FOCUSING with a RANGEFINDER camera + zone focusing (Tutorial)

In this video I explain how to focus with a rangefinder camera. More specifically with a Leica M series camera. I am covering normal focusing and zone focusing by also showing examples.
All photos in this video were taken on my Leica M-D 262.
How to take photos without using a display: • No Rear Screen Needed ...
Why I use Summicron lenses: • Why I prefer using SUM...
Leica lens specifications: us.leica-camera.com/Photograph...
I hope you enjoy the video and would be interested in your opinion in the comments below.
I you liked the video and want to see more please subscribe to my channel, press the like button and/or leave a comment.
#leica #leicam #rangefinder
Instagram: / the_m_photo
Facebook: / the.m.photo3025

[@svvancouver3307]

Finally understand zone focusing. Thank you! Looking for my first M.

[@CZOV]

That brings me back in time to the 20th century :)

[@dianepartridge5385]

Best description of focusing with a Leica M rangefinder.

[@TheMPhotography]

Thank you Diane. Glad you liked it.

[@user-lq1to9nz6u]

Best deal for quality range finder

[@blkshprd]

Great video. I’ve watched 5 or 6 of the zone focusing videos, and yours is easily the best. Thank you for making it.

[@TheMPhotography]

Thank you.

[@reckle556]

You have packed so much useful information in only one video. Thank you so much!

[@TheMPhotography]

Thanks for watching and your.kind words.

[@dominiquedevries1946]

I have never seen this explained so well. I finally understand! Thank you so much

[@TheMPhotography]

Thank you so much Dominique! Glad it helped you.

[@nickfanzo]

I just learned about zone focus and it blew my mind. I’m always turning and focusing for so long.

[@kevingoza]

You are a skilled presenter! You have clarified several important points into one concise video. Most others on KZbin spend way too much time in irrelevant babble. Thank you!

[@TheMPhotography]

Thanks a lot for watching and your kind words

[@1946gsp]

Glad I discovered your post. Hope to see more

[@aesop2496]

Best explanation I've seen on yt so far. Thanks a million.

[@TheMPhotography]

Thanks a lot for the compliment 🙏 keeps me going.

[@paultaylorphotography9499]

I’ve tried zone focus on my Q2 it’s works really well saying that the AF works well too I’ve rarely missed a shot great vid cheers

[@shamrocky]

Really nice video, thank you for taking the time to make it!

[@fraserhalscheid7777]

This was really great. I am new to an M set up and have enjoyed the challenge of the rangefinder over the past couple of months. The experience of shooting on an M is like nothing I have experienced before and I quite enjoy the challenge. This is the best video if have seen on zone focusing and explains how to adjust shutter and ISO. I have watched heaps...Keep making videos on the M cameras and Leica glass. Well done

[@TheMPhotography]

Happy you liked the video. Will try my best also for future videos. Thanks a lot Fraser and keep enjoying your M. They are quite special but so rewarding cameras.

[@MarttiSuomivuori]

What you forgot to mention is the importance of practice. Muscle memory needs pracitice. Persistance!

[@valerier.5378]

this is the best zone focusing tutorial I've come across!

[@TheMPhotography]

Thank you so much 🙏🏻 glad you liked it.

[@BobSchipper]

Das Wesentliche. A clear and uncluttered explanation. Well done, Markus!

[@TheMPhotography]

Thank you! Glad you liked it.

[@zoranzambo7364]

The M Photography , This is great. I am new to the Leica eco-system. While I find it intuitive the piece I found most valuable is what not to do when focus. You are not kidding when the eye gets tired when fishing back and forth. It's also nice to hear someone reinforce theories you have. Thanks agin.

[@TheMPhotography]

Thanks so much for your feedback! Appreciate it. Glad you liked it. Yes, the eye can get tired and confused faster than one might think when fishing for focus. At some point it's really hard to judge if something is in focus.

[@WithCielo]

So so helpful. Love how detailed you were!

[@TheMPhotography]

Thank you 🙏🏻 glad to hear it was helpful to you.

[@charlie4301]

Very clear explanation. I have a Leica M3 and found it very difficult to focus as I shot the first roll of film (mostly photographing young children!) Good advice to not keep trying to re-adjust focus, it does get confusing! I will use your suggestions for both methods of focussing, and I think they will make a big difference! So thanks very much!

[@TheMPhotography]

Thanks for watching. Happy to hear that the video helped you. Happy shooting with the M3. A wonderful camera.

[@atatexan]

I have been using Leica rangefinders since I was 12 years old (IIIf). This video is absolutely fabulous. It helped me put the pieces together. Danke sehr.

