Shashin
Well-known member
If you wanted a rangefinder, I am sure you could make an optical rangefinder coupled with the a digital encoding in the lens. Basically have a motor move the rangefinder mirror based on the lens position. You could also probably have user calibration as well with this method. However you look at it, coupled optical rangefinders are an expensive proposition.
If you don't need manual focus, Contax and Konica made electronic (film) versions of the rangefinder.
Personally, I find the strength of the rangefinder is no blackout during exposure. I also like seeing what is outside the framelines. There are two downsides with the rangefinder, parallax and frame line accuracy. Still, those are relatively small problems that the photographer can compensate. The rangefinder is a unique tool--there is no substitute. It is certainly not for everyone, but photography would be a little diminished if they were lost, and we have lost a lot of them (Contax, Konica, Minolta, Bronica, etc).
If you don't need manual focus, Contax and Konica made electronic (film) versions of the rangefinder.
Personally, I find the strength of the rangefinder is no blackout during exposure. I also like seeing what is outside the framelines. There are two downsides with the rangefinder, parallax and frame line accuracy. Still, those are relatively small problems that the photographer can compensate. The rangefinder is a unique tool--there is no substitute. It is certainly not for everyone, but photography would be a little diminished if they were lost, and we have lost a lot of them (Contax, Konica, Minolta, Bronica, etc).