I Shoot With Rangefinders

[barnwulf]

For nearly 40 years I shot with SLRs exclusively. Pentax Spotmatic, Nikon F, Nikon FE2, Pentax 67II, Nikon F100 and then a Nikon D300 and D700. About 2 years ago I bought a M4 and haven't hardly picked up a SLR since. I love the small light weight and small lenses and the bright clear VF and the quiet shutter. I now have several Leica Ms including a M8 and several Nikon rangefinders. I don't think I will ever go back. I still have a FE2 and D300 if I need a SLR for anything. - jim

 

[keithdunlop]

I shot a wedding this past weekend with my M6 alongside my D700.

 

[Mongo Park]

At the moment I shoot 60% film rangefinders and 40% film slrs which is in direct proportion to the type of cameras I have, 3 rangefinders and 2 slrs. Most odd that - had never looked at my camera useage in that way before now.

 

[Griffin]

My D-Lux 4 got me into photography and taught me about the existence of this thing called "Rangefinder" and also taught me that a small sensored camera is not going to give me the images I want. My grandfather's Pentax MX got me into the shallow DOF I wanted and my savings earned me a Bessa R2 with Nokton 35/1.4 after that.

So, the D-Lux for the wide angles and digital fun, the manual film cameras for the gratification, satisfaction and pleasure that point and shoots cannot offer.

 

[johannielscom]

see the sig to see what my gear is!😉

 

[SciAggie]

Since getting film and digital rangefinders last year, I carry them with me almost everywhere I go. I use DSLRs to shoot sports as well as macro and wildlife. I am finding that the rangefinders are the most fun and rewarding for most of what I like to shoot.

 

[gekopaca]

I began photography in 1983 with a M2, then a M6. I lost them in the flood of Arles in 2003.
Since 4 years I was shooting nearly exclusively with my R-D1, but I bought a M43 camera for video and I began to take pictures with more and more often.
I think it's because I like the special result of the C-Mount lenses.

I would buy another digital RF camera to use my M lenses with, but M9 and even M8 are too expensive for me, and too dangerous to "wear" in the streets where I'm shooting …

I'm mostly an ultra wide lenses shooter (12 and 15mm) so I use mostly an external VF and hyperfocal settings.
Then, the most important for me it's not really the RF, but the sensor size, the IQ and ergonomy of the camera.
Sure, I like telemetric focusing too, when I shoot in low light conditions with fast lenses (e.g. Ultron 28/2 or Nokton 35/1.4) - but it's not so often.

So I'm watching for a new manufacturer system (Ricoh, Nikon, Fuji?) who certainly will offer me in few months/years to upgrade for a new not-so-expensive-M-mount camera with large sensor.

 

[Sparrow]

I have a F3 and a Rolleiflex that I just use for portraits, all the rest is film RF ... Oh, and a Minox 35 in my coat pocket, since I broke the Oly mju

 

[jsrockit]

but now it seems the forum has been overrun by influx of hipsters with mirrorless digital or SLR shooters.

I think it is because we are at very weird area in time with regard to cameras. Many people want a nice digital rangefinder, but the options are either old and/or expensive. Therefore, the mirrorless options are an ok stop-gap cheaper alternative. SLRs? Many people who used rangefinders in the past used SLRs as well. It's a great time to be a film fan, since there are so many great cheap cameras out there.

 

[ibcrewin]

Well my bessa-R went MIA, so now I'm using an slr. When I save up enough for a new Bessa, then I'll be using that. So I voted for "occassionally".

 

[hexiplex]

Rangefinders and compacts, rangefinders and compacts. I have two medium format SLRs but that's just because I can't afford a medium format RF 🙁

 

[tedwhite]

Currently down to an XA in the rangefinder department. Sold the Bessa R and the two lenses for it (Canon 50/1.8 and CV 35/2.5) as I'm saving up for an R4A. Why didn't I keep the lenses and use them on the R4A? I certainly could have done that, but I'd like to go M-mount for future lens acquisitions. Perhaps I made a mistake (selling them).

