We have been spending some time thinking about the best rangefinder cameras past year. Even though it was a time of chaos for everyone, the film community grew a lot. More and more people are buying old cameras, and more and more people are realizing that these beautiful machines need to be kept in good shape. We have access to unique data about Google searches, ad results, and other data sources that give us a rough idea of how many people search for a certain model.
If a camera you like is not on the list, tell other people about it to move it up in search results. Focusing on these cameras is done with a mirror-based triangulation system, and the photographer does not look through the lens. Instead, they look through a viewfinder. At one time, and for some people even now, the rangefinder was and is the most popular professional camera. Below we have mentioned some of the best rangefinder cameras.
Best Rangefinder Cameras
Olympus 35 RC
Specifications
| Film format | 35mm |
| Film size | 36 mm x 24 mm |
| Lens | E. Zuiko 42mm f/2.8, 5 elements in 4 groups |
| Exposure Control Type | Automatic |
The Olympus 35 RC is a cheap camera with a lot of power that will teach you everything you need to know about rangefinder cameras and photography. It’s fun to use this camera. The best thing about this camera is that it has two light metres: a normal scene metre and a more precise spot metre that has more control over the overall exposure settings.
It is also small and pretty light, and the fact that it is made by Olympus makes it even better. This model is also easy to focus, and when paired with a good lens, it is the best model for street photography. So, if you want one of the best DSLR cameras, we highly recommend this product.
Pros
- E. Zuiko 42mm f/2.8, 5 elements in 4 groups
- Automatic
Cons
- costly
Leica M11
Specifications
| Auto Exposure Bracketing | 5 Steps |
| Connection Type | USB |
| Display Resolution | 2,332,800 pixel |
| Exposure Mode | Aperture-priority, Manual |
| White Balance Presets | Cloudy, Daylight, Flash, Fluorescent, Shade, Tungsten |
The Leica M11 is exciting in part because it takes such great pictures. When we met with Leica, they told us that the colors were meant to look like Kodachrome. That told me that the colors are back on the Leica M9. Overall, this is one of the best rangefinder cameras that you can buy right now.
And yes, I can confirm that this is the case. But it only works when the white balance is set to auto. If you set the white balance manually, which is what I like to do, you won’t get the same look. Though sometimes and with the right lens, you can get a halation look that is similar to what you would get with CineStill film.
Pros
- Leica M9’s colors have returned!
- Extended dynamic range as the megapixels go down
- Aluminum version and Brass version.
- Brass version has some nice heft to it
Cons
- You lose a lot of dynamic range at high ISOs and 60MP settings.
- All of it comes back in droves at the lower megapixel settings
- Sunny 16 metering is a tad wonky.
Leica M3
Specifications
| Auto Exposure Bracketing | 5 Steps |
| Connection Type | USB |
| Display Resolution | 2,332,800 pixel |
| Exposure Mode | Aperture-priority, Manual |
| White Balance Presets | Cloudy, Daylight, Flash, Fluorescent, Shade, Tungsten |
This model is without a doubt the best mid-century rangefinder camera. It became very popular because of how it was first made. The M-bayonet mount was a totally new and better thing. The M3 is very hardy and doesn’t break easily, so some photographers have been using it for 10 years without fixing it. Thus, this product is one of the best rangefinder cameras available right now.
The camera can focus from 0.9 meters away, but you’ll get the best results when you shoot from 1 meter away. The only big problem is that it doesn’t have built-in metering, but since most photographers use separate meters, this isn’t much of a problem.
Pros
- The camera body is made of metal
- You can change lenses
- Manual controls
- No distractions
- Nice viewfinder
Cons
- The accessories are rather expensive
- The camera is heavy
- You cannot place a tripod mount in the center
- The viewfinder has a limited number of frame lines
Fujifilm X-Pro3
Specifications
| Auto Exposure Bracketing | 9 Steps |
| Battery Life Details | 250 Shots |
| Display Resolution | 1,620,000 pixel |
| Exposure Mode | Aperture-priority, Automatic, Bulb, Manual, Shutter-priority |
| White Balance Presets | Daylight, Fluorescent, Incandescent, Shade |
It looks like a classic rangefinder camera but uses the latest digital technology. It’s made for people who want a retro camera with modern features. The X-Pro 3 has the latest 26.1MP X-Trans sensor, a better autofocus, and a screen that looks different from other cameras. Instead of a screen that always shows an image, it has a screen that folds flat against the body and a small digital screen that looks like the slots on the back of film cameras.
It is different from other Fujifilm cameras because it has a hybrid electrical/optical viewfinder. It has a fully electronic mode, an optical mode with electronic overlays, and a digital rangefinder mode. The Fujifilm X-Pro 3 is available in three colours: black, Dura black, and Dura silver. Currently, this is one of the best rangefinder cameras that you can buy right now.
Pros
- Superb retro design
- Hybrid optical/electronic viewfinder
- Novel ‘hidden’ screen
Cons
- Expensive and specialised
Contax G2
Specifications
| Auto Exposure Bracketing | 9 Steps |
| Battery Life Details | 250 Shots |
| Display Resolution | 1,620,000 pixel |
| Exposure Mode | Aperture-priority, Automatic, Bulb, Manual, Shutter-priority |
| White Balance Presets | Daylight, Fluorescent, Incandescent, Shade |
This best rangefinder cameras came out in the middle of the 1990s and quickly became one of the best. The G2 has electronic autofocus and lenses that can be taken off. I like to use a mode called “yracking,” which lets me keep the focus on the subject. It moves very quickly. In manual mode, the fastest shutter speed you can use is 1/4000. The speed is 1/6000th in aperture priority mode.
The G2 is different from other rangefinder cameras because it can change lenses and has a lot of them. Carl Zeiss makes lenses with focal lengths that range from 16mm to 90mm. The 45mm f/2 Planar is thought to be one of the best 35mm lenses for shooting on the street.
Pros
- Excellent quality for this price
- The controls arrangement is intuitive
- Eelectronic autofocus
- The high quality build
- Well designed and user-friendly
Cons
- Some problems with focus
- The top LCDs are unlit
- Fill-flash doesn’t work well
- No in-finder warning
FAQs
Should I use 35mm or 50mm for rangefinder?
Focus lengths around or up to the “standard” 50mm lens work best with rangefinders. Let’s find out why. The 50mm lens is the standard when shooting in the 35mm format, whether on film or with a full-frame digital camera.
Which is better rangefinder or SLR?
If you don’t use a mirror lock-up, SLRs’ flipping mirrors can blur shots taken from a tripod at speeds between 1/30 and 1/8. When it comes to wide and normal lenses, rangefinder cameras are much better at focusing.
What is the best interchangeable rangefinder?
The Leica M3 is widely thought to be the best 35mm interchangeable-lens rangefinder ever made. I agree, even though I usually use a 50mm lens.
