What's your RF story ?
- Thread starter raytoei
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kaxdd
Senior Member
I switched from a Canon 60D with 24-70/2.8L to a Voigtlander Bessa R4M with Color Skopar 21/4, Canonet QL17, Nex-5N and Fuji X100.
Main reason I sold my DSLR for the compact cameras is the weight and bulkiness. Nowadays I can carry a film and digital body which together still weigh less than my DSLR setup, so I have the freedom to use both. Film gives me images that cannot be replicated by digital (IMO), so film will always be part of me. I started off with a Pentax film P&S in the 90s, so I still miss those days when my photos come out feeling organic. Digital is mainly for family and friends because they want to be able to view the pictures immediately. Also, the kit lens with the Nex-5N allows me the freedom to zoom in and out, so group shots are usually done with that.
As for why I am not shooting digital RF, I have to admit my funds are limited. I will remain with my current setup and continue shooting. What matters is the skills and eyes of a photographer, not so much the gears. Just my few-cents worth of comments.
Main reason I sold my DSLR for the compact cameras is the weight and bulkiness. Nowadays I can carry a film and digital body which together still weigh less than my DSLR setup, so I have the freedom to use both. Film gives me images that cannot be replicated by digital (IMO), so film will always be part of me. I started off with a Pentax film P&S in the 90s, so I still miss those days when my photos come out feeling organic. Digital is mainly for family and friends because they want to be able to view the pictures immediately. Also, the kit lens with the Nex-5N allows me the freedom to zoom in and out, so group shots are usually done with that.
As for why I am not shooting digital RF, I have to admit my funds are limited. I will remain with my current setup and continue shooting. What matters is the skills and eyes of a photographer, not so much the gears. Just my few-cents worth of comments.
Reducing weight and bulkiness was my aim since a few months back. First started trying out manual focus with a Voigtlander Color Skopar mounted on my E-P3 and found that I can do it! So, decided to go for the M-9P in June with a 50 Summicron. Loving it so far but still keeping my DSLR for the smaller legacy lenses and an Ultron 40/2. Now only have a 17-50 Sigma and 24-105L for use during those times that I need AF. But seems like less and less use for these 2. Perhaps one day I may fully migrate. But when? Not sure. :bsmilie:
60D is light...the lens is heavy...
I switched from a Canon 60D with 24-70/2.8L to a Voigtlander Bessa R4M with Color Skopar 21/4, Canonet QL17, Nex-5N and Fuji X100.
Main reason I sold my DSLR for the compact cameras is the weight and bulkiness. Nowadays I can carry a film and digital body which together still weigh less than my DSLR setup, so I have the freedom to use both. Film gives me images that cannot be replicated by digital (IMO), so film will always be part of me. I started off with a Pentax film P&S in the 90s, so I still miss those days when my photos come out feeling organic. Digital is mainly for family and friends because they want to be able to view the pictures immediately. Also, the kit lens with the Nex-5N allows me the freedom to zoom in and out, so group shots are usually done with that.
As for why I am not shooting digital RF, I have to admit my funds are limited. I will remain with my current setup and continue shooting. What matters is the skills and eyes of a photographer, not so much the gears. Just my few-cents worth of comments.
kaxdd
Senior Member
Yah, but the entire setup is not very compact... Add on the hood and you get this gigantic bulk of equipment...
Unagidon
Member
My first camera is olympus e520,after watching the anime tamayura hitose, an idea struck me wow i could own a full frame camera with the size of a palm (rollei 35s), so i started to look for a rollei 35 and start researching about rangefinder. In the end I bought a rollei 35LED with damage light meter.
In my first roll out of 36 shots I only manage to get 4 but the colour, the angle of view was like so different from what you get from digital.
Because of the flawed in rollei 35LED I started to venture my second rangefinder canon ql17. Size wise it is bigger than my rollei but with better control this time.
To me shooting in film, you get to savour the every concept you shoot and every photo you take seems to reflect a lot about yourself when you look at it. It is not a workhorse camera but I enjoy a lot more with film compared to digital.
In my first roll out of 36 shots I only manage to get 4 but the colour, the angle of view was like so different from what you get from digital.
Because of the flawed in rollei 35LED I started to venture my second rangefinder canon ql17. Size wise it is bigger than my rollei but with better control this time.
