Difference between revisions of "Rangefinder camera"
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| − | Rangefinder cameras are those that focus using some sort of coincident-viewing distance-determination mechanism. The most common form, as used in cameras like the Leica and other classic small 35mm cameras, is to use a prism and mirror arrangement between two viewing windows. Small adjustments in the angles of the prisms will align two superimposed images -- when the images are aligned the distance can be determined accurately by a simple mechanical cam. Such rangefinders have been used in 35mm cameras for many years and also in larger-format cameras such as "folder" medium format cameras, "Texas Leicas" like the Mamiya 7 and even some early | + | Rangefinder cameras are those that focus using some sort of coincident-viewing distance-determination mechanism. The most common form, as used in cameras like the [[Leica]] and other classic small 35mm cameras, is to use a prism and mirror arrangement between two viewing windows. Small adjustments in the angles of the prisms will align two superimposed images -- when the images are aligned the distance can be determined accurately by a simple mechanical cam. Such rangefinders have been used in 35mm cameras for many years and also in larger-format cameras such as "folder" medium format cameras, "Texas Leicas" like the [[Mamiya 7]] and even some early [[Polaroid]] cameras. |
| − | Other styles of rangefinder do exist, such as the electronic variety found in the Contax G1-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). | + | Other styles of rangefinder do exist, such as the electronic variety found in the Contax G1-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 [[TLR|Twin Lens Reflex cameras]]). |
=== Pros === | === Pros === | ||
* Easy to focus in low light. | * Easy to focus in low light. | ||
| + | * No mirror slap. | ||
=== Cons === | === Cons === | ||
| − | * Parallax | + | * Parallax error. |
Revision as of 16:20, 21 May 2005
Rangefinder cameras are those that focus using some sort of coincident-viewing distance-determination mechanism. The most common form, as used in cameras like the Leica and other classic small 35mm cameras, is to use a prism and mirror arrangement between two viewing windows. Small adjustments in the angles of the prisms will align two superimposed images -- when the images are aligned the distance can be determined accurately by a simple mechanical cam. Such rangefinders have been used in 35mm cameras for many years and also in larger-format cameras such as "folder" medium format cameras, "Texas Leicas" like the Mamiya 7 and even some early Polaroid cameras.
Other styles of rangefinder do exist, such as the electronic variety found in the Contax G1-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).
Pros
- Easy to focus in low light.
- No mirror slap.
Cons
- Parallax error.
