How to Compare an SLR to a Rangefinder Camera

Photographers interested in purchasing a new camera have a difficult choice to make. Two popular selections by amateurs and professionals alike are single lens reflex (SLR) and rangefinder cameras. You need to compare and contrast these devices in order to find the right one for the type of photography you engage in.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Compare an SLR to a Rangefinder Camera

1. Assess your need for direct view of photo targets when you compare SLRs to a rangefinder. SLR cameras offer a direct view between your eye and the target of your pictures, which ensures a photo reflecting your vision. Many rangefinder cameras have a displaced viewer that makes the final picture a little different from what you see.
2. Test out a SLR and a rangefinder camera before purchase to listen to their internal workings. Rangefinder cameras produce less sound after a photo is taken than SLR varieties, making it better if you are taking photos of animals and nature.
3. Learn about the prevalence of temporary interference from moving mirrors as you compare cameras. SLR cameras have multiple mirrors that create a brief dead spot within the camera, which may produce blank photos. Rangefinders do not utilize the same number of mirrors to eliminate wasted film.
4. Review the lens speed of a rangefinder and a SLR camera as you compare their virtues. Most rangefinder cameras take speedy photos because they lack the complicated interiors of the SLR camera. You need to balance speed with the quality of the final product to determine which camera type is right for you.
5. Speak with experienced photographers and camera sales people about potential misalignment issues in the SLR and rangefinder cameras. Repeated use of a rangefinder camera with a special filter may lead to a gradual decline in the quality of your photos. SLR cameras are designed for use with a variety of filters, so misalignment is not as common.
6. Compare the prices of both camera types after you have assessed their virtues and deficits. If your photo interests lie in snappy picture taking, a high-priced rangefinder is better than a bargain SLR model. Deliberate photography by a seasoned photographer is enhanced by a high-end SLR camera instead of a rangefinder.

Tips & Warnings

• Determine the compatibility of different lens types with an SLR and a rangefinder camera. The SLR is ideal for telephoto lenses that give you clear pictures from a distance. Photographers who want to use wide-angle lenses or a variety of standard lenses should look at a rangefinder camera.

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