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  #31  
Old 3rd August 2011, 09:55 AM
Leigh Y Leigh Y is offline
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I see you now have the link to CameraQuest. Don't be afraid to deal with Stephen - he's very good and well regarded. he is also the sponsor/owner of the Rangefinder Forum (RFF) where there is a section specifically devoted to Cosina-Voigtlander cameras and lenses. Lots of information and opinions there!

A key decision now is whether you want a fast lens (say f1.5 max aperture) a medium lens (say f3.5 aperture) or something in between.

If you use a f3.5 with an ISO400 film you will get by OK. Voigtlander still have a collapsible f3.5/50 available but I personally think the collapsible feature is a bit of a gimmick and a nod to pre-M Leica owners.
The f1.0 and f1.5 are starting to get a bit big and heavy to my way of thinking. Also they have an very narrow depth of field when at full aperture.
My pick would be the still-available 2009 Heliar f2/50 (non collapsible) in Nickel finish. It compares in many respects with the classic Leitz Summitar 2/50 of the 1950's era but optically improved. (Some Leica fans won't agree with that heresy!)
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  #32  
Old 3rd August 2011, 11:47 AM
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photomi7ch photomi7ch is offline
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My fav is the Nikon FM which has served me well over the years even though it has been semi retired. but dont let it know The other a Nikromat FT2 another surperb bit of kit and very under rated.
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  #33  
Old 4th August 2011, 10:31 PM
topoxforddoc topoxforddoc is offline
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I've already got mine - Leica M2 with a 35/1.4 pre-asph summilux. Just brilliant and it goes in a large pocket too.

Charlie
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  #34  
Old 6th August 2011, 02:55 PM
ErnestoJL ErnestoJL is offline
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My first choice of an RF camera w/o batteries: Contax II or Kiev IV.
Second choice, the voigtländer Vitomatic IIb.
With battery only for the light meter: Canonet QL17GIII; Ricoh 500G; Mamiya SD 1.5; Konica Auto S2 among some others.
For the SLR side, no one of the cameras I own requires a battery to shoot.
Cheers
Ernesto
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  #35  
Old 6th August 2011, 04:42 PM
peterlg peterlg is offline
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Thanks Roy,
Excellent site, gives a perfect view of Voigtlander lenses. But prices are pretty 'pebbered'. It leads me on to another track : with an adapter ring I could maybe use an old collapsible Elmar? That would be less expensive, and I remember the Elmar 50 3.5 (1937) my Father had - so sharp, soft and rich in grey tones.
Maybe?
Peter
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  #36  
Old 14th August 2011, 08:05 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by big paul View Post
the camera I have owned the longest and still works as good as when new Is my much loved NIKON F2
I would go with that choice. I also had an FM2n which worked OK without batteries and I now have an F3HP which can also be fired manually. I have really never had an issue over the years with the small hearing aid batteries in cameras except once at high altitude in winter and I overcame that by putting my then camera inside my down jacket
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  #37  
Old 27th August 2011, 06:51 PM
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I'll be the first to go with Minolta. I love my old XG-1 (only battery for light meter) and Rokkor lenses (50 1.2, 24 2.8, 85 1.7 and 135 2.8). It's such a lovely light little camera - it goes with me everywhere.
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  #38  
Old 27th August 2011, 07:00 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by peterlg View Post
Thanks Roy,
Excellent site, gives a perfect view of Voigtlander lenses. But prices are pretty 'pebbered'. It leads me on to another track : with an adapter ring I could maybe use an old collapsible Elmar? That would be less expensive, and I remember the Elmar 50 3.5 (1937) my Father had - so sharp, soft and rich in grey tones.
Maybe?
Peter
The 50 3.5 Elmar was probably one of the best lenses ever made.
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