A Question

[Bill Pierce]

Here is a question for rangefinder users. What is more important to you, the rangefinder focusing or the bright line viewfinder? I can answer for myself; it’s the bright line finder. I’m one of those people that would on certain occasions slip a Leica auxiliary bright line finder into the accessory shoe of a film SLR. In the digital realm there are the Fuji X-100 and X-Pro series that combine autofocus with a bright line finder. So, which is it for you - focusing or viewing? (We are also accepting conjecture from the TTL gang.)

 

[Ko.Fe.]

I used to use FED-2 and nothing else. I didn't knew back then about brightline viewfinders. I have zero issues to photograph without this knowledge. I like FED-2 VF for been dimmed, it is great for my light sensitive eyes.

But for some odd reasons I can't frame easily with Kievs.

Main thing for me with RF is not the brightlines, nor focusing. But been able to have unblocked face and I bet, different reaction or less overreaction from people I could see around.

Every time I look into Fuji's optical VFs... somehow it feels on the cheap side...

 

[Doug A]

I find the rangefinder focusing essential for fast accurate focusing. Only my IIIg has a bright line viewfinder. I sometimes use accessory bright line viewfinders with my older LTM Leicas but I get along just fine with the little built-in viewfinders too.

 

[newst]

For me, it is definitely the focusing. Funny thing, most of my rangefinders don't even have 'lines' in their optics, Canon IIf, Canon IV SB, Canon L1, Zorki 6, and Leica IIIf. Only my Canon P shows lines in the viewfinder. I prefer having the viewfinder show me the full image.

 

[Retro-Grouch]

For me, it's neither the rangefinder focusing nor the brightlines. It's about the experience of viewing through the finder, rather than at a projected two-dimensional image on a ground glass. I use a rangefinder when my experience of the subject, almost always a person, is paramount. I shoot with an SLR when I'm more interested in the structure of the image, how it will look as an arrangement of shapes and tones in a two-dimensional rectangle. The difference is subtle, and of course I'll use whatever type of camera is at hand if necessary, but when I know in advance what I'm shooting, then I choose the type of camera based on those distinctions.

 

[Darthfeeble]

Old eyes, it's the focusing. Now I find myself relying on good AF in the newer cameras.

 

[Dogman]

Definitely the bright frame lines. I was kinda iffy with the focusing of the Leica but I loved the bright lines around the subject. With the Fujis, I get good AF along with the framing when I use the native lenses.

I've been using a few manual focus lenses with the XP2 and I appreciate the focus peaking option, the ERF and focus assist. The EVF comes in handy for manual focus lenses without a doubt. Still I prefer the OVF with bright lines.

 

[raydm6]

I use both but the BL finders are a joy. I use the Leitz SBOOI (5cm), SGVOO (9cm), and SHOOC (13.5cm).

 

[AlwaysOnAuto]

I'm with Darthfeeble on this one. Good AF on newer cameras for me too.

 

[Hari]

I like the SBOOI with 50mm lens and screwmount cameras.

 

[Bill Blackwell]

Here is a question for rangefinder users. What is more important to you, the rangefinder focusing or the bright line viewfinder? ...

It depends on the FL. I suppose for any FL 21mm and wider, I'd be good with using an accessory finder and the focusing scale (most everything is in focus from f/4-5.6 anyway) on the lens. But for 24mm and longer I'd say focusing accuracy through the RF is most important to me. I've learned to approximate framing for FL 28mm and longer with just a glance at the framelines in the RF.

 

[quadtones]

Having just sold off my Visoflex 020 for the M10, replacing it with a 21mm bright line finder, I no longer am troubled by shutter lag, relative to the finder imag, fussing with peaking, and am back to shooting with the frame line outlining an aerial image. It’s the way that suits my approach to composing.

 

[snapwell]

I happen to LOVE the truly 1:1 bright line Leica 50mm finder I have bolted onto
my IIIa. You can actually do the both-eyes-open thing - the lines just float.

Doesn’t bother me at all to drop my eye to the magnified rangefinder for focussing…