Rangefinder Book Review

iPhone 4S

We are still working our way through the Christmas aftermath. Actually, it feels like we have been in holiday mode (frantic shopping, decorating, cooking, etc.) since Thanksgiving. It is my favorite time of the year, but it takes a lot of work to pull it all off.

Of course a couple photographic gifts were exchanged within our family. We gave our six-year-old son his first film camera, the Commando Holga 120N. He has already put two rolls through it, and I can’t wait to see the results!

I gave my Dear Sweet Wife a Jo Totes camera bag which is really a purse/handbag in disguise. (Or is it the other way around….?) She also received a variety of camera accessories from our family including a Holga filter lens set for her Fuji Instax, a Bokeh Masters Kit, and a Strap Buddy.

We haven’t had time to play with any of these, so I will have to pass on the results later.

I received an iPhone 4S from my DSW (my old 3GS was ailing) which has an impressive built-in camera although I am hardly going to be quitting film photography over it. I also received a few books related to classic cameras and photography, one of them twice!

A book must be good if two different people give it to you. Both my DSW and my Dad gave me a copy of Rangefinder: Equipment, history, techniques by Roger Hicks and Frances Schultz.

I have read through about two-thirds of it so far and am really enjoying it. It covers the history and use of rangefinder cameras and has a good overview of what they consider to be the most practically useful cameras, lenses and accessories.

If you are already interested in Rangefinders, understand the photography basics and are looking to dig into the topic then this is a good book. If you are new to film photography or just want to play around with a rangefinder then perhaps you should start with some research online.