Leica M Rangefinder Focusing Tips and Tricks

Photographer and Leica expert David Farkas explains how rangefinder focusing works on the Leica M, then shares his top seven tips and tricks for mastering the technique. With a little practice, rangefinder focusing can become second nature, allowing you to focus on the other elements of your photography.

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Timestamps
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0:00 - Intro
0:22 - What is a rangefinder
1:15 - Tip 1: Keep things clean
2:15 - Tip 2: Use hyperfocal distance
4:33 - Tip 3: Try zone focusing
6:09 - Tip 4: Pick the right focal point
7:41 - Tip 5: Estimate distance
11:10 - Tip 6: Learn focus ring positions
13:52 - Tip 7: Use your body to fine tune focus
16:15 - Conclusion

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[monstermike]

15 year educator here, this was a masterclass of instruction. I don't even own a M camera (yet) and I feel like I can do it.

[GaryLangEngr]

1, 000, 000 YouTube videos on this topic covered in one, clear video

[MadshGrappling]

It's hard to imagine a better rangefinder guide than this video right here!

[TitleDS]

Even with a seasoned rangefinder shooter like myself this video still sparks my learner soul. David combined his genuine lifetime knowledge in techniques, practices, and how to apply them in the most concise way possible.

[tavs]

By FAR the best video on M focusing I’ve seen. Well done!

[ruepra]

Really useful tips ! I'm new to the rangefinder topic as I'm, shooting with Nikon for more than 40 years now. However due to health restrictions I can't take that trunk with my gear always with me. Therefore I'm familiarizing myself with Leica M and Leica Q. I watched countless videos and reviews...no one managed to explain that techniques so simple and valuable like you did. THANK YOU !

[hubertheroldsen.]

Super clear instructions, well explained. Thank you so much!

[nahalt]

I have watched SO MANY videos and this one was hand's down the most informative - thank you!!

[snarkytadpole]

Excellent video as always. As much as I love the long ones I think these short, to the point, single subject videos are the most useful. Let's see more!

[carlseibert]

Say the distance to yourself in your head. That keeps the distance estimation separate from the tab position, which varies lens to lens and makes it easier to learn and remember. Best video on this subject I've ever seen. Way to go David.

[kevinmallory]

Hi David - more of these videos! I love the longer all things Leica - but, this type of short informative video around specific shooting tips are great! Very well done.

[nycstreetshooter]

I shoot street with 28mm most of the time. The first thing I do every day I'm out is walk up to a street sign or other pole, estimate 6 feet, set and then hold to my eye..I shoot zone focus without holding the camera to my eye about 90% of the time, so i then adjust for the distance of the camera being a little closer to the subject.

[cydengel]

The most straight forward explanation of rangefinder focusing ever! Simple, clear and illustrated perfectly! Thanks so much !

[ziggy]

12:45 - Bambi's friends playing tag in the background. Found that rather amusing. And what a nice peek at how beautiful it is where you guys live.

[xiiiconcepts]

Great content David! As always, your knowledge and wisdom is something of legend to the Leica community. Would love to see more content like this of you, out and about doing what you do. Thank you!

[patrickaltman]

Thanks David . You are a great pedagog. When the subject is moving, and to get the perfect focus is not so easy, I close a bit the aperture to get a little more depth of field and have a kind of automatic correction of the lack of perfect focusing with the range finder. It is "zone focusing" but in a particular situation.

[kbalch]

Nicely done, David. That's going to help a lot of rangefinder newbies. It's good to have some of the foundation knowledge in one place. Being able to break down techniques that we've taken for granted for decades into such easy-to-understand bites is a gift. Well done!

[TomokoMurakami]

This instruction is EXACTLY what I have been searching for. Thank you, David.

[atatexan]

This is superb, sir. I have been a Leica rangefinder since I was an eleven year old with a IIIF my father gave me, now an M8. Tip 7 is so cool. Eisenstaedt showed it to my dad who passed in on to me. Thank you for helping to make me a better photographer.

[exalbino]

Great video David! Very informative and concise. More of this please!