A few newbie questions

[curiouslyadrift]

I have a few rangefinder questions:

What are some reasonably affordable ($500 or less) and decent rangefinders? (older models are fine since they tend to be cheaper, but no huge cameras)

How do digital point-and-shoots compare to film rangefinders of similar cost?

I've heard SLRs are much better for nature photography, but are rangefinders decent for landscape-type shots?

Is there a technical reason that lenses aren't made with a longer focal point than approximately 135mm, or is it just practicality?


Thanks in advance.