To me shooting in film, you get to savour the every concept you shoot and every photo you take seems to reflect a lot about yourself when you look at it. It is not a workhorse camera but I enjoy a lot more with film compared to digital.
First started iff with a Pentax K-7 and 18-200mm. I didn't felt attached to the camera and images.
Din't like the set-up, felt too simple and easy. I wanted to do "more" when i was shooting and play a bigger part in creating an image. So i went to get a 50mm f1.4 manual lens.
From then on i mainly shot using manual lenses, loved focusing on my own and not having to wait for the camera and the manual setting of aperture (we all play with it!).
From then on i wanted to get a camera more simple and intuitive and manual. That is when Leica poison hit and ever since been getting M bodies and lenses.
Don't currently own anything from the brand, but am building up my collection to the day that i do
Din't like the set-up, felt too simple and easy. I wanted to do "more" when i was shooting and play a bigger part in creating an image. So i went to get a 50mm f1.4 manual lens.
From then on i mainly shot using manual lenses, loved focusing on my own and not having to wait for the camera and the manual setting of aperture (we all play with it!).
From then on i wanted to get a camera more simple and intuitive and manual. That is when Leica poison hit and ever since been getting M bodies and lenses.
Don't currently own anything from the brand, but am building up my collection to the day that i do
I was happily using my 1V with fast L primes.
Then I visited my friend in Singapore who lent me his M6, 35 Summicron, and 90 Elmarit for the time I was there.
I loved it, going from a technology-packed big-body with 100% viewfinder, quick autofocus, automatic film advance, DX film speed setting etc, to something simpler.
I bought an XPan, but still wanted to use fast lenses, and still had a longing for the setup that I fell in love with.
About 6 months later, I injured my back (non-photography related), and decided that I shouldn't put myself at risk of injuring my back again by carrying heavy gear. So I sold most of my lenses and bought an MP, never picked the 1V up again after that. Actually, I did pick it up (body only), and quickly put it back down again, and wondered how I used to manage to carry that around, with a few lenses! I felt liberated. It was easier to bring my camera out with me more often. I enjoyed it a lot more.
I'm not shooting digital RF because it costs a lot, and with digital, I always ended up spamming.
Then I visited my friend in Singapore who lent me his M6, 35 Summicron, and 90 Elmarit for the time I was there.
I loved it, going from a technology-packed big-body with 100% viewfinder, quick autofocus, automatic film advance, DX film speed setting etc, to something simpler.
I bought an XPan, but still wanted to use fast lenses, and still had a longing for the setup that I fell in love with.
About 6 months later, I injured my back (non-photography related), and decided that I shouldn't put myself at risk of injuring my back again by carrying heavy gear. So I sold most of my lenses and bought an MP, never picked the 1V up again after that. Actually, I did pick it up (body only), and quickly put it back down again, and wondered how I used to manage to carry that around, with a few lenses! I felt liberated. It was easier to bring my camera out with me more often. I enjoyed it a lot more.
I'm not shooting digital RF because it costs a lot, and with digital, I always ended up spamming.
ExplorerII
Member
Digital RF is so much more compact, lighter, basic and simpler to use than a dSLR.
But I still keep my dSLR for times when I need the fast AF.
But I still keep my dSLR for times when I need the fast AF.
limwhow
Senior Member
My way...
Last time, all my friends said DSLR good. So I went DSLR all the way.
Then after a while, all my friends say Digital Rangefinder good. So I kept my DSLRs and detoured to a purely digital RF way.
After that suddenly half way, some friends say Film Rangefinder is the way. So I picked up film and also went the emulsion way.
Now, I look at all my cameras... and I am confused which way. LOL..
But jokes aside, the RF way has shown me a whole aspect of photography which I have no intention of turning a-way from.
Last time, all my friends said DSLR good. So I went DSLR all the way.
Then after a while, all my friends say Digital Rangefinder good. So I kept my DSLRs and detoured to a purely digital RF way.
After that suddenly half way, some friends say Film Rangefinder is the way. So I picked up film and also went the emulsion way.
Now, I look at all my cameras... and I am confused which way. LOL..
