When do you use a rangefinder, when do you use an SLR?

Many, if not most, Leica M shooters also own a 35mm SLR. In what situations do you choose one over the other? In my case, I've noticed that my SLR is mostly accumulating dust, except for occasional close-up or longer telephoto use. This seems backwards to me. The SLR is obviously much more versatile, but I only pick it up for specialized tasks.

<p>

I'd be interested to know from others, when do you find yourself using an SLR versus a rangefinder? Do you use an automatic SLR as a complement to the manual rangefinder, or is your SLR also a manual camera?

For a while I was doing a lot of how to articles for a car magazine,

and need the macro and ttl flash features of my SLR to show the steps

involved. I like macro work in general, and that is where

most all rangefinders fall flat. I do have the DR Summicron for my

Leica, and it does pretty good at close ups, but nothing like a real

macro. The other time I use my SLR is when I'm doing the type of

shooting where a Zoom lens is better suited. But for traveling,

hiking, and low light hand held shooting, I like the M3 or my Minolta

CLE the best,

Joe,

<p>

A few years ago, I read an interesting article in the now

defunct "Photo Pro" magazine that addressed this issue. There is

definitely a lot of cross over, in which either type of camera would

be fine, but the article mostly covered the "philosophical"

differences. The overall premise was that you use a rangefinder to

TAKE pictures and an SLR to MAKE pictures.

<p>

The rangefinder photographer mostly wanders until the picture

presents itself then raises the camera and TAKES the shot. The

article emphasizes the small amount of time that the RF camera is at

the eye... it is usually pre-set for exposure and distance.

<p>

The SLR user uses all of the controls to put "his" reality on the

shot... varying focal lengths, using the DOF preview lever, and

filters. He is more inclined to control the picture... thus the term

MAKE the pictures.

<p>

Obviously these are not hard rules, and a RF user can control the

picture as well as the SLR user making "grab shots", but the article

made me get out some of my pictures and think about the conditions

and the cameras used. My conclusion was that the article was about

80% accurate for my photography. My best landscapes, formal group

shots, and artistic attempts were made best with the SLR. The

best "blind" grab shots, lowlight candids were with the M series

Leicas. I do in fact act and think differently depending on the type

of camera that I am holding. Additionally, I would never give up one

for the other.... they work too well as a combo.

Ths short answer is that SLRs rule for macro, telephoto, and

situations that require wysiwyg allignment.

<p>

RF for most everything else.

<p>

This is too short, my web page, www.wizard.net/~tbryant/photo35.html

goes into more detail.

<p>

Keep in mind that sometimes the best camera is a view camera. Don't

limit your horizons!

Over 15 years ago, when I quit being a pro, I sold my Leica stuff and

kept the Olympus kit, reasoning it was more versatile. As a result,

*I* was the one who ended up collecting dust--hardly took a picture,

except on vacation, and then only bad ones. A few months ago I bought

an M4-2 and am having a great time taking pix again. The Oly is great

with long lenses, macro, and I do prefer it with the 21 as well, but

in the middle I'm much more comfortable with a rangefinder. If I

could categorize the way I work differently, it would be that with an

SLR I put the camera to my eye and roam for pictures. With the RF I

form the picture in my mind, and then lift the camera and put the

brightline box around what I've already planned. The result is much

better--for me.

<p>

Part of that might be that unless you're shooting at wide open, the

photo you see through the SLR is not what you're going to get--the

lack of depth of field masks clutter. I find that I'm much more aware

of backgrounds with the RF because I see them, even through the

camera, resulting in cleaner photos. This might also be why I work

well with the Oly and my 21, which also always clearly images the

background, whereas the longer lenses don't. With the really long

lenses on an SLR it again doesn't matter, because the background in

the final photo will be blurred as you see it through the camera.

I do not use any 35mm SLR for now. My bag becomes lighter and simple.

I am happy.

I think the standard answer is that one has to use SLRs for macro and

telephoto work because it is difficult or impossible to do those with

rangefinder cameras. My Leicaflex SL with 28/2.8, 60/2.8 macro and

135/2.8 R lenses can handle 99% of my photography needs. But I love

my Leica M6 TTL with its 35/2 Summicron ASPH lens. It is the perfect

camera for handheld shots in low light situations. I have taken sharp

photos at f2 and 1/4 second. I know that would have been impossible

with the SL. Of course, the M6 is also great for street photography

or when you want to take photos unobtrusively. BTW my previous two

outfits were built around Canon EOS-1N RS and Nikon N90S cameras. All

of my Leica lenses produce significantly better slides and negatives

than any of my Nikon and Canon prime and zoom lenses. I wish I had

kept the Canon SLR! I could have used my Leica R lenses with it using

a Novoflex adapter. Oh well, live

I generally use an F3. The M3 comes out on occasion, when I get

tired of lugging 25 oz. of camera body around everywhere. I'd

probably use the Leica more if my old 50/2 Summicron was better below

f/4 -- the M3 with an old chrome 90/2 doesn't offer weight savings

over anything.

<p>

Of course these complaints come from someone who doesn't think his

10# monorail is too heavy... but 35mm is about portable & handheld

photography to me.

I spent all of my previous life using Nikons (from FM to F3) and

once got a Nikonos III (including underwater flash with bulbs, BTW

more than 20 years ago) so that my now having sold everything but the

kitchen sink means that my one and only camera is (still) an M6. If I

got any SLR tomorrow -- even as a free gift -- I'd sell it for a dime.