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Archive 2010 · Manual on m4/3 vs. rangefinder

cetac
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Manual on m4/3 vs. rangefinder

I am considering the purchase of a m4/3 camera such as the Olympus E-P2 as I am in search of something that is small, portable and a good deal more simple to focus manual lenses on than a DSLR. I have read time and time again that the ease of focusing a manual lens on a rangefinder is a unique characteristic of the mirrorless system, and am wondering if this characteristic transfers to the m4/3 cameras?

Mar 25, 2010 at 05:50 PM

Spyro P.
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Manual on m4/3 vs. rangefinder

I dont think so. To focus a rangefinder you have 2 options a) use the rangefinder patch or b) zone focus. M4:3 have no rangefinders or optical viewifinders for that matter. Zone focus is impossible with dedicated M4:3 af lenses because they dont have distance/aperture markings or infinity stop. It is possible however with manual lenses with adapters but then the 2X crop usually gives you a lens that is either not wide enough or not fast enough or not small enough for many applications.

Mar 25, 2010 at 06:03 PM

jianghai_ho
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Manual on m4/3 vs. rangefinder

I haven't really heard that as being a strong selling point, though it is true that rangefinders may be easier to focus because some of them have bright finders.

The unknown, especially for ultra wide apertures, is that the calibration of the cams and rangefinder becomes paramount.

WIth m4/3, especially with the E-P2's nice viewfinder, you probably have a good shot, since it's high resolution. Plus you're seeing the actual picture, so there's no guessing whether the focus is calibrated right. I would try it.

2x crop is a bummer though, but significant only if you are a wide angle shooter.

Mar 25, 2010 at 07:00 PM

cetac
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Manual on m4/3 vs. rangefinder

I am definitely a wide angle shooter, but the only other alternative I can see is an M9, which I won't be able to afford for another... well... I don't like to talk about it

Mar 25, 2010 at 07:44 PM

kidtexas
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Manual on m4/3 vs. rangefinder

The ease of focusing rangefinders (and the sometimes difficulties with it) is due to the rangefinder focusing mechanism. m4/3's doesn't have that, so it won't be the same. Not that it won't be good/fast. But more similar to an SLR since you are viewing through the lens.

Mar 25, 2010 at 07:50 PM

Spyro P.
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Manual on m4/3 vs. rangefinder

cetac wrote:
the only other alternative I can see is an M9

Film doesnt bite

Mar 25, 2010 at 07:58 PM

cetac
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Manual on m4/3 vs. rangefinder

Spyro P. wrote:
Film doesnt bite

Film is certainly attractive, but not really what I'm looking for at this point

Mar 25, 2010 at 09:07 PM

sebboh
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Manual on m4/3 vs. rangefinder

manual focusing on µ4/3 is just like focusing through liveview on a modern dslr if you have done that. manual focusing can be more accurate than either a range finder or a dslr (through the viewfinder) because it is easy to magnify the view up to 10x and what you see really is what you get. you should definitely try one before you buy to see how you like the ergonomics of framing, zooming to focus, and shooting on the various µ4/3 cameras. for me having the whole screen zoom in is quite awkward. a small movable patch that zooms in would be a preferable implementation (i believe this is what the leica x1 has).

Mar 25, 2010 at 09:12 PM

cetac
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Manual on m4/3 vs. rangefinder

sebboh wrote:
manual focusing on µ4/3 is just like focusing through liveview on a modern dslr if you have done that. manual focusing can be more accurate than either a range finder or a dslr (through the viewfinder) because it is easy to magnify the view up to 10x and what you see really is what you get. you should definitely try one before you buy to see how you like the ergonomics of framing, zooming to focus, and shooting on the various µ4/3 cameras. for me having the whole screen zoom in is quite awkward. a small movable patch that zooms...Show more →

On the E-P2 product page they make mention of both 'MF Assist' and 'Magnification Display'. Is this what you are referring to?

Mar 25, 2010 at 09:29 PM

ken.vs.ryu
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Manual on m4/3 vs. rangefinder

e-p2 manual focusing

Mar 25, 2010 at 09:34 PM

sebboh
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Manual on m4/3 vs. rangefinder

cetac wrote:
On the E-P2 product page they make mention of both 'MF Assist' and 'Magnification Display'. Is this what you are referring to?

yup. the automatic zoom when you start to turn the manual focus ring obviously only works for lenses with electrical connections. you have to hit the zoom button for alt lenses.

Mar 25, 2010 at 10:28 PM

Jorgen Udvang
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Manual on m4/3 vs. rangefinder

I just bought a GH1, and I only use it with manual focus lenses (Zuiko OM and Nikkor AIS). Focusing is easy enough with the EVF, and extremely exact with magnification. Zone focusing obviously also works like a charm, particularly since the narrower FOV on m43 (2x crop factor) means shorter focal lengths and more DOF.

You want wide? Try the Panasonic 7-14mm f/4. That's 14mm eqv. You don't get that on any rangefinder without an external VF.

Will the M9 and Leica lenses give you higher image quality? Undoubtedly, but the body only costs more than any m43 camera and a bag of lenses. Add a lens for the M9 and you can buy another bag of lenses or maybe two for the m43, or a trip to some cool destination to take photos.

Mar 25, 2010 at 11:04 PM

Sam N
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Manual on m4/3 vs. rangefinder

Here's MF ease in order from easiest to hardest:

1) Optical rangefinder
2) m43 cameras with magnification
3) Compact DSLRs with stock focusing screens

Nothing matches the ease of focusing like a nice optical rangefinder.

Mar 25, 2010 at 11:20 PM

Sexymaru
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Manual on m4/3 vs. rangefinder

the rangefinder's focusing patch is truly amazing, you wont have a clue what the hell im talking about unless you try one.

m4/3 manual focusing is nowhere near this easy.

Mar 25, 2010 at 11:57 PM


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