Talk:Rangefinder camera

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I've been trying to find a page explaining what it is like to use a rangefinder camera. This page doesn't do it. It's written from the viewpoint of already knowing what one is like and how to do it. I know nothing more about using a rangefinder than before I visited this page. 68.166.5.122 05:23, 27 November 2005 (UTC)nobody

Working on it - havent had time to make diagrams, will do. Justinc 12:26, 27 November 2005 (UTC)

I'm not at all certain about some of the RF-vs-SLR claims, such as that RF cameras are more robust than SLRs. Yes, the M-series cameras are famously robust, but is any other RF camera as robust as, say, a Nikon F2? Come to think of it, is a (Zeiss) Contax less complex than a Nikon F2? But having only anecdotal evidence to go on, I've contented myself with toning down some of the claims a little; I've left them in.

Somebody with a lot more time, energy and knowledge than I should add stuff about leaf-shutter compact 35mm cameras, spring (bellows) MF cameras, etc. etc.

Hoary 14:32, 7 Nov 2004 (UTC)

I've just pulled the following:
Since rangefinder cameras are simpler, they tend to be more durable - while some Leicas are collectors' items which are treasured and protected from the slightest scratch, they are nonetheless capable of withstanding considerable abuse and have been widely used by photojournalists.
I've no reason to think that a Leica is more durable than, say, a top-o'-the-range Nikon. -- Hoary 10:34, 2005 Mar 30 (UTC)
Rangefinder cameras are not simple. What doens't age well at all in many classic cameras is the lightmeter. I believe that a pre-Spomatic (without meter) Pentax is as reliable as a Leica. Ericd 00:11, 22 December 2005 (UTC)

Can anyone think of a good way to make a picture of what it looks like focussing on a rangefinder. Perhaps its easiest to make a synthetic one. I might give it a go. Justinc 15:34, 11 November 2005 (UTC)

I think http://www.photozone.de/3Technology/camtec2.htm is a good reference. -- shotgunlee 09:23, 27 December 2005 (UTC)

The picture of the "Zorki turret rangefinder" is not relevant. The device pictured is in fact a "KMZ turret viewfinder". This is a viewfinder, there is no way to measure distance with this device. Ericd 00:00, 25 February 2006 (UTC)