Brightline finders M21 M24

[sbsatv]

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Hello, I am new to the forum and Leica in general.

 

I am thinking about purchases an external finder to suit the 24mm 2.8.

 

I have read that some people prefer the M21 finder for use with the 24mm rather than the M24, and that optically the finders are the same.

 

Is this true, what are the differences between the M21 and M24, and what are peoples opinions as to which one to get?

 

Thank you.

[adan]

I think the statement that the 21 and 24 finder are optically the same is correct, but can't confirm it for certain. They certainly seem to have the same magnification (in the old plastic-cased ones) - but the silver frameline is simply slightly smaller in the 24 version. The silver line is really just a silver pattern coated on the back of the fiinder eyepiece, so it is trivially easy to change its size (use a smaller stencil) without having to mess with the finder optics.

 

As with all Leica finders, even the built-in framelines, Leica is conservative in making sure that everything that appears within the finder will be included in the final photograph. This means that extra stuff is also included in the final photograph at longer focus distances.

 

If the photographer is using a workflow that uses every part of the captured image - black-border printing for film, or a digital image (I.E. nothing gets cut off by a slide mount or by the photo lab's printing) - or mostly shoots at distances > 2 meters - they might well find that the 21 finder is more accurate in framing for the 24 lens in their final images.

 

I have an 18mm SE on order, and will try it with my 21 viewfinder on an M8 (where 18mm = "24mm"). it will be cool if it works reliably.

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