Help me (: rangefinder NOOB

[chinita]

hello folks,

im planning to venture towards RFs after seeing the beautiful images it produce, the vintage feel, how it tells a story and a lot more. i am currently a dslr user can shoot using manual and auto focus mode. been reading through some threads here but still cannot understand it most of you suggested to get a rangefinder and start shooting but the problem is i don't know what rangefinder to get :sweat: and there are a lot of technicalities involved that makes me :bigeyes:
please help me im i need of direction towards the world of RFs

 

[Joohander]

iPhone also can produce beautiful images with vintage feel. Try instagram app!

Jokes aside, there's a very similar thread posted very recently. Please take a look at "need help (newbie)" I think you'll find answers there!

 

[chinita]

thanks for the respond Joohander, yeah saw those threads was even contemplating on whether to open a new one, i guess i still need to narrow down my questions about RFs. for the meantime ill stick first into reading reviews between Voigtlander Bessa and Zeiss Ikon since Leica's are out of my reach

 

[Scandiacus]

You can go down to Chiif's shop and have a look/touch/feel/molest at the Bessas, maybe R3A/M or R2A/M? You can have a chat with him as well, he's a nice guy

Familiarize yourself with the double image thingy and focusing on a RF, it sound might complicated on text but really simple once you try it.

If budget is really a constrain, you can always try out the fixed lens RFs. If not, a Bessa is a pretty good start. Enjoy!

 

[chinita]

thanks for the input Scandiacus, i might try to check Chiif's shop this weekend, hope i wont get intimidated with RFs, i have problems visualizing and understanding an item if i haven't seen and try it in person. will have to read and watch youtube videos about it so i wont look like an idiot staring at an RF hehehe

 

[Joohander]

Yes! Go play with them ben photo etc got leicas to molest even if you can't afford

 

[sim4nee]

I think you should really read the sticky by our moderator Cactus jACK "So you want to RF...", very informative.

 

[Royale With Cheese]

hello folks,

im planning to venture towards RFs after seeing the beautiful images it produce, the vintage feel, how it tells a story and a lot more. i am currently a dslr user can shoot using manual and auto focus mode. been reading through some threads here but still cannot understand it most of you suggested to get a rangefinder and start shooting but the problem is i don't know what rangefinder to get :sweat: and there are a lot of technicalities involved that makes me :bigeyes:
please help me im i need of direction towards the world of RFs

Its actually not that technical.

Your DSLR has 10buttons & dials for adjustments?

The RF has only 3 settings to sort out. Not very technical is it?

 

[zk-diq]

The next outing of Rf group, joint in the feel all different Camera, before you make decision.

DSLR is far far more complicated then the RF or SLR camera. When I use the Leaf Catchlight, I have 1 Manual for the operation of the back, 2 manual for color shop(scitex software/hardware CMYK conversion), 1 manual for the computer communication and boot up .............. 1 inch thick min of each. Calibration/colour correction and other utility software and manual not counted.:sweat::sweat:

 

[sim4nee]

Its actually not that technical.

Your DSLR has 10buttons & dials for adjustments?

The RF has only 3 settings to sort out. Not very technical is it?

Best advise so far! Other than aperture, shutter speed and maybe white balance(digital RF) not sure what else a person need .

 

[chinita]

Its actually not that technical.

Your DSLR has 10buttons & dials for adjustments?

The RF has only 3 settings to sort out. Not very technical is it?

yeah that's what i hate about it, a lot of adjustments to test and try, and i hate editing pics puff!

 

[kenji87]

hi, i have to say i love my DSLR. i love my 5Dclassic. i dunno if im gonna miss the pictures from it. i just sold my DSLR setup and hopefully tmr is the day i got hold of my first M. i hate the weight from carrying my DSLR setup. not tt it affect my shots or my back, just that sometimes i am just too lazy to bring them out just because of their weight.
it is too early to say if i made the right choice hopping over but we shall see in the weeks to come.

 

[Royale With Cheese]

Best advise so far! Other than aperture, shutter speed and maybe white balance(digital RF) not sure what else a person need .

heehee! Sim Si Fu!

The three main things you have to adjust on a RF
-Shutter
-Aperture
-Focusing

That is it. I think going through a manual on a DSLR is more technical than adjusting this 3 settings!

 

[bayusuputra]

heehee! Sim Si Fu!

