Hello :) <-- Newbie to Rangefinder

[Ferdinand]

I got directed here recently while trying to help a friend to sell his M4-2 with the 35/2 tabbed Summicron lens.

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6079

Anyways, hope I don't offend anyone, but why are these camera call Rangefinder? Aren't they just 35mm camera? What makes them so special? My friend is asking to sell his at $900.00 that is even more than what my Canon 10D is going for used!

Hope someone can educate me please. Thanks :bang: :bang:

Best regards,
Ferdinand

 

[Roman]

A rangefinder is a device for measuring distances - by superimposing two overlapping pictures (seen through two different windows on the camera); that device is what differentiates rangefinder cameras from SLRs, TLRs, view cameras, etc.
As to why they are superior, there's a contest going on about that subject at the moment... 😉

Roman

 

[bmattock]

Welcome, Ferdinand!

Simply put, a rangefinder camera uses the 'triangulation' method for determining the distance (or 'range') from your camera to your subject, and it uses the solution to this mathematical problem to focus the lens for you. An SLR such as your Canon is focused by other methods.

Traditionally, with an SLR camera, you look through the lens that takes the photo. With a rangefinder, you look through a lens other than the one that takes the photo. You see a 'patch' in the center of the viewfinder and it has an overlapping image of what you see in the viewfinder. You turn your lens until the overlapping image matches the actual image, and that means you're focused on what you have centered in your viewfinder. You then compose and shoot.

Hope you find this 'quickie' introduction to rangefinders useful!

As to why an old Leica might bring more used than a Canon digital does new - that comes down to what people are willing to pay. Many perceive more value in the Leica than in a Canon digicam. You might say that an old Mercedes is still a better value than a new Yugo. Not that your Canon is a Yugo, but you get the idea.

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks

 

[Ferdinand]

Ahhh ok woah what an eye opener, I guess that is one of the setback being brought up in this electronic age, you just accept that a camera works and it takes picture, but you never really go into detail as to how it works.

So a Rangefinder actually has a seperate focusing device and its not thru the lens. That explains what those "patch" thing you call were, I knew they were for focusing but the uniqueness didn't quite hit me.

Thanks for the quick lesson. Learn something new today 😀

So is there an advantage as to focusing the way a Rangefinder does and lets say my camera thru TTL does?

Best regards,
Ferdinand

 

[MP Guy]

hmmm. Looks like someone is gathering info for an essay 🙂

 

[Ferdinand]

LOL 🙂 nope I am done with school, no more essays please *shudder*

 

[Alan]

I'm jealous of you. I still have couple of years until I finish school, and I have an essay due next wednesday.
anyways, although I don't have a real rangefinder and I use a scale focus camera, I feel that the biggest advantage of rangefinders is the lack of mirror. So there's no need for mirror lock up and the lens can get closer to the film plane allowing the design of better wide angle lenses.