Hey folks, I have been hankering after a rangefinder for a long time. I have a couple of functioning film SLRs, since that type of camera seems to be overwhelmingly predominant in all thrift stores, antique shops and even on the auction sites, but I don't like the relative clunkiness and weight/size of these types of cameras, and the split screen focusing somehow just doesn't seem as "fun" to me as a rangefinder patch. I also really like the focus tab a la Leica lenses for one-handed focusing. I'm planning on getting into developing B&W film, so I'm looking at different options. Just want to see which ones you really recommend.
I do like some electronic examples like the Konica Hexar and the Contax G2, but should I stay away from electronic models due to aging components? I've got several electronic SLRs that have bit the dust due to components going out. Another era I've looked at are the electronically driven shutter-and-aperture-priority fixed lens models like the Yashicas and Konica Auto S3/C35fd. I had a working fully auto C35 with zone focus and it produced really nice images, no focus patch though.
Or should I go more mechanical, and what's available that isn't Leica expensive? The Leitz Minolta CL looks pretty interesting, and there are always Voigtlanders.
Any recommendations?
I think you named two of the more interesting options yourself - the CL and CLE are well-priced, and the former is common enough not to be overly expensive; both are highly regarded for a reason. I personally prefer the CL because it's a fully mechanical camera as far as its operation goes, and, since there are quite a lot of them around, easier to find spares for. Getting spares for the CLE is notoriously difficult, unfortunately. The sole real problem with the CL is the small viewfinder that doesn't cover anything wider than 35mm (frame lines are limited to 40mm, 50mm and 90mm); handling is a bit quirky, but pleasantly straightforward once you wrap your head around it. If you can find one with a working lightmeter, you'll get a very sturdy, yet small and light camera that is capable of very nice results, especially with its standard Summicron-C 40mm f/2 lens. Mind you, even with a dead meter, it's fun to shoot, and Sunny 16 is not that hard to master ... I think the CL is both a very good entry point into RF shooting and a definite answer to the question of best *small* RF model. There are fixed-lens alternatives, though; especially Olympus and Minolta had great options available - like the Minolta Hi-Matic 7S II I also own and love; it's a real contender if you plan on just owning the 40mm ...
The Voigtländer bodies, especially the latest series (R2|3|4A||M) are great cameras for the price they usually go for; there also are a couple of clones and earlier models that are also worth a look. These cameras are a bit more modern, bulkier and a bit workman-like; the A series have electronically controlled shutters with aperture priority. I find them nice in the hand, but since I own other M mount rangefinders, I never could justify owning any of them. Depending on your preferred focal lengths, you may prefer one line (2|3|4) over the others. The 3 series has a 100% viewfinder, but only covers 40mm and longer; the 2 and 4 fit wider lenses (35mm and 28mm, respectively).
All that said, my favourite rangefinder camera is another Leica - the M4-P. It's a joy to shoot, just the right size (i.e. more compact than later models), no electronics that can break, slick and reliable in operation while offering all the options other models may lack. As these things go, it's one of my favourite pieces of kit, regardless of technology; I pair it with any of my compact 35mm lenses for pure photographic bliss. I know some die-hard people would either prefer older models, notably the M3 or M6, but these have their own issues. The M4-P is middle-of-the-road, full-featured if you don't need a meter.
The sleeper model is the M5 - if you can live with its size and somewhat more industrial looks, it's a fine camera. The models that came after the M6, the M6 TTL, M7 and so on, are great, but still quite espensive; they're modern cameras with lots of life in them, so if you consider sticking with those much more convenient cameras for a long time, they may well be worth the investment. Of the modern cameras, the M6 TTL is my favourite - still small, comparatively inexpensive, full-featured, issue-free. The least known may be the Zeiss Ikon ZM - another powerhouse with modern electronics inside, sporting arguably the best viewfinder ever built into a 35mm RF camera. In my book, the M6 TTL and ZM are clearly more desirable than the Voigtländer cameras and earlier or later metered Leica models - but they are at least twice the price of the Voigtländers ...
YMMV, of course, and I wouldn't be surprised if you got all sorts of responses to your question.
M.