[@TheMPhotography]

Thank you Charles. Happy to hear. So nice that you've had the privilege to use rangefinders since you were 12 years old.

[@KJ-jj5ps]

Thank you for this helpful instructional video. Really appreciate the way you explained it!

[@TheMPhotography]

Thanks a lot Kim. Appreciate your kind words and happy to hear that my video was helpful to you!

[@maikelmaes6130]

Brilliant explanation, many thanks. Using Q2 Monochrom and looking to make the leap to M10M. Fantastic video, thanks again.

[@TheMPhotography]

Thanks for watching. Wishing you a lot of fun with the M10M.

[@muatao9943]

I agree, very helpful. Much better than the last video I watched. Thank you very much!

[@TheMPhotography]

Thank you for your kind words 🙏

[@stevehoffman9735]

Very, very helpful, thank you!

[@acidblur]

glad i found this video. i’m new to this :)

[@jeffhampton6972]

This is extremely informative! I have had trouble understanding how a rangefinder is used, and this cleared so much up. Thank you!

[@TheMPhotography]

Thanks a lot for your comment. Happy to hear

[@changez77654]

Thank you for making this video - I do not own a rangefinder camera but was curious how the MF on these camera works. This very comprehensive video is a great explainer.

[@TheMPhotography]

Thanks you very much! Appreciate your feedback and happy to hear.

[@notoironfist1280]

thank you very much, exactly what i need to understand my vintage voigtlander

[@TheMPhotography]

Thanks for watching and happy to hear

[@thierryrausch4720]

Thank you! Finally clear 🙏🏼🍀👍🏻

[@DennisBottaro]

Thank you so much for creating this video. I'm new to rangefinder cameras and have been enjoying shooting film with a Yashica Electro 35 G. This focusing method just made my day - I've spend so much time waffling the focus back and forth missing shots.

[@TheMPhotography]

Thanks for watching and your feedback. Glad you liked it.

[@neilharbinson387]

Fabulous explanation. I have a Leica Q and a Leica X Vario (both have autofocus and manual focusing) and I am thinking of buying one of the M series cameras which of course would be a camera with manual focusing only. This video has really helped me to work out my options

[@TheMPhotography]

Thanks for watching and your feedback. Glad the hear that my video was helpful for you.

[@tomresink7189]

Super clear and detailed tutorial! Tnx a lot

[@edwinadrianta9455]

Hey mate. I love the way you explain things. Clear and concise.

[@TheMPhotography]

Thanks a lot 🙏🏻 glad to hear

[@gerryphillipson]

I'm glad and relieved to have discovered your video. I work with the Leica Q but hope to add an M to my stable. I've never understood how to focus with a rangefinder camera but you've given me a very good start. Thank you.

[@TheMPhotography]

Thanks for watching and your kind words! Glad to hear that my video helped you and that you aspire to add a Leica M to your stable.

[@phil_munro]

Good work Markus, great information again, thank you.

[@TheMPhotography]

Thank you!

[@armansheikh6659]

This explanation was amazing!

[@benedictus111]

Excellent explanation. Appreciate very much. I have been struggling using my M9 without LCD. I will start applying what you have just explained. Thank you.

[@TheMPhotography]

Thanks for watching. Glad to hear that it was helpful. Happy shooting with the M9

[@gigirocks9603]

super video. you are so easy to understand and i appreciate the calm tone! excellent. i am debating on adding leica m series camera coming from sony a7r series.

[@TheMPhotography]

Thank you Gigi. Happy to hear the video helped you. A Leica M could complement an a7r very well.

[@kodimolly6082]

Great sharing, many thanks!

[@setenpab]

Great video and excellent tutorial !! I’m about to get my new M11 (first time for me with a Leica) and this I know will help me a lot to start to learn how to use it and how to get the best of my new camera. Thanks you Marcus !!

[@TheMPhotography]

Thanks for watching. Happy to hear. Wishing you lots of fun with the M11.

[@johndean9279]

Thank you for your helpful tutorial. I have just bought a second hand M240 with a 50 mm 1.4 summicrom lens. I am relearning how to use a camera after years with my DSLR. I am staggered by my results so far but have also noticed how long it takes me to get my shots right. Your video helped a lot. My ambition is to cut down on my use of the back screen and almost get back to using my Leica more like a film camera.

[@TheMPhotography]

Thanks for watching and your comment. Enjoy the learning experience. Glad my video helped you a bit.

[@ezrashanti]

Summicron: f2. Summilux: f1.4.

[@watchesandstuff6837]

Thank you, Marcus. Great explanation.

