Difficult Low Light Focusing.. or just me?

[bhop73]

Last night, I took my M6, loaded with film pushed to 1600, to the downtown LA art walk. It's a night time event in the streets of downtown, so there's not much light to work with, but enough to shoot wide open at slower speeds. The keeper ratio is probably hit and miss, but it's all for fun anyway. Later I loaded some 3200 film which made exposure slightly easier..

..but what i'm getting to is that it was hard to focus. I could barely see the rangefinder dual image. During the day I could zone focus but that's less successful at f/1.4 or f/2. I wonder if it's just me not being used to shooting with it at night or if this is just a limitation of rangefinders? or just the M viewfinder?

 

[bhop73]

 

[MartinP]

In low light don't try to see the rf image and line up the details, instead look for the slight increase in contrast as they line up. There is a definite 'pop' when the focus is on target. Cheer yourself up by remembering that manual-focus slr owners have more of a problem - not to mention most digital point-and-shoot users (that is why they have those little red lights on the front).
😉

 

[ruby.monkey]

Cheer yourself up by remembering that manual-focus slr owners have more of a problem

Not really - we can benefit from having that f/1.2 lens stuck on the front. 😉

 

[flip]

I have not found any better camera better for night shooting than an M3. It was made for night shooting with a fast 50 -- with both eyes open it just pops when you have focus. I bought mine specifically because I like to shoot in low light.

 

[lxmike]

I must admit it varies with rangefinder camera I'm using, pop method definately works for me though, but as I head towards my 46th year my eye sight is getting worse, even with my glasses on

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Is the viewfinder in good order? Cover the main viewfinder and look around using just the RF image. It should be almost as bright as the main finder. If it is dark, or hazy- time for a CLA. The latter made a huge difference on my M3 and Canon VI-T.

I have not problem with the M3, M2, or M8 in low-light. I've been taking pictures at a skating rink lately, and can still focus with the room lights in "Disco Mode".

Nikkor 8.5cm F2, wide-open on the M8. Subject Moved during exposure.

 

[jljohn]

One thing that will significantly help the M6's low light focus capability is getting an MP Modification done. Not only does it reduce rangefinder whiteout, but it increases contrast in the rangefinder window that helps low-light focusing substantially. Made a big difference for me!

 

[Livesteamer]

I second the MP finder upgrade. Last year Sherry K. upgraded the finder on my M6 .85 and it made a big difference in all kinds of light. I recently shot a roll at the family reunion with that camera and the Noctilux wide open. It was easy to focus and the focus was right on the money. M3 is another excellent camera for low light. Joe

 

[Turtle]

I agree too. With the M6 finder, if teh scene is dark and there is a point of light in the frame, even if it does not whiteout, the reduction in contrast makes focus hard.

You have to look for contrast and they try to get that pop as said earlier.

As for SLRs, I hate to say it, but with my 85 1.2L II on the front, it is less sure than a RF. In really low light I get a fait few misses due to the AF not being able to lock on accurately. It seems to lock on, only not in the right place. Come on Canon, pull your finger out!

 

[ferider]

Maybe your M6 viewfinder does need to be cleaned.

But I agree about the benefit of the MP finder upgrade. Patch contrast will become as good as it gets. A clean M3 is even better since the patch is larger. Never been in a situation where I was more limited by patch contrast than by film speed.

Roland.

 

[flip]

M3 M3 M3.... Why pay for an upgrade that gets you the better part of a dedicated M3 body. 😛

 

[gb hill]

The one you titled Night Shadows you nailed!.....very nice...faved!

 

[bhop73]

Thanks for the comments. The viewfinder and rangefinder both seem bright. Judging from the comments, i'm leaning on the 'not enough night shooting experience' point of view. I will try to look for the 'pop' next time i'm in lower light and see if that helps.

As far as the MP upgrade.. how can you tell if you've got it? Is there any outside visual difference? I'm sure I don't, but just wondering..

and thanks gb_hill