next time I make some pictures with this camera. She would been built in the later sixties. Very interesting is her optics. Yashinon - DX, 1:1.4, f =45mm. You can search her. But she is very seldom, because she was very expensive. Greatings from Germany.
the canon 7 and canon P are really nice and super affordable
Hello Garvin,
you are right. The old canon Rangefinders are on my bucket list for somewhen in the future. Those are really beautifull cameras and they would fit to the 50mm m39 lens, i have. :)
Consider the Olympus OM 1 ?
I had none of these in my hands yet, but I am looking for a good offer for a while now. But my g.a.s. Is not that strong at the moment, because I have so much stuff to work on at the moment. That the Olympus has to wait. 😅😇
I feel you left out many worthy candidates. But the overall message is important. "It's not the bike."
It’s not the bike? Huh? 😅
@@manugeee A reference to the Lance Armstrong book “It’s Not About the Bike”.
@@danielduffey8680 ah i didn’t knew this. I am not so much into moon travels.
(And Tour de France)😜🤪
But yes. You can have fun with each of these cameras and make good photos. That’s the important part and the reason I have so much stuff. 😅
Good review: one minor correction. Leica R9 cameras go $1000+, considerably more than R6.2.
Hi Diane, thanks for your comment. 😄 yes, the R9 is unreasonably priced as well. In my comparison i focussed on the old fashioned classical SLRs. The R8 and R9 are somehow special and a topic for themself. But in general you are right of course.
@@manugeee & Diane the R8 (which is for me probably the most beautiful film manual focusing machine) is far more reasonable than the R9 for more or less the same functionalities and usually less expensive (around 500€) and more easy to find than the overpriced 6.2. But true that the R5 is far more affordable.
@@philmtx3fr yes. The Leica R8 is also a really great camera. I had not the time to shoot a roll of film with it, yet. But she already appeared in my latest video about the Leica R Mount. 😇
@@manugeee Hi Manu if you call her “she” you already love her ;)
@@philmtx3fr haha! You got me! 😅
Nice.
Minolta cameras.... XD7 / 11...
Thank you for your comment.
I have heard lots of good things from Minolta and some of these are really hidden gems. Especially the ones build in corporation with Leica. 🖖😁
Main problem these days is the price of film - and the lack of places to get it developed any more.. 😁
There are some larger laboratories in Germany to which I always send the films. The bigger Drugstores also offer development. So I sonnig struggle to develop film. I do not dare to Develop by myself at home, yet. 😁
But buying film in stores is pretty hard and expensive. The one store had some Kodak stock the last time. But for the price of 36 shot Rolls you only get 24 film rolls anymore.
Ricoh 500 G if you want a small Leica. Chinon Bellami if you want a tiny Leica.
They aren't Leicas, the Ricoh is a decent fixed lens compact. Chinon's Bellami is too automatic for my taste. May I recommend the Olympus 35 RC and 35RD. Also the non selenium metered Olympus Pens are superb.
Konica Hexar with silent mode.
Oh! That is really a camera, I never heard about. Very interesting! Thank you. 😁
Canon P rangefinder. $150
Indeed. Great camera. Is now also on my „want to have“ list. 😄
thanks for your comment. 😁
Why not Nicca or the Yeshica YE and YF? Also, the Nicca made Sears Tower Leica screw mount models are equally superb.
To be honest, because I don’t knew about them in detail. The Japanese Leica copies are very rare in Germany. If I want one, I have to import them from Japan.
So thanks for your question, you just taught me something new. :-D
@@manugeee Understand that. Rangefinder Leica Copies are more common there. Canons are easiest to find, and post 1955 Canons from V forwards the best.
..the question is, what makes an analog picture to get this kind a "leica-Style" ? yes, the lens.!! the camera can be anything else.... the same in MF, a pentax67 - the lens 2.4 105mm makes " the style"....i would not buy a M Leica without a leica lens... but i would buy an old cam which can use a leica lens... 🙂
Absolutely. The lens is the main factor for the image look.