[@TheMPhotography]

Thanks! Glad you liked it.

[@ZHONGHONGZHU]

Brilliant! Now I just need a Leica ;)

[@stevekirchner7228]

Thanks Marcus, for your well explained rangefinder video. It’s nice to see your effort! One thing I would like to address regarding the focusing of rangefinders, is the challenge of shooting portrait orientation. Any tricks from your side, especially when you need to be quick (like shooting kids :)) all the best from Munich to Zurich!

[@TheMPhotography]

You are right. Taking photos in portrait mode can be a beast. Especially with lenses which have the finger rest on the focus ring. It is not positioned well for vertical pictures. On the 75mm summicron it works well, since it's just a plain ring. When the subject is static I often choose to focus in landscape mode and then turn the camera. If the subject is in movement, like kids playing, your best chance is either a narrower zone focusing than I explained in my video. Maybe with a focus zone of around 1m or alternatively if you are comfortable focusing already you can concentrate on the eyebrows which will be vertical in portrait mode. Hope this helps a bit. Greetings from Zürich.

[@TheChuckism1]

perfect! Thank you.

[@jackmcbannon]

Thank you a lot for this!

[@sudhirpv]

Prof., you nailed it.

[@TheMPhotography]

Thank you 🙏🏻

[@prettynitty0131]

Very good item. Worked very well.

[@johnilko2964]

Good explanation. Thanks I'll be watching for more.

[@TheMPhotography]

Thanks John. Glad you liked it. Hope you enjoy some of my other videos on the channel.

[@tchin2020]

Great video on zone focusing, and seems to make manual focusing much easier, I would like to venture back into a Leica M camera, I still have my M6, but since digital and automation metering and focusing, taking pictures were were quick. Now after 50 years of shooting, I'm looking to get back into the world of leica. My eyes aren't as good as they were back in the day, so focusing would be an issue. I currently have the Leica Vario-x and Q, both automatic leica camera which reveal that Leica image. I have been watching many videos on the M10 and would love to pick up one, as my life style will be slowing down to less work and more travel. With zone focusing, having an M10 maybe possible...

[@TheMPhotography]

I am sure it can work. Especially with an M10 and it's fantastic screen or the electronic viewfinder which you can mount on the camera. Will help a lot with precise focusing. For everything else zone focusing is definitely a great help.

[@woopize]

Great video!!! Love the way you explained zone focusing! I have a Leica IIIf wich is getting CLA and the rangefinder ghost image it's super dim but with zone focusing will not be much of a problem! thanks

[@TheMPhotography]

Thanks for watching and your kind words. Happy to hear it helped you.

[@yamanlar1961]

Very inspiring, thank you.

[@MGPINY]

That was amazingly helpful and much appreciated! Vielen vielen dank !

[@TheMPhotography]

Thank you! Danke. Das freut mich zu hören.

[@jimcastaneda]

Thanks for excellent tips

[@rolf_siggaard]

Excellent practical and clear presentation. Many thanks.

[@TheMPhotography]

Thanks for watching and your comment

[@LCM94120]

Hello. Thanks for this, indeed I agree with the fact that going back and forth with the focus tab mixes you up :) I also 'forgot' when shooting that you have to focus on vertical lines otherwise it does not work ... This can be confusing when you start with a rangefinder because of the metering system you need to add on top. But at the end you learn so much more about photography using this awesome camera. Just got a M262, so basicaly like your M-D. I use Voigtlander lenses: their new 28mm f/2.8, the 40mm f/1.4 and the 50mm APO

[@TheMPhotography]

Congratulations on the M262. Wishing you lots of fun shooting with it. Happy to hear you liked the video.

[@eluvieracosta]

This is awesome!!! Thank you ❤️

[@TheMPhotography]

Thank you! Glad you liked it

[@annek.8977]

Amazing Video! You save my life. Thank you so much!

[@TheMPhotography]

Thanks for watching Anne. Glad to hear it was helpful to you.

[@CrueLoaf]

Brilliant. Thank you!

[@TheMPhotography]

Thanks a lot

[@DS-cf1zc]

Nice video, and excellent explanation. Keep it up please. I would like to hear more on your skills and views.

[@TheMPhotography]

Thank you Dave. I will try my best.

[@georgepoulopoulos7217]

Thank you for this excellent explanation

[@TheMPhotography]

Glad you liked it.

[@raspingbird5296]

Thank you this really helps

[@Dmzfotografie]

Very good explanation!

[@mariogpx2990]

I find really hard to nail focus specially on moving subject, I guess need to practice a lot , what an experience to use one of these cameras., I feel I’m learning the process again

[@TrueDrezzer]

Great that you showed how horizontal lines and SLR-style focusing doesn’t work!

