Not sure if I want to spend $6000 on pure mechanical perfection… with that said I just paid $50 for a yashica 35 gsn so I can use some expired films in my freezer 😅 definitely a interesting comparison video though

So helpful and informative as usual! Thanks for all the efforts you put in these videos. They do matter!!

Great channel! Love seeing film coming back. Your reviews are great and on point

Such a good resource to have so many of these heavy hitters compared! Much appreciated.

I just got a yashica 35 and man do I love the look and feel of these type of camera. I want more eventually.

Man. I bought an electro 35 back in 2005, all excited to have a baby leica. Then, when I couldn't find batteries, and it wouldn't let me manually set shutter speed, I figured the concept of a baby leica was too good to be true. Here it is, 15 years later, and I am just now learning about the options from olympus, minolta, and Canon that DO allow full manual control. I am sad for the past fifteen years I could have been using these guys.

Thanks for the shutter sound comparison. It’s such an important part of a camera’s experience.

Thanks for your work from Canarias

I've been researching all these cameras for weeks now. I would have saved so much time if I had just found this video first. this is one of the best camera comparison videos I've seen since it's not just comparing two at a time. Thank you for doing such a thorough comparison!

Eric, thank you so much for this side by side comparison and comments. I haven't shot file for some time, but I am feeling the desire to shoot some more film. In 1976 I bought a new Olympus OM1 and still have it. Some time ago I purchased an Olympus 35 RC which needed some TLC. I recently sent it off to have it CLA'd, new light seals, and the meter circuit modified to work on the 357/303 Silver Oxide Batteries. I am looking forward to getting it back and going out and running some film thru it. Your comments on quality of the images from all of these cameras was really appreciated. Keep up the good work.

Superb overview. I dig your style.

great collection, great review and comparison- have done some research on the rokkor lenses from Minolta, I may go for the 40mm rokkor F2, for my M2, but the Minolta 7S2 looks amazing in many test shots.

This is an exact video I want, great work!🙌🏻

Thank you so much for this content! Very useful. Just found a great deal on a refurbished Ql17 and this helped me take the step and actually get it. Can't wait to take some pictures with it.

Wonderful comparison. Very well executed. Canonets are lovely, as long as the lenses are still in good condition, but if size is a consideration, then the Olympus 35RC is a contender. Beautiful little camera you can take anywhere.

One of the best camera videos I have seen. Thank you for your time!

Wow!! That was a lot of work! Wonderful production. I have the Olympus and Yashica; I agree with the comments you made about both.

I never got tired of watching your videos, specially this one. I have all the models in here except Leica M6.Last week I purchased a shoe box and I keep putting money on it. Some day I am sure, I'll have enough to complete my rangefinder collection. I realize the rest of rangefinder s will kept me busy for sure... Greetings from Terrassa , Spain.

Love this camera shootout, killer review and opinion. Thank you for your service sir.

nice wrap up , and good comparison video , well done .. you have a good relaxed presenting style, coming across easy and watchable ...

Wow, great comparison! Thanks very much for the vid!

Thanks for sharing your video. I also have much love for compact 70s Japanese rangefinders. I have all of the ones you test here, save for the Olympus. I do, however, have a nice Konica Auto S3, which happens to be my favorite of all of them, it`s fill-flash gives the most natural-looking flash photos (great skin tones). The Minolta`s shutter sound (Bzzzzzzippp) always makes me smile. The GIII I last shot with a roll of Fujichrome 100, exposures were bang-on....these cameras really deliver, you can`t go wrong with any of them !

Thanks for the comparison sir!

Thank you for this comparison!

Great video! I wish you had the Olympus 35SP for the comparison. I would have loved to see that one in the mix. I pick up the Yashica Electro for $5-$15 locally. I think yours might have an issue. I passed on a black one today for $40. I'll go back with a battery and test it when I can.

Great video. I own an Electro 35, and it is a bit fiddly (and getting worse... ) But I have found that it's limitations spur creativity! Yashikor also made a wide angle 1:4 for this model and a "Tele-wide Finder" that fit on the shoe (and was awful).

Very comprehensive reviews. I've had every one of the cameras except for the Leica m6. I agree with your results. The Minolta hi-matics are excellent overall and right now my favorite is a fully automatic hi-matic e. It's just fun.

Awesome! Fun idea for a review/comparison.

Thanks for that. As if I needed another reason to spend more than I have on a Leica. Seriously though, great video. I learned alot! The film community is sleeping on the yashica MG1. They go for a fraction of the price of the electro models, I'm talking 30 vs over 150 with all of the features, including a light meter based in the lens module to work with filters BUT with a slightly slower lens.

