I decided I wanted to learn some more about rangefinder cameras and was able to get a Minolta Hi-Matic 9 on eBay for about $55 including shipping. It looks like it has barely been used and I'm looking forward to seeing what kind of pictures it takes.
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Happy hunting!
ed
There is also one annoying feature to the camera that I need to get used to. There is a switch to turn off the meter so you don't drain the battery. Unfortunately it's the same switch you use to set the film speed, so I've found myself taking pictures then saying "oh crap I left the meter off"
I might tape a reminder on the camera that says "TURN ON THE METER"
This one has a fixed lens, so I figure if I like the rangefinder experience I'll move up to a Voigtlander or Bessa, something that has an M-mount. Then I'll start saving up for the Leica :)
Just a thought mate. I was considering a Leica at one time, but when i considered the cost, i realised i could get much more quality from a medium format camera for half the cost. At the end of the day, no matter what the quality of a 35mm camera, it is still 35mm - the film's about 4 times smaller than, say, a 6x7 medium format camera. This didn't occur to me till a bloke came by one of my sites and profferred this advice. After much research, i found this to be most true. Thus, got myself a Mamiya 7II rangefinder(light, hand-holdable, silent) - personally, i prefer autofocus.
Are you digitising your film? I get my film saved at 16-base resolution (BMP) at the lab where i get my processing done. That way, i can perform manipulations, or simply downsize them and stick them up at some of my sites. The final print after manipulating a medium format image on the PC is absolutely fabulous! (sample)
However, the lens range for 35mm cameras are far more extensive - which is why i also tot a Nikon F6(goddam beautiful camera!) with a 16mm full frame fisheye, 70-200mm, 14-24 and a 35mm. MF cameras are quite limited when it comes to lenses.
Hope the above helps.
Hope to see your pics soon mate:)
ed
I'm actually looking to get a new dSLR and am definitely going to get a matching film body to go with whichever digital body I choose.
The only problem i have with rangefinder focus is that it is quite difficult to focus at nights and not as good with shots where you don't have the time to focus - which is why i generally save my rangefinder shots for relatively sendantry subjects. Good idea on your part to get film/digital body as it facilitates the sharing of lenses.