Rangefinder help

[lamergod]

Hi. I have not owned a rangefinder before, so I know nuts about it. I am really interested in old Soviet rangefinders. Is there any link to an introduction about russian rangefinders? I tried googling and alot of not so useful links came out.

And also, I like to shoot landscape and sports. I was wondering if a rangefinder can be used in sports. It would be great if there is any picture sample. I tried searching on flickr and google, but till no avail.

TIA!

 

[derekk]

Hi. I have not owned a rangefinder before, so I know nuts about it. I am really interested in old Soviet rangefinders. Is there any link to an introduction about russian rangefinders? I tried googling and alot of not so useful links came out.

And also, I like to shoot landscape and sports. I was wondering if a rangefinder can be used in sports. It would be great if there is any picture sample. I tried searching on flickr and google, but till no avail.

TIA!

Hi lamergod.

I think this forum will be particularly useful for you. :thumbsup:

I don't suppose a rangefinder will be great at sports, the old ones have shutter speeds up to 500 only. Do take a look at the link for more great resources that one cannot explain over a reply.

 

[csisfun]

I would not recommend you using a Russian rangefinder as the foray into rangefinder photography as Russian build quality is quite disappointing, there are good copies, but they are quite rare.

You probably can shoot anything with a rangefinder, though it's quite hard to shoot anything that is not still, but to this end, you will definitely improve in scale-focusing.

 

[lamergod]

Hi lamergod.

I think this forum will be particularly useful for you. :thumbsup:

I don't suppose a rangefinder will be great at sports, the old ones have shutter speeds up to 500 only. Do take a look at the link for more great resources that one cannot explain over a reply.

Thanks, will explore more. I don't even know where to continue after registering!

I would not recommend you using a Russian rangefinder as the foray into rangefinder photography as Russian build quality is quite disappointing, there are good copies, but they are quite rare.

You probably can shoot anything with a rangefinder, though it's quite hard to shoot anything that is not still, but to this end, you will definitely improve in scale-focusing.

I just read on a site that russian RF are built like a tank LOL. Then what do you recommend? I'm looking for something cheap to start off. Don't wanna get into spending thousands of dollars into RF since I'm still not sure if it will suite me in sports

 

[LowLights]

Hi lamergod

RF in general is easy to shoot with for Landscape

For Sports .. you still can by you need to do pre-focusing to capture the action. But frankly .. if the sharpness is a hit and miss affair.

But if you are using a 35 or a 50 mm lens (where infinitive is easier to achieve, of course I am assuming that you will be a certain distance from the action) then there is a possibility of a better sharpness hit rate (provided you don't get screwed by the shutter speed :bsmilie

Good luck in your quest

Cheers

 

[Royale With Cheese]

I just read on a site that russian RF are built like a tank LOL. Then what do you recommend? I'm looking for something cheap to start off. Don't wanna get into spending thousands of dollars into RF since I'm still not sure if it will suite me in sports

Build & weight like a tank but QC like made in China.

Might wanna try Canon QL17, shouldnt burn a hold in your pocket but works fantastic.

 

[lamergod]

Hi lamergod

RF in general is easy to shoot with for Landscape

For Sports .. you still can by you need to do pre-focusing to capture the action. But frankly .. if the sharpness is a hit and miss affair.

But if you are using a 35 or a 50 mm lens (where infinitive is easier to achieve, of course I am assuming that you will be a certain distance from the action) then there is a possibility of a better sharpness hit rate (provided you don't get screwed by the shutter speed :bsmilie

Good luck in your quest

Cheers

I'm not really looking to shoot action with this camera, more of the effects that you get a DSLR can't get. I'm thinking of something like these: link link
link.
I know these are from TS lens, but you get what I mean, more of the field actions.

Build & weight like a tank but QC like made in China.

Might wanna try Canon QL17, shouldnt burn a hold in your pocket but works fantastic.

Thanks, did a quick search. It's non inter-changeable lens. So may I know what's the focal length and aperture? And how much is it? A web said $80 and you can get one, seems like a value for money if the lens is 2.8.

Edit found out it's a 40mm f1.7. How wide is a 40mm? Can someone tell me what's the equal on a x1.5 DSLR? And how about the QL19? it's spots a longer lens. How long is 90mm?

