Focusing in Darkness

thanks for the reply but it doesn't really help, specially when I shoot at 1.2, the focus needs to be really precise, I'm thinking shooting at 2.0 with higher ISO
 
Focusing in super low light is always tricky. I think you are just going to have to keep practising to see what works for you, in what light. I used to focus SLR in pretty dim light. I did it not by using the microprism in the SLR, but by using the rest of the screen, and going from one oof area to another, and finding the middle. That won't work with an RF. Just work on it and see what works, or get good at estimating distance. That was what I did if viewfinder focus was not possible.

Good luck.
 
What are you shooting? If you know what and where the subject is, you could use the distance scale on your lens and use zone focusing to get your subjects into focus.
 
Rather than trying to line up the rangefinder image in the viewfinder, try looking for the contrast 'pop' when the patch is in focus. Focussing slightly backwards and forwards over the point where the patch seems to jump in to sharpness works just as accurately as the most obvious method, and is much quicker when it's a bit gloomy out there. You don't need an M3 to try this either - I first tried it on a FED2.
 
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MartinP said:
Rather than trying to line up the rangefinder image in the viewfinder, try looking for the contrast 'pop' when the patch is in focus. Focussing slightly backwards and forwards over the point where the patch seems to jump in to sharpness works just as accurately as the most obvious method, and is much quicker when it's a bit gloomy out there. You don't need an M3 to try this either - I first tried it on a FED2.
Click to expand...

Exactly, what I do in low light. I use a magnifier for the rangefinder, that brings me to apr. 1x magnification and focus with both eyes open. This lets me easy see the "pop" when both images align.

I would consider zone focus @ f1.2 hit or miss, but I sometimes use a more contrasty focus target, that sits in the same distance than my subject to focus and chimp on a digital camera, to check focus.
 
Another low light issue is that in such low light your eye's iris opens wide and there is very little DOF. As a result, it is critical that your eye can focus at the VF's apparent distance. Even a small, subtle error can make critical focusing in low light overly difficult even though the VF seems crisp in bright light, when your eye has greater DOF.

You may find that glasses, contact lenses, or an eyepiece diopter is of great benifit.
 
Is your eye sight OK? Do not take this the wrong way but this is the rate limiting lens! Im just about needing glasses for fine detail and depressingly thinking about dioptre correction of my viewfinders.

Richard
 
As long as you're not shining it in someones eyes, use a small low power laser pointer. Aim the pointer at what you want to focus on and use the rangefinder to focus until you see a single red dot. Works in total darkness and on subjects with no texture.


Glenn
 
i have found that often, unless you are shooting at completely lurid ISO's (like with modern DSLR's), once you can't see well enough to focus, you won't be able to hand hold the shot anyways.
 
Kalart used to make a "Focuspot" gizmo for their press camera rangefinder. It projected a light through the rangefinder eyepiece. When the two spots of light on the subject became one you were in focus. Then you blinded everybody with your Press 25 flashbulb going off!
 
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