Why do you use a Rangefinder?

This will sound so cheesey, but simply because I feel at 1 with a rangefinder.

Be it my contax II, the G1, Hexar AF or 1 of my many ancient old rangefinders, I pick one up and even though I take pictures day in and day out for work, I still enjoy using them.
After a busy weeks work I hardly want to touch a camera, but my rangefinders are so much more I cant describe it, at the risk of sounding like a politician its a sinergy thing using a rangefinder...

And I LOVE them.
 
Because I am a Wide Angle Shooter.
I love rectilinear perspective.

My first wide was a 21 biogon, and I used a Contax II (not aware of the extreme quality I was having)
Then I decided that I wanted an SRL, so got a Canon A1, then a Nikon F3, F4 F5, all with a 20mm, but soon, realized that I couldn´t go wider...

The prices for SRL wides are very high, considering their bad distortions.

Then I realized the real value of rangefinders. They can go wider, without image distortion, nor my pocket distortion, with the BEST available quality. Since then I use a contax III with the 21mm Biogon and my Bessa III with the 12mm Heliar.

E
 
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In a word: simplicity.

Also my shoulders are thanking me, after carrying around 2 DSLR's with 4 or 5 lenses in a huge shoulder bag for years.
 
IdeaDog said:
I hate money. Can't stand keeping the stuff around.
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Probably the most honest answer for many of us!

Me: it's a different way of seeing, and a much simpler form of photography compared to modern digital shooting. It allows me to live for the scene and the technology doesn't intrude on the process.
 
Surprised nobody has mentioned the viewfinder allowing one to see more than what goes on the film. I find this a big plus. Tied for first would be the lenses- simply the best lenses for 35mm I've ever used.
 
back alley said:
because it's there...
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That is a disappointing answer, especially when it comes from a moderator. The guy has asked a legitimate question. Why the flippant response?

One answer might be that the kit is small and light, and that the viewfinder has properties not available in an SLR, that give advantages when traveling, or making shots of people or buildings in the street.

Others might shoot a rangefinder for different reasons, but someone having taken the time to post the question deserves a minimally polite response.
 
tarullifoto said:
That is a disappointing answer, especially when it comes from a moderator. The guy has asked a legitimate question. Why the flippant response?

One answer might be that the kit is small and light, and that the viewfinder has properties not available in an SLR, that give advantages when traveling, or making shots of people or buildings in the street.

Others might shoot a rangefinder for different reasons, but someone having taken the time to post the question deserves a minimally polite response.
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Ach... I did not find it impolite. Always someone gotta be Miss Manners.
 
1)Because I'm new to film photography and I wanted to see if I liked using a rangefinder as much as my Yashicamat.

2)If I don't try a rangefinder I won't know if I like it compared to other 35mm cameras. My M2 goes most places with me vs my DSLR, so I think so far I'm liking it!

3) I'm impressed with the lenses, the quality of the product, and the little rectangle for focusing. The brightlines also help me get my photos straight - something I have a problem with.
 
When I shoot with a rangefinder, I often do so because I am, ultimately a hardcore SLR guy. A rangefinder is a different way of working, and it's one I really enjoy and value, even if I only shoot with one a comparatively small amount of time. It's refreshing, frustrating, challenging, liberating in all the ways it's different from the tools I primarily use. It's nice to be able to switch things up.
 
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