Rangefinder Camera Explained: How It Works and Why It Changed My Life

Taking photographs with a Rangefinder Camera is a unique experience that completely changed my workflow and my enjoyment of photography. In this video, I am happy to explain the basics of a Rangefinder Camera using a Leica M10-R. I will show you what the viewfinder looks like. I talk about frame linens, how focusing with the measuring field works, and what zone focusing is and how it works.
Range finder cameras were first introduced in 1936 and have been used by brands like Konica, Voigtlaender, and Olympus. The most famous range finder camera is the Leica M system.

Gear showed in this video:
Leica M10-R: Leica_M10R_ff

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Gear used to produce this video:

Visual Add-ons: Envato Elements

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Disclosures:
1. Some links in the description are affiliate links. If you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a commission at no additional cost to you.
2. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases.
3. All products shown in this video are bought and not sponsored
4. All opinions are my own. Sponsors are acknowledged.

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you can find me here:

Video produced by FF Entertainment GmbH, Berlin, Germany

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00:00 - Rangefinder Camera Explained: How It Works and Why It Changed My Life
00:37 - History of the Range Finder Camera
00:57 - How does a Rangefinder Camera work?
01:22 - Who do frame lines in a Rangefinder Camera work?
02:52 - How does focusing with a Rangefinder Camera work?
04:10 - Rangefinder Camera tip for beginners
04:58 - How does zone focusing work?
07:19 - How do I use my Rangefinder Camera?
08:09 - What is the most important thing about using a Rangefinder Camera: Keep your windows clean
09:06 - Why did a Rangefinder Camera change my photography?
10:35 - My creative recommendation: use the protector
11:49 - Thank you for watching!

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#LifeThroughTheLens
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[BrookBoley]

This is the best explanation of rangefinders I’ve seen so far. We’ll done.

[derrenleepoole]

That zone focusing instruction was very good. It explained it clearer than some others I have seen. I actually use zone focusing but picked up a few tricks here.

[cheapaudioman]

What a great video. Speaking more about life lessons than photography and I love it. Well done.

[fjphoto]

Have been searching for a long time for the best explanation of the rangefinder camera. That search has ended here. Many thanks!!

[paulpiasecki]

Best video out there about this subject!

[markielinhart]

Old school Pentax film shooter here, finally went digital with Lumix and found af drove me crazy! A friend lent me an M8 from her Leica collection. I’m just getting used to it and loving it after only a few days.
Thanks for your video it’s been a great help and it’s taking me back in time in a good way✌️🙏🇦🇺

[lohthxr]

Hello Sir, a very good video. Your feeling of shooting with a rangefinder is exactly why I stop shooting auto focus camera. Thank you very much.

[goarmymp]

Very helpful I've never used a rangefinder camera My late father used a canon camera in the 1950's through the 1970's He developed all of his photos I'm looking at a rangefinder now for landscapes, architectural, and people

[Narsuitus]

@0:38
The 1936 Zeiss Ikon Contax was not the first rangefinder camera.
In 1916, Kodak produced a medium format rangefinder camera.
In 1925, Leica produced the first 35mm camera and it had an accessory rangefinder.
In 1932, the Leica II and the Zeiss Contax 1 were 35mm cameras with built-in rangefinders.
In 1936, Zeiss Ikon produced the Contax II 35mm rangefinder camera. It was the first 35mm camera to combine the rangefinder and the viewfinder in a single window.

[jjd]

I agree 100% about slowing you down. I am not a professional, the photos that I take are for my own enjoyment. I found that I was not enjoying photography as much with the latest and greatest digital cameras. That all changed when I saw a YouTube video from another creator. He said if you don’t want to get hooked on Leica, don’t watch this video. I watched and bought a Leica M-6. I found the joy of slowly composing and making a photograph again. I now own a Leica M246 monochrome, M262 and a Q2. Please keep producing the wonderful videos.

[devroombagchus]

Thank you. One advantage that unfortunately many people cannot use is that the left eye is free to see all the surroundings. The viewer is on the left side of the camera, so you should view with your right eye. But a lot of us have a dominant left eye.

[jonnyo]

Thank you so much for the detailed explanation and examples of using a rangefinder camera, Florian. I have just purchased my very first Leica M11 rangefinder and feel so recharged and excited to use it. Cheers!

[ramintabib]

This was the best explanation of rangefinder. So well done. Thank you

[denizekener]

congrats on the new channel, great video. I'm a m user as well, it almost feels meditative because you focus on what you are doing 100%. it's endless fun once you get a bit used to the experience.

[bluelightningstrike]

Brilliant video. Completely agree with the slowing down and enjoying photography part. Too many people operate their modern powerful cameras like a machine gun...just spraying mindlessly to get that one shot that they want.

[cshevlin]

Outstanding! This answered so many questions!

[jenniferromonoyske]

This is beautiful and so well taught. I’m a film photographer from 90s. Went too art school. Hated digital and how the photos looked. I fought it and then caved. I got a Q2 then I decided challenge myself with M11. It’s difficult I’m not going to lie. Thank you for this. I think it’s going to be great for the same reasons you gave. :)

[tnx]

I love your explanation about zone focusing.

[Xingchen_Yan]

I recently tried m11 for the first time, and after doing photography for so many years, this rangefinder idea completely (at least 80%) changed how I approach my photography. I love doing street and have used x100v before, which is a sort-of rangefinder, but m11 just gives me the purest experience. Seeing beyond the photo is extremely important and fresh. I will probably do it more. Nice video!

[markcort]

Such a great explanation of rangefinder and zone focusing. Thanks so much