My Rangefinder vs. SLR experiment

[Max Cooper]

Hey folks. I'm a long time Nikon user, but lately borrowed my dad's rangefinder and ended up embroiled in a photographic identity crisis. I never believed the hype until I tried it for myself, and now I believe at least some of the hype. In any event, I've been posting observations on my blog (starting here) as part of my Scan-A-Day project, and did some informal testing of the two camera systems and wrote up the results. Thought you might find it interesting:

Rangefinder vs. SLR

Thanks,
mc

 

[kshapero]

"the conclusion is a real shocker: Life is short, use the camera you enjoy"
That kinda says it all.

 

[Dave Wilkinson]

Rangefinder vs. SLR[/URL]

Thanks,
mc

Sorry - but I did'nt!, it's 'old hat' - done so many times!, as in all jobs or activities just use tools that are comfortable and suitable (or to hand! ) people that insist on making big psychological issues will be on pills or visiting the shrink - by middle age! 😱
Dave.

 

[payasam]

For 17 years I used a RFDR kit and an SLR kit pretty much interchangeably. Of course the first could not do close-up stuff.

 

[Calzone]

The FM3N is not one of Nikon's "Pro Cameras" that shows 100%/full-frame like a Nikon F, F2, F3, F4... so there is cropping of the exposed frame in both cameras. Cameras like the FM series typically only frame 90% of the exposed negative in the viewfinder.

Funny how many SLR users think they are seeing full frame when they are not. More interesting is this was not observed or possibly was mistaken for the observed differance in cropping noted in the link.

For me, weight adds a certain level of hand held steadiness. I shoot F2AS's and F3's with motor drives to help steady my SLR's, but my rigs weigh 5-7 pounds depending on lenses.

Like the OP, there is a level of comfort, skill and experiance that aids in steadyness, but I say I will have to have a lot more developement before I make any definitive judgement. I still shoot both, but I am very impressed with the IQ of the rangefinder.

Calzone

 

[Max Cooper]

Thanks for checking out the blog, y'all. Calzone, I'm definitely aware that the FM2n doesn't have a 100% viewfinder. Both shots were composed exactly the same way...thus, the frameslines in the Konica are a looser approximation than the viewfinder in the Nikon. Looser by quite a lot.

Furthermore, I've recently been doing some shooting with an M2, and I have a similar issue with it. The inch or so between the viewfinder and the lens really makes a difference in a careful composition, and even with a 90% SLR, the photo is still centered.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

The 100% viewfinder can be a problem when getting prints back, mounting slides, or scanning negatives. Except for using an enlarger with a negative carrier that has been filed to project the same image as seen through my Nikon F2a, you lose some of the image. I had two carriers for it. The difference in 100% viewing and 97% viewing, or even 92% viewing is not great. Unless you file down the carrier. And you can make custom slide mounts that match the 100% finder. That was a pain.

The Konica S2 has one of the best lenses made in the late 60s and 70s.

Hope you do not mind the vintage ad for it.

You need to borrow your Dad's old Sunglasses next time you use it.

 

[Calzone]

Max, Thanks for your link and for the clarification. I'm in a similar space in that I'm a retro SLR guy that is new to rangefinder.

I guess the creative challenge for me is to adapt and move out of my comfort zone. I really appreciate the differences for what they are. Hard for me to give up the SLR's, but the newness of rangefinder is refreshing. Still practicing how to focus fast with a 75 lux.

What I find is the biggest benefit is how rangefinder has influenced my SLR's. An example: Took my girlfriend's F3, installed a DA-2 Sportfinder and bought a 24/2.0. I use this rig around the city shooting at f 5.6, after metering off the back of my hand, using the distance scale to grab street shots. Although this rig is a SLR, I kinda use it like a rangefinder. Never shot this wider than a 35 before.

Calzone

 

[Ted2001]

I shot Nikon F3HPs for year and was extremely happy with them. Then I needed something smaller for a European business trip (1996) and looked for an M-6, but bought a Contax G2 (great camera, bad decision) and fell in love with rangefinder cameras and the greater spontaneity they brought to my work. Now I'm back with a DSLR and although I shoot a lot of macro, my travel and street stuff feel almost as spontaneous as when I was shooting with the G2. I am anxiously waiting for an affordable (to me) digital rangefinder, but both camera types are truly wonderful inventions.

 

[gb hill]

Thanks Max for your informative, off the cuff experimentation of slr's & rangefinders. I suppose your conclusion is a lot like choosing an Almond Joy or a Mounds. Sometimes you feel like a nut, sometimes you don't. 🙂

 

[Chris101]

Thanks Max for your informative, off the cuff experimentation of slr's & rangefinders. I suppose your conclusion is a lot like choosing an Almond Joy or a Mounds. Sometimes you feel like a nut, sometimes you don't. 🙂

Heh. I never eat candy bars, but I always feel like a nut.

Max, it looks like you had fun writing your essay. And that's what it's about, eh?