Rangefinder camera

Glossary Terms

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 focus using a coincident-viewing distance-measuring mechanism, a rangefinder. The most common form, as used in cameras like the Leica and other classic 35mm cameras, use a prism and mirror arrangement between two spaced viewfinder windows. Adjustments to the lens focus change angles of the prisms and align two coincident images, so 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" focusing is often used to describe any focusing mechanism that doesn't view directly through the taking lens (or an identical copy of that lens, as in Twin Lens Reflex cameras).

Rangefinder focusing is very fast and accurate even in low light especially with wide angle lenses, but is less accurate for longer focus lenses.

See Also

• Rangefinder (device)

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