Rangefinder camera guide
Rangefinder camera overview
The term 'rangefinder' refers to the focusing system of this group of cameras, where you look through centre of the camera's viewfinder and see two images of what you are taking a photo of. By turning the focusing ring on the lens until the images align into a single image, the lens is correctly focused. It takes a short time to get used to, but is a very simple, fast and accurate way of focusing.
These cameras all have a fixed lens (i.e no zoom or telephoto lens), but as each manufacturer competed in a tough market, the lenses are generally of great quality with some really exceptional models available.
The table below lists some of the major rangefinder cameras of the era, along with their key features.
| Make / Model | Photo | Notable features |
| Olympus - 35 DC |  |
A small camera with a large and excellent lens. Fully-automatic exposure. Simple to use and a beautifully proportioned camera. Has a self-timer and backlight correction button. |
| Olympus - 35 RC |  |
Even smaller than the 35 DC, the 35 RC also offers fully manual control, plus shutter-priority automatic exposure control. A beautiful, pocket sized high performing camera.
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| Olympus - 35 SP |  |
Top of the range and a true legend - the only retro rangefinder that has spot-metering. Lens is also famous for its outstanding quality. Often mentioned as a realistic alternative to a (very expensive) Leica. Has manual metering and fully automatic modes and a wide range of shutter speeds. The (lesser known) Olympus 35 UC is identical in lens / functionality, but has a lovely black finish and a battery check button. |
| Olympus 35 LE / LC |  |
The 35 LE (automatic exposure) and 35 LC (manual + meter) were the predecessors to the 35 SP and actually have the same fantastic lens. Both very elegant and worth considering. The LC has a built-in meter with a 'match needle' exposure system window on the top of the camera. |
| Konica C35 |  |
Konica made many cameras in the C35 range, and the original (a rangefinder) is excellent. With a lightweight aluminium body it is extremely compact and light. Has fully automatic exposure control. |
| Konica C35 FD |  |
Also known as the C35 Auto S3 this was the top of the range C35. Superb lens (larger than the original C35), and has shutter-priority automatic exposure control. Slightly heavier than the original C35 it has a lovely solid feel to it. |
| Yashica Electro 35 |  |
The Electro 35 range was sold for many years, owing to the excellent capabilities and features of these cameras. They have an electronically controlled shutter with a huge speed range and an extremely sharp. In addition, a unique warning light system that informs the photographer both of over exposure and camera shake. |
| Canon Canonet QL17 |  |
Like the Yashica Electro 35, a very successful range of cameras produced for many years. The Canonet range came with a variety of lenses of which the QL17 is the best (having the widest aperture lens). Beautiful winding and shutter action, plus shutter priority automatic / manual modes. One of the few rangefinder cameras to have a quick film loading capability too. The 2nd generation version is most sought after, being slightly smaller in size than earlier models, and being Japan made. |