TS: Rangefinders v. SLRs

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I've been playing around with my dad's m6 and I'm really digging it. Anyone in ilxland feel strongly one way or another? I know there's some photo-geeks out there (I'm not one of them, but I"m trying).

― giboyeux (skowly), Thursday, 16 June 2005 18:27 (twenty years ago)

Milo to thread!

― the PSB signal (nordicskilla), Thursday, 16 June 2005 18:29 (twenty years ago)

I just like how SMALL RFs are. And how mechanical...it's like driving an old sportscar.

― giboyeux (skowly), Thursday, 16 June 2005 18:30 (twenty years ago)

I can go either way. You have to get in the habit of focusing on the center and recomposing quickly with a rangefinder, but no mirror slap means you can handhold in lower speeds and the weight/bulk is a nice bonus. I'm inching toward selling my Leica and 35/1.4 lens to buy a Bessa R2a. I'm overly inhibited by my inabilty to ever replace the Leica if I break it.

If you want an SLR that's equally light/small but a little louder, check out the old Olympus OM series. The OM-4/OM-4T cameras are wonderful, reasonably cheap cameras.

― milozauckerman (miloaukerman), Thursday, 16 June 2005 18:36 (twenty years ago)

to buy a Bessa R2a.

...I've been checking these out. There's no way in hell I can atually afford a Leica (I'm borrowing my pop's while I'm at home), so these are appealling. Have you heard good things?

― giboyeux (skowly), Thursday, 16 June 2005 18:40 (twenty years ago)

Milo, what is that site which you sometimes link to, lots of used photo equipment. B&H? K&H? Something.

― the PSB signal (nordicskilla), Thursday, 16 June 2005 18:40 (twenty years ago)

B&H, prob. In NYC, run by the Hasidic fellas.

― giboyeux (skowly), Thursday, 16 June 2005 18:41 (twenty years ago)

www.keh.com, Georgia photo brokers

― milozauckerman (miloaukerman), Thursday, 16 June 2005 18:42 (twenty years ago)

Oh. Right.

― giboyeux (skowly), Thursday, 16 June 2005 18:44 (twenty years ago)

I've heard nothing but good things about the latest Bessas.

They aren't as, uh sturdy as Leicas (but very good) and a shade louder (not a big deal, still quieter than an SLR) and the lenses are a hair 'lower' in quality but as good as Leica lenses from the '70s/'80s, but you're looking at $800 for a new lens and body vs. $3500 for the equivalent (new) in Leica-land.

― milozauckerman (miloaukerman), Thursday, 16 June 2005 18:46 (twenty years ago)

That sounds right up my alley.

...I don't suppose you know any good books on RFs, do you?

― giboyeux (skowly), Thursday, 16 June 2005 18:49 (twenty years ago)

Also: is there anything to be gained/lost by getting the r3a w/the 1:1 viewfinder?

― giboyeux (skowly), Thursday, 16 June 2005 18:52 (twenty years ago)

I have a couple of old cameras. Ricoh, Pentax? Something like that. I wonder if they work.

― the PSB signal (nordicskilla), Thursday, 16 June 2005 18:53 (twenty years ago)

There's no 35mm frameline (there's a 40mm frameline to match the new 40 lens) and you might not see the edges so well if you wear glasses. But I think it's supposed to more accurate and better if you shoot 50mm on up.

There are a few books on the Leica series/history (that I haven't read), but there's not enough specialized technical information for a whole book.

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/ is supposed to be 'the' RF community, I think.

― milozauckerman (miloaukerman), Thursday, 16 June 2005 19:01 (twenty years ago)

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