Minolta A5

MinoltaM-0741

If you want a stripped down photographic experience the Minolta A5 gives it. The aperture, shutter and focus are all controlled at the lens using finely machined dials. The Citizen shutter has speeds from 1 second to 1/500 as well as bulb, each one selected with a satisfying click. The focus is silky smooth and easy to see in the viewfinder with its sharp edged focus patch. As with most rangefinders it is excellent for focusing in dim light. The lens is a 45mm 1:2.8 Rokkor built from 4 elements. While a simple design it works very well. With no exposure meter you need to use some other method of determining what settings to use but with that done you can just concentrate on taking pictures.