Rangefinders for Landscape photography

[bessasebastian]

Good idea or "better not"? Any experience or sample images to share?

 

[cmogi10]

Depends, would you rather be carrying medium or large format? If you have no problem hiking with a million pounds of camera gear then sure, better options.
I've seen plenty of great landscape shots with Rangefinders, no problems there.

 

[pab]

I have a few pictures at

http://per-pics.smugmug.com/gallery/1940181#100506552

http://per-pics.smugmug.com/gallery/2601274#137182277

http://per-pics.smugmug.com/gallery/2102056#108547413

http://per-pics.smugmug.com/gallery/266247#10514081

http://per-pics.smugmug.com/gallery/1741845#86148317

Almost all taken with a Bessa R2 or Leica M6. The only disadvantage is that it is hard to use grey grad filters.

Per

 

[pab]

should have also included

http://per-pics.smugmug.com/gallery/1940181#98364620

Per

 

[Finder]

I use rangefinders all the time for landscape as they are some of the lightest types of camera to pack. I am not sure why you want example photos as you cannot tell camera type from photographs. They would look the same if I had shot them with an SLR or view camera.

 

[keithwms]

Rangefinders are great for landscape.

In my opinion, RF-coupled 4x5 press cameras (crown/speed/super graphic) are ideal. A bit heavy, yes, but they are also indestructible and you can throw a 612 back on there if you want pano. But -caution!- any camera with big bellows can be a problem if you are shooting in a windy area.

I also use a mamiya 6 quite a lot for more portable landscape- it's great as a hiking camera.

Other notable MF RFs for landscape: the fuji 670 and 690 cameras.

In 35mm, I would say the xpan is the way to go, since you have the choice of pano or not.

 

[Michiel Fokkema]

Off course, why not?
Small and light. Wide angles don't have to be retro focus which give them better performance.
http://michielfokkema.wordpress.com/picture-a-week-2007/week-46/
These were made with a mamiya 6.

Cheers,

Michiel Fokkema

 

[bessasebastian]

Thanks everyone. Excellent shots per and Michiel!

I know filters are a problem with RF photography. Judging from your shots they dont seem necessary though.

Will need to buy a cable release soon...

 

[Paul C. Perkins MD]

Leica M-4 w/15mm Ultron on 400 ASA Color Negative Film. . .

The only problem I see with using a 35mm rangefinder for scenics are those situations where you have to precisely position the sun in the image. Otherwise - shoot away!

 

[waileong]

Rangefinders work for landscape if you accept the limitations:

a. No accurate framing
b. Difficult to use polarizer
c. Difficult to use grad ND, esp if you want the line down somewhere else other than the middle
d. (For Leica) Off-centre tripod hole means harder to do panoramic stitches
e. Harder to do multiple exposures, esp with no grid focusing screens.

 

[venchka]

GOOGLE geebee photos

Fantastic use of Leica gear for landscapes. He uses standard B&W filters a lot. The B&W photos are all doen with Kodak BW400CN. The color work is mostly done with Olympus SLR gear.

He often uses a Noctilux. In the daytime.

 

[ocean7]

Rangefinders work for landscape if you accept the limitations:

a. No accurate framing
b. Difficult to use polarizer
c. Difficult to use grad ND, esp if you want the line down somewhere else other than the middle
d. (For Leica) Off-centre tripod hole means harder to do panoramic stitches
e. Harder to do multiple exposures, esp with no grid focusing screens.

I am almost thinking that I made a mistake buying an M6 as a landscape camera so I will follow this thread hoping you prove me wrong because I love the camera!

a. I guess it's true although when I scan I noticed that anyway I loose some of the image even when cropping close to the border, so inacurate framing is not an issue.
b. Isn't there that polarizer made by Kenko that allows you to preview the effect and then thansfer the index to the filter mounted on the lens?
c. Aaaaaaargh! My biggest complain. I did not think about this before I purchased the M6!
d. No problem. You can use an Arca Swiss type plate like the one that Kirk sells http://www.kirkphoto.com/newplate6p.html
e. yep.

 

[Paul C. Perkins MD]

Them are a lot of limitations . . . I guess the SLR is a better choice if you like using ND filters and/polarizers. I've never had ANY luck stitching together images into a panorama.

 

[ocean7]

GOOGLE geebee photos

Could you please post a link because I did not find anything significant... thanks.

 

[venchka]

Don't give up

Don't give up

Them are a lot of limitations . . . I guess the SLR is a better choice if you like using ND filters and/polarizers. I've never had ANY luck stitching together images into a panorama.

I downloaded the free version of Autostich and used it to stich together frames taken 10+years earlier handheld. When I took the pictures I was just planning to frame the 3 pictures in a common mat. Autostich put them together very well.

I reckon a rangefinder camera excells at single images. Regardless of subject matter or emulsion.

 

[Paul Connet]

Could you please post a link because I did not find anything significant... thanks.

Here is the actual link:

http://www.geebeephoto.com/

His landscapes are pretty amazing.

 

[Bingley]

What Venchka said about Geebee... check it out: http://www.geebeephoto.com/

He takes gorgeous landscapes using both Leica M and Leica IIIf w/ a summitar.

While polarizing and ND filters may pose problems for landscape work w/ an rf, ordinary b&w filters (e.g., yellow, orange, etc.) do not, particularly if your rf has through the lens metering. A Bessa T is a terrific rf for landscapes, particularly if you are combining photography w/ hiking.

 

[tmfabian]

1 major benefit for a rangefinder in landscapes
NO MIRROR
yeah yeah i know you can lock up mirrors in almost every camera but hey this is something you don't have to think about.

 

[Finder]

View cameras don't have mirrors???

 

[tmfabian]

View cameras don't have mirrors???

LIES!!!! I don't believe you