Accessory Rangefinder

rack · 20th December 2003

Does anyone know where I can get one of those old rangfinders locally that clip into a camera hotshoe? I have an old scale focusing camera and my guestimation isn't always accurate....

thanks.

20th December 2003

Alex photo has one on display BUT he is asking $350 IIRC!

Edwin · 20th December 2003

Can try looking at Ebay... Seen quite a few of them on sale... But do exercise caution if you do decide to get it from overseas...

rack · 20th December 2003

Originally Posted by Nescafe

Alex photo has one on display BUT he is asking $350 IIRC!

er.....$350 for that??? Sheesh..... might as well buy a new AF point and shoot, no need to worry about fousing problems!

What precautions are u referring to on eBay, Edwin?

thx

Edwin · 20th December 2003

One thing I noticed is that some sellers would actually factor in "hidden cost" in the shipping and handling charges... One way of avoiding this, is to get yr item from well-established sellers... There are reasons y they are popular...

rack · 20th December 2003

Originally Posted by Edwin

One thing I noticed is that some sellers would actually factor in "hidden cost" in the shipping and handling charges... One way of avoiding this, is to get yr item from well-established sellers... There are reasons y they are popular...

ah ok.. noted with thanks..... that's why I thot it would be less hassle to buy locally if there are reasonable prices.....

samforce · 3rd January 2004

Sorry for bulging in,

I thought those extra rangefinders are just for viewing the area convered by the lens f numbers 35,50,80,135 etc.
I would be interested to see one that can couple to the focus of the camera rangefinder.

Thank

Ansel · 4th January 2004

Sam, I think there is a little confusion over the terms "Rangefinder" and "Viewfinder"

RF : A Rangefinder is a device to help you determine the distance of the subject, based on the principles of trigonometry, using mirrors and prisms.

VF : A viewfinder simply helps you compose the scene that will be captured by the lens.

There are accessory RFs and accessory VFs on the market. From your original post, I can figure you are looking for a RF to help you determine the subject distance more accurately, so that you do not need to guesstimate the distance.

Actually no problem. With a bit of training and using the hyperfocal method(ie, large DOF, using smaller apertures 5.6, 8, or 11, etc), you can get pretty good results most of the time.

samforce · 5th January 2004

OK, Thank

What I was talking about is the accessory Viewfinder.
What the thread discussion is on the accessory rangefinder.

This mean you focus with the rangefinder, then transfer the distance reading to the camera len's distance marking.

Thank for the clarification.

$300++ ,this is a really expensive purchase, could get a 2nd backup camera to use for this purpose. One stone 2 birds.

jasphotography · 5th January 2004

Originally Posted by rack

Does anyone know where I can get one of those old rangfinders locally that clip into a camera hotshoe? I have an old scale focusing camera and my guestimation isn't always accurate....

thanks.

I have I have but they are more for my collector/vintage cameras as an accessory. I rarely used the rangefinder. But, they are surprisingly accurate when tested along with my SLR with lens.

Well, if you can convince me that you need the rangefinder much much more than my beloved vintage cameras want them as their accessory, I could let you have it for a penny or two less than $300.

20th December 2003	#1
rack Guest Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Singapore Posts: 87	Accessory Rangefinder Does anyone know where I can get one of those old rangfinders locally that clip into a camera hotshoe? I have an old scale focusing camera and my guestimation isn't always accurate.... thanks.

20th December 2003	#2
Nescafe Guests Posts: n/a	Alex photo has one on display BUT he is asking $350 IIRC!

20th December 2003	#3
Edwin Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Eastern coastline Posts: 392	Can try looking at Ebay... Seen quite a few of them on sale... But do exercise caution if you do decide to get it from overseas...

3rd January 2004	#7
samforce Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Toa Payoh Posts: 169	Sorry for bulging in, I thought those extra rangefinders are just for viewing the area convered by the lens f numbers 35,50,80,135 etc. I would be interested to see one that can couple to the focus of the camera rangefinder. Thank

4th January 2004	#8
Ansel Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Land Downunder Posts: 2,069	Sam, I think there is a little confusion over the terms "Rangefinder" and "Viewfinder" RF : A Rangefinder is a device to help you determine the distance of the subject, based on the principles of trigonometry, using mirrors and prisms. VF : A viewfinder simply helps you compose the scene that will be captured by the lens. There are accessory RFs and accessory VFs on the market. From your original post, I can figure you are looking for a RF to help you determine the subject distance more accurately, so that you do not need to guesstimate the distance. Actually no problem. With a bit of training and using the hyperfocal method(ie, large DOF, using smaller apertures 5.6, 8, or 11, etc), you can get pretty good results most of the time.

5th January 2004	#9
samforce Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Toa Payoh Posts: 169	OK, Thank What I was talking about is the accessory Viewfinder. What the thread discussion is on the accessory rangefinder. This mean you focus with the rangefinder, then transfer the distance reading to the camera len's distance marking. Thank for the clarification. $300++ ,this is a really expensive purchase, could get a 2nd backup camera to use for this purpose. One stone 2 birds.