Rangefinder Vs Viewfinder

[ibcrewin]

I notice the Bessa T has a rangefinder but no viewfinder. On the cameraquest site Gandy says you have to find the range, focus, then look a the viewfinder for framing the shot. Is the viewfinder neccesarry? Can't you frame the shot with just the rangefinder?

 

[Borghesia]

You will only have a small field of view through the RF from a Bessa-T, like looking through 30% of the middle part of a 75mm lens. You need a separate VF for framing. There are many VF's available, for a start the russian VF's are cheap, like an allround turret finder. The Voigtlander VF's are more expensive but very bright and great to use.
With a wide angle lens it's possible to shoot on sight without a VF.

The Bessa-T is equiped with one of the best precise rangefinder. With its magnification you can focus on the mm.

 

[pvdhaar]

Not only is the field of view of the Bessa-T restricted to something approximating a 300mmm lens, it also doesn't have parallax compensation. Because of the parallax it's also no good as a pointing device, you'd get the subject off-center all the time. But, like Borghesia said, as a rangefinder, it's unbeatable.

On a side note, the focus/frame dance thing described by Gandy may lead you to believe that there's no alternative to riding the focus (in other words micro measuring the focus shot after shot and getting lost in the procedure). I often use the RF on the T in a more liberal way, just like I do with the light meter. I'll set the exposure and focus to somewhere acceptable and from then on just rely on DOF and exposure lattitude until the distances or light really change..

 

[Chris101]

But can't you, with practice, learn to approximate the framing just by looking? Or with cards with rectangles cut in them? I shoot without viewfinding all the time.

 

[pvdhaar]

But can't you, with practice, learn to approximate the framing just by looking? Or with cards with rectangles cut in them? I shoot without viewfinding all the time.

There's no law that says you can't.. The main message is that the RF isn't the greatest framing device.

The simplest framing aid is a piece of cardboard with a triangle drawn on that you slide into the assecory shoe. If the triangle's angles correspond to the field of view of the mounted lens, you're all set to shoot from the waist.

 

[xxloverxx]

But can't you, with practice, learn to approximate the framing just by looking? Or with cards with rectangles cut in them? I shoot without viewfinding all the time.

You've answered your own question. I shoot without looking through the viewfinder as well, sometimes.

 

[pgeobc]

I have owned and used an Ansco Regent since the 1950s. It is shaped like a rangefinder, but really is not a rangefinder. One simply estimates the distance, sets it on the scale, and then aims and shoots through the viewfinder. It has a depth-of-field scale, so distances are fairly easily estimated. Of course, it takes a separate light meter.

 

[rphenning]

I know that I do better photos when I can't frame well (RF) than when I can (reflex). Can't explain why. First rf was a M4, second was a mamiya 7. I've kept the mamiya for a while now, don't plan on getting rid of it soon either. When film goes - you know - then I will probably just retire it on a shelf or something. Love rangefinders. Not the biggest SLR fan.