query from 67 rangefinder user

[Dan's45]

hello,
is this forum just for 35mm rangefinder users? i just a bought a mamiya 7 rangefinder camera. am i allowed to post questions here or do i need to post in medium format area? let me know okay! thanks

 

[Tom Hoskinson]

hello,
is this forum just for 35mm rangefinder users? i just a bought a mamiya 7 rangefinder camera. am i allowed to post questions here or do i need to post in medium format area? let me know okay! thanks

No Problem AFAIK (As Far As I Know). I regard this as a sort of global Rangefinder Forum - not just a 35mm rangefinder forum.

There are several Mamiya 7 threads and other MF Rangefinder threads currently on this forum.

I personally shoot two Fuji 6x4.5 RF cameras and a Fuji 6x9, plus a 2.25 X 3.25 Crown Graphic RF.

 

[narsuitus]

This is a good question because in the description for this forum is the statement that this rangefinder forum will soon be a subforum of 35mm Cameras and Accessories forum as soon as software permits.

 

[Abbazz]

All rangefinders are not 35mm. Lots medium or large format folding cameras have been made by Agfa, Polaroid, Voigtlander or Zeiss with a coupled rangefinder. Modern Fuji and Mamiya rangefinder cameras use 120 or 220 film to produce great 6x6, 6x7 or 6x9 pictures. That would be nonsense to put the rangefinder forum as a subforum of 35mm cameras IMHO.

Abbazz

 

[gnashings]

The nice thing about APUG is that even if you post something in the wrong forum, it will just be politely moved by the moderators. Generally speaking this is a pretty friendlyplace full of supportive people - I would not fear the consequences of a genuine mistake or misunderstanding. Really, the divisions of the forums are there to help you and others interested in a similar subject matter - simply easier to find the advice you need or post your views for those who would be interested. I wouldn't worry so much.
Having said that, I think the RF forum should be left alone and cater to all those who enjoy the unique experience of RF cameras regardless of format - but of course one could argue that the MF forum does that just fine for the somewhat smaller number of MF rf's (although not that much smaller, judging from the respones and the frequency of posts relating to the various older cameras, Fujis, Mamiyas, etc.). Its just my personal opinion that the RF "experience" if you will, transcends format and should have a forum all its own here on APUG - just as it does now.

Peter.

 

[Henry Carter]

Linhof, the venerable maker of the Technika, is still producing 4X5 rangefinder cameras in Munich. They can be used with 4X5 sheet film and roll film using 6X9 or 6X12 backs.

The Master Technika is a current production 4X5 rangefinder camera that can be used hand-held. You can use it like a big 35 mm point and shoot, except that the negative is huge. There is a long tradition of hand-held rangefinder 4X5 press photography. As Weegee said: "f8 and be there".

Most large format shooters use 4X5 cameras exclusively on tripods and focus and compose on the ground-glass. Large format and rangefinder rarely appear in the same sentence over there...

To make the rangefinder forum a sub-forum of 35 mm makes no sense given the plethora of MF and LF cameras being used as rangefinder cameras. We should be celebrating the diversity of rangefinder cameras, not segregating them into a 35 mm forum.

 

[Roger Hicks]

I'll agree that 'the RF experience' transcends format. I currently use 35mm, 6x7, 6x9, quarter-plate (Polaroid 600SE and NPC 195) RFs and I have used 4x5 (MPP and Quickload/Readyload in an NPC adapter for the 600SE). Alas my Technika V 5x7 is a plain Technika, not Super.

So here's another vote for keeping it separate from 35mm...

I'll also vote (though not campaign) for 'RF' including other direct-vision cameras, i.e. non-RF, non-reflexes like my Pen W and Alpa 12 WA. This may be more contentious. What do others think?

Cheers,

Roger (www.rogerandfrances.com)

 

[naturephoto1]

I also concur regarding not including the rangefinder forum under 35mm. Presently I use amongst other cameras my Mamiya 7II and 4 Mamiya lenses. Previously, prior to being stolen, I also used my modified Linhof Technika IV along with a battery of lenses.

Rich

 

[gnashings]

I just don't really think that APUG is populated by the sort of folk that would get up in arms over some "cross-contamination" of subject matter, even if that is the case - and I don't think it is. Other than pixelography, everything seems to get a pretty friendly response here, no matter under which heading!

Peter

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

All RF cameras welcome in the RF forum. My current rangefinders are a Voigtlander Perkeo II 6x6 that I use with an uncoupled rangefinder, a Linhof Tech V 23b (but I haven't had my lenses cammed yet for this one), and a Linhof Tech V 4x5 with 5 cammed lenses. RF's I've had in the past were an old Ricoh (my first 35mm camera), Voigtlander Vitessa-L 35mm, Voigtlander Bessa II 6x9, and a B&J Watson 2x3" press camera with a Kalart rangefinder.

 

[Dan's45]

well just my camera in the other day and waiting for it stop raining long enough to go and get some shot of the after rain look...the water on the leaves and the smell of the rain afterwards is pleasnat to me as well..

 

[Vanishing Point Ent.]

The nice thing about APUG is that even if you post something in the wrong forum, it will just be politely moved by the moderators. Generally speaking this is a pretty friendlyplace full of supportive people - I would not fear the consequences of a genuine mistake or misunderstanding. Really, the divisions of the forums are there to help you and others interested in a similar subject matter - simply easier to find the advice you need or post your views for those who would be interested. I wouldn't worry so much.
Having said that, I think the RF forum should be left alone and cater to all those who enjoy the unique experience of RF cameras regardless of format - but of course one could argue that the MF forum does that just fine for the somewhat smaller number of MF rf's (although not that much smaller, judging from the respones and the frequency of posts relating to the various older cameras, Fujis, Mamiyas, etc.). Its just my personal opinion that the RF "experience" if you will, transcends format and should have a forum all its own here on APUG - just as it does now.

Peter.

Why not make them BOTH Sub-Forums.

In other words, Once you click on Rangefinder Forums, you then get to choose,
between 35 mm & Med-Format / Large Format.

Remember the Graphics.

 

[archphoto]

Why not make them BOTH Sub-Forums.

In other words, Once you click on Rangefinder Forums, you then get to choose,
between 35 mm & Med-Format / Large Format.

Remember the Graphics.

Fully agree !

Peter