4x5 viewfinder rangefinder

[steve barry]

Are there any 4x5 cameras that combine a rangefinder in a viewfinder or are they all separate?

[vinny]

converted polaroid 110b's, etc.

[steve barry]

thats it though right?

[Bill_1856]

Busch Pressman with the Bolex viewfinder/rangerfinder.

[Bob Salomon]

While not one window the Wista RF has the rangefinder and viewfinder windows positioned next to each other.

There was, for a very short period of time, a coupled electronic rangefinder/viewfinder made by Linhof for the Master Technika 2000. It could be coupled via a computer (no cams involved) for up to 10 lenses from 90 to 300mm and had frames for all formats from 6x6 to 4x5 + Polaroid. It focused via an IR beam system. This system was called the Linhof EMS and was introduced in 1994 and was discontinued a year or so later. Unfortunately it had some problems that resulted in its being withdrawn from the market. For instance it could not focus on a herringbone pattern and a picket fence could also give false readings. Also lenses longer then 210mm were a problem to focus at infinity or near infinity.
Of course, like the Linhof Multifocus Finder, it corrected automatically for parralax as well as for frame size as you focused closer. The finder display also read out distances and indicated the required direction to focus the lens to be in focus. It also read out format size and lens focal length in an LCD panel on top of the camera.

[steve barry]

Hey Bill, this one?:

http://lommen9.home.xs4all.nl/Busch/page4.html

[steve barry]

Hey Bob, thanks. I looked at the Wista RF...and at first thought they were combined. Bummer.

The Linhof EMS sounds interesting.

Is there a reason none of these 4x5's with a rangefinder incorporate it into the viewfinder?

[Bob Salomon]

Since the Linhof Technika was designed originally well before I was born, and I am 72, I wouldn't know their reasoning.

The RF is as close as you will get though since a Polaroid 110, or the other models are not a 45 camera.

[Bill_1856]

Hey Bill, this one?:

http://lommen9.home.xs4all.nl/Busch/page4.html

Yes, that's the one.
The Busch has actually become my preferred 4x5, although I have several others including TRF Crown and a Techinka. PM me if you want more info.

[lbenac]

Chamonix Saber a little bit different than Alpenhaus or Razzle.