 

[andredossantos]

I love taking photographs and thus love ALL cameras equally, I guess. After using 35mm film and then digital most of my adult life it was the price drop on medium format gear that really IMO took my passion and commitment to photography as a creative outlet to a higher level. This was probably 3 or 4 years back.

I had always lusted after a Leica and finally was able to buy and sell some nice users but in the end I sold all my M gear due to the fact that I just don't shoot enough 35mm film to justify having all that money tied up in M gear. The last M I sold, my M2, turned into a Fujica G690 6x9 Rangefinder which I LOVE!

My main shooters are Rolleiflex, btw. I have a DSLR for low light stuff and for when I want to "go light" 😉 and not carry around my MF cams.

Also, it's weird as much as I like Rangefinders I have no interest in digital versions. To me, RF's are simple no frills, all mechanical wonders. For me, I prefer my digital camera to be an SLR. Dunno, I'm probably in the minority in that I wouldn't trade a 5D MKII for an M9 (all things being equal). At the same time, I'd take a Rolleiflex or my Fujica 6x9 over both or a 35mm M any day or the week and twice on Sunday 🙂

BTW, my intro to RF's was a Minolta Hi-Matic 7sii that my mother in law dug out of a closet and gave to me. Still have it and use it every so often.

 

[LeicaFan]

I started with DSLRs, but rangefinders are much better suited for me. They're small, light, and unassuming. When I'm out taking pictures, I don't want to intimidate people with a giant DSLR and huge lens.

I would like to buy a 500c/m one of these days, though. I really like the 6x6 format.

 

[NickTrop]

Also, it's weird as much as I like Rangefinders I have no interest in digital versions. To me, RF's are simple no frills, all mechanical wonders. For me, I prefer my digital camera to be an SLR. (all things being equal).

Completely agree... Digital rangefinders don't make a lot of sense to me and they're way too expensive for what they do. Compared to crude early autofocus, modern DSLRs focus instantly, accurately, and silently and have manual override. You can put either a prime or a zoom on it, and there's not that much of a size/weight difference imo. Rangefinder = film.

 

[Mablo]

Well... if some reputable company would build a M9 type of digital FF rangefinder camera for $1k I'd be interested. It's not going to happen very soon (if ever) so I'm quite happy with my current el-cheapo mechanical film bodies.

 

[unohuu]

With all recent mudslinging to Leica and increasingly low regard of rangefinder cameras here in general, I wonder how many actual rangefinder shooters we have. They used to be core audience here, but now it seems the forum has been overrun by influx of hipsters with mirrorless digital or SLR shooters.

So let's see where we stand 🙂

Use both film and digital, RF and SLR/DSLR. Last two purchases were RF cameras Canon IVSB2 and R2 with Indie 61, Canon 50 f/1.8 and Leica 9cm f/4. Next on the horizon - M5 (I have big hands) and a 35mm (unless this borrowed 28mm pushes me over the edge).

 

[Brad Maestas]

Leica + film almost exclusively for the last 15 years. I had an SLR and DSLR for certain tasks but RF has always been my love. I sold my D/SLRs and got an E-P1 but almost all of my time is spent with a RF in my hands.

 

[Ronny]

For best results; RF.

 

[graywolf]

I knew I should have taken a left at Albuquerque... Or, how did I wind up in the General RF Forum?

The poll made me think. At the moment I am exactly half n half. 3 RF cameras, 3 non-RF cameras, but that is about to change because I have another RF coming.

Most of my adult life, a long long time, I have wanted a Leica M2 with 35mm & 90mm lenses. Never happened, and now I view that like the airplane and the yacht. Never going to happen.

RF's 35mm, 120, 4x5. Non-RF's DP&S, DSLR, FSLR. The intransit RF camera is an Iskra.

I consider CRF cameras as general purpose cameras and SLR's as specialized equipment for close up and telephoto work. TLR's are also specialized equipment in my opinion, which I have held on to for nigh on to sixty years now.