Rangefinder Converts

[Lonius Funk]

I would like to know the experiences of those who have always used an SLR and are now using a Rangefinder. I have just purchased my first, a Leica M6TTL.. although at the moment I'm waiting for my lens to arrive and I hope I made a good choice for myself. ....I don't know if maybe I should have gone with an R..but I will learn soon enough. 🙂

 

[BJ Bignell]

My experience has been good. The Bessa R is nice to handle, is much quieter than my Yashica SLRs were, and the small size is a big plus. My only problem is using the 75mm lens with a low-magnification viewfinder. I'm still trying to figure that out... :bang:

 

[JoeFriday]

congrats on the M6 purchase.. it's an excellent choice.. the switch from SLR to RF might take a little while to become comfortable, but soon enough you'll start to see things very differently

I used SLRs for many years, and only within the last 6 months switched over to RF photography.. I still pick up a DSLR once in a while.. particularly when I need a zoom lens or for fast action shots.. but I'm much more comfortable with my many RF cameras.. now I just need to start using my Rolleiflex TLR

so what lens are you waiting for?

 

[back alley]

i started with rangefinders, went to slr's and then back to rf's.

 

[Lonius Funk]

I've ordered a used 35mm Summicron I can't tell what version is it though from the serial number because I've looked on a website that stated the second version was chrome then the third started with a number than came after the serial number on this lens but it seems to match the third version(from physical description ..especially the way the tab looks).....I was looking through my slr lenses to see what i was comfortable with as a main lens... I hate how expensive these lenses are..its a reason why I was thinking maybe I should have gone with an R to have zoom. O'well..the reason I invested in an M6 is because of the photographs I've seen taken with them and when I would see prints up close.. even if the subject matter was not so great..just the crispness in enlargments were amazing to me and contrast..and the fact it was discreet and quieter camera really had me desiring one.. I don't know anything about Bessa's though.

 

[Allen Gilman]

"the reason I invested in an M6 is because of the photographs I've seen taken with them and when I would see prints up close.. even if the subject matter was not so great..just the crispness in enlargments were amazing to me and contrast"

I'm sure you'll do fine w/ a rangefinder. I'm not so sure about the way you talk about it though. If you really believe that the above is due to solely a rangefinder made by a specific maker, you're kidding yourself. If you were talking about how comfortable one felt to shoot with, I could understand it. Otherwise, the justifications are ozone thin. But, like I said, I'm sure you'll do fine...congrats on the M6.

 

[Terence T]

Obviously the clarity of an image is due in large to the lens and the 35 cron is a great choice, whichever version it might be. The M6 is a great body to work with, tough and durable like all the M bodies, with the added bonus of a built in meter. Congrats on a great combo.

 

[Allen Gilman]

"Obviously the clarity of an image is due in large to the lens..."

Sure, you keep beating that drum...

 

[formal]

I have been using DSLRs for the past few years, but recently got an M6 with a 50mm. I got it because of small size despite it being a film camera. It is great fun and obviously, excellent for street photography.

I find it more difficult to get pictures (no zooming, completely manual, getting used to the rangefinder) but I'm pleased with the results. On the street it forces me to get closer to subjects and I find that I'm interacting with them more.

David

 

[cbass]

Hi -

Only through practice will you find out if the RF style is for you. After all -- the photographer makes the image, not the camera or lens. I've seen very inspiring work done with pinhole cameras that have no lens! Perhaps you will find yourself making wonderful images with the M6, perhaps not. Some people take a long time to learn a new style, others adapt quickly. You need to find your groove when using the RF.

My main user cameras are a Bessa R and a Minolta XG-9. I prefer using the Minolta (heresy, I know! 😱 ) much more than the Bessa. Not because it's any better or worse than the Bessa but because I'm more comfortable with the XG-9. I bought the Bessa only a few months ago after experimenting with cheap fixed-lens RFs for a couple of years and found that I liked the style enough to make further investment in it (note: if I could have afforded one, I would have bought a Leica 😉 ).

Enjoy your M6 & keep us informed of your progress with it. Don't be discouraged if your first few rolls are mediocre....that's just a normal learning curve. 🙂

 

[peter_n]

Welcome to the forum Lonius Funk! 🙂 I did the same as you but just over two years ago. I also got an M6TTL but with a 50mm Summicron. Love the camera but you will find that it takes time to acclimatize to the RF way of thinking. The VF is very different with no DOF preview which you will sorely miss - you will have to learn to visualize DOF. A major, major advantage is the FOV framelines in the viewfinder, they give you outside-the-frame context for what's happening inside. Be prepared to think more with a rangefinder.

