Are rangefinder relevant to your photography?

[heliographer]

I'm using my LX5 more and more, which saddens me as much as delights me. It's a fabulous camera, and I don't really miss film, but I do miss using the M2 and M4. I miss scale focusing, manual controls and of course the fantastic RF/VF.

I missed using the M lenses even more, so much that I'm trying M43 (Olympus E-PL1) with an M adapter. It works, but it throws me off my game. It's really an SLR when it comes to focusing, even though I'm using a Voigtlander OVF in the shoe. Doubling the focal length stinks. But on its own terms, it's easy to use, and the lenses work great (esp. 15mm Heliar, 21 Skopar, 35mm Ultron and 50mm Summicron). I shimmed the LTM adapter so the infinity stop works, and I can scale focus with some accuracy. In this sense, it's as fast as a traditional rf for street shooting. It's about as fast as a Leica or Bessa rf when focusing with the rear LCD (just aesthetically unappealing). I really didn't like the M43 lenses that use focus by wire though. Ick.

There is no way I would spend more than $1K for a digital rangefinder. They don't age gracefully like good film cameras. The GXR is the only camera I would consider beyond what I have.

[steveniphoto]

i rarely ever use mine. i rarely ever use my SLR's too. its all about film p&s lately.

[Sylvester]

I shoot streets with my CLE... Can't think about what could be better. Maybe a Leica when it'll die... like in 5 or 6 years.

[back alley]

been shooting rangefinders for over 30 years...i mix in other camera types occasionally, i currently have a nikon d200 with the 40 micro...all the other gear is gone...

[rizraz]

I use my RFs for most of my photogarphy escapades..... the dslr is sitting nicely in the shelf, even thinking of letting it go as I haven't been using it at least for the past 1 year.

[leicapixie]

It used to be relevant. Nowadays i mostly shoot with a point and shoot digital. i still shoot film but in a mix of SLR and M.Only a few rolls a month. The color i have scanned at high resolution.
The Leica allows me to see more! i have never been able to explain it..Photos simply jump out at me. If i carry a SLR it takes ages to finish a film, plus one or two, are badly focussed! Rats! The auto focus do worse in the light, where i have trouble, and no, i am not going to use flash!
i am toying with doing a project using film only, B/W and making all my own prints in a red light district. The M3 is growing on me again.

[nikon_sam]

Relevant...not really...
I own two rangefinder cameras both are Olympus with very similar Zuiko lenses...
Neither one is my first choice when walking out of the house...but I would choose either one when wanting the "Look" they are both capable of giving...
Rangefinders are slow for me...if I'm shooting for fun/myself I might use one...
I took the Olympus SP with me on our trip to Boston and ended up shoot half a roll of color film with it...I finished the roll when we got back home...a roll of film in less than a week is a lot for me when it comes to using a rangefinder...

[maddoc]

I think rangefinder are relevant for what I am photographing (documentation / the one or other portrait / snapshots) and besides that, I like Leica and Nikon rangefinder cameras.

[Dylan Hope]

For assignment work I use an SLR for accuracy. For personal work, a rangefinder because it's what I enjoy using. I'm hoping to bring a medium format camera into there as well, but one thing at a time.

Originally Posted by paulfish4570

i still see with a rangefinder aesthetic

I've read and heard people say this before, but I have no idea what it means. Can someone explain?

[gavinlg]

I like rangefinder style cameras - they don't have to be specifically an optical rangefinder. I like the size, weight, quality tiny lenses, and I like having the frame lines that have space around them. Don't mind if the camera is AF, AF rangefinder, or full on rangefinder - as long as they have the above traits. Because of this, I shoot with an x100 and the contax G system. Soon to get into the Mamiya 7 system.

[Lss]

Very relevant, gives me the best results and far more fun than any other type of camera.

[johannielscom]

40% dSLR (Nikon D3100 with manual lenses)
35% Leica (Leica II, M2, M4 once repaired)
25% Rolleiflex (Tele and 2.8F)


Since the dSLR does not meter with manual focus lenses, I use my Gossen Lunasix 3 lightmeter with all three systems. I hate AF, I have two lenses that do meter with the D3100 but they do not AF. Even then, I never use Shutter Priority and even Aperture Priority is rare.

Mostly all manual It's just the way I enjoy my work most!

[GWT]

Relevant?.......... Only in as much as it's a style of camera which I enjoy using the most. I'm sure I could use my DSLR and get as good and most likely better results but I love rangefinders, that's it.

[Dektol Dan]

Originally Posted by Keith

I like the compact design and the focusing of a rangefinder ... the vague framing I'm not so keen on.

The major advantage of a rangefinder is that compositions 'fall' into the cross hairs (frame lines) like shooting skeet or trap.

I was raised shooting guns and photography seemed to be an extension of that. There is a world of difference between open sights and telescopic. One shoots sports with an SLR only by the necessity of having a long lens. However, my batting average with a rangefinder on the street is almost always .500, with an SLR, at best .025. SLR's are for long and macro lenses, and studio work.

In my world I use an SLR 10%-15% of the time. They are generally to bulky, too heavy, and too slow.

[Tejasican]

I ticked the second option but am in process toward the first as time goes on.

[stratcat]

Rangefinder's are what I shoot most of the time, though I certainly enjoy shooting with my (D)SLR and TLR.

[StefanJozef]

I've recently bought two Fuji MF rangefinders. I love using them. I love the simplicity.

[bgb]

I love using my Yashica GSN and could use that and nothing else for most of the photography I do, otherwise it's the digital P&S for cat shots. The GSN is just the right size for my xxl hands and it works ok in that it doesn't get in the way of me getting the shot.
Would love to try a M6 and the idea of an Epson R-1d is rather exciting.
I don't find slr cameras as exciting as I once did but I would still like to master my 124G.
Alas life has been getting in the way lately and I haven't done much photography.

[P.KC]

I have to use a rangefinder since my eyes dont work too well with normal slr cameras.

[mathomas]

I have RFs, but mostly prefer SLRs, esp my Hasselblads. But even if I had no RFs, I'd still come to RFF.

[one90guy]

My Yashica Lynx and Argus C-3 are my aimlessly walking around cameras. For me this is my no stress shoot anything and maybe end up with a few keepers.

[fuji645]

I love my 6x4.5 Fuji MF rangefinder...it's small, compact and gives outstanding results. Almost all of my photography is film based medium format, although I do have and use a Pentax digital. My Leica's, although not quite "shelf queens" don't get as much use now since 35mm is not my primary medium. After this discussion, I think I'll start using them again because it's a joy having a camera that responds so effortlessly to my needs.

[TXForester]

I don't get any income from photography. I shoot for myself, so no type of camera is relevant or not relevant. I shoot what works best or O.K. at the time, or I shoot what I'm in the mood to use. Rangefinders are still fun to use.

[flip]

Originally Posted by Gumby

Not really. It is a perennial question.

I use rangefinder cameras when that is the proper tool for the purpose.

+1

It really is just a box with different qualities. For night shooting, I think the RF is a ready-choice. For macro, SLR. If I think someone MF incapable might be handling the camera (perhaps me, if I tie one on), the Hexar AF comes out.

I do sometimes wonder if something isn't lost by this forum not being more dedicated. Then I focus my thoughts more productively.

[sisser]

Originally Posted by TXForester

I don't get any income from photography. I shoot for myself, so no type of camera is relevant or not relevant. I shoot what works best or O.K. at the time, or I shoot what I'm in the mood to use. Rangefinders are still fun to use.

+1
Same for me.