Difference between revisions of "Rangefinder camera"
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== Links == | == Links == | ||
* [http://rick_oleson.tripod.com/looking_forward.htm How Rangefinders Work] | * [http://rick_oleson.tripod.com/looking_forward.htm How Rangefinders Work] | ||
| − | * Photozone's [http://www.photozone.de/3Technology/camtec2.htm SLR vs Rangefinder] comparison | + | * Photozone's [https://web.archive.org/web/20070402011423/http://www.photozone.de/3Technology/camtec2.htm SLR vs Rangefinder] comparison (archived) |
* Steve Gandy's [http://cameraquest.com/leica.htm explanation of 35mm rangefinders and viewfinders] at CameraQuest | * Steve Gandy's [http://cameraquest.com/leica.htm explanation of 35mm rangefinders and viewfinders] at CameraQuest | ||
* Lionel's [http://35mm-compact.com/compact.htm rangefinder camera collection] at 35mm-compact | * Lionel's [http://35mm-compact.com/compact.htm rangefinder camera collection] at 35mm-compact | ||
Revision as of 10:46, 23 October 2017
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| Second, smaller window for rangefinder-focusing spot image by Martin Taylor (Image rights) |
For a list of rangefinder cameras, see the Category: Rangefinder.
Rangefinder cameras are those that use a coincident-viewing distance focussing mechanism. The most common form, as used in cameras like the Leica and other classic 35mm cameras, use a prism and mirror arrangement between two viewing windows. Adjustments to the lens focus change angles of the prisms and align two coincident images, when the images are superimposed the lens is in focus. With a large enough rangefinder base this can give extremely accurate focusing.
Other styles of rangefinder do exist, such as the electronic variety found in the Contax G1 and G2 cameras. In general, "rangefinder" focussing is often used to describe any focussing mechanism that doesn't view directly through the taking lens (or an identical copy of that lens, as in Twin Lens Reflex cameras).
Rangefinder focussing is very fast and accurate even in low light especially with wide angle lenses, but is less accurate for longer focus lenses.
See Also
Links
- How Rangefinders Work
- Photozone's SLR vs Rangefinder comparison (archived)
- Steve Gandy's explanation of 35mm rangefinders and viewfinders at CameraQuest
- Lionel's rangefinder camera collection at 35mm-compact
- The Fukucame Rangefinder website, including interesting chronology pages
