Rangefinder Focusing at available light

[Thomas78]

Hello,

I gained some experience using Rangefinder for available light, but I find it a bit difficult to focus peoples faces and eyes at low light since you do not have a sharp contrast like focusing on a candle light.

Do you have some tips to improve focusing a rangefinder at low light?

 

[Shade]

I use the eyebrows or the nose for focusing. Or the sides of the face, and then front focuses it.

 

[rbiemer]

Al Kaplan suggested using the contrast in the RF patch; rather than looking at specific details, look at the contrast. He explained it better that I can but it works fairly well for me.
Rob

 

[Calzone]

Al Kaplan suggested using the contrast in the RF patch; rather than looking at specific details, look at the contrast. He explained it better that I can but it works fairly well for me.
Rob

I think what Al Kaplan expressed was that he tried to maximize the contrast that happens when combined images merge and are perfectly superimposed; that's when you know you are in focus.

Cal

 

[rbiemer]

I think what Al Kaplan expressed was that he tried to maximize the contrast that happens when combined images merge and are perfectly superimposed; that's when you know you are in focus.

Cal

That's a much clearer way to put it, thanks!
Rob

 

[ferider]

What camera, Thomas ? I see you use Barnack, Fed, Canon 7* and Bessa R* ? How about an M ?

 

[Thomas78]

What camera, Thomas ? I see you use Barnack, Fed, Canon 7* and Bessa R* ? How about an M ?

I tried my Canon P and my Bessa R3A for available light.

I also have a M3 with a DR Summicron which is normally loaded with Provia 100F. Perhaps I should give it a try beause of the bright image and the long RF base.

And I am curoius for giving the Medalist II with its high magnification split image rangefinder a try when I get it back from CLA.

 

[ferider]

I've tried Bessa R3, Canon P, and others, Thomas. My M's (M3, M2, etc) by far have the best patch contrast, also compared to the R3. One of the key reasons why I use Ms ....

These were shot with an M6 ... f1.4, ASA 1600, 50mm. In both cases I focused on the sparkle in the eye. I prefocus the lens, and then move until I'm in focus, and click.

Nothing special, just examples ....

Roland.

 

[Thomas78]

Thank you Roland for suggesting the M, I will give it a try.

 

[Thomas78]

I just deveoloped and scanned the first images.

I think, they don't look that much out of focus:
(with Canon 50 1.4 at f/1.4 or 2)


Bessa R3A_Canon 50_1,4_Neopan1600_01_018 von thomas.78 auf Flickr


Bessa R3A_Canon 50_1,4_Neopan1600_3200_02_036 von thomas.78 auf Flickr

 

[mugget]

Kind of related to this... I've found that sometimes if you're trying to focus and there's a bright(er) light source nearly that it just floods the viewfinder and the focus area/guidelines just blank out and disappear. (Camera is an M8 with 50mm Summilux.) I noticed that if I cover the light window for a bit it will sometimes show the guidelines again and I can focus okay? I have a Shade from LeicaGoodies.com because I thought that may help but it only seems to happen in very specific and limited conditions.

Is that something unique to the M8 or have others experienced this?

 

[Thomas78]

Does anyone have experience using a camera with seperate VF / RF (like a screw mount Leica) at available light conditions?

Is it easier to focus with the (magnified) separate RF?