Cool, thanks!

Just found your channel today. Very informative stuff! Subbed.

Great review thank you.

Great work

I have a Konica S2 that I got as a gift love that camera

olympus 35rd is a great option too. honestly the leica is better mostly because it can take a beat whereas these cannot that much. the image quality will not be much different if you use your camera well and clean

Enjoyed your video sir! Nice style.

Thank you! Really helpful:)

Sunday morning here. Watch that video for the third time. Going to Flickr to check out higher resolution pictures. Good video...

great video man, just got a Biogon 35f2 for my MP, cant wait to get the first rolls back from the lab

I am dusting off my much-forgotten Canonet GRIII Q17 today, and taking her out for some fun. Thanks!

Super . Really appreciated the information

Thanks for that. Very useful info

Thanks for the video! I know that these take a lot of time to produce, and with five rolls of film, you are investing a lot of your money for the sake of a test. I had the Canon and really liked the lens, but eventually gave it to a friend of mine when I got my M6. My Canon also had some internal issues and needed the seals replaced but for the most part still functioned. That Zeiss lens really is something though, I have the f/2 version and really like it. I am not suuuuuper impressed with the lens at f/2, and tend to shoot it at 2.8 or stopped down when I can, but I have found that f/2 to be nice when inside, and in those situations, the lower contrast and lesser image quality didn't seem to bother me. One of the other comments was talking about the Rollei, I have the 35T and shot two rolls with it last weekend. It is a nice camera, mostly for the size, but that small size as I am sure you know comes with its drawbacks. As in no rangefinder. And with that, I think that you have a much different shooting experience, especially when you are trying to photograph people like I enjoy doing.

Great content! Subscribed!

Because of this video I bought a really nice Canonet. Thanks for your expertise, sir. Also, your videos are just very enjoyable. Maybe something to do with you being a very cool guy.

I appreciate you doing a great video and spot-on choices for camera selection. It's so painful these days to pay and wait to get your photos developed, as well as the film cost. I have the GSN and Canonet and I do prefer the Canonet as well. It's called the "Poor man's Leica" for a reason. haha. The Yashica really gained popularity because it was used in Spiderman, but still a good and sharp camera nonetheless. It does feel comically big and not as solid as the Canon, but there are some different Yashica models that are worth the extra dollars. Just some cautionary notes, as I have purchased many different Yashicas; Most of the Yashicas that you find will have frozen shutters along with other notorious issues which are expensive to fix, so make sure to test that shutter!

Very useful my man thank you!

Thanks! Great video

Thanks for this. I haven’t shot film in 20 years, but have been curious to pick up a film camera. I want to get into the Leica system, either film or digital, I know I would be happy with digital, but not sure if I would be happy with film. Was looking for cheap alternative to see if I even like shooting film. Love the punchy contrast of the Minolta, I’m guessing it shoots great black and white.

Wonderful video and camera collections. I have a Minolta CLE. I think you should try it. Very nice Leica M mount rangefinder camera.

Great Video. I've been wondering about these fixed lens rangefinders. I had a Canonet, but didn't like it. I think I just had a bad copy because the general consensus seems to agree with your findings. Well done.

Loved your video - my niece has gotten the film bug 🐛. She got a point and shoot- I'm looking to get her going on a semi auto / with nice portable body - where she can experiment with manual settings. I am favoring the Olympus 35RD and the Canon you showed here

Nice vid! I’m interested in seeing a comparison of those 4 compact rangefinders to a Leitz Minolta CL, though.

Nice vid .... very well put together!

Very informative review 👍

In 2021 thank you for this video.

Some remarks: You've got 157 likes extra on Flickr :-) The Olympus surprised me most, considering it is measuring exposure with 40 year old technique. Like JP said it would have been interesting if the Olympus 35 RD or SP would have been in the game. I believe the Minolta and especially the Yashica have issues, making the value of the comparison somewhat more redured. Overall, after seeing all the photos, the Canon is indeed the overall winner, but not by a large margin. The Leica excels in exposure but the lens you used did not that much better (green cast in quite some photos). But, most important of all: I loved this video! A real joy to watch. Great work! (subscribed)

I had a Canonet ql17. It had an excellent lens, but unfortunately, I didn't enjoy using it. I sold it for the same price I bought it for, which was great. I'm hoping to get a Leica M-A one day.

I want an M4, but my Konica Hexae has served me well.

Watching someone burn through 5 rolls of ektar , in 2023, you might as well be testing baseball bats with Ming vases :)

I'd be interested in a review of the Konica Auto S3. The lens is reputed to be second to none.

