Analog film photography and cameras

Is anyone on here using a Rangefinder camera rather than a SLR?

I've been using an old Fed 3 and love it so far, along with an Olympus trip. I'm not sure if my next purchase should be a higher spec Rangefinder or if I should make the jump to SLR.

I use an Olympus XA and a (loaned) Leica M4. Love both and only miss AF when shooting moving subjects. There are some lovely medium format rangefinders about if you're looking to upgrade.

First few images from the family heirloom OM-2n. Developed in the bathroom last night :)

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These are so great, on many levels..

I assume you've scanned' them with your setup again?
Looks like you really figured out how to get the best out of it by now.

Thanks Tina, yeah these were all pushed to 1600 and developed in DDX as normal then scanned with my digital camera, macro tube and enlarger lightbox.

OM2-n and Zuiko 50mm F1.4 on Portra 400.

New camera, same subjects!

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I got mine for free, from my Grandad and it's in great shape. I love it but there are caveats:
1) You have to trim the leader of the film and it's quite difficult to load.
2) The focusing viewfinder is quite hard to use (the mirror in the parallax focus is dull and doesn't produce a clear projection).
3) While I really like it, the cost to me was nothing - it's a big outlay of cash otherwise.
4) Old people will approach you a lot when you're using it.

I love it. I don't mind the minor issues. I didn't pay for it.

Currently have three!
Leica iiif, Olympus XA and a Yashica Electro 35.

I like the compact size (with the exception of the Yashica, which is a tank but has its own merits) - which is the deciding factor for which camera I take, most of the time.

I use both and compacts too. I've only been using rangefinders since summer 2016. You should try both.

I think rangefinders suit quick, casual shooting with short (and slow or stopped-down) lenses. They perhaps require a little more visualisation than an SLR because of parallax error, DoF etc. They're not great with tele lenses or close subjects.

The bargains are the fixed lens rangefinders I think. There are some less-known models with killer optics.

4) Old people will approach you a lot when you're using it.

There's a theme for a portrait project right there.

Splendid, thanks for the feedback - I was aware of the leader/film loading issue - I've not seen the camera yet so I don't know what condition the optics are in and how good the mirror etc are - I guess it comes down to price and whether I fall in love with it when it's in my hands!!! Even if the focussing's dodgy, I've been doing most of my recent work with a zone focus Yashica Electro (35MC) so I'm pretty happy with distance estimation.

Just treated myself to a Nikon 35ti and another fully functioning GR1 because, why not. Recently accidentally shot Cinestill 800 at 100 on a half bust GR1 and somehow the pics came out ok... will post results soon.

I'd been using SLRs since I was 15 and made the jump to rangefinders a couple of years back - I'd ended up using just a 50mm lens all the time and found the size/hassle of SLR was annoying.
I have a few Yashica rangefinders but have really grown to love zone focus (minox, yashica, Konica) - mostly due to size and immediacy.
SLRs are good if you want to use focal lengths outside the 30-50mm range or dedicate flash units etc - horses for courses really.

I get the same with my Rolleicord, people approach and want to speak on a regular basis.

I love that aspect of it.

people talk to me when I've got the pentax 67 but mostly they say things like "is that not ridiculously heavy?"

yes
it is

Nikon 35ti and another GR1

Too much.
You must mail me one of the too immediately.

I get the same with my Rolleicord

Me too..

Is anyone on here using a Rangefinder camera rather than a SLR?

I used to shoot with an Olympus XA a lot.
Shooting with a borrowed Revue 400 SE at the moment.

I basically shot with SLRs my whole life so rangefinder-focussing still feels very weird to me.
Never shot with a "proper" (bright) one though, maybe it'd be easier.
So it's been estimating / stopping down a bit most of the time, especially with the XA - which, for a lot of situations, just works really well I've found.

Talking of XA. I took mine to the woods mountain biking on the 3rd, Tri-X rated at 800.... 1600 might have been better considering how dark it was under the trees at times.

Also I've got more film to scan tonight, expect more thread bombing x

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Keep 'em coming!

By the way do you, uh, work as well, or are you just riding bikes and taking pictures?
;-)

Haha, if only. I work but I have a compulsion to develop and scan film until late at night currently!

MJU II and Ilford HP2 Super.

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Love the top shadow shot.....!... ^

Cheers bud :)