“It Takes More of a Photographer to use Less of a Camera”

I once took a great photo of a friend in a restaurant, except that only his ears were in focus. It’s frustrating knowing that it was just my poor judgment in the moment. Using a rangefinder is not the easiest of disciplines, yet once you internalize it, it feels faster and more precise than any other style of camera. I wouldn’t say that I’m 100% there, but I get better every day.

Sure, rangefinders seem antiquated when we have capable SLRs and wonderful mirrorless cameras with very fast autofocus, yet, I deny myself that pleasure. I think for good reason: it makes me a better photographer. This isn’t a value judgment. We all have our set of preferences and needs for the cameras we choose and for me, a slower traditional method has made a difference to me and my work.

I think Johnny Martyr explains it best (note, he uses SLRs because he’s talking about film, but one could just as easily insert digital mirrorless cameras):

I think that peoples’ trouble with rangefinders begins with SLRs…But I found that it takes more of a photographer to use less of a camera. And have no doubt about it, a rangefinder does less for you than an SLR and needs to be approached this way.  

By allowing us to focus through the taking lens itself, SLR’s alleviate the need to adopt habits that rangefinders encourage and, I think, make us stronger photographers as a whole.

With an SLR, we tend to live inside the viewfinder. By living inside the viewfinder, I mean that we tend to treat SLR finders like magic boxes that we look inside of to see the future; our images almost exactly as they will eventually appear on film.

When we look into a rangefinder we are immediately struck with how rudimentary the viewfinder is, and the fact that we are most definitely, not peering into a magic box.  With a rangefinder, I think the photographer sheds any illusion that they are looking into something more than some of panes of glass.  And thus one must accept more agency for the images that one wants to create.

Sounds funny, but this introduction to his techniques has been more valuable to me than the tips themselves. It’s been a reminder of why I’ve taken the more difficult route.

I’m not qualified to give advice, but I’ve found these three experts have sound advice born from their years of professional experience, so I thought it worth bringing them together:

Seven Recommended Rangefinder Focusing Techniques, by Johnny Martyr

Leica M Rangefinder Tips and Tricks, by David Farkas

My Focusing Techniques for Manual Focus Lenses and What I look for when buying a manual lens, by Jeff Ascough.