35mm rangefinders other than Leica?

I supposed someone will ask - why not just get another Nikon FE? - there are plenty out there.

I'll assume you know that, and go direct to your title question.

If you want interchangeable lenses, then there's the Cosina/Voigtlander Bessa series - latest ones have Leica M mount but their own low-price lenses. The only other "new" 35mm RF you can buy today.

Or Contax G with autofocus - discontinued but lots available used. Some purists don't count them as RFs, but they do have "the compact size and minimal internal movement" of a Leica.

Or Canons and Nikons from the 60s - collectible ones are almost Leica-pricey, but a sweet little Canon P will be $400 +/- and will take 1960s Canon/Leica screwmount lenses or the screwmount versions of Cosina/Voigtlander (modern production) at, say, $300-$400 each.

If I absolutely had to shoot film today, with an RF, and at least some lens interchangeability (which I refuse to give up).....I personally would get a Canon P and 3-4 old Canon or new Voigtlander lenses. Less ornery than a Contax G (their automation tends to try and tell you when to take the picture, rather than the other way around). A little bit tighter build and finish than the modern Cosinas.

I should have added to that last paragraph: "with an RF, at a reasonable price".

Did you looked for a contax g1 or g2?

I'm a big fan of the Contax G2 - it's (for me) the closest to a perfect combination of RF and automatic, and with some practice can be a very effective and efficient tool for creating fantastic images. You have to learn its peculiarities somewhat (such as making use of focus-lock and re-composing) but it is a very fine camera by any standards. Not purist, but effective. Superb lenses too.

Andy's forgotten the Zeiss Ikon with many devotees and some great lenses. Released as late as 2004, some have described it as better than the Leica M7. It doesn't feel as solid as a Leica but it has some great features and is no doubt a great camera. The viewfinder is large and clear. Like the M7 it can be aperture priority automatic. It is slightly larger but lighter than an M Leica. It looks beautiful. If you never held a Leica you'd fall in love with this camera and not think anything could be better. You might even be right. There are a few reviews on the net.

Just two thoughts: the Yashica Electro 35 is a really big and heavy camera if this model is still on Your list. A decent camera - but no RF is the Konica Hexar AF: nice lens, silent operation mode and in black a real beauty. georg

1) Do you want a meter?

If you do and decide to go with a RF than take a look at Voigtlander bodies. They are modern and lightweight. Look for one with metering and a Leica screw thread mount. You can then use any screw or M lens on them inc Leica although their own lenses are very good. They are not a classic though if you want that vintage look / feel and supposedly don't have the build quality of a Leica.

2) What lens lengths do you like to use and to shoot what with?

***RF are only good for wide angle to 90mm or 135 at a push so are hopeless for sports. ***Any wide angle below 28mm will also probably need an external finder so will involve faffing about. ***They also don't work well or even at all close up so no good for Macro or even frame filling full face portraits.

Disclaimer***The above statements are generalities so may not be 100% factual e.g. there is a 90mm macro lens option for M cameras which may work for you.

If the above issues makes you now think you may well want a classic SLR after all then how about an Olympus? The first OM-1 was called them M-1 originally before Leica objected because it was so based on the compact size and feel of an M camera. The glass is supposed to be very good although I am surprised that you find the SL35 optics to be only so so (are yours zooms or primes?). Buying another Nikon is another easy option.

The fact is this - If you want a metered film camera then virtually any old film SLR offers amazing value at this time including Leica SLR cameras if you fancy a well engineered brick to lug about :-)

Late model Leica RFs with meters have not, to date, suffered quite so badly in the move to digital so they still are not a cheap option nor is their glass.

Addendum:

The Yashica is not that much big - sorry for adding confusion. I have one in its original case and this thing is really large. georg

Aaron, The Zeiss Ikon with ZM lenses is probably the best RF combination around today,and it costs half or less than comparable new Leica equipment, still it is relatively expensive. I'd suggest a Bessa for a start - the R4A if you like the wide lenses, or the R3A in case you can be ok with lenses from 40 to 90mm. The CV lenses are first class and not expensive. An alternative would be a functioning Leica M2 - you can find these for acceptable money these days. Look up the rangefinderforum.com.