 

[LowLights]

I'm not really looking to shoot action with this camera, more of the effects that you get a DSLR can't get. I'm thinking of something like these: link link
link.
I know these are from TS lens, but you get what I mean, more of the field actions.

If these are the shots you want .. you can dive right in .. with RF not a problem .. just need some practice and you are on your way

 

[nreef]

hey. i'm new to RF as well. i am interested in buying yashica 35 gsn but was browsing through the comments on the yashica digital holga and was wondering which is a better choice. any advice on the quality of pictures as well as the differences in specs for both cameras? thanks!

 

[Royale With Cheese]

hey. i'm new to RF as well. i am interested in buying yashica 35 gsn but was browsing through the comments on the yashica digital holga and was wondering which is a better choice. any advice on the quality of pictures as well as the differences in specs for both cameras? thanks!

The yashica digital holga is actually a toy camera, not a RF.

 

[nreef]

thanks! that i know but do they produce same quality pictures? which is a better choice?

 

[eamesboy]

Once RFSG has a confirm monthly outing date/place. We love to invite all newbie started with rangefinder or anyone who is interested to know more about rangefinder could join the fun. Most of the RFSG member will be glad to show you guys the different between fix lens rangefinder and changeable lens rangefinder and etc.... Meanwhile please keep the thread going. :thumbsup:


We have more program in the progress and will update you guys very soon.



,,,

 

[lamergod]

Once RFSG has a confirm monthly outing date/place. We love to invite all newbie started with rangefinder or anyone who is interested to know more about rangefinder could join the fun. Most of the RFSG member will be glad to show you guys the different between fix lens rangefinder and changeable lens rangefinder and etc.... Meanwhile please keep the thread going. :thumbsup:


We have more program in the progress and will update you guys very soon.



,,,

Love to be in the community but it seems that my wallet is stopping me from joining you guys! You guys have such strong bond(I think) than most DSLR communities!

 

[hookonclassic]

Love to be in the community but it seems that my wallet is stopping me from joining you guys! You guys have such strong bond(I think) than most DSLR communities!

Wallet has nothing to do with our outing...a cup of kopi :bsmilie:...

 

[eamesboy]

Wallet has nothing to do with our outing...a cup of kopi :bsmilie:...

Yes, totally agree to hookonclassic!

Just stay away from DAN.. :bsmilie:


,,,

 

[Royale With Cheese]

Wallet has nothing to do with our outing...a cup of kopi :bsmilie:...

I'll prefer a pint of beer

 

[raytoei]

lamergod,

Russian rangefinders aka FSU Rangefinders are fine...if you have the right expectation. Most of them are built like a tank, with maybe one or two imperfections here and there.

I have used a FED-2 and a FED-5B previously. I like the FED-2 because it is small, looks the most like the orginal Leica.

It drove me nuts trying to find out why the images wasn't so sharp especially since the Industar 61 L/D was supposed to be one of the sharper lens around. it drove me mad trying to find out why my I-22 had a small flare patch on the middle of the phot sometimes during outdoor shot.

The cost of both the cameras with lens was <150sgd, bought from ebay directly from ukraine.if you want more information, go check out the rangefinderforum under the FSU camera section.


cheers!

 

[lamergod]

I'll prefer a pint of beer

Same . You drink craft? I drink lots of English and Belgain ale.

lamergod,

Russian rangefinders aka FSU Rangefinders are fine...if you have the right expectation. Most of them are built like a tank, with maybe one or two imperfections here and there.

I have used a FED-2 and a FED-5B previously. I like the FED-2 because it is small, looks the most like the orginal Leica.

It drove me nuts trying to find out why the images wasn't so sharp especially since the Industar 61 L/D was supposed to be one of the sharper lens around. it drove me mad trying to find out why my I-22 had a small flare patch on the middle of the phot sometimes during outdoor shot.

The cost of both the cameras with lens was <150sgd, bought from ebay directly from ukraine.if you want more information, go check out the rangefinderforum under the FSU camera section.


cheers!

Thanks. I think I will stick to single lens RF for now and then hopefully by 2-3 years I have enough budget to buy a leica or voiglander