Rangefinder vs SLR: Which do you choose?

In today’s episode, we are going to be discussing the differences between two different camera types, the rangefinder, and the single lens reflex also known as the SLR. I will be going through the differences and use cases for each system in the hopes that you will find the right camera for you… so buckle up and have fun!

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Cameras:
Pentax 67
Nikon F3
Nikon FA
Leica M6
Mamiya 7
Voigtlander Bessa R
Minolta x700

#35mmfilm #mediumformat #rangefinder

[perraplays]

Todays a weird day, I started with bad flashes before "the other one"

[bjmarchives]

SLR are the kings of function but sometimes you just want a little rangefinder to tag along for the day. So every photographer can justify owning both.

[wbhub]

I'm an SLR guy. The Nikon FM2 is my favorite camera I own -- compact body (about the same size/weight as a Leica M6), amazing lens selection (tons of vintage Nikon options + modern Voigtlander pancakes), great build quality (all mechanical + light meter), and 1/4000th top shutter speed. I also have a Leica R6.2 and it's great as well.

[pacific-midwest]

I prefer SLRs when using longer lenses and rangefinders with wider lenses (35mm and wider). SLRs allow for more critical focus when using longer lenses, while rangefinders provide a more environmental view which allows me to see subjects entering and exiting the scene.

For an everyday carry camera, I prefer rangefinders for their compact form factor.

[jvladcliff]

I love the Red Dot "B" screen for the F3, no split prism black out on super wide or long lenses.

[paulhenry]

I use both, mostly for the reasons you covered - good job.

[edoardodario]

I love this Star Wars video with film photography examples!

[DylanPackard]

The right answer, take both cause why not 😂

Another banger as always dude!

[instantcharlie]

For me: I prefer using SLRs for the convenience of framing, focusing (the ones I use have split-prism focusing), and lens selection, but I will be the first to say they are the gawkiest things to have hanging on your neck. Not to mention having any kind of camera like that seems to make people nervous, even when you're not taking photos.

[rickya]

Gotta try me a rangefinder. Sleek design in all of them it seems.

[michaeldimmitt]

Thank you Bro! Another awesomely delicious bundle of photography goodness right there!

[PebCak]

One of each.... 35mm RF, 6x9 RF, 35mm slr, 6x6 slr, 6x6 tlr ;p

[redsphoto]

An awesome thing about older film cameras is that /generally/ you can afford to own both Rangefinders and SLRs and use them as the mood/situation calls (well if you are a dumb butt like most of us....). Ofc the Leica are super pricey but there are still plenty of somewhat reasonably fixed lens rangefinders which I honestly think people should try out first before they buy an M camera and decide Rfs ain't for them. Use the same camera until it is an extension of your arm? Ain't nobody got the time for that, I use a different camera every day.

Another win for Rangefinders is that /generally/ (at least for older lenses) they had the far better performing wider lenses (well anything wider than say ~50mm) because the lenses don't need to be retrofocal designed (no mirror means they can be closer to the film plane so they don't need special glass to adjust the focus to be further behind than it would be for their focal length). This is also why modern mirrorless lenses can be so much smaller/higher performing than dslr lenses of just a few years ago. I assume the Mamiya 6/7 glass is stupid sharp at least in part because of this.

And well not having a mirror and a quieter shutter means you get less shake and thus better images at slower shutter speeds too especially if you got a leaf shutter.

That said, being limited to not focusing very close (usually 0.7m irc) on RFs is indeed a huge bummer and a huge W for most SLR lenses. That and I think super fast aperture lenses are usually pretty inaccurate on rangefinders.

With Rfs is you do need to keep an eye out to make sure your distance scale etc is matching your patch and your camera hasn't gone out of calibration. I have ruined at least some photos by buying a 'mint++ camera' only to realize the focus is off. Though ofc with slrs if the mirror/groundglass is not set properly you have an even more annoying problem.

I do love my rangefinders (just shot a roll with the old Leica IIIf and my Bronica rf645 is arguably my most reliable and decorated camera), but I gotta say watching the image come into focus on a Hassy screen never gets old. >_<

[BrandonPrive]

Star Wars references on point. Also I bought the bessa r cause of your videos great camera, although I think after owning it I’m more of a slr fan than a rangefinder, I just like the focusing prisms better on my slr than the ghost image lineup on rangefinders, but bessa r is still a great great camera!

[juangil]

Why did Jason look like a vato from down my street in the beginning LMFAOOO

[analoguestills]

Used to love SLR until I started using my Leica M4-P.. it is just much more easier to focus and compose.. plus shooting a RF in low light settings means that there won't be a fat mirror slap to ruin that shot.

[TheDeamonLo]

I really want to try a rangefinder. I am getting better, but I sometimes hunt too much trying to find focus with my SLR. It's made doing more street style stuff much more difficult then when I did it with my mirrorless digital camera.

[segarallychampionship]

Not a rangefinder person, mostly because all the lenses I have are SLR lenses in M42 mount. *But* I find rangefinders much better than SLRs for taking photos of moving objects. All my SLRs have the fresnel lens focusing circle in the viewfinder and I don't find that as accurate as a rangefinder, or a split prism focusing aid.

I have a Zorki 4K, btw. That camera on its own is small, but the ever-ready case for it (which you have to use if you want a neck strap) adds some bulk to the body (and that's after I cut off the front cover, as unlike with similar looking Praktica cases, the Zorki case's front cover can't be detached).
Also I find myself more caring about the feel of the camera than anything else, I have a Mamiya Sekor SLR, it's only 1/500s, the viewfinder needs cleaning, but it's beautifully built, the light meter still works and is very accurate, the winding lever is so smooth it makes you want to slow down. My Praktica is feature wise a better camera, but it doesn't feel nowhere near as dense. Also the winding lever is stiff, but relubricating the lever needs disassembly I'm not ready for.

[Narsuitus]

I shoot rangefinder and SLR cameras. The Leica M6 is my favorite 35mm rangefinder and the Nikon F2 is my favorite 35mm SLR.

The Fuji GW670 is my favorite 6x7cm medium format rangefinder and the Mamiya RB67 is my favorite 6x7cm medium format SLR.

At one time, I also shot medium format TLR cameras, medium format folding cameras, and large format 4x5 inch view cameras.

[IceBergs]

At this point you can go to any fleamarket anywhere and pick up some sort of range finder and some sort of SLR together for under 40 bucks or multiples of both. No point not having both.