I got this Konica II fixed-lens rangefinder (from 1951-1955) for $50. Might be the best value camera purchase I've ever made. First thing, I think it's beautiful.
Nifty collapsible lens. By far, the clearest, brightest viewfinder and rangefinder patch I've ever experienced -- something the Konica II and Konica III rangefinders are known for. Only issues are it's a 50mm lens, which I've always found boring but I like this one. Feels a bit wider somehow. And there are no framelines in that super bright viewfinder. Based on test pics, it seems there is a moderate area extending around from the true image frame, basically what you'd expect based on most other rangefinders. Just need to remember that and allow for the crop.
I figured out what I was doing wrong that prevented the shutter speed to be set to 1/500. I was trying to change the shutter speed after cocking the shutter. If I set the shutter speed before cocking the shutter, it does a soft click into 1/500 and fires. It appears I didn't damage anything by trying to adjust the shutter speed after cocking! Based on test pics, the speeds seem accurate throughout the range.
The lens seems very nice. It's easy to shoot -- small, compact (but quite hefty) -- silent leaf shutter, inconspicuous. The rangefinder patch is so good I don't even need to wear my glasses to focus. All in all, I'm quite happy with it.
Sample pics (Kodak Gold 200):
