Rangefinder - Love or Hate

[ddbowdoin]

So... simple question, who here uses one and why? Love, hate, meh?

Just a fun topic to spark up.

 

[NowInc]

So... simple question, who here uses one and why? Love, hate, meh?

Just a fun topic to spark up.

Meh. Never used one but never really thought about it either.

 

[ddbowdoin]

From a purely aesthetic standpoint, class and elegance

I've used a few from time to time, friends of friends or building up some working relationships with shop owners, but I have never owned my own.

There is something about the method, full manual and mechanical cameras (not all, but some are entirely mechanical). It slows you down, you end up creating richer images IMHO. Plus, when paired with nice glass and professional grade film the quality is unbeatable by most DSLR's once you learn how to properly use the camera.

Price is a major killer though... rangefinder glass is really, really expensive.

 

[CP_alum08]

I think you forget that this is not a photography website. I would bet that more people on here have no clue what a rangefinder is than not, let alone ever used one.

Personally I think there are numerous better ways to spend $10,000+. I think Leica cameras are great for a VERY small niche of people. Those people include ones with more money than they know what to do with and ones who need exceptional quality in a tiny package; I think there are less of the latter.

 

[wdwmagic]

I've never used one, but I would really miss my lovely big bright viewfinder.

 

[ddbowdoin]

I think you forget that this is not a photography website. I would bet that more people on here have no clue what a rangefinder is than not, let alone ever used one.

Personally I think there are numerous better ways to spend $10,000+. I think Leica cameras are great for a VERY small niche of people. Those people include ones with more money than they know what to do with and ones who need exceptional quality in a tiny package; I think there are less of the latter.

Well, figure I'd at least try... since this is at least a photography sections of the website. There are people here who do value the craft, it may not be a dedicated website but that doesn't mean people here are limited to a singular interest.

10K is more than a attainable number in the world of Leica... but honestly, the used market is strong and you can always find M6 and M7's for less than the cost of a new DSLR. I've been saving for some time now, maybe in the next few years I can pull the trigger.

I suppose it's as much a philosophical question/approach as it is a question of function and product.