[@TheMPhotography]

Thanks Robin.

[@richardsimms251]

Excellent video. Please keep it up. So well done. Canada

[@TheMPhotography]

Thank you so much Richard.

[@travelwithparashrb]

This is how the Leica video is made, amazing video. Definitely considering subscribing. 🔥👍👏

[@TheMPhotography]

Thanks a lot.

[@atroche1978]

Great video! I don't own a Leica, but rather a Canonet QL17, which most of these techniques apply to. I shoot my QL the same way on the street.

[@TheMPhotography]

Thank you Bert! 🙏 Happy you liked the video.

[@andraejulian]

Thank you very much!! I understand alot!!!

[@TheMPhotography]

🙌🏻

[@joemntz]

Great video! Thanks for the help

[@TheMPhotography]

Thank you! Happy to hear it helped you.

[@aboutphotography]

Great video! 😊

[@michaelsinger5283]

very clear, thanks

[@user-kp6vj7fj2f]

Thank you so much!!!

[@chepo1956]

Hello. I subscribed to your channel. I don't own a rangefinder camera yet, but I really enjoyed your explanation. Rangefinder cameras have always intrigued me and this is one of the best explanations on focusing I've seen. Could you show in a future video on how you meter with a rangefinder camera? That would be very informative for me. Thanks again for a very nicely done video.

[@TheMPhotography]

Thank you Jose. Happy to hear. 🙏 I did not plan a video on light metering yet but I might consider it. I added the topic to my list of future videos.

[@tedmann1802]

I did enjoy it, and found it useful....

[@TheMPhotography]

Thanks for watching. Glad you enjoyed it!

[@patkeen8668]

Nicely done. thank you.

[@TheMPhotography]

Thanks Pat!

[@francisschweitzer8431]

A rather comprehensive video. Thank you. I may be a new Leica owner. I am thinking about getting a M10 Mono.

[@TheMPhotography]

Thanks for watching Francis. Sweet, a M10 Mono. Nice choice.

[@GAUROCH2]

...good choice! I love mine (old 246 monochrom)!

[@another8470]

Apart from being an excellent and informative video, you have three things that set you apart in a positive way from the miscellany of other KZbin videos: 1. You don't start with 'Hey, what's up!!!', (though it would be good to hear how it sounds in your accent). 2. It was not fast talking, making it too hard to take it in without constant 'backspacing'. 3. There was no cutting at the end of an utterance in order to sound zany or cut down the video time down. Thank you for your video.

[@TheMPhotography]

Thanks a lot. Happy to hear.

[@zambam3]

Wow, that was a great video! I don't have a Leica at the moment, but in the near future I will get one. You broke this down well, I found it relatively easy to understand. Thanks, Rob.

[@TheMPhotography]

Thanks for watching the video even though you don't have yet. Glad you liked it.

[@zambam3]

@@TheMPhotography I was hoping to get an M8. Not cheap, but prices are reasonable.

[@TheMPhotography]

@@zambam3 great camera. Nice!

[@zambam3]

@@TheMPhotography Yeah, Leica seems to make a lot of nice cameras, but I am fairly new to this, so I can't see spending $6000 on a camera. From what I've seen, the M8 makes decent photos and won't kill my bank account...

[@TheMPhotography]

@@zambam3 absolutely. The M8 is fantastic. You will enjoy it.

[@margieking1199]

Enjoyed the video. Thank you.

[@TheMPhotography]

Thanks for watching! Happy to hear that you enjoyed it.

[@Nkduy11]

Extremely good 🎉

[@Geothermal_Escapism]

Very well done! Thinking about diving into the Leica ecosystem and I suppose I best learn how it all works before I go too crazy with it haha.

[@TheMPhotography]

Haha. Enjoy the journey in case you decide to dive into the Leica ecosystem

[@48706099]

Very cool video! Thanks!

[@TheMPhotography]

Thank you.

[@sandeepchoudhary]

Loved and subscribed.

[@TheMPhotography]

Thanks a lot Sandeep 🙏 appreciate it. Glad you liked the video.

[@luisjuanoreta753]

excellent video! very clear and interesting..

[@TheMPhotography]

Thank you!

[@stefanol9272]

Thank you this is Really good video explaining about zone photography. I would if you could make a video about auto Iso in manual mode for street photography

[@atatexan]

Black cat photography Yes, very good question!

[@kostasbatzanis9896]

Excellent!

