Good analysis. Right tool for the job - I've missed opportunities because I wasn't carrying the right camera, or any camera at all because what I had was too heavy or unwieldy.
Voigtlanders go as wide as 15mm, and Leica Ms can handle up to 135mm natively, perhaps more with a Visoflex, I dunno.
But I think the analysis looks more like this:
For all other use cases:
- Use an SLR if your need long lenses
- Use an SLR if you need exact framing
- Use an SLR if you need macro
Or ... save your shekels and own a bit of both.
- Use a rangefinder if you want stealth
- Use a rangefinder if you want light/compact
- Use a Leica, specifically, if you prefer their cooler color balanced lenses compared to the Japanese
- Use a rangefinder if it makes it more likely you will carry it with you (try hiking with a 5 lens, 2 body, 3 back 'Blad bag for four or five hours - it's most instructive)
Cameras and lenses are paintbrushes and no one brush does everything well.
Voigtlanders go as wide as 15mm, and Leica Ms can handle up to 135mm natively, perhaps more with a Visoflex, I dunno.
But I think the analysis looks more like this:
For all other use cases:
- Use an SLR if your need long lenses
- Use an SLR if you need exact framing
- Use an SLR if you need macro
Or ... save your shekels and own a bit of both.
- Use a rangefinder if you want stealth
- Use a rangefinder if you want light/compact
- Use a Leica, specifically, if you prefer their cooler color balanced lenses compared to the Japanese
- Use a rangefinder if it makes it more likely you will carry it with you (try hiking with a 5 lens, 2 body, 3 back 'Blad bag for four or five hours - it's most instructive)
Cameras and lenses are paintbrushes and no one brush does everything well.
Good analysis. Right tool for the job - I've missed opportunities because I wasn't carrying the right camera, or any camera at all because what I had was too heavy or unwieldy.
Voigtlanders go as wide as 15mm, and Leica Ms can handle up to 135mm natively, perhaps more with a Visoflex, I dunno.
But I think the analysis looks more like this:
For all other use cases:
- Use an SLR if your need long lenses
- Use an SLR if you need exact framing
- Use an SLR if you need macro
Or ... save your shekels and own a bit of both.
- Use a rangefinder if you want stealth
- Use a rangefinder if you want light/compact
- Use a Leica, specifically, if you prefer their cooler color balanced lenses compared to the Japanese
- Use a rangefinder if it makes it more likely you will carry it with you (try hiking with a 5 lens, 2 body, 3 back 'Blad bag for four or five hours - it's most instructive)
Cameras and lenses are paintbrushes and no one brush does everything well.
- Use an SLR if you need exact framing ?
I thought that I had read that rangefinder cameras could go as short a focal length as 15mm, but I skipped rereading the thread. You have added reasons for slr and rangefinders ==> great summary.
I forgot to add:
When you want absolute best image quality but don't want to hump around a large format system, Hasselblad is always a good choice
Voigtlanders go as wide as 15mm, and Leica Ms can handle up to 135mm natively, perhaps more with a Visoflex, I dunno.
But I think the analysis looks more like this:
For all other use cases:
- Use an SLR if your need long lenses
- Use an SLR if you need exact framing
- Use an SLR if you need macro
Or ... save your shekels and own a bit of both.
- Use a rangefinder if you want stealth
- Use a rangefinder if you want light/compact
- Use a Leica, specifically, if you prefer their cooler color balanced lenses compared to the Japanese
- Use a rangefinder if it makes it more likely you will carry it with you (try hiking with a 5 lens, 2 body, 3 back 'Blad bag for four or five hours - it's most instructive)
Cameras and lenses are paintbrushes and no one brush does everything well.
But are they a quick and responsive camera compared to a Hasselblad or even my slightly bigger P67 or Bronica GS-I?My 5x7 and 4x5 large format setups are lighter and easier to carry than my Hasselblad setup.
I'd like to add...
- Use a rangefinder if you want stealth
- Use a rangefinder if you want light/compact
- Use a Leica, specifically, if you prefer their cooler color balanced lenses compared to the Japanese
- Use a rangefinder if it makes it more likely you will carry it with you (try hiking with a 5 lens, 2 body, 3 back 'Blad bag for four or five hours - it's most instructive)
Voigtlanders go as wide as 15mm, and Leica Ms can handle up to 135mm natively, perhaps more with a Visoflex, I dunno.
But I think the analysis looks more like this:
- Use an SLR if your need long lenses
- Use an SLR if you need exact framing
- Use an SLR if you need macro
- Use a rangefinder if it makes it more likely you will carry it with you (try hiking with a 5 lens, 2 body, 3 back 'Blad bag for four or five hours - it's most instructive)
Cameras and lenses are paintbrushes and no one brush does everything well.
One possible option: the tiny Pentax SLRs (MX, ME, MG) are about the size of a Leica M. With one of the shorter lenses, they are not too bulky front to back. My MG does not have the tactile feel of a Leica M or LTM (of course not!), but the Pentax K mount lenses are excellent and reasonable price. It does its job of exposing 35mm film well.
But are they a quick and responsive camera compared to a Hasselblad or even my slightly bigger P67 or Bronica GS-I?
I have a Pentax 67 and I love using Acros with it. However I often worry about camera shake since holding the camera steady is a challenge, and Acros is a relatively slow speed film.And, 6x7 fitted with really good film like Acros, Tmax 100 or others, bring you image quality comparable to 4x5"
I have a Pentax 67 and I love using Acros with it. However I often worry about camera shake since holding the camera steady is a challenge, and Acros is a relatively slow speed film.
I have a Pentax 67 and I love using Acros with it. However I often worry about camera shake since holding the camera steady is a challenge, and Acros is a relatively slow speed film.
Use the wood grip on the left and a 3D printed grip on the right.
Do you see camera shake in your photos or just concerned it might happen?
I actually use this setup! It's in low light settings where I'm more concerned, so I'll usually carry a tripod with me.
If I recall correctly I found a way to diminish shutter slap on the 6x7 via reducing the spring tension of the mirror actuator (i'm a camera tech), but I haven't tested the result.
Apologies if someone has already mentioned this.
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