What is a rangefinder camera and the difference between a rangefinder camera and a SLR

Abstract: What does a rangefinder camera mean? A rangefinder camera is also called a rangefinder camera. Because the viewing optical axis is located next to the optical axis of the photographic lens and is parallel to each other, it is named rangefinder camera. . How to use a rangefinder camera? What is the difference between a rangefinder camera and a SLR?

What does a rangefinder camera mean? How to use a rangefinder camera? What is the difference between a rangefinder camera and a SLR

What is Rangefinder camera?

A rangefinder camera is also called a rangefinder camera. It is named a rangefinder camera because the viewfinder optical axis is located next to the optical axis of the photographic lens and is parallel to each other. In the entire development process of camera technology, this kind of camera has the most diverse categories and is also very different in structure, so it is also the most culturally distinctive. From the outstanding Leica products, to the famous Rollei double reflex camera, to the Epson R-D1, the world's first rangefinder digital camera, they are all members of rangefinder cameras. Therefore, rangefinder cameras are undoubtedly an important part of the development of cameras. .

The Epson R-D1, the world's first rangefinder digital camera

Rangeaxial cameras were widely used before the advent of the SLR viewfinder system, and their viewfinders were also adapted from early head-up viewfinders. It is an improved viewfinder (or optical viewfinder, which is the viewfinder used on point-and-shoot cameras). The viewfinding method of a rangefinder camera is different from that of a SLR camera. It does not view the view through the lens, but through an independent viewfinder. Therefore, there will be a certain parallax in the viewfinder at close range (advanced rangefinder cameras have a viewing compensation mechanism).

Principle of rangefinder viewfinder

Rangeaxial cameras can change lenses, and advanced ones have a linkage ranging mechanism, which is somewhat different from point-and-shoot cameras. However, due to the structural limitations of the rangefinder camera, it could not be equipped with an ultra-wide-angle or ultra-telephoto lens, so it was later replaced by a SLR camera. However, rangefinder cameras also have their advantages. The main ones are the compact body design and the absence of noise and machine vibration when the SLR mirror is working. Therefore, it is most widely used in documentary photography, humanistic photography and other subjects.

Rangefinder camera and twin-lens reflex camera

Twin-lens reflex camera is an important branch of rangefinder camera. It uses a viewfinder lens to simulate a photographic lens to capture images of the scene, providing a close-to-realistic Visual reference for intake range. The obvious point of a rangefinder camera is that when the camera lens is covered with a lens cover, the scene in front can still be observed through the viewfinder. Its advantage is that it can greatly simplify the internal structure of the camera. The aberration is more obvious the closer the shooting distance is, and the farther it is, the more negligible it is. However, due to the existence of aberration, most photographers abandon this loose framing method.

The M8, the first digital camera of the Leica M series

The difference between a rangefinder and a SLR

1. Compared with a SLR, a rangefinder does not have a reflector. The first is to reduce the thickness of the camera, the second is to reduce camera shake, and the third is to use the inter-lens shutter to achieve full flash synchronization.

2. Due to the focus baseline and the lack of a mirror, rangefinder cameras generally have wide-angle lenses that can be made very close to the film, and their structure and imaging are better than those of SLRs. Therefore, short and standard focal lengths are its strengths, while long focal lengths are almost useless. The advantage of a SLR is its wide focal length coverage, and the rangefinder has unparalleled advantages in telephoto and macro.

3. Different shooting attitudes. The rangefinder is inconspicuous in appearance. You can see the scene outside the screen through the viewfinder. You can press it at any time to assess the situation, giving you the feeling of a director. SLRs, on the other hand, are ostentatious, and as soon as you press the shutter, your eyes go dark and you can't see anything, but it gives you a sense of accomplishment as a photographer.

4. Rangefinders have parallax, while SLRs allow you to see what you get. A rangefinder means you have a good idea of ??the shot, while a SLR means you have a precise shot.