Epson RD-1 Japanese Brochure

#1 joshwa

Can someone explain "Rangefinder" to me? What makes it so special?

12:05 pm - Tuesday, March 23, 2004

#2 Mad@TT

instead of a regular viewfinder like in a SLR camera you have two that work together to give you a sharp view at a certain focusing distance (range). It's sort of a triangulation.
Since you can't view through the lens to check focus this is the only way to be sure. I have an old RF with a broken viewfinder and I can only guess what the distance is to a subject.... it's quite interesting how wrong I can be at times

the principle is explained here (can't find a camera specific link)
http://home.houston.rr.com/molerat/rngfndr.htm

12:58 pm - Tuesday, March 23, 2004

#3 Jim Jones

Rangefinder cameras have the advantage of precise focusing with wide angle to moderate telephoto lenses, even in low light. Since they have no mirror to direct the image through a SLR finder, they are much quieter than a SLR. However, focusing becomes less reliable as the focal length increases. Also, since one can't see the image through the lens, they are less practical with zoom lenses and for close-up photography. The rangefinder mechanism in a quality camera such as the Leica is a very precise and expensive component, so the best rangefinder cameras have been more costly than SLRs of comparable quality.

2:49 pm - Wednesday, March 24, 2004

#4 Carl

Rangefinder cameras like my Nikon S2 and the Leicas are vastly faster and more precise in focusing over the range of wide angle lenses to about 135mm. They are quieter and do not have the accursed mirror shake associated with the SLR's. I have yet to see an autofocus camera that can match the RF cameras speed and precision. SLR cameras can not be used to accurately focus very wide angle lenses simply because the depth of field is so great and the human eye can not resolve the circle of confusion even without the imperfect SLR's viewscreen. For example on my Nikkor 50 mm F1.4 lens the depth of field scale is established between the 1/2000 inch circle of confusion points. The human eye only resolves about 1/100 inch at best. Thus the inability to find the critical focus point is inherent with SLR's. I hope to have a digital RF camera someday and would also prefer to have a manual metering/shutter speed system ala the Pentax K1000SE which I prefer over my more automated versions. Good as my Epson and Olympus digicams are they are too slow to operate and cause many missed photo opportunities.

4:01 pm - Wednesday, March 24, 2004

#5 dakia

that is tizzle

6:54 pm - Wednesday, November 23, 2005