How does a rangefinder work?

Question

They're so darned expensive, and I saw pics that they took and they were amazing!

What exactly makes it so expensive, and what does it do?

Answer 1

You were probably looking at Leicas.  Fine German engineering, excellent optics, sturdy build and limited production is what makes them expensive.  They are beautiful cameras!

http://us.leica-camera.com/home/

Answer 2

The first link will tell you think difference very nicely. They have various pros and cons versus SLR types.

They take great photos because of the lenses. Everyone today only talks about megapixels and zoom capability, but it's the lenses that make the photo. All the lenses are fixed focal length as zoom lenses don't work with the rangefinder mechanics. (zoom lenses also give up sharpness and speed)

The expense is likely in the camera you are looking at. Leica has been the premier maker of rangefinder cameras since they made the first popular hand held camera back in the 1920s. Their lenses are superb quality, and their cameras are built to last years and years and years. (Germans, what do you expect)

Most rangefinders are higher quality because of the time period and the market at the time. Until the 1960s, many cameras were higher quality and all the high quality ones were rangefinders.

Nikon and Canon (who both made rangefinders at one point) decided to focus on SLR and all of the other Japanese companies followed. Soon to follow were the easy-to-use point and shoot types. The only company left making rangefinders, was the best one, Leica. However, Leicas are expensive, and they were left with a nitche market of advanced amateurs and some professionals.

Recently, a Japanese company bet they could tap into and expand the nitche market for advanced amateurs. They licensed a defunct German company's brand, and started making mid-priced rangefinders (see second link).

While I own a Pentax SLR and used it for years, I recently picked up one of the Voigtlanders and have been very happy with it. My pictures are sharper now as well. (see third link) One day I'll get a Leica, but I'm comfortable for now.