Fuji X100T - Rangefinder or not?

archeophoto

archeophoto

I love 1950's quality
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Hi all,

The new digital Rangefinder function mirrored in the optical viewfinder of the Fuji X100T gives the camera pretty much full manual focus rangefinder capabilities.

So is the X100T considered a rangefinder or not?

What's your opinion?
 
Hopefully this doesn't sidetrack the conversation, but how was the manual focus of the earlier models? I would think that'd be a pretty essential aspect of the feature, regardless of the name ;).
 
It's a window-viewfinder camera that can determine the subject's range. Although the mechanism of range finding is not classical image-overlap parallax, it would be nonsensical to say that it's not a rangefinder.
 
I haven't used the x100t, but the videos showing the hybrid VF make the unit seem less than ideal. I would imagine one focusing on the tiny window in the corner rather than the rest of the frame. I like a rangefinder because I can really nail focus without distancing myself from the rest of a composition. That said, the HVF is a game changer an I can't wait to try it.
 
aizan said:
no, but why does it matter if you call it a rangefinder or not?
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How is it not a digital / electronic rangefinder?

x100t_3_amended-288x480.jpg


If the question was... is it a mechanical rangefinder, then the answer is no
 
It is a viewfinder, not a rangefinder. You may call it a digital rangefinder, but that is a misnomer. BTW the image on the EVF ("V" for "viewfinder) is an electronic representation of what the sensor sees. That "Electronic rangefinder" graphic does not depict a rangefinder. A rangefinder has two windows separated by enough distance to determine distance by triangulation. Maybe the electronic version uses a somewhat similar principle, but it is far fetched to call it a rangefinder.

Bottom line is, who cares..? What matters is that it works. I love my Leicas and my X100S. I couldn't care less what the focusing system is called as long as I can focus properly. The combination of EVF and OVF is great. Though I use the OVF 90% of the time, when I need the EVF, I m happy that it's there. They both work just fine. I use my X100S in the same manner as my M4-P and M2. The Leicas just require a bit of forethought.

Gil.
 
It is a rangefinder, just like a splitscreen is a rangefinder - a different device for measuring. But if we don't consider a splitscreen a rangefinder, why would we consider this to be one?

But it is an irrelevant question. If you like usning it, use, if you don't, don't.
 
gilgsn said:
Bottom line is, who cares..?

Gil.
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Cameras are my hobby, that's why I care.
The people who operate this forum seem to care. There are different forum sections and under "Digital rangefinder Cameras" are only two camera makers.
I find it interesting how cameras are sorted in different sections.
 
Cameras are my hobby, that's why I care.
The people who operate this forum seem to care. There are different forum sections and under "Digital rangefinder Cameras" are only two camera makers.
I find it interesting how cameras are sorted in different sections.
Click to expand...

Ok, I understand. To me it just doesn't matter. My concern is primarily improving my composition. A camera with a window in the corner seems to help, so that's what I use. I call it a viewfinder on the X100S and a rangefinder on the Leicas. Fuji calls it a viewfinder. They designed it, they know.

Gil.
 
jsrockit said:
How is it not a digital / electronic rangefinder? If the question was... is it a mechanical rangefinder, then the answer is no
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It's a strange method of focusing. You focus in a corner a selected zone that is in another place of the viewfinder. Diplopy is a risk.😉 may be the practise will help.
 
Electronic rangefinder, but a rangefinder nonetheless -by definition and by function. Fuji does indeed refer to it as such.
 
The X100 I was one of the worst cameras I have owned. Menu from _ _ _ _, autofocus fair at best, manual focus almost impossible. I am sure the T will be much better, but for me it's not a "true" rangefinder camera.

Peace
 
A lot of people disagree with you on the X100, but that's not what my question was. What is a "true rangefinder camera" for you?

DCB said:
The X100 I was one of the worst cameras I have owned. Menu from _ _ _ _, autofocus fair at best, manual focus almost impossible. I am sure the T will be much better, but for me it's not a "true" rangefinder camera.

Peace
Click to expand...
 
I believe I have a Pentax and an Alpa that are SLRs and have a separate rangefinder, and idea that evidently did not really catch on.

I suppose a suspenders and belt approach, though, I would suspect Roger knows the real history?

The Pentax looked so cool I had to buy it about ten minutes after it hit Igor's table.

I have a number of RF like VF cameras that zone focus, some with indicators in the finder, and actually, zone focus can work rather well, especially for the price and speed. I still used zone focus for many situations in journalism.

The Leica in my avatar has a RF, but I did not clip it on for its portrait, same with the Standard.

Regards, John
 
My OM-10 is also rangefinder, because it has two images in the middle of VF and I have to put them together to have it in focus. Moderators, please, move OM-10 to rangefinders!
 
Ko.Fe. said:
My OM-10 is also rangefinder, because it has two images in the middle of VF and I have to put them together to have it in focus. Moderators, please, move OM-10 to rangefinders!
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You damn well know the difference here... :rolleyes:
 
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