But jokes aside, the RF way has shown me a whole aspect of photography which I have no intention of turning a-way from.
virtualme78
Senior Member
I'm a sad kid with no friends so I decided I should follow the trend to get more friends. I started wearing skinny jeans, slim cut shirt, big specs and hang a DSLR on my neck everywhere i go. Then I was told DSLR is old **** and RF is the way to go then everyone else told me "buy film not megapixels". So i ditch my DSLR and bought myself a M6 and that's how I got started.
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Just joking. I'm an old fart and I love vintage cameras. I love film grains more than digitally-generated grains. I love dust and film scratches more than clean digital images.
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Just joking. I'm an old fart and I love vintage cameras. I love film grains more than digitally-generated grains. I love dust and film scratches more than clean digital images.
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10 years ago I took my EOS 300 with 20 rolls of film and went backpacking alone for 2 months in Europe. Came back with jaw dropping, awesome photos which I didn't expect until I develop them when I came back. It was the magical moment of looking at the outcome of film that stuck with me. After that Singapore life took over and I forgot about photography. Until 3 years ago I went to Alaska and Canadian Rockies for 1 month+ holiday. Decided to go film again. Rest of my friends all brought their gigantic DSLR and monster lenses. Taking a huge risk considering I know nothing about rangefinder. Found a cheap Voigtlander R2A and Nokton 40mm online (rff). Off I go. Had an awesome time going round shooting without burden of heavy gear. And not knowing what comes out of it. Came back developed the film and had very good results. From then I went all the way rangefinder + film. Later on bought a digital rf but still prefer my M6 ttl + 35cron + Tri-X.
Gadget curiosity got me into RF photography. I started off using a old Nikon PnS during uni days, and even though I was never quite satisfied with compacts, DSLRs felt too bulky (and expensive to me) at that time, so I never started using a DSLR save for the times when I played around with DSLRs belonging to friends. When m4/3 initally appeared, I was pretty excited, but I wasn't impressed by the initial lens offerings and the iso performance, so in a way, I kept holding off the purchase of a technologically 'good' camera.
I was very picky about features overall - and when the x100 first got announced, I was so excited. It had a optical vf and evf, amazing iso performance, external controls and it looked really cool :bsmilie: That was when I first heard the term rangefinder. I bought it and after reading up more on rangefinders, I realised that the x100 was simply an advanced compact, and not really a rangefinder at all (it is still my favorite cam though). Being extremely curious about how rfs really worked, I began looking around and finally landed on the epson rd1. The limitations of using a rf camera has been pretty educational to me photography wise, or at least I think I would've learnt alot less or slower if I went with a dslr setup (I figured I'll probably be too lazy to venture out of full-automatic land). Then again, I realised that when I pick up a DSLR nowadays, I have absolutely no idea how to use one - external controls are so much more intuitive than the menu diving
I was very picky about features overall - and when the x100 first got announced, I was so excited. It had a optical vf and evf, amazing iso performance, external controls and it looked really cool :bsmilie: That was when I first heard the term rangefinder. I bought it and after reading up more on rangefinders, I realised that the x100 was simply an advanced compact, and not really a rangefinder at all (it is still my favorite cam though). Being extremely curious about how rfs really worked, I began looking around and finally landed on the epson rd1. The limitations of using a rf camera has been pretty educational to me photography wise, or at least I think I would've learnt alot less or slower if I went with a dslr setup (I figured I'll probably be too lazy to venture out of full-automatic land). Then again, I realised that when I pick up a DSLR nowadays, I have absolutely no idea how to use one - external controls are so much more intuitive than the menu diving
MagnumLite
Member
Going RF was purely by perception. Started off photography many moons ago when everything was on film. Took a break to bring up family, now much older and kids are all grown up and have time for myself, so pick up a long lost hobby by going full digital in 2008 when Pentax first launch the Kx which is suppose to be a family camera for everyone to use but the kids seem to shied away from that DSLR, dunno why.. .Since then have upgraded to the semi pro K5 and a host of lenses, every time buying and selling for the upgrade. Somewhere in the middle of that, the urge to go film hit me with the purchase of the ZX5-n, fell in love with the images taken off the first roll ever shot on film when compare to my digital shots. Since then, every time I step in Peninsula, i drool on the window display of the film cameras, especially with the RFs thinking to myself these old vintage must cost a bomb.
