Optical Rangefinder
Manual Focus Only
It may feel daunting at first
Forget the struggles of trying to instruct an auto-focus system that thinks otherwise.
With Pixii, the photographer is in control of the focus.
It may feel daunting at first. But once you understand its principle, the rangefinder is a very intuitive tool.
Let's dive in
The principle of a rangefinder is simple: it measures the distance between the camera and your subject.
By programming that distance on the graduated ruler of the lens, you define which part of your image will be in focus and which part will not.
This may sound complicated but it all happens at the speed of light, as you align 2 images in the viewfinder.
At the periphery
We have placed a series of indicators at the periphery of the viewfinder. Their position is designed to keep the view of the scene free of distractions.
Take a quick look to verify the framelines. Another glimpse to verify the exposure indicator.
No blinking light? No under-exposure? You are good to go.
Align to focus
Now you want to select which part of the scene to bring into focus. What should be sharp? What will be left into a gradual bokeh?
The rangefinder helps you select the focus point: just let your eye guide your hand.
Move the focus ring on the lens, and as you do, the rangefinder will move the secondary image towards the center of the viewfinder. Move further until the 2 images coincide.
When images match
At that point you have programmed the focus distance, all by yourself.
Just check the distance ruler on the lens and you will get a reading of that distance. It is as simple as that.
Use the lens aperture to reinforce the sharpness. Or loosen it by a few clicks down to extend the bokeh.
Verify the composition with the framelines. Trigger the shutter. The camera reacts with a discrete sound to confirm the image capture.
Interactive viewfinder
For the first time in a rangefinder camera, manage all camera settings without leaving the viewfinder, for a more immersive experience.
Explore the technology.
Pixii's optical viewfinder is built around a high-precision rangefinder. Its patented design merges four optical paths into a single eyepiece:
See how it works.
The viewfinder delivers a clear, bright field of view. High-grade glass substrates and optical coatings keep the image sharp and geometrically true.
Close to the eye, the exit lens merges all four paths into one augmented view of the scene.
The contact wheel follows the lens as it focuses, deflecting the second optical path to form the moving image at the center of the viewfinder.
A high-resolution mechanism converts 4 mm of lens travel into sub-millimeter movements of the rangefinder optics.
Independent LED frame lines are projected into the view, with parallax correction shifting them to match the focus distance.
The view extends beyond the frame, so you see a moving subject before it enters the picture.
The info-screen overlays live indicators — ISO, shutter speed — onto the main optical path, and can present the camera menus for quick adjustments without leaving the viewfinder.
Projected at the periphery, it never intrudes on the scene — and can be simplified, or switched off, for a fully analog experience.