for the 6×7cm format, there are also the Mamiya RB67 and the Pentax 67II, both of which are considerably more expensive than the two models listed above, along with a host of rangefinders.
i tend to like using the waist level cameras for medium format.. it just sort of sets them apart from 35mm for me that way.. if that makes any sense.
and looking through the viewfinders on them is about 50 times sexier.
and looking through the viewfinders on them is about 50 times sexier.
:)
how do the waist-level viewfinders work compared to the eyepiece view-finders in terms of accuracy?
p.s. you listed "a rollei" in your want list in the gear thread. those things are pricey!
how do the waist-level viewfinders work compared to the eyepiece view-finders in terms of accuracy?
p.s. you listed "a rollei" in your want list in the gear thread. those things are pricey!
it depends on which type of camera you are using. TLRs have a certain degree of weirdness because the viewing lens is higher than the taking lens, but only to a certain point. if you are shooting something fairly close to you, say on a table a couple feet in front of you.. there is quite a bit of variation between what you see and what you get in the end.
but if you are taking a portrait of some young lady from say 5 feet away you probably won't notice anything different (from a tlr).
I don't have too much experience with rangefinders, but I could forsee that having some issues as well since you are not viewing through the actual lens.
if you have an SLR though I guess that is the most accurate :)
but if you are taking a portrait of some young lady from say 5 feet away you probably won't notice anything different (from a tlr).
I don't have too much experience with rangefinders, but I could forsee that having some issues as well since you are not viewing through the actual lens.
if you have an SLR though I guess that is the most accurate :)
I listed a rollei, yes, and I sort of happened onto one, although it is not one that I prefer. It's the Rollei Magic, which is basically an aperture priority rollei (can't choose shutter speeds) with a sweet ghetto light meter grid. I would prefer a fully manual one, but what can you do :) I have the ricohflex TLR though, too which seems to work fine other than the fidgety ground glass element that likes to wiggle around.
yeah, i'd imagine that a tlr or rangefinder aren't much worse than an slr at a distance, but possibly pretty bad up close.
i guess what i was asking, though, was this: how do the waist-level viewfinders work compared to the eyepiece view-finders in terms of focusing accuracy? you're farther from the focusing screen with the former; is it more difficult to focus accurately?
both types of slrs should be accurate with regard to framing (depending on mirror coverage, of course).
i guess what i was asking, though, was this: how do the waist-level viewfinders work compared to the eyepiece view-finders in terms of focusing accuracy? you're farther from the focusing screen with the former; is it more difficult to focus accurately?
both types of slrs should be accurate with regard to framing (depending on mirror coverage, of course).
i see.. well i guess you are at a slight disadvantage with the waist level viewfinder because they usually do not come with the split focus screen.. you just rely on knowing your critical focus point and seeing what is actually being focused on with no guides. most TLRs have the flip out magnification thing that allows you to see the focusing screen closer, but requires your eye to be directly on it. this has never really worked out great for me because they are usually hard to get use to on the fly, but essentially turns it into a eyepiece but without the focussing split.
another thing with the waist level stuff is that the image is usually flipped side to side. that can throw you off, but it also helps a lot in terms of changing your perspective a little. and not as drastic as large format which is upside down and flipped.
another thing with the waist level stuff is that the image is usually flipped side to side. that can throw you off, but it also helps a lot in terms of changing your perspective a little. and not as drastic as large format which is upside down and flipped.
so it sounds like an slr with a split-prism focusing screen is the best for focusing accuracy. would you say that's a fair assessment?
yeah i'd agree with that assessment :)
> http://www.voigtlander.com/cms/voigtlaender/v … jzkae.html
Aw, three translation errors in two sentences. :)
Aw, three translation errors in two sentences. :)
Anyone have a tlr they want to part with?