Rangefinder - Why???

[briandaly]

I'm about to take the plunge into rangefinder photography (and film).
My main motivation - to simply try something new.
Although I expect to find it a struggle coming from a DSLR, I also hope that it may help me develop a different style.

So, my question to all you rangefinder enthusiasts:
What is it about rangefinders that prompted you to start using one and what keeps you using one?

I've read the basic technical justifications (no mirror vibration, no blackout, viewing outside the frame, small size), but I feel there must be more to it than that.

All comments welcome.
Brian

 

[Peter_Jones]

Fun to use 🙂


Potentially, more accurate focussing or speed of use


But, most importantly, fun to use

 

[bmattock]

Mine came with my black beret, Che t-shirt, and clove cigarettes.

 

[Solinar]

A true confession - I maintain two parallel systems, one of which I shoot by wire and artificial intelligence, the other utilizing human brain power and manual focus.

As good as the AF and exposure control is on my DSLR, there are times when the beast becomes confused. On a rangefinder camera every single step is a manual override.

Just some thoughts. Welcome to the RFF.

 

[Tuolumne]

Try www.cameraquest.com

/T

 

[Steve Bellayr]

Great lenses & I can use it without a computer.

 

[ruben]

..........I've read the basic technical justifications (no mirror vibration, no blackout, viewing outside the frame, small size), but I feel there must be more to it than that..........

Brian

Hi Brian,

What our respected member bmattock tryied to express in his native language, is that the list you bring, covers quite a lot of the main issues, and there is no much left to add, but some aspects of personal preference, that you may resume when this thread ends. Take into account that you are not the first folk asking this question, and therefore you may find more native welcomes.

As it concerns me, rangefinders have two unique features, not necessarily found in every rf, but in some of them. Small size, as you noted, and silent shutter, as you almost insinuated.

Cheers,
Ruben

 

[Tuolumne]

Great lenses & I can use it without a computer.

Really? How odd. I can't use my film cameras without a computer anymore. What do you do with exposed film if not scan it? 😛

/T

 

[Thardy]

1. Smaller, Lighter than dslr
2. Can be fun
3. As you said , something different
4. Can take photos almost in darkness with the right lens

 

[Roger Hicks]

Small, light, 'transparent' (easy to use, no need for an instruction book), fast lenses (especially wide-angle), can be hand-held for at least one shutter speed step longer than an SLR, easy to focus in poor light...

But then I like 'em, so much I wrote a book about 'em (GMC Publications 2003).

Cheers,

R.

 

[Roger Hicks]

What do you do with exposed film if not scan it? 😛
/T

1 Put it somewhere safe until you get around to scanning it.

2 Wet print it

3 Submit the transparency for publication

4 Buy an M8

5 Shoot B+W and do it properly in the darkroom.

(I back options 4 and 5, especially 5).

Cheers,

R.

 

[bmattock]

As good as the AF and exposure control is on my DSLR, there are times when the beast becomes confused.

Am I the only person who has figured out that there is an "M" setting on the dSLR that allows one to control aperture, shutter speed, ISO, white balance, and even focus? With the addition of a split-image focus screen, my *ist DS and my manual focus lenses do more or less just as I tell them to - just like my rangefinders do.

I have an "Auto" setting. But I can turn it off. Did I get a magic camera?

 

[MikeL]

"Why ask why..... drink Bud Dry."

If you follow that slogan, it'll save you money.

 

[pevelg]

I am in RF photography for the pure joy of it. It makes me happy. It makes me smile. There is no "click and your done". You have to think, you make errors, you improve, you learn..... I have a million things to learn and I enjoy the process of the learning. There is no instant gratification, and thus the fruit of my labors is more sweet. It is different, the road less traveled. On and on goes my list.....

As for the technical aspects, all the reasons mentioned by other users are why I also like RF photography.

 

[Tuolumne]

1 Put it somewhere safe until you get around to scanning it. I try.

2 Wet print it - What's that?

3 Submit the transparency for publication - Do they still take those?

4 Buy an M8 - Will an R-D1 suffice?

5 Shoot B+W and do it properly in the darkroom. What's a darkroom?

(I back options 4 and 5, especially 5).

Cheers,

R.

 

[Roger Hicks]

1 Put it somewhere safe until you get around to scanning it. I try.

2 Wet print it - What's that?

3 Submit the transparency for publication - Do they still take those?

4 Buy an M8 - Will an R-D1 suffice?

5 Shoot B+W and do it properly in the darkroom. What's a darkroom?

(I back options 4 and 5, especially 5).

Cheers,

R.

Big type does not add to the weight of an argument.

 

[Tuolumne]

Am I the only person who has figured out that there is an "M" setting on the dSLR that allows one to control aperture, shutter speed, ISO, white balance, and even focus? With the addition of a split-image focus screen, my *ist DS and my manual focus lenses do more or less just as I tell them to - just like my rangefinders do.

I have an "Auto" setting. But I can turn it off. Did I get a magic camera?

I find the "M" setting very hard to use on my dSLR (D200). Maybe I should practice it more, but I prefer to use my R-D1, rather than struggle with the dSLR for something it was not well designed to use.

/T

 

[Tuolumne]

Big type does not add to the weight of an argument.

There's no argument here. Just a response. And don't you wear the Monocle de Mon Oncle? Just trying to help you see better. 🙂

/T
Or should I say: Just trying to help you see better. 😀😀😀

 

[bmattock]

I find the "M" setting very hard to use on my dSLR (D200). Maybe I should practice it more, but I prefer to use my R-D1, rather than struggle with the dSLR for something it was not well designed to use.

OK, but I don't have any trouble at all with my dSLR.




This is a recent shot - manual focus, aperture, ISO, white balance, and shutter speed under manual control, and I didn't even crop. Just did a desaturate/sepia thing in The GIMP and called it good.

I mean, it's really easy - so easy that now I hate it when I have to take my camera down from my eye to adjust shutter speed or aperture on one of my older mechanical rangefinders where the readout is not in the viewfinder.

 

[Tuolumne]

OK, but I don't have any trouble at all with my dSLR.




This is a recent shot - manual focus, aperture, ISO, white balance, and shutter speed under manual control, and I didn't even crop. Just did a desaturate/sepia thing in The GIMP and called it good.

I mean, it's really easy - so easy that now I hate it when I have to take my camera down from my eye to adjust shutter speed or aperture on one of my older mechanical rangefinders where the readout is not in the viewfinder.

This is excellent. I may have to practice with my D200 more.

/T