Thanks!

I have a Canonet 17 quick loading and an Olympus SP. I liked your video very much.. You don't find this information easily.. Greetings from Spain.

I have to say " thank you". This comparison will help me decide. I am waiting whether to go Yashica, Minolta, or Canon. I have also looked at Soviet cameras. Most of them were copies of Leica.

I think you are prob right on. The Olympus I thought would do better. It is the only one I didn't own. Canon was always my fave but I did love the feel of the bigger body Yashica. It just felt good. I don't rem just the 2 lights tho so maybe I had a slightly diff model. Great fun / wonderful trip back in time.

superb collection, good review and comparison.......I think in this comparison Leica has lens hood and rest doesn't have, any way Leica build is ultimate all knows...

Thank you for an excellent comparison. If I were to do something similar, I would compare the following rangefinders that I own and use: Argus C-3 #1 35mm rangefinder with 50mm f/3.5 interchangeable normal lens Canon Canonet QL17 G-III 35mm rangefinder with 40mm f/1.7 fixed normal lens (48mm filter size) Minolta Hi-Matic 9 35mm rangefinder with 45mm f/1.7 fixed normal lens (55mm filter size) Contax G1 35mm rangefinder with 45mm f/2 interchangeable normal lens (46mm filter size) Fuji GW670iii medium format rangefinder with 90mm f/3.5 fixed normal lens (67mm filter size) With the exception of my Contax G1, all my rangefinders are battery independent because that is what I prefer. Batteries may be needed for built-in light meters but batteries are not required for actual picture taking. I do not have a normal lens for my Leica because if I ever really needed to use a normal, I could always use one of my other rangefinders. Instead, I prefer to use a 35mm wide-angle as my go-to lens. I was pleased that the Canonet and the Minolta were the top two contenders in your comparison. I have been very pleased with mine. I have never performed a head-to-head comparison between my rangefinders but I am sure the 6x7cm medium format rangefinder would win because of its superb image quality.

Always informative. What about the Olympus 35 SP vs the Leica? The would be a great comparison too! Thanks

That little Minolta 7sII is about $350-400 on ebay! Definitely not cheap. Very cool Rangfinder shootout! Thanks a Eric!

Hi, nicevideo/comparation, I love your channel. No surprises here, I own those cameras and I knew the result. That said, I have to mention also that my Leica M6 is a dream camera with any lens, no surprises here either. But a rangefinder from a little earlier 60's that positively surprised me was my fully mechanic, no batteries required is my beloved Rank-Mamiya with EV number indicator to set the exposure and fitted with a stunning fix lens 40mm f:2.8 Mamiya-Sekor. The quality of the pictures is on par with the best modern lenses I own. My darling Rank-Mamiya is in a pristine condition. I just had to mention it to you because I know you would like it.

Are all the pictures uploaded in your flickr account? Awesome video, as always :)

Boss This is an exhaustive test you did right cheer. Good golly. It had to take a long time to put together, I was wondering how you didn't mix up the negatives for each camera LOL. Good work

Leaf shutters go no faster than 1/500s if I'm not mistaken. My father had the Olympus RD, and RC - very good lenses with full manual control, no film slip there. Later I did own a Olympus Trip. It had a poor transport system where film slip and inconsistent frames did occur. Thanks for an informative video - well put together!

Nice comparison. You should have thrown the Canonet QL25 into the mix, it is so much better built than the QL17 and the view finder is just as good as a Leica - if you get one with a clear finder and a rangefinder mirror in good condition. The QL25 lens is also really sharp - on par with Voigtländer on Leica in my experience - you have to make sure the rangefinder is adjusted though, and it's pretty cheap as well.

Me watching for the yashica “not quite as nicely engineered… but it’s the Spider-Man Camera” glad I just bought one😂

This is a near perfect video. Thank you

I have the Minolta 7s. I'm trying my first roll in it at the moment.

Yashica is super with the parallax correction. Your sample is faulty. Most probably the hair spring which is responsible for the function is not in place/groken.

Thanks for the video, very useful! What do you think of the Yashica Electro 35 GX? This was i think the latest version of the Electro series, better than the GSN, and it's comparable to the Canonet Ql17 giii since it has almost the same size, 40mm f1.7 , parallax correction and light meter in the lens. I'm buying my first film camera and I'm trying to figure out which one would be best in between these two. Thanks!

