Shooting with RF vs SLR... I just cant ...

[Meleica]

As you may know, I am a long time camera collector ( www.antiquecameras.net ), as well as camera user with bad GAS...

As much as I think Nikon and Leica Rangefinder cameras are stunning classics, and I can, and do enjoy RF photography, so much of my picture making requires accurate framing - and RF cameras are poor in this respect....also, I love shooting wide open and seeing the DOF in the SLR viewfinder..another thing missing in RF cameras....

help me..... :bang:

 

[bmattock]

Well, if this helps...

The framing you see in an SLR is seldom 100% of the image. It may not have parallax problems, but it does not display 100%. Usually something like 95-98%.

As well, the DOF thing is just not true for SLRs unless you have a DOF preview, which most don't these days (unless the very newest ones have it as a programmed feature, which no one uses anyway). So, no matter what DOF you choose, you're seeing the actual DOF for wide-open, which is what you're viewing, composing, and focusing through. In fact, it is the opposite problem as the RF - let's say you're shooting at f16. Everything should pretty much be in focus, right? BUT, you can't 'see' it that way. Even if you have DOF preview, the screen is now pretty much too dark to see through, let alone focus or compose correctly.

With a RFF, you get to know your tools, you have a pretty good idea where the framing marks are right and where they are wrong. If you know your lenses, you know your DOF for a given f-stop and distance from the subject within an acceptable margin of error. And the more you master your tools, the better a photographer you become - IMHO, anyway.

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks

 

[Nikon Bob]

I found that if I want to print 16x24 in. or and 8x10 in. at 300 dpi on an injet printer it will be only part of the 35mm neg. I wonder how exact framing has to be and think that a little extra in the neg might let you crop better to the print size that you want.

Bob

 

[Meleica]

hey Brian, I sold you that SP !!

 

[Wayne R. Scott]

Hey Bill,

I mostly agree with your statement that SLR cameras only show 95% to 98% of the frame in the viewfinder. However there are cameras on both sides of those percentages. I have Nikon FA's that show only about 92-93% and I have Nikon F3HP's that show 100%. I think the Canon F1 has a 100% view finder also, but I am not positive on that one.

Melecia --- I think that you will find that many of us here use all types of cameras, different tools for different jobs so to speak.

Wayne

 

[taffer]

The great thing of classic cameras is one can have and enjoy them all, classic RFs, classic SLRs, classic TLRs, classic folders and now even classic digitals ! 😱

The bad thing, of course, is GAS :bang:

 

[fredus]

I'm surprised that you're missing the DOF preview ehn shooting with a RF. With experience you should be able to know exatcly what you're going to get when shooting a RF and visualize the end result in your head ... What kind of photography do you do which require a DOF preview feature ?

Fred

 

[fotografz]

With a rangefinder you are basically seeing the way your eyes see. SLRs show you what the lens is seeing. There are advantages to both ways of looking with a camera.

 

[Bertram2]

A, so much of my picture making requires accurate framing - and RF cameras are poor in this respect....also, I love shooting wide open and seeing the DOF in the SLR viewfinder..another thing missing in RF cameras....
help me..... :bang:

To each (purpose) its own (camera) . I would not dare a general statement but I can tell you that a RF cannot make a SLR obsolete for me.
Tele: I got a 75mm as portrait lens to get a shorter DOF if needed, but that is not really a tele lens, Tele is SLR work for me. A tiny little frame in the middle of the finder, hardly wider than the RF patch, that is not enuff for me to compose a photo properly. Not to speak of the limited focal lengths in general.
Another annoying thing for me is working with coupled wides and super wides and a set on top finder. That's why I own a uncoupled CV 25 with a L body, working with a preset distance and f stop only. Using it on a R drove me insane, tho not coupled I had to use the built in finder nevertheless to control the light meter. And focusing with the RF, composing with the VF at the same time, no way ! Same macro.
As you see , for me there is enuff room left for the SLR, RF is not the wonder machine tho I ues it mostly.
RF beats SLR hands down at night, at easy focusing in low light, at lens quality of wides, at size and weight, at 100% frame control showing details outside the frame , at fastest response without mirror slap .
And that you cannot compose properly a photo with the finder brighlines is wrong IMO.
Regards,
Bertram

 

[richard_l]

help me.....

Since you are convinced that you can frame better and determine DOF better with an SLR, then use an SLR. Problem solved!

 

[bmattock]

Hey, ever buddy hold up for a minute! Before we go off starting an RFF vs SLR war - I think the OP, Meleica, was intending a little tongue-in-cheek kinda thing here, nothing serious. I took it as a joke and responded in kind. Hope ya'll are seeing things the same way!

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks

 

[RML]

Methinks someone is gathering info for the RFF write-a-thon! 😛

 

[berci]

There is no parallax problem with a modern RF camera such as the XPan.

 

[zuikologist]

A semi-serious point for consideration.

Compared to most here, I am relatively new to RF photography (unless the original Olympus Trip counts as RF!) but have accumulated 12 different models of RF camera in a short time, all very enjoyable etc, whereas for 20 years I was happy with one SLR, one P&S cam and a range of lenses. I knew the SLR cam inside out and could use it with my eyes shut.

On a rcent trip abroad, I struggled to "see" in RF mode with 2 different RF cams when I knew I would have got a photo with the SLR (although perhaps a different kind of photo). I am not sure if this was an "artisitc" problem or purely practical.

Perhaps I need more practice or you really cannot teach an old dog new tricks. Perhaps a little deGASing is required to concentrate on the equipment that I like using most of all, RF or otherwise.

On the other hand, I very much enjoyed carrying an Oly XA in mypocket and having it available to use any time.

Any thoughts/advice/jokes welcome.

 

[Tim]

zuikologist,
quite a few months ago I found myself doing the same thing. I had a stack of cameras, and was always shuffling between them. Result: I didn't really know any of them......and was struggling. I had a long hard think, and that's when I decided to stick to one camera as my main shooter - and learn the camera and a couple of lenses very well. By and large, I think it's worked. I have occasional forays with other cameras, but mostly I just carry my M6 - and getting more and more comfortable with it and one main lens.

Just my thoughts........GAS can be a lot of fun, but sometimes I wonder if it really helps your photography. YYMV, of course.



edit: correct crappy phrasing.......

 

[Tim]

oh man, how did that happen? did an edit and got HUGE font!!!! 😱

 

[zuikologist]

Reluctantly, i have come to the same conclusion. I may have to revert to one RF cam and one SLR, and use each as and when appropriate and keep some others for occasional use, which seems a waste. But which one to choose.....

 

[Kin Lau]

Wide or tele, when framing matters, it's the SLR. I might change my mind about wide angles if/when I get a 15/21/25/28 mm w/ a good VF, but for now it's SLR.

When I want to see the effect of shooting wide or near wide open, then it's the SLR again. Also, the effects of flare are quite evident with an slr.

Candids and "right now" type of shots, RF, specifically RF's with combined RF/VF.

I'll also shoot RF's at the hyperfocal distance at times, something that's quite difficult to do with an SLR due to the short DOF issue mentioned above.

Switching doesn't bother me, whether its different slr systems or rf's. With that in mind, I do go out with an SLR around the neck, and an RF in the coat pocket, and I'll use both.

With the ancient RF's, I just use them for the fun of it!