The best rangefinder for street photography

[Alex1994]

This weekend I tried my hand at some street photography: photographing people in their environment, incognito, a la Cartier-Bresson. I own a Yashica Electro 35 for this purpose, so I set it to f/16 and pre-focussed, giving me a DoF of 2m to infinity (I used 200ASA film and it was a nice sunny day). The camera was easy to hold and responded quickly. I know from previous experience that the Yashica's lens is cracker.

Now, just wondering: what are the best rangefinders for fast, spontaneous photography of people in their environment? I know Cartier-Bresson always used a Leica - what are the other options?

[Christopher Walrath]

The one the photographer owns. Leaves more dough for gas and film. Really, the camera that the photographer is most familiar with so that the task of photography is not interrupted by 'What does this button do again?'

[BobD]

There are a zillion other options. You might want to narrow down your
requirements a bit. There is no such thing as a "best camera" for
everyone.

[paulie]

crown graphic

[Anscojohn]

A pre-focussed, pre-set Argus C3 comes to mind. It is shaped like a brick and has sharp edges, making it a good defensive weapon. ~(:+>}}

[Christopher Walrath]

crown graphic

Now, see, again, I would have to go with a B&J Press camera. Why? 'Cause I already own it.

[Ken N]

Really, about the only thing I see as an issue with the Yashica is the size. The Electro 35 is not a small camera and the chrome versions aren't overly discreet. The lens really does benefit from a lens shade too.

However, the Electro 35 (in its many varients) has specific advantages to street shooting:
1. Outstanding lens (F16 is diffraction limited, so reducing the aperture a bit will help with image sharpness)
2. Quiet. The lens uses a leaf shutter. Winding the camera makes more noise than shooting the camera
3. Auto Exposure
4. Decent viewfinder. The frame-lines can be remarkably accurate.
5. Inexpensive. Being stolen is not worth worrying about.
6. The lens is easily focused by feel. The tabs are different than Leica lenses, but with experience you can zone focus the lens completely by feel
7. Intuitive and fast operation.

The Electro 35 GS and GSN were my primary cameras for ten years. Great stuff.

[Krzys]

I have a super quiet Leica M2 (most silent when tested against at least 20 other models) here for sale. In my opinion the M2 and 35mm lens are ideal for street.

[2F/2F]

The one that happens to be set for a perfect exposure, focused on just the right plane, positioned for just the right composition, and snapped at just the right time.

In other words, it's all on you, not your camera.

In even more words, these criteria mean that the best rangefinder for street photography is not a viewfinder camera at all, but a reflex camera (except probably the first criterion, which is equal between the two types, and the last, which goes to the viewfinder camera).

[Krzys]

2F/2F I think you mean a Contax T3 (or one of its high end p&s brothers)