The three main things you have to adjust on a RF
-Shutter
-Aperture
-Focusing

That is it. I think going through a manual on a DSLR is more technical than adjusting this 3 settings!

:thumbsup: i find RF to be more accurate in terms of manual focusing, not mentioning easier, than DSLR..

TS, if you are still in doubt, why not trying those entry level RF like olympus XA (wink2, i just got it today!), yashicas, canonet etc.. they are either aperture or shutter priority RF, and most of them are very compact..

should be priced ard $100-$300, so it may not be a costly buy just in case you don't like it in the end..

 

[chinita]

thanks so much for the input guys, for the meantime im still keeping my dslr set up and try RF, if i really like it i might get rid of my dslr to fund RF lens.

i mainly shoot on manual setting with dslr i find it hard to shoot using aperture and shutter priority, gives me a headache sometime.

was also considering trying those fixed lens RFs but im still leaning towards getting a bessa RF, hope im not making a wrong decision on this part, my OCness plays a big part on this decision.

btw just want to ask, do you guys still edit your pics? using software tools to tweak colors?

 

[paapoopa]

adjusting photo, that's really up to individual. there are people who do it, and there are people who dont.
I say do what u enjoy most. especially shooting film I find more than half of the enjoyment is more on the process than the result. 

 

[dankwan]

thanks so much for the input guys, for the meantime im still keeping my dslr set up and try RF, if i really like it i might get rid of my dslr to fund RF lens.

i mainly shoot on manual setting with dslr i find it hard to shoot using aperture and shutter priority, gives me a headache sometime.

was also considering trying those fixed lens RFs but im still leaning towards getting a bessa RF, hope im not making a wrong decision on this part, my OCness plays a big part on this decision.

btw just want to ask, do you guys still edit your pics? using software tools to tweak colors?

Even with color film, in the days before lightroom, we tweak colors by using colored filters or through filters in the darkroom, for me its the same, except you are doing it digitally.

 

[ZShutter]

hi, i have to say i love my DSLR. i love my 5Dclassic. i dunno if im gonna miss the pictures from it. i just sold my DSLR setup and hopefully tmr is the day i got hold of my first M. i hate the weight from carrying my DSLR setup. not tt it affect my shots or my back, just that sometimes i am just too lazy to bring them out just because of their weight.
it is too early to say if i made the right choice hopping over but we shall see in the weeks to come.

I had been using DSLR for 5 years before I decided to switch to RF. Sold all my digital stuff , no regrets since.
The RFs are so light and easy to bring out. I don't have to see my chiropractor now, which i used to after an overseas photo trip.
Importantly, the photos obtained from film is more satisfying than digital.
But you may have invest initially like a good scanner and light meter.

 

[Shahlan]

sorry to hijack this thread...I'm kinda interested in venturing into shooting film and getting a rangefinder just appeals to me. I kinda made up my mind on getting the bessa range. However, can someone actually enlighten me more abt the bessa models?Which will be a better buy?and what most value for money lens to pair with it for a starter. I believe the bessa range are still in production and it's possible for me to purchase new from store. How much roughly are the rf and lens gonna set me back?Thanks a lot in advance....

 

[Yoricko]

New from store - local dealer Chiif.

Bessa is a nice camera. A Bessa and an old LTM (Leica Thread Mount [screw mount]) lens wouldn't set you back very far. Just throw in a LTM to M adapter, can you're free to use most of the LTM lenses on Leica M mount bodies. (I believe) Do take note that some LTM lenses with infinity lock would give it some problems, not too sure about that though.

Bessa M bodies does NOT have APERTURE priority, but the shutter works without batteries. Bessa A bodies shutter will not work without batteries, but have aperture priority and a very accurate shutter.

Depending on what type of lenses you'll normally shoot, you can either opt for the 2, 3, or 4. More information on Chiif's website. If you can't decide, get the 2. Can't go wrong with 0.7x.

Depending on the focal length appropriate for you, there are a wide array of choices for a lens. Be it a user-condition M lens, LTM lens with acceptably clean glass, or a new Voigtlander.

If you're a 35mm shooter, Voigtlander has a discontinued, but still available, 35mm ƒ2.5 Color-Skopar. A great lens on sunny days, low contrast, high resolution. If you're a 50mm shooter, I've used the 50mm ASPHERICAL ƒ1.5 before. A wonderful lens, sharp-sharp and contrasty!