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> Up until the days of auto-focus, single-lens reflex (SLRs) also used this kind of technique for focusing. Everything else is perfect, but this is incorrect.

by micampe 12y ago

> Up until the days of auto-focus, single-lens reflex (SLRs) also used this kind of technique for focusing. Everything else is perfect, but this is incorrect. SLRs use focusing screens with split prisms and/or microprisms, not rangefinders. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Focusing_screen http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Focusing_screen You can still mount one of those on some modern DSLRs by simply replacing a piece of glass. http://www.focusingscreen.com/privacy.php http://www.focusingscreen.com/privacy.php

hnriot 12y ago
The advantage of focusing through the taking lens is that unlike rangefinders this method works with telephoto lenses. It's very hard to use a rangefinder accurately with anything much more than 135mm (and even that's not easy.) Similarly with macro or close up shots. However, rangefinders have many advantages, the viewing image is never blacked out like a SLR does when you click the shutter, also you can see around the periphery of the area covered by the lens, seeing objects moving into the frame, also the two main advantages are that since there's no mirror the camera can be used at slower shutter speeds without getting moved around by the mirror slapping against its stoppers, and again because there's no mirror needed the back element of the lens can be very close to the focal plane (where the film or sensor is), this means smaller lenses can do the same job as much larger ones on an SLR - they are also sharper because of this, and suffer less distortion. I use a Leica M6 for many of these reasons, it's a beautiful rangefinder camera. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leica_M6 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leica_M6
- lazylizard 12y ago
  small additions. 1. there's also no such thing as zoom lens for rf. 2. i think you can avoid the 'seeing around the periphery' problem somewhat by shooting with both eyes open. 3. i always imagined smaller glass area is always a handicap. the bigger the glass the sharper it ought to be. works even better if there's bigger film to capture the bigger image. i.e. using ever larger format cameras...the larger the sharper... 3.1. larger glass is usually also brighter. i personally always wonder about people who care about sharpness..like unless they always shoot on tripod, how does it work? they get sharp motion blur?
  - micampe 12y ago
    Well, there is the Tri-Elmar :)
ninjin 12y ago
Thank you very very much for correcting me, I learned something new today. Also, thank you for the focusing screen link, I may even consider buying one for my Canon DSLR.

by micampe 12y ago

hnriot 12y ago

The advantage of focusing through the taking lens is that unlike rangefinders this method works with telephoto lenses. It's very hard to use a rangefinder accurately with anything much more than 135mm (and even that's not easy.) Similarly with macro or close up shots. However, rangefinders have many advantages, the viewing image is never blacked out like a SLR does when you click the shutter, also you can see around the periphery of the area covered by the lens, seeing objects moving into the frame, also the two main advantages are that since there's no mirror the camera can be used at slower shutter speeds without getting moved around by the mirror slapping against its stoppers, and again because there's no mirror needed the back element of the lens can be very close to the focal plane (where the film or sensor is), this means smaller lenses can do the same job as much larger ones on an SLR - they are also sharper because of this, and suffer less distortion. I use a Leica M6 for many of these reasons, it's a beautiful rangefinder camera. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leica_M6 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leica_M6

lazylizard 12y ago
small additions. 1. there's also no such thing as zoom lens for rf. 2. i think you can avoid the 'seeing around the periphery' problem somewhat by shooting with both eyes open. 3. i always imagined smaller glass area is always a handicap. the bigger the glass the sharper it ought to be. works even better if there's bigger film to capture the bigger image. i.e. using ever larger format cameras...the larger the sharper... 3.1. larger glass is usually also brighter. i personally always wonder about people who care about sharpness..like unless they always shoot on tripod, how does it work? they get sharp motion blur?
- micampe 12y ago
  Well, there is the Tri-Elmar :)

ninjin 12y ago

Thank you very very much for correcting me, I learned something new today. Also, thank you for the focusing screen link, I may even consider buying one for my Canon DSLR.