Discover how to purchase a vintage rangefinder camera on a budget, from finding options in thrift stores to sourcing FED models online.
Cameras have been around for ages and have evolved from the crude 1839 invention called the daguerreotype camera—which fetched more than $792,000 at a recent auction—to the modern point-and-shoot Cybershot and SLR cameras we know today. Aside from their use in the visual arts, many people associate cameras with those toted by the paparazzi. Of course, we know that cameras have much nobler uses than catching celebrities on a bad-hair, no-makeup day!
So, if taking beautiful landscape or portrait pictures is a growing hobby of yours, you are definitely into photography!
However, before you join the Manhattan Miniature Camera Club, one of the oldest camera clubs in existence, you must first enroll in a photography class and get your own camera.
You might immediately think "expensive," but there are cameras you can purchase for as low as $10 up to $100 that offer exceptional value for your money. A rangefinder camera is one such option, and it comes highly recommended.
First off, the rangefinder is a classic, veteran camera. It has been around since the 1950s, so its track record speaks for itself. You don't look directly through the taking lens; instead, you simply peek through a small window to focus on your subject. This is similar to how you use a disposable camera. What's more, it is quieter to operate, offers higher image quality, and captures pictures more precisely than many other cameras out there.
Now that you've been properly introduced to why a rangefinder is a great choice, it's time to learn how and where to buy one on a budget:
- If you want to spend only $10, thrift stores and garage sales are great places to begin your quest for a rangefinder camera. Specific models that often fetch this price in these places include the Olympus 35RC and the Olympus Trip 35.
- For rangefinder cameras in the $100 price range, the recommended option is the "FED" type. Try checking former Soviet bloc countries, where FED rangefinder cameras are still relatively abundant. Russia and Ukraine are the most recommended sources for quality finds, and you can browse for them on eBay or Amazon. A word of caution: be very selective when purchasing this type of camera online. You must choose a reputable vendor, so do a background check, cross-reference with other FED vendors, and look at feedback from past buyers—buyers from the United States are often your best bet for honest reviews. You also have to factor in shipping and delivery costs. If this seems too complicated, you can search for vendors within the United States, but stick to looking for a FED rangefinder camera.
- Once you have selected a vendor (whether local or international), you can request a video demonstration and presentation of the rangefinder they are selling. This can be done via Skype or by having the vendor upload a video to YouTube. Pay special attention to the condition of the lens, and make sure it is clean and scratch-free.
- Finally, do not rush into buying, even if the vendor claims that many people are bidding on the item. Take your time deciding so you won't end up with a bad deal or, worse, a camera that falls below your expectations.
When your transaction is complete, your photographic adventure begins! Happy clicking!
Buying a Rangefinder Camera on a Budget
Discover how to purchase a vintage rangefinder camera on a budget, from finding options in thrift stores to sourcing FED models online.
Cameras have been around for ages and have evolved from the crude 1839 invention called the daguerreotype camera—which fetched more than $792,000 at a recent auction—to the modern point-and-shoot Cybershot and SLR cameras we know today. Aside from their use in the visual arts, many people associate cameras with those toted by the paparazzi. Of course, we know that cameras have much nobler uses than catching celebrities on a bad-hair, no-makeup day!
So, if taking beautiful landscape or portrait pictures is a growing hobby of yours, you are definitely into photography!
However, before you join the Manhattan Miniature Camera Club, one of the oldest camera clubs in existence, you must first enroll in a photography class and get your own camera.
You might immediately think "expensive," but there are cameras you can purchase for as low as $10 up to $100 that offer exceptional value for your money. A rangefinder camera is one such option, and it comes highly recommended.
First off, the rangefinder is a classic, veteran camera. It has been around since the 1950s, so its track record speaks for itself. You don't look directly through the taking lens; instead, you simply peek through a small window to focus on your subject. This is similar to how you use a disposable camera. What's more, it is quieter to operate, offers higher image quality, and captures pictures more precisely than many other cameras out there.
Now that you've been properly introduced to why a rangefinder is a great choice, it's time to learn how and where to buy one on a budget:
- If you want to spend only $10, thrift stores and garage sales are great places to begin your quest for a rangefinder camera. Specific models that often fetch this price in these places include the Olympus 35RC and the Olympus Trip 35.
- For rangefinder cameras in the $100 price range, the recommended option is the "FED" type. Try checking former Soviet bloc countries, where FED rangefinder cameras are still relatively abundant. Russia and Ukraine are the most recommended sources for quality finds, and you can browse for them on eBay or Amazon. A word of caution: be very selective when purchasing this type of camera online. You must choose a reputable vendor, so do a background check, cross-reference with other FED vendors, and look at feedback from past buyers—buyers from the United States are often your best bet for honest reviews. You also have to factor in shipping and delivery costs. If this seems too complicated, you can search for vendors within the United States, but stick to looking for a FED rangefinder camera.
- Once you have selected a vendor (whether local or international), you can request a video demonstration and presentation of the rangefinder they are selling. This can be done via Skype or by having the vendor upload a video to YouTube. Pay special attention to the condition of the lens, and make sure it is clean and scratch-free.
- Finally, do not rush into buying, even if the vendor claims that many people are bidding on the item. Take your time deciding so you won't end up with a bad deal or, worse, a camera that falls below your expectations.
When your transaction is complete, your photographic adventure begins! Happy clicking!
Buying a Rangefinder Camera on a Budget
By Howtodotips
Discover how to purchase a vintage rangefinder camera on a budget, from finding options in thrift stores to sourcing FED models online.