35mm rangefinder that takes Nikon AI lenses?

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I'm looking for a rangefinder to compliment my Nikon system. I have some Nikon AI and AF lenses and I would like to know if there are any rangefinders that can use these lenses.

If there isn't one, what rangefinder would you recommend? I'm interested in one that would:

1. have a true rangefinder viewfinder (meaning I'd like to see different focal length ranges in the viewfinder),

2. have interchangeable lenses,

3. have a built-in or external TTL flash or Guide Number flash,

4. have a cable release,

5. a quiet shutter, and

6. would cost more or less $1,000 for a new or used body with a normal lens.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

-- Ron Gregorio (gregorio@ksc.th.com), September 18, 2000

Answers

I use Nikon and Leica cameras... Sometimes together, sometimes individually. They are both outstanding cameras, but both have their strengths and weaknesses. SLRs are better if you want to use longer lenses and have more controls over the final image, for example the use of filters and precise compositions. Rangefinder cameras are the domain of the available light, surreptitious photographer who prefers to remain "invisible" and capture images as they are... no manipulations, only reality.

These two systems also require a different philosophical approach. After being immersed... you act different when using one system or the other. This might sound like that "touchy feely" new age garbage... but it is true. It is also true that not everyone can embrace the rangefinder camera after being brought up on SLRs. It is an expensive experiment... so be sure. Most of us started with a used Leica and if we found it to be a match to out temperament... progressed from there.

As far as the nuts and bolts... Rangefinder lenses require a cam that mates with a roller in the body. Nikon lenses do not have this, so you can't focus via the rangefinder patch... the key strength of the RF camera. Also Leica lenses have a cut out that keys the camera's finder field... when you mount a 50mm lens, the 50mm frame comes up. If you mounted a Nikon lens this wouldn't happen. That said, there is a device that allows you to mount Nikon lenses to Leica cameras. It is best to be used with wide angle lenses, since you must guess focus and rely on depth of field to assure focus. If you are versed on the use of DOF marks on your lenses, this is very fast. You can put an auxiliary viewfinder on the Leica to match the Nikon lens since the Leica's finder goes only to 28mm. You can go to this web site to see pictures of the adapter and Nikon lenses mounted on Leica bodies:

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

Also, if you have any questions regarding rangefinders in general and Leicas in particular go to the Leica page within this web site. There are many people who can answer any questions.

For what it is worth, you can probably find an older Leica like an M2 and a 50mm lens for the 1000 Dollars, but you should get educated first to avoid being cheated.... All Leicas are good, but some are less desirable than others.

Good Luck, Al

-- Al Smith (smith58@msn.com), September 18, 2000.


Although they are over 20 years old now, the Minolya CLE has all the features you requested and sell for about $900 with the fabulous 40mm f2.0 Lens. The finder has lines for a 28, 40, and 90. Several Minolta flashes will work TTL. The same site listed by Al has a profile on the CLE. To me (I own one) The only two drawbacks on that camera are parts shortages for repairs if it breaks, and no meter on manual exposure. The new Leica M6TTL has all the features you wanted as well, but will run you more than twice your budget even on the used market.

-- Andrew Schank (aschank@flash.net), September 18, 2000.

Ron, I re-read my post above and saw that it could be mistaken as the Leica site being within the address I provided for the lens adapter. I meant to say with in this "Greenspun" site. This is the link:

http://greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a.tcl?topic=Leica%20Photography

Again, there is a lot of brain power there regarding Leicas and rangefinders... Please feel free to ask anything.

-- Al Smith (smith58@msn.com), September 18, 2000.


"(meaning I'd like to see different focal length ranges in the viewfinder)"

That pretty much limits you to either upper-end collectible rangefinders or the new Bessa R. I don't recommend a "real" Leica in that price range because you'll need a lens, too, and I'm not in the habit of recommending the early Summicron because it's not good enough for me under f/4. The CL or CLE in M mount or the Bessa R in screw mount are really your options. Some of the older Canon screw mount bodies might do but they don't actually seem very common and I have zero experience with them. The CLE actually has TTL flash if you must have it.

About your AI lenses: you can buy a Leica M to Nikon F adapter but you can't couple the lenses to the rangefinder. So unless you have a 20 or wider I don't recommend it.

-- John O'Connell (boywonderiloveyou@hotmail.com), September 18, 2000.


Thanks for the quick and helpful reply everyone. Also, the rangefinder and Leica links are very informative. They're just what I'm looking for to help me decide which rangefinder is for me, or if it is really for me.

-- Ron Gregorio (gregorio@ksc.th.com), September 19, 2000.


an old and maybe dead thread... but I'm looking for the smae stuff, and have decided the G1 by Contax is it. B&H is selling them (new) with the 35mm f2 or 45mm f2 for under $800. Ceck this user forum for the detailed information. But if you've already bought a Leica since posting this thread, do yourself a favor... don't go there... t

-- tom meyer (twm@mindspring.com), January 16, 2001.

The only camera system that offered both SLR and Rangefinder bodies that used the same lenses was the Kodak Retina S system. The lenses incorporated a cam (up until about 1970) on lenses that also fit the SLR's. The Rangefinder model was the IIIS and the SLR models were the S, the III, and the IV. The IIIS had bright line frames for 35mm, 50mm, 85mm, and 135mm lenses, auto parallax correction, and finder lines that switched in with the focal length of the mounted lens. A 28mm required a separate viewfinder and a 200mm mounted, but did not couple. A $1000 would buy the IIIs, Reflex IV, and all of the lenses from 28mm to 200mm. These are fun to use cameras, provide sharp results with most lenses offered, but are on the slow handling side compared with the Nikon F and F2.

-- Brian Sweeney (brianvsweeney@home.com), July 14, 2001.

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