Cheap old 35mm rangefinders

[Gerald Koch]

Forgot to mention the Olympus Trip 35 with a razor sharp 40 mm Zuiko lens. If you are going to buy one make sure that the selenium meter is working.

[benjiboy]

I don't think the battery for the Yashica 35 G.T. is available any more, Ithink they were mercury cells, and they are not allowed to make them due to environmental issues.

[Will S]

I don't think the battery for the Yashica 35 G.T. is available any more, Ithink they were mercury cells, and they are not allowed to make them due to environmental issues.

photoethnography.com says:

5.6v PX32 (battery check feature)
-compatible with 6V PX32A; or 6V PX28 alkaline, with 40c adaptor

[Gerald Koch]

For cameras that took a single mercury battery there is a very simple fix. This involves the addition of a 1N34A diode in series with the battery. The diode allows a silver oxide battery to replace the mercury battery by adjusting the voltage the camera sees. There are several sites on the web which describe this modification in detail.

[titrisol]

You sre about the diode type?
Is that for 1.5V -> 1.2 V?

If so RadioShack is your friend.... they sell for about 0.30

The 1N34A Germanium diode is an old standby in electronics. Widely used for detecting the rectifying efficiency or for switching on a radio, TV or stereo etc.

* GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS Peak Inv. Voltage(PIV): 60 Volts
* Max. Average Rectified Current: 50mA @ 25 deg C
* Junction Temperature (TJ): 100 deg C Max.
* FWD Voltage Drop(VF): 1.0V @ 5.0 mA
* Reverse Current: IR 15uA @ VR 10 volts

[titrisol]

HEADS UP!!!
Leica M3 with lens at GoodWill!
http://www.shopgoodwill.com/viewItem.asp?ItemID=1388901

[Gerald Koch]

Yes, that's the correct diode it drops the silver oxide battery's voltage from 1.55 to 1.35. There is a Schottky diode which is a bit better but the 1N34A works well for this purpose.

[titrisol]

I've heard of the Schotky diode but couldn;t find any around here... off to Radio Shack tonight!!

[titrisol]

http://home.pcisys.net/~rlsnpjs/minolta/conversion.html

Has explanation and pictures of using Schottsky Diodes and how to install them.

[Max Power]

My QL17 GIII was stolen from the house about a month ago. I really wanted another RF, but was a bit frustrated by the issue of having a single fixed lens. The meter was another issue.

Wanting to see if I liked the whole RF vibe anymore I just got a new in the box FED 5V on eBay from a reputable dealer. Ugly as heck but a really great performer. I have managed to put together a kit including the FED 5V, a J-9, a J-12, an I-61 and a Petri Tele/wide VF for $150. The quality is rather surprising.

I highly recommend this route for someone who want's to try RF photography without spending serious $$$ on the likes of a Bessa or a Leica.

Kent