Why do you love rangefinders?

I am using them a lot but I am not really sure that I do love rangefinders. Perhaps because the closest I can get to the simplicity of my K1000 in digital is a Leica M9.
 
I can't focus an SLR well due to poor eye sight, and the VF (on my m6) is such a dream to look through. I also like the fact I am not looking through the lens, as using filters doesn't effect my view.
 
A couple of different reasons: lack of complete automation, manual focus, discreet, and like someone else mentioned, its another tool in the arsenal. Like a painter might use different tools to get out of the doldrums, I like switching between color/BW, 35/MF, and SLR/RF on occasion.
Not all of the above is inherent of RFs, but what keeps me coming back is mostly the size. When I was shooting events and the like, I can't say wielding an SLR the size of my head commanded a bit of authority, which is important in situations like that. These days, when I'm shooting, its out in the streets, where that's the last thing I want, or hiking, where I don't want to be breaking my back.

Why not shoot with a compact SLR like the Contax buried in the back of my closet? there's something about the direct finder that I find very pleasing. The whole 'the camera is just a tool' maxim rings true, especially for film, but haptics definitely play into how much I enjoy using such.

That, and I have pretty bad close-up eyesight, so I can barely tell if an SLR is in focus. Hell, I can't even tell if a negative is in focus sometimes, which prompted me to have a few lenses checked out of my own paranoia...
 
furbs said:
but why do you love rangefinders right now?
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It's simple. A rangefinder camera gives me the best chance to make the photograph. Rangefinder focusing is quick and easy. It typically does not interfere with framing and capturing the moment.
 
Many of the reasons why I like rangefinders equally apply to many other cameras. Rangefinders are compact, easy to sling over a shoulder, quiet and use very small, high quality lenses. These characteristics can also apply to digital cameras like the Olympus Pens and OM-D, Panasonic GX series, Fuji X series and Ricoh GXR.

But at the moment, rangefinders have the benefit of being the only compact full frame solution with interchangeable lenses. No matter what lens I put on my Oly EM-5, Pana GH3 or Ricoh GXR, nothing has that full frame look.

I also love rangefinder focusing. The double image method is, for me, the most accurate way to focus on most objects.

And I have to admit to enjoying the romantic notion of rangefinder cameras themselves.
 
thegman said:
I prefer the SLR method of framing, i.e. exactly what the lens sees (or near enough), but I so much prefer range finder focusing, lining up the two images. I find focusing a range finder as easy as can be, but I struggle a little with my Rolleiflex or OM2n in low light, or even just a subject without contrasty lines.

If I could have an SLR with a range finder patch, that would be perfection itself.
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They've had them since the '60s...

icebear said:
I love RF's because they don't get in my way. For what I do they are the tool of choice.
I just stick with Leica M and be done, I don't want to study 400+ pages and learn about
hundreds of features that I will never use.
Maybe I am that old already;).
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I couldn't have said this any better, Icebear. :D

smiffi said:
Rangefinders never blink.;)
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EXACTLY!!! ;)
 
I like all cameras, but my first 'real' camera was a Yashica rangefinder so learned photography using it. Today, I always carry a camera with me and 9 times out of 10 it's a rangefinder because it's small, lightweight, easy to focus and quiet. The lens equals or betters anything on my SLR.
 
I love my simply because it sounds simpler in design and is less precise when taking a picture. Technical reasons such as focusing method can be overcome with practice.
 
1) Compactness
2) Design and build quality (m6)
3) See outside framelines
4) Manual focussing is easier IMO than SLR
5) I usually shoot with both eyes open
6) Don't have nose pressed against LCD/back of camera.
 
I started with RF. Nostalgia factor is huge for me.
Never liked twin lens, any SLR is agly to me.
I only like FED-2, Zorky and true Leicas. In terms of pleasure to hold. Contax and the rest are not in my wish list.
Technicaly RF are more mirrors free, only one in the prism.
It means much less dust and almost no cleaning.
No blackout time as well. Compact size.
Like my Bessa R also. It just flimsy plastic-rubber back door, holds it away from been perfect.
 
thegman said:
If I could have an SLR with a range finder patch, that would be perfection itself.
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Amazing, I have also thought this many times, it seems that EVF will be the closest thing to this but in the old film cameras realm I think that the Leica R were the cameras which were the easiest to focus of them all. No, not as easy as a rangefinder and of course not using a rangefinder patch in low light but almost so. On different approach maybe one could use a separate rangefinder on the hotshoe of a SLR?

GLF
 
icebear said:
I love RF's because they don't get in my way. For what I do they are the tool of choice.
I just stick with Leica M and be done, I don't want to study 400+ pages and learn about
hundreds of features that I will never use.
Maybe I am that old already;).
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I like how you said that Klaus, I enjoy mine as well less is more.

Range
 
Archiver said:
Many of the reasons why I like rangefinders equally apply to many other cameras. Rangefinders are compact, easy to sling over a shoulder, quiet and use very small, high quality lenses.

I also love rangefinder focusing. The double image method is, for me, the most accurate way to focus on most objects.

And I have to admit to enjoying the romantic notion of rangefinder cameras themselves.
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This sums it up for me.:)
 
For me, it gets the job done minus tinkering inside the hundreds of menu options. It also helps me slow down a bit, not just shoot at 9fps. I love the RF experience, it's different but the same, it's slow but quick.
 
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