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21mm Viewfinder


terry_sham

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I am comparing the Leica 21/24/28 zoom viewfinder with the Zeiss 21mm viewfinder for Zeiss Ikon. Actually, I am using 21mm, 35mm, 50mm and 90mm lenses so that I only need the 21mm frame. Why I considering Leica zoom is because I like its round shape outlook and the stopper for secure mounting on hot shoe. Anyone has experience with them?

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Terry,

 

I used to own the 21-24-28 finder. Bought it because I thought I would kill three birds with one stone. Well - it it big, clumsy and has no bright lines; I sold it within three months.

 

From what I read, the Zeiss finder is probably the best 21mm finder produced so far. It is quite costly though - if I were you, I would look at the Voigtländer 21mm brightline finder instead. Superb, has bright lines and the price can't be beaten.

 

All the best,

 

Jan

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Terry,

As mentioned the Zeiss VF is supposedly the best one around. If the ~$500 price tag dosen't bother you, get one. I have 21 and 25 finders from Voigtländer and am happy with them. I really like the notch in the center of the bright line (both portrait and landscape mode) where the horizon needs to go. They're at least as bright as my M6's finder. At $128 from Steve at Cameraquest they're a good deal.

 

- Carl

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That viewfinder is described in minute detail in US Patent 6643462 (http://www.uspto.gov).

 

My nightmare is that I will have to use one of these with the M8 and the 21mm Elmarit if the viewfinder doesn't go wider than 28mm (37mm equivalent fov). I find the whole idea of having to meter/focus through one eye-piece and frame through another a real negative.

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I find the whole idea of having to meter/focus through one eye-piece and frame through another a real negative.

 

Most of the time with the 21mm I find myself scale focusing and setting the aperture to be the depth of field I require.

The in camera RF/VF is used very infrequently - perhaps only for group shots indoors.

 

The Zeiss VF is superb - it's in the same league as the SBOOI : clear, sharp and has low distortion - way better than the old plastic Leica one.

I've never used the new zoom one so I can compare it to that.

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Big, Clunky, and not better for framing than a CV one without brightlines.

 

You are never sure where the edge of the frame is and it varies with the position of your eye.

 

The zoom feature and foot clamp are it`s two best assets. I bought one for use with a 25 mm Cv lens and it is no better than the free CV finder that comes with the lens.

 

Get an old metal Leica finder that has some barrel distortion, but a solid foot, or the new Zeiss, or go cheap with a BL Cosina Voigtlander one.

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The CV 21mm viewfinder which I use is in my view superb, VERY bright, clearly visible frame (and accurate, too!), the ZEISS may be a fraction better (never had one in my hands though), but the price is more than a fraction higher, so for me it was a nobrainer...

 

Cheers,

 

Andy

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In general Leica seem to do a very poor job with viewfinders. I recently bought a 24mm ASPH and the viewfinder that came with it is horrible; like looking down a tunnel. I bought a CV 25mm finder and the difference is like night and day.

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Peter,

 

that's what I did, except that I did not buy the Leica 24mm finder in the first place :)

 

But you are correct, the CV viewfinders are really good. I also have a 28mm CV finder (the metal version), and that one is a gem.

 

Andy

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I have the VC 21mm finder, and have looked at the Zeiss finder.

 

The VC finder is a very good finder. It has a bit of distortion, and some of the bright lines flare out occasionally. The case and foot are plastic---this has been a problem for at least some folks.

 

One side of mine crumbled when removing the finder on a subzero (farenheit) day---it appears it was cheaply "springloaded" by a cutout in the foot itself that substantially weakens one side of it. Replacement feet are hard to come by (I couldn't find one when mine broke, but I've heard that Steve Gandy, after many requests, was able to obtain some recently).

 

Anyhow, I machined a new foot from aluminum that works fine, but wouldn't buy another VC finder that had a plastic foot.

 

The Zeiss finder is beautiful. Bright, clear, and no noticable distortion. It is clearly optically superior to the very nice VC finder. It also appears far more durable, with a strong metal case and foot.

 

If I decide to replace the VC finder someday, it will be with the Zeiss. For my needs, it would be worth three VC finders.

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Peter,

 

that's what I did, except that I did not buy the Leica 24mm finder in the first place :)

 

Andy

LOL Andy, I didn't have a choice. The VF was sold with the lens in a package - it was "thrown in" to make up for the fact that the lens focusing ring had flaking paint. So after selling the Leica VF the deal was comparatively inexpensive. FWIW Rich Pinto at Photo Village is still selling new CV 25mm finders for US $70. No connection, etc.
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  • 9 years later...

21/24/28 finder should be embarrassed to have the Leica name.

 

I can not see the 24 edges even without glasses.  It needs to be set to 22.5 mm for it to be accurate at 75 feet.  So you dodge your face around trying to see left and right edge and then the camera is moved.

 

The locking foot is the best & only good feature.

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  • 4 weeks later...

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