Novice questions on rangefinder

[savuti]

I got my R3a the other day, together with Nokton 40/1.4, Color Heliar 75 ande the 25mm Snapshot Skopar, and I am quite thrilled about it all. Good service from cameraquest.

A few questions spring to mind, however; I was surprised that the external viewfinder to the 25mm doesn't show focussing (or, rather, that the viewfinder of the R3a doesn't show focus with this lens, although I knew about the framelines). So my question is; can I use depth of field at small apertures to just assume that "everything" is in focus? I would very much like it if my first pics with the snapshot skopar are in focus, as it just may make my wife happier about spending a small fortune on a film camera that she doesn't see herself using.

 

[lubitel]

with 25 mm lens you can estimate the distances and just shoot away - the depth of field is large enough to compensate your distance misjudgement. with aperture 4 you should be a bit more careful with estimating, but I havent had any focusing problems with it. with aperture 16 you can just set it to 3 m and shoot anywhere. have fun!!

 

[savuti]

Thank you!

I have just visited the websites of cameraquest and robert white, and beginning (a bit late) to understand the meaning of "rangefinder coupled" as something slightly different from "viewfinder included". I had actually never laid my hands on a rangefinder before I got my Bessa, and don't know anyone who has, so am learning as I go along
Thanks for a very helpful website and useful reply!

 

[jobo]

Yep, that's how it's intended to be used. The three little stops are helpful. For the math, see e.g.
http://www.dofmaster.com/dofjs.html

 

[pvdhaar]

Non rangefinder coupled lenses do take a while to get used to. But if you make it a habit of checking what the distance markings of the lens barrel on the 40 and the 75 say when you've focused those, you'll be able to guesstimate distances in no time short. Accurately enough to focus the 25 anyway..

 

[peter_n]

Yep, you can use a small aperture like f11 and pretty much everything from 3M on out will be in focus. Welcome to the forum BTW! 🙂

 

[like2fiddle]

Welcome to rangefinders. Another method is to first figure out what aperture you need and setting the lens to that aperture. Then set the infinity mark on the focusing ring to the aperture number on the right side (as you look down from the top of the camera) of the aperture range scale. Now you can check the corresponding measurement on the opposite (left) side of the aperture range scale. You will theoretically be in focus from that distance to infinity.