Great review mate it was a toss up between the canon and the oly 35-sp for me I went for the oly as that was available at the time no regrets 📷❤️

Sounds like your version of the Electro35 needed some work. I do agree that the focusing patch on the camera I have always found lacking. In bright light situations one can sometimes get good focusing. I got my version (Electro35 GS) after my dad passed away. He bought it in London, England, in 1972 and I do love the lens which is the main reason I still have camera. Really enjoyed your video. Down to earth talk about the good and bad of each camera. One question: why a zeiss lens over a say a 35mm or 50mm summicron?

Thank you for the video - I was thinking in terms of image quality should it be a zeiss vs the rest comparison? ergonomics etc - no issue - but the photographic image is ultimately what we are viewing and in my opinion there in no Leica glass dna in the images . Any thoughts ? PS Minor point the Olympus SP lens has a G zuiko ( 7 elements 5groups ) the Oly DC has an F zuiko ( 6 elements / 4 groups ) G is seventh letter and F is sixth letter - good way to remember. Happy new year !

Have you ever had an opportunity to shoot the Yashica Lynx 14? Can't find a lot of info or sample pics taken with the 1.4 lens. Great comparison video!

I believe that the Leica thing is overestimated. Prices are just insane, while you can buy great cameras and take great photos with a Yashica Electro 35 and even with a Zorki 4K.

I'm here to defend the Yashica! It seems that you have acquired a bad copy/poorly maintained version. I've just bought a Yashica Electro 35 GS (same as the GSN but without a hotshoe). I can't compare it with the others but the frame lines move smoothly and consistently. The shutter release is quiet and does not get stuck (look up "pad of death" for the likely cause). The light leak is probably due to the seals breaking down (an issue that affects most older cameras and can easily be rectified), either around the film back or underneath the rewind crank.

Perhaps the Yashica needed new light seals? It's a common problem with older film cameras. I know this because I am, in fact, Spiderman.

Wow

Olympus 35 sp

Bummer I was hoping for one of the Nikon S rangefinders to be in your testing. :)

Agfa print film. I used it when I wanted subdued color. Colors come back kind of " pastel".

Had a lot of flare issues with my Canonet GIII.

you mean the SMART man Leicas....

Q. At 3:40 into the video. WHAT is the great bridge behind you?

Leica M Is the best camera ive owned I feel proud upon using my leica ..

Interesting vidéo ! Like you a have a Leica and a couple of other rangefinder cameras. I own a Leica M4, camera that in my opinion has an even better viewfinder than the m6 (50mm more accurate at 2-3m and no 75mm frame in it…), with my only Leica lens, a 50mm 2,5 Summarit. I saved a long time to be able to buy this camera and lens, and I don’t regret it. Yes Leica cameras are just the best. Perfect lenses, perfect viewfinders and rangefinders, perfect mechanics, etc. Yes, but even if not perfects other cameras are also a joy to use and will deliver great quality pictures... I have a Minolta 7SII that I picked up for 4 euros in a garage sale … a very good camera indeed, but no, it’s not my favorite. The viewfinder isn’t great. No, my favorite among the non Leica rangefinders is… the Olympus 35 RC! I picked one up for a little more money, 25 euros at the big « braderie de Lille » , and for me it’s a great, great camera. Half the weight of the Leica, a quality 42mm photo lens that « only » opens at 2.8 but makes it much smaller (and at 2.8 still offers nice background blur…) The viewfinder is not bad at all, but of course not as accurate as the Leica and doesn’t have automatic parallax correction either. So to get a precise idea of what is really recorded on the film, I put the camera on a tripod and a small piece of tracing paper instead of the film... Here are the representations of the viewfinder at 0.85 and 2m, , even if you don't read french... 35mm-compact.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=55&t=59427 Knowing that really helps me frame my pictures better! Otherwise another camera I like a lot is the Olympus XA… I found two for... no, I don't dare tell you the price because I'll start to piss you off! :)

35 SP

I wonder how the Minolta CLE with Rokkor 40mm hold up against the Leica 6!

I just bought a Yashica Electro 35G for $7 that just needs light seals and a battery conversion and it’s ready to go. I’m never going to buy a Leica. For the cost of an M-A I can use my 5 other vintage film cameras including the cost of regular maintenance and hundreds of rolls of film for the rest of my life and still not drop almost 8k for 1 camera body and 1 lens.

Does the Olympus 35 RC have that same good lense? And is it worth $25, I’m thinking about buying one?

I think your Yashica Electro 35 is faulty. The sticky shutter button and the lack of a "pop" or "clunk" during wind on means that the "Pad of Death" has gone gooey, so it's not gonna expose correctly. Happens to all of them and can be fixed, but it's very fiddly to do.