[@jesslin5309]

Hi. You explained them at the level I can easily understand.. can you also cover topics on finder issues when using a wider or longer focal length than the camera finder can cover? I am new with Leica camera and my first one is M246. Thank you.

[@TheMPhotography]

Thanks for watching! Congratulations on your M246. A very nice camera. I don't have lenses that are wider/longer than my finder can cover to have enough experience on this topic to be able to talk about it. I can imagine what issues might arise but that would not be enough for a video. I am sorry. I would not exclude such a topic in the future but I don't have this topic in my current pipeline of videos to come.

[@Ad-eq3cu]

Thanks Marcus, nice video, you explained everything very well. Another useful tip for the first method is to usually keep the focus at infinity, so when you start focusing you always move in the same direction so no need to lose time thinking in which direction to move. Thanks again, and I always enjoy the images you add at the end, keep adding them please.

[@TheMPhotography]

Good point to always start from infinity to only turn in one direction. Especially for beginners. Also happy to hear that you enjoy the images at the end. Appreciate it and thank you 🙏

[@benjaminheimmerer3004]

Sali Markus hier ist Benjamin. Bin über Dich gestossen, als ich für meine neue M6 Tipps gesucht habe. Komplett unerfahren in Rangefinder und deren Funktion bin ich auf der Suche nach Fokus etc. gewesen. Dann kam Dein Video zum Vorschein. Dachte mir den Akzent kenne ich doch irgendwoher, anschliesend habe ich unter “About” herausgefunden, dass Du in Zürich lebst, ich auch. Fand ich ganz witzig. Eventuell kann man sich ja mal treffen. Wie gesagt bin ganz neu was M angeht, und jetzt mit einer Traumkamera, die zuhause wartet ausgepackt zu werden. Das passiert morgen. Wollte eigentlich nur einmal Danke fürs Video sagen. LG Benji

[@TheMPhotography]

Hoi Benji. Cooler Zufall. Man kann machen was man will, den Akzent kriegt man nicht los 😊 freut mich dich kennenzulernen und gratuliere zu deiner M6. Gerne können wir uns mal treffen. Schreib mir doch eine E-Mail. LG

[@JayFarrellphotography615]

Thank you, this is highly informative for people like me considering the system. So it uses split image and / or focus peaking?

[@TheMPhotography]

There is no focus peaking in the viewfinder. Only in live view on the screen.

[@m8kyn]

Really helpful explanation

[@TheMPhotography]

Thank you!

[@dhirajshetty483]

very good video !

[@darkmaru]

Thank you for the informative video! Could i ask what camera strap you are using? it looks really nice

[@TheMPhotography]

It's a camera strap I bought at the Leica store here in Zürich 8 years ago. They don't sell it anymore and I don't remember the brand.

[@benghareeb5422]

Really one of the most simple explained how to focus range finder , even for a beginner can understand 👍 thank you for making this video . What lens do you recommend from like a lineup for Travel to pair with MP body ?

[@TheMPhotography]

Thanks Ben. Glad to hear that you liked the video and it helped. I would say the best Allrounder is the 35mm Summicron. Versatile focal length and low weight compared to a Summilux. Alternatively the 28mm.

[@benghareeb5422]

I have an option between these two ? Leica 50mm Summilux-M f/1.4 asph Black chrome or Noctilux M50 f1.2 asph black What do you think specially I’m used to shooting 35 m

[@TheMPhotography]

Summilux for traditionally good modern photos. Noctu if you want a more dreamy look. The f1.2 also has a vintage feel to the photos

[@tomofbasel]

Danke!

[@mp3311]

Thanks so much for the info! I have just bought a minolta rangefinder and I find that sometimes the vertical lines don't overlap no matter how I move the focus ring. What can I do in cases like this one?

[@TheMPhotography]

Thanks for watching. Unfortunately I am not familiar with Minolta rangefinders. I am sorry.

[@TheNinjek]

thank you for this video :)

[@TheMPhotography]

Thanks for watching!

[@atulatulatul1]

Beautifully explained.. 👍 I own a Fuji Xpro1, could you please throw some light about nailing focus with manual lenses... Greetings from India ❤️

[@TheMPhotography]

I would go for focus peaking mode on the Fuji with manual lenses.

[@GAUROCH2]

...I do not understand what is the problem with "hunting" focus back and forth...sometimes I nail it imediately...sometimes I have to re-check with more one or two twists... Theoretically, Leica advises to start focus from infinity... Concerning the vertical lines, often you don't have them in your view...just turn the camera to vertical position, focus on the horizontal lines and reposition the camera in the horizontal position... Thanks, anyway, for the time and effort you put into this video!