Lightning-fast scale focusing technique

[bensyverson]

I recently came up with a very fast focusing technique for scale focus cameras, and I can't believe I didn't think of it sooner... My technique in the past has been to first use a shoe-mount rangefinder to get the distance, then set the lens to that distance, and finally use the camera VF to frame the subject. That takes a bit of time.

However, if I'm walking around with a friend and I know I want to grab a portrait, there's a better way to go about it. First, I preset both the lens and the rangefinder to 1.2 meters. Later, when I want to take the shot, I look through the rangefinder, and move the camera closer or further, until the rangefinder images align, then trip the shutter.

Basically, instead of adjusting the rangefinder, you adjust yourself!

This one little trick means I can focus even faster on the scale focus camera than with a "real" rangefinder, because I'm not even touching the focus; I'm just leaning forward or backward slightly. I came up with the number 1.2 m (4 feet) after some testing. Apparently that's the distance I naturally take when doing a candid portrait.

Anyway, that little tip might be obvious to some, but it was a big revelation when I figured it out!

[FrankS]

Welcome to the secret club! Works with any manual focus camera.

[masterkin]

Hey this sounds good. I'll give this one a try later on.

[dmr]

That's kind of the Weegee technique. He would set the focus and shoot from that distance.

[porktaco]

first rule of shoefocus club is...

[bensyverson]

"Shoefocus!" I haven't heard that before, but I like it.

[PMCC]

What shoes are best for low-light work?

[Roger Hicks]

In the 20s, a good trick with a 135/1.8 Ernostar at full bore (virtually zero d-o-f) was a piece of string with a clothes-peg at one end, and the other end tied to the camera. Clip clothes-peg to lapel of subject; back off until string is taut; sharp pull to remove clothes-peg...

Apparently, this was a well known technique, though I cannot vouch for how often it was actually used.

Cheers,

R.

[truefriendship]

Oh great...now I have to get my shoes CLA'd...

[pvdhaar]

Reminds me of a trick for when you've got a non rangefinder coupled lens..

If the subject isn't too close, you can guesstimate the focus, but close by, the DOF is too small to cover errrors. In that case, you set the distance on the lens that corresponds to the minimum focus supported by the camera body and move the camera to and fro till the the RF image aligns..

[dmr]

"Shoefocus!" I haven't heard that before, but I like it.

Related to Sneakernet, I'm sure. :)

[ruby.monkey]

I've found an even faster technique - use a VC 12mm f/5.6 stuck at 1m.

[drewbarb]

the second rule of shoefocus club is...

[draka]

This is somewhat outside the scope of the discussion, but I have a Zeiss Ercona which does not have a shoe. It is a scale focusing camera without any inbuilt rangefinder. Any thoughts on what rangefinder accessory might be appropriate in this situation? The 8m, f/11 routine gets boring after a while. I want my camera to be a bit versatile.

[taskoni]

Just curious, how much this focusing technique affect your composition? Or not at all?