When Pentax announced the K30, something at the back of my mind triggered, by the Pentax CS forum posting, almost everyone is talking and wanting to buy the latest must have. I was telling myself~ hey this is typically a techonological race in photography, buying and selling the latest with no attachment to the camera or my photography, just then I read somewhere that the Voigtlander bodies can be had for much more less than the latest digital body and thats when I said to myself, no more technology race, the bucks stop here and traded in my K5 and all my digital lenses for the R3M and the Nockton 40mm.
This is where I discovered the compactness and lightweight of the RF system that I could almost carry with me everywhere, even to the supermarket without being intrusive or noticeable. Since then I have gone fully film dependence as far as to do my own processing and this is simply awesome especially when you pull out the film from the reel and see the little boxes of images etched on the long strip of negative. It's been a while now, I have not traded on B&S with the exception of getting rid of my digital stuff. My current setup is the ZX5n with FA43, F28-80 and the Voightlander R3M with the Nockton 40. This I want to remain for the long run and will add perhaps a MF system to the setup. Simply siok going old school and enjoying more of my photography then my gear!!
When Pentax announced the K30, something at the back of my mind triggered, by the Pentax CS forum posting, almost everyone is talking and wanting to buy the latest must have. I was telling myself~ hey this is typically a techonological race in photography, buying and selling the latest with no attachment to the camera or my photography, just then I read somewhere that the Voigtlander bodies can be had for much more less than the latest digital body and thats when I said to myself, no more technology race, the bucks stop here and traded in my K5 and all my digital lenses for the R3M and the Nockton 40mm.
This is where I discovered the compactness and lightweight of the RF system that I could almost carry with me everywhere, even to the supermarket without being intrusive or noticeable. Since then I have gone fully film dependence as far as to do my own processing and this is simply awesome especially when you pull out the film from the reel and see the little boxes of images etched on the long strip of negative. It's been a while now, I have not traded on B&S with the exception of getting rid of my digital stuff. My current setup is the ZX5n with FA43, F28-80 and the Voightlander R3M with the Nockton 40. This I want to remain for the long run and will add perhaps a MF system to the setup. Simply siok going old school and enjoying more of my photography then my gear!!
I'm studying overseas and halfway through my course, realised that I needed to capture the beautiful scenery around in Australia so that I can have something to remember. I wanted a good quality but compact camera so started initially with m43, then moved on to DSLR because Panasonic GF2 seemed to have really un-intuitive controls and very poor low light performance (because I was using kit lens, d'oh!).
I heard about rangefinder-styling, saw them on digitalrev and got interested because they had very fast lenses, very small form and looked so cool, but the price range always seemed way above my budget. Then I found clubsnap and Chiif camera lol! Using x100 and rangefinders has taught me so much about photography, even moving in to medium format and large format now. And enjoying every step of the way!
I heard about rangefinder-styling, saw them on digitalrev and got interested because they had very fast lenses, very small form and looked so cool, but the price range always seemed way above my budget. Then I found clubsnap and Chiif camera lol! Using x100 and rangefinders has taught me so much about photography, even moving in to medium format and large format now. And enjoying every step of the way!
Riotbmx
Senior Member
Is that a rangefinder at all?
I started out with a Nikon FE, used a few Rf but the FE still better for my kind of work. Guess I don't belong to the cool bunch
Fudgecakes
Senior Member
I was poisoned by one of the bros here. sold off half of my nikon equipment to fund my new (old) R-D1 and Voigtlander Ultron 35/1.7. just got them today 
and i already had quite an adventure with it. images from this camera and lens are just stunning. better then my DSLR i might say. I even calibrated my RF patch which was vertically misaligned.
and i already had quite an adventure with it. images from this camera and lens are just stunning. better then my DSLR i might say. I even calibrated my RF patch which was vertically misaligned.
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Thoth
Senior Member
Fudgecakes said:I was poisoned by one of the bros here. sold off half of my nikon equipment to fund my new (old) R-D1 and Voigtlander Ultron 35/1.7. just got them today
Told ya. Wun go wrong wif this combo. Glad u got d cv 35-1.7 instead of d 1.4. Cheers.
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