Topic: Old Japanese rangefinders

[hookstrapped]

I came across a listing for a Konica ii rangefinder and became quite smitten by its good looks. I had never seen one or heard of one before. Did some research and came across this site, which has a very nice rundown of (mostly) rangefinders from 50s and 60s Japan. Fascinating stuff.

http://www.cjs-classic-cameras.co.uk/other/japan.html

And also found this Konica ii pr0n (maybe NSFW) ((just kidding))

https://sites.google.com/site/chansiu/konica-ii

[Kai-san]

Ooooh, there are so many nice Japanese rangefinders from the 50's and 60's! The Konica II is very nice, good solid mechanical quality and the lenses are very sharp. Here's my IIB-m, another camera I should be using more. 

[Bryan]

There are some nice rangefinders on that list but they don’t have one of my favorites, the Ricoh 35.

Ricoh 35 by Bryan Chernick, on Flickr

I’ve always wanted to try the Konica II. 

[Kai-san]

The Ricoh 35 has such a nice design, is it as good as it looks, Bryan?

[Francois]

What still amazes me is how good the lines were (design wise) on some of these cameras...

[hookstrapped]

This Minolta

[Bryan]

The Ricoh 35 has such a nice design, is it as good as it looks, Bryan?

The lens is nice and sharp.  It has a leaf shutter and it’s very quiet.  It’s well built but not quite Leica quality. 

Buckets and Barrels by Bryan Chernick, on Flickr

Bayshore Machine Works by Bryan Chernick, on Flickr

[Todd Barlow]

My parents Aires Viscount became my first camera.
Still have it. Had to by a replacement after the film advance mechanism became inconsistent.
Beautiful design, weight, handling and nice lens as well.
http://www.cjs-classic-cameras.co.uk/other/japan.html#viscount[/url]

[Sandeha Lynch]

I wish I had kept my Konica II ... they have a beautifully solid feel to them.


100410_neo4m_30 by Sandeha Lynch, on Flickr

[hookstrapped]

I wish I had kept my Konica II ... they have a beautifully solid feel to them.


100410_neo4m_30 by Sandeha Lynch, on Flickr

Beautiful. Shot on a Konica II?

[Sandeha Lynch]

I wish I had kept my Konica II ... they have a beautifully solid feel to them.

Beautiful. Shot on a Konica II?

Yep.  Nine years ago.


IMGP9403 by Sandeha Lynch, on Flickr

[cs1]

Wow, that's a pretty looking camera! I have a weakness for Konica cameras. This image of the Konica II doesn't help, Sandeha.