Struggling With Rangefinders

Paul Howell · 2026-01-20T14:22:48-0500

"quiet and low vibration"

I had forgotten that when covering a wedding, funeral, some type of event in a church I would take both rangefinders, one with a 28 the other with a 50m with a 90 or 100mm in my bag.

RezaLoghme · 2026-01-20T14:32:18-0500

For my, my R4 and R6 play their strength with 21mm and 135mm lenses, for the WYGIWYS factor. But both lenses make the relatively small Leica R bodies heavy like a beast.

The delicate dimensions of film M bodies, combined with the almost toy-like 50mm M lenses are a delight. In certain settings, and in others the heft of a 135mm lens on a R body feels "right".

Luckily, in photography, you can have one cake while eating another one.

Franklee · 2026-01-20T14:42:24-0500

Try a smaller SLR perhaps? Nikon FM, F3, FA are all smaller than a F2AS

DavidClapp · 2026-01-20T17:26:11-0500

Franklee said:
Try a smaller SLR perhaps? Nikon FM, F3, FA are all smaller than a F2AS

I have an F2AS and last week I bought an F3. I have to say they are the most inspiring of the 35mm cameras I have used. Its like owning a 70's Ford Granada and an 80's Sierra

cliveh · 2026-01-20T17:52:06-0500

For me a Leica rangefinder camera is the only choice. Try using a Leica II Barnack camera and set the shutter and aperture for the light and subject and then concentrate on focus, composition and timing. The camera is so tactile, it is like part of your own body.

beemermark · 2026-01-20T18:26:35-0500

A RF is not a SLR, totally different beast. RF had there day as fast shooting in sports, street, war, etc. What you see in the VF only approximates what you see on film. It's very easy and quick to focus with a RF and you are not distracted by DOF, shutter speed, apertures, etc.

Pioneer · 2026-01-20T19:25:03-0500

cliveh said:
For me a Leica rangefinder camera is the only choice. Try using a Leica II Barnack camera and set the shutter and aperture for the light and subject and then concentrate on focus, composition and timing. The camera is so tactile, it is like part of your own body.

I agree. But if I need consistent and accurate framing the rangefinder stays home. Even my K1000 gives better framing accuracy.

beemermark · 2026-01-20T19:37:03-0500

Pioneer said:
I agree. But if I need consistent and accurate framing the rangefinder stays home. Even my K1000 gives better framing accuracy.

Of course your K1000 gives better focusing. It’s not a RF.

Paul Howell · 2026-01-20T20:49:20-0500

Even with my Argus C3 I get good focus, the magnified rangefinder window works really well, what suffers if the framing, step back a few steps and crop when printing. On the other hand I use depth of field preview a lot.

Struggling With Rangefinders

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