Unfortunately you also have to give a liver in exchange for an M Mount Lens.
Therefore the number of M-Mount Lenses in my shelf is = 0. :-)
But lucky me there is an R-Mount. 😆
Nice, checking out R4's
Good luck and much fun if you find a good one. 😁
Here are the 35mm film rangefinder cameras I used until I could afford a Leica M6 with 21mm f/1.4, 35mm f/1.4, and 90mm f/2 lenses:
Canon Canonet QL17 G-III with fixed 40mm f/1.7 lens
Minolta Hi-Matic 9 with fixed 45 f/1.7 lens
Argus C-3 with 35mm f/4.5, 50 f/3.5, and 100mm f/4.5 lenses
Contax G1 with 21mm f/2.8, 28mm f/2.8, 45mm f/2, and 90mm f/2.8 lenses
I also used Fuji "rangefinder style" digital cameras before I could afford a Leica M10 digital rangefinder.
Hi there,
Thanks for your list. The Argus is a really crazy camera. 😁 the definition of brick.
The contax is also very nice. But your Leica Lens line up is also very superb. 👌
Bye. 👋
Leica R4 is exactly Minolta XD11
Yes and no. ;-) Leica made shure that no minolta lenses can be attached to the Leica, but the rest is made by Minolta, That’s right.
@@manugeee I got one in Puri Orissa. It was out of order. Shutter speed 1/100 /& B was working. Electronics could not be done, but replaced Film advance mechanics with a trashed Minolta. It had a 35mm lens. Did some photos, with good out come..
Get a Fuji and pretend. That’s what most people do. 😀
Already have one… oh no! Have two. But #2 really shoots film. 😊
@@manugeee There’s nothing stupider than the term “Poor man’s Leica”.
@@carlosmcse hmm…
I have seen people out there who try to eat an octopus alive on camera and fail.
Just saying…
I wanted to make fun of your accent, but then I remembered: Die schärfsten Kritiker der Elche waren früher selber welche.
Ich hätte es ausgehalten. Mir ist ja klar, wie ich mich anhöre. Aber ich wollte die großen Zielgruppe und ich rede es mir als „meinen Beitrag zur interkulturellen Kommunikation“ schön. 🤪😁
With the same budget, you can buy much Japanese products with many choices. Why buy those outdated, heavy and user unfriendly German cameras???
Could you be a little more specific? Which Japanese cameras do you compare against the Leica R4? (the only German camera in my list).
@@manugeee My friend, no one would have interest in buying such a camera made in 1980'. It should be displayed in a camera museum
@@xyzxyz1908 ah! I see. We are not speaking in the same language, it seems. There is a large community of people who Rediscovered the joy of film photography. I think I missed stating that in the beginning. But hence that there are almost no new film cameras and because the old stuff is working fine when maintained and used probably.
Maybe one day you find the same spark and see what i wanted to say in this video. 😀
@@manugeee Perhaps you are right. Some people may have interest in film photography, but it should be limited to a small percentage. I don't think it is easy to find any shop to develop the film unless you do it yourself
How about we avoid the Russian cameras till they start acting like humans and not ORCS.
If you take a look on eBay you'll most of the Soviet era cameras are being sold out of the Ukraine. I believe most of those cameras were actually built in the Ukraine during Soviet times.
What "Russian" cameras?
Oh, you mean "Soviet" cameras made in Ukraine.
Just saying..2 of the big 5 Soviet Era camera companies were out of Ukraine. By all means..send your $ to Ukraine. Please do not sponsor Russia until they have decided whether or not they want to be the new North Korea or join the 21st century.
@@anandarochisha Hahaha! So you think not buying old used cameras from average people is going to help the russian war machine?
Get real!
@@anandarochisha Just buy whatever you want from your local carboot sale, flea market, or antique fair and stop virtue signalling. You're not impressing anybody.