SLR - you are looking through the lens via a mirror. Rangefinder - you are looking through a viewfinder and framing your image using framelines like this: [Broken External Image]:http://photo.net/equipment/leica/m5/M5-35-135-web.jpg That little rectangle box in the dead centre is where you focus. These are called "rangefinder" cameras because they focus using a dual-image rangefinding device. You turn a ring on your lens, and when two superimposed images line up, you're in perfect focus. eg [Broken External Image]:http://www.ndroo.com/blog/images/misc7/rfcover5.jpg Pros of rangefinders : very very small. Rangefinders are small cameras so they are less noticable, and allow you to get closer to your subjects and make your subjects feel more relaxed than having a bulky SLR in their face. Better quality lenses because the back elements of the lens can get closer to the film, with an SLR there is a big mirror in the way. So long as there is enough light to see, you can focus a rangefinder camera immediately and without needing any annoying AF assist lights. Just flip the focus until the two images merge, and voila!, perfect focus. With my D3s, I have to guess and focus manually by trial and error when the light gets too dim. With rangefinder cameras, it's never too dim. The shutters are very very quiet because there is no mirror flapping up and down. This lets you be less noticeable. in a quiet place. As SLR mirrors flip up to take a picture, their viewfinders go black at the most important instant: the instant at which an image is recorded forever. Rangefinder camera viewfinders never black out, so you always know the subject's expression as it's recorded. You can focus, compose and shoot with both eyes, since the rest of the camera doesn't cover your left eye. Rangefinder cameras have no shutter lag. With a rangefinder, press the button, and it goes. You've captured the peak of the moment, forever. With an SLR, the mirror has to get out of the way before the shutter can open. I took a few of those from Ken rockwells page on the subject. These are the reasons I always take my Leica out and never my D3s.
I love my Nikon FE2.. Black, sturdy and I always take it out with me.. But it's just so loud. Been wanting to find a cheap rangefinder myself.. I also need new glass though. Oh photography $$$
yah im getting sick of slrs people do notice them alot more im looking for a new rangefinder cause im not really liking my konica eye that much i want one more manual. i see on ebay fools selling it for as much as 300 and i got mine for 40 hahahaha. huge profit margin.
Rangefinders do sound nice.. Leica and Zeiss is out of my price range though. Any 'entry level' rangefinders? Hah
im saving up for one but first im getting a grip for my dslr and i need some glidddasss, but the lieca is most def on my lissst
this ones only nine grand [Broken External Image]:http://a.imageshack.us/img690/9104/bu5nt8qbgkkgrhqeokjeevu.jpg Uploaded with ImageShack.us keep a look out on ebay.that digilux 1 sold for $62.50..only needed a $17.00 charger
i bought a canon p the body was 200. its comparable to a leica i believe. 35mm framelines are a pain in the ass to use though and you can only use thread mount lenses on it. so if you have a 50mm thread mount lens you wanna use then it would be a good investment.
I know you guys are gonna think i'm terrible but this is just too cute,gross,but cute...we just got an inch today and we were playing in the runoff [Broken External Image]:http://a.imageshack.us/img38/3337/cookoonina059.jpg Uploaded with ImageShack.us [Broken External Image]:http://a.imageshack.us/img59/5360/cookoonina057.jpg Uploaded with ImageShack.us [Broken External Image]:http://a.imageshack.us/img52/2426/cookoonina060.jpg Uploaded with ImageShack.us
Basically no. Well maybe a Canon 7 or Canon P like VA's, he can shed some light here. Or any of the yashicas... but they aren't fully manual. Or, the voigtlander bessa's. But they still aren't cheap. Orrrrrrr... olympus make a lot of old cheap rangefinders namely this one which looks good. http://www.kenrockwell.com/olympus/35rc.htm This cracks me up. A perfect example of how much smaller rangefinders are.
yeh I saw that one in the Rob report ,nice article (m9) it comes in black or steel both are hottt..thought I'd post the white one because i like white..nearly got a pentax K-X because it was white,glad I didnt.
lakim... you know you wannnt it. [Broken External Image]:http://www.rglewis.co.uk/LEICA/M/Leica_MP/Leica_MP_black_paint.gif [Broken External Image]:http://www.pbase.com/marke/image/94078075/original.jpg most beautiful camera full stop.
I got my baby back. She's not perfect but close enough. Love it with the silver lens... I bought a matching silver 35mm viewfinder to attach to the hotshoe... you should do this VA. [Broken External Image]:http://img716.imageshack.us/img716/1091/photo86.jpg
[Broken External Image]:http://30.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l82mllBwpO1qz7lxdo1_500.jpg new canon sensor next to a normal full frame 35mm sensor.