danersmiff

What makes a rangefinder camera a rangefinder?

I know what makes an SLR an SLR, but not a rangefinder..

Digital, or film, please educate me.

rwilson1942 Loc: Houston, TX

Kuzano

A real rangefinder uses a triangulated mirror assembly that superimposes two images over one another so that when they coincide focus is achieved. Leica and Epson (RD1) are the only digital true rangefinders I remember. Most others are simply referred to as rangefinder styling because of the lack of a prism on top. Flat top styling does not a rangefinder make. It is the mirror assembly inside the top, using two windows on front of the camera for measuring for focus. The distance between the rangefinder windows is the base leg of the triangle for focus accuracy. The closer the two windows (smaller base leg) the less accurate focus becomes. Great for fairly close wide angle, but most rangefinders become difficult to focus when focal length reaches 90 to 135mm. Rangefinder accuracy is almost lost on telephoto lenses.

The design and implementation of the SLR "ate" the rangefinders lunch, when longer lenses started being used and when prism and split image focus screens came into play. However, most wide angle shooter will still prefer a rangefinder, with the no loss of image. The lens and shutter do not hamper the view through the rangefinder, but many shots are taken with lens caps on, since you are not viewing through the lens, as an SLR.

Leica is probably the ONLY real rangefinder rangefinder camera on the market today......$10,000 anyone.

danersmiff

thanks... I should have done that... (he said sheepishly) the wiki search--

danersmiff

thank you for taking the time...

repleo Loc: Boston

As I recall, one of the perceived disadvantages of a rangefinder compared to an SLR was the parallax effect. Since the viewfinder was offset to the lens, you got a slightly different view compared to the actual capture. Over half a century later the viewfinder battle still goes on with the constant the clashes between DSLRs and Mirrorless camps.

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

Short definition is twin lens reflex. Either side by side or over and under

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

I don’t know....., is it anything like a free-range chicken?!?!
SS

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Daner this time I’m actually serious!
It’s a camera that has the ability to take a picture of its own strap without you knowing it!!!
SS

danersmiff

With that 2nd lens thing going on, you're probably quite right !!
LOL thanks, you got me giggling anyways!!

Back when I bought my first Minolta in the 80's, the first couple rolls I shot,
actually had one or two of my fingers peeking on the edge of the lens of a few shots!!
Took a while to get the holding thing down!!

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

Not so. The classic TLR (Mamiya, Rolleiflex, Yashica Mat)had a viewing lens and a lens for exposing the film. They were not rangefinders. The parallax error occurs because the view is not the same as the exposed image. It’s offset by the distance between the axis of the two lenses. This is not the same as a rangefinder which aligned two images.

jackpinoh Loc: Kettering, OH 45419

I believe Leica is able to correct this parallax in both their viewfinder and back screen.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

My Dad had a "Mitsubishi" rangefinder camera in 1962. My first two adjustable cameras, a Yashica Minister III {1969} and a Canon QL-19 {1973} were both true rangefinder cameras. I'm guessing there were a lot more of them than you were aware of.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

A LOT of this is spot on except for the last sentence (unless you mean "new" rangefinders, then yes..that's true) Otherwise there are quite a few on the used market of different brands.

You can buy a Leica Film Rangefinder for less than 1000.00 but the dang digital ones are very expensive. :(

wrangler5 Loc: Missouri

The Olympus 35RC was a terrific little rangefinder, too. I got outstanding results from its 42mm lens, with full auto when you want it but full manual control too, in a package you could put in a (largish) pocket.