Two tips: First, keep your lens set at infinity and always move from that position when focusing. Rotate the focus ring and stop when the image snaps into focus - don't go back-and-forth like you would with an SLR. Second, your 35mm Summicron will have a tab. I have found tabs impossible to use because of my inflexibility and SLR background. Tabs just completely mess up my camera hold. Make sure you're comfortable as soon as you can with a tabbed lens, I'm hoping that you'll be able to adapt to it very quickly.

FWIW, I have not used my SLR since I got the RF camera.

 

[wyk_penguin]

I went from P&S to RFs. Then I picked up SLRs, but they were never my cup of tea. I found them heavy and mostly big. Even with a 85mm attached to my RF, I still carry something smaller than a typical SLR (but admittedly heavier due to the chrome lens). Film advancing is also easier in an RF, I suppose that its because there are less springs to tension.
But mostly, I find that I focus more accurately with RFs than AF SLRs when I go shooting people, both on the streets and in sports (esp. sprints and hurdles). I never got used to the split image, though a friend of mine never got used to the bright RF-patch!! So in the end of the day, I believe it doesn't matter what you use but how confortable you are in using it.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

It depends on what the subject is. If you are taking shots of people using normal to portrait telephoto's, scenary using wide-angles, low-light shots, the RF has the edge. Sports shots, macro-shots, nature-photo's, types of photographs that the wider variety of lenses available to an SLR come in handy, then use the SLR. Most of the forum members use both. Rover's recent road trip is a good example. I tend to favor the RF choice in the "overlap" areas as you do not get the Viewfinder black-out during the shop, it is quieter, and has less latency.

 

[SolaresLarrave]

Good choice for the move. My first RF was a Canonet...

I have a bit of a rule. If I'm going to take photographs and people are involved, I'll grab my RF cameras. If the photo-op is landscape, or requires long lenses of some kind, then I pick my SLR.

Recently, however, my dream of owning a macro lens came true. And, no, it wasn't the Elmar glass... But heck, we all wear all kinds of hats at a given moment. Didn't Rover take his Hassy with in his trip? 🙂

 

[Terence T]

"Obviously the clarity of an image is due in large to the lens..."

Sure, you keep beating that drum...

What do you mean?

 

[Allen Gilman]

"What do you mean?"

Obviously, the clarity of an image is due in large part to many factors - shutter speed, movement in the image, film, developer, enlarging lens, lighting, etc.

 

[Lonius Funk]

One thing you forgot to keep out of that quote was actually two main reasons .. "and the fact it was discreet and quieter camera really had me desiring one" and thats because I take mostly street/documentary photographs ..but in writing that at 4 or 5 am last night wasn't helping me be clear ...knowing the quality build of the camera was extremely important and the size was major. Lens choice was not that time consuming.. I've always liked being close to my subjects but I didn't enjoy the extra noise of my previous SLR's. Whether all I've said is an adequate answer for someone in order to have it isn't really factor for me..,.I just thought I could enjoy peoples stories..even if it was not favoring a Leica...maybe they feel there are limitations with a rangefinder..I don't know but I would have liked to know how they felt ..

 

[TPPhotog]

I've been using SLRs for nearly 30 years or should that be used to use SLRs? I recently decided that I preferred manual cameras and went back to a basic SLR, that was followed by my first Canonet and then my second and soon a Zorki 4K. What I've found is that as I love street shooting I'm more creative when I go out and much happier with my results. When I nail them then I did it and not the camera, much more satisfying 🙂 Also as said above they are much more "discreet and quieter" 😀

 

[Allen Gilman]

Sorry if you felt like I undercut you Lonius - that wasn't what I was aiming at. And you don't have to give an adequate answer to me either. I just think it's a little funny when people invest in cameras because they've seen "sharp" prints made by other people using that camera. Better luck on my side in reading it correctly next time...

 

[Lonius Funk]

No problem at all. I was about to buy the M6 and talent combo kit on eBay but the bidding wars had begun. But yeah... it's just common sense my photographs won't come out like Henri Cartier Bresson..haha..I know I'm a dreamer but..give me some credit. The two tips Peter gave was something I needed to know..and anything else would be helpful in what I should be expecting as a newcomer.

wyk writes:"I find that I focus more accurately with RFs than AF SLRs when I go shooting people, both on the streets and in sports "

I honestly never would have thought that..but I guess it's different for everyone. I'm wondering if I'll need more than a .72 magnification though..Does anyone know roughly how much it would cost to upgrade to a .85?