Finder for 21mm

[okram]

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does anybody have suggestions about finders for 21mm (M8).

leica 21-24-28 looks too big, somewhat not ... (lovely and expensive).

I saw some pictures here with some other finders...

How good they are, comp.to leica`s?

 

Some pictures of it, maybe?

 

Thanks

[marknorton]

The 21-24-28 finder is positively svelt compared to the "universal" finder which provides 16mm and 18mm in addition. Alternatively, you can look for a dedicated 28mm finder when using the 21mm on the M8.

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[okram]

Thats what I mean.

Oh yes universal is BIG

Dedicated? You mean, when I order elm. 21/2.8 at Leica, I can ask for a dedicated finder?

Or I have to use 21/24/28...

[okram]

Oh yes,

what was the one that Mike Prevette uses, I saw it on a thread about self coding..?

Something like that looks more compact, and sturdy.

[mike prevette]

I use a 21/28 finder that comes with the Ricoh GRd wide angle adapter (model# gv-1). It works out great for my ZM21, and my CV15. The framelines match perfectly. I was a little worried because of the aspect ratio the GRd shoots, but it seems to work well.

 

It's very well built and is similar to the CV finder the 15 comes with. The only issue is that the shoe foot is offset, so the finder hangs over the shutter dial a little bit. This isn't a big deal on my M8, but on my non ttl M6 it covers a huge amount of the speed dial. It flairs a little as well, but not everything is perfect, and it was the right price (sitting on my desk next to my dead GRd)

 

_mike.

[J_Brittenson]

I use a CV 28mm metal finder (the round metal one) with my CV 21 and ZM 21 lenses. Works great, nice finder. Not so cheap though.

[Woody Campbell]

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The 28mm Leica slooz. I've got one in silver and it's terrific. (Mine is silver.)

 

See for example

eBay: LEICA (LEITZ WETZLAR) 28MM BLACK VIEWFINDER-SLOOZ (item 250073252470 end time Jan-23-07 18:00:00 PST)

 

Another good alternative is Ricoh GV-1 (for the GRD). It has framelines for 21 (16 for the M8) and 28 (21 for the M8). See

 

http://www.adorama.com/IRCGV1.html

 

I also have the Ricoh finder, which I use with my CV 16mm.

 

Both finders are excellent in terms of lack of distortion. The GV-1 has a plastic body and is slightly larger, and is offset to the right of the shoe, which on the M8 partially obscures the shutter speed dial. The Leica 28 finder has less "negative magnification" than the Ricoh and is probably usable by eyeglass wearers.

[ho_co]

At one time, Leica offered very bright, metal-housed individual finders for the 21mm and 28mm lenses. They were subject to optical damage when dinged, and were replaced by slightly larger versions that I think were the same optics but in a thicker, more protective, very solid plastic housing. Leica introduced a version of the same design for the 24mm lens as well. I don't know whether those single-focal-length finders are still available, but IMHO they are better optically and mechanically than the 21-24-28 finder, which I can't use with glasses due to its low eye-relief.

 

I'm sure they can be found used.

 

--HC

[reven]

I use no finder at all and I think you don't need one. Even with the 16-18-21 I wouldn't use a finder ... why ? The finder is not really accurate and I can nearly see everything in the normal finder.

[grober]

Checkout the Zeiss 24/28 auxiliary viewfinder.

 

-g

[Eoin]

I agree with Raven, using the normal visible area while looking normaly within the viewfinder is about as accurate as using any of the dedicated frame lines with the corresponding lenses. I'll qualify that by saying "for my eyesight". Lenses seem to have a little wider field of view than the M8's frames suggest.

[Latecomer]

On the M8 the 21mm lenses gives the view equivalent to the 28 on a 35 mm camera. Doesn't this mean you need a 28mm aux, viewfinder? That's what Stephen Gandy recommends on CameraQuest.

 

Have I got this right?

[BerndReini]

I already posted this warning on the international forum, and I would like to do so again here. Do not buy the Leica 21-24-28 finder without trying it out first. I recently bought a Zeiss Biogon 21mm from Tony Rose and with it this universal Leica finder. After testing it out on an M8 for three days, I realized that I could not even roughly replicate the same frame twice. Fortunately, Tony let me return the Leica finder, and I went with the 21mm Zeiss finder for my MP instead. Yes, the Zeiss finder is pricey, but boy is it beautyful. The world looks better looking through it. That's the only way I can describe my experience with this finder. It is so clear and well corrected that I am considering buying a 28mm finder to use the 21mm lens on the M8, although my plan was to just shoot with this lens without a finder on the M8.

[sean_reid]

I use a CV 28mm metal finder (the round metal one) with my CV 21 and ZM 21 lenses. Works great, nice finder. Not so cheap though.

 

I'd recommend either that or one of the other CV finders. The Zeiss 25/28 finder is lovely as well. With either of these finders, one can frame outside the framelines and, with practice, get to know the true picture edges quite well.

 

Cheers,

 

Sean

[pelikan1931]

i have both the zeiss 25/28 finder and the cosina (metal) 28 finder, the zeiss is brighter, larger view (ie bigger not reduced view). Both are made of metal, the zeiss reminds me of those classic leitz viewfinder, it looks pretty close to the old leitz 35mm viewfinder.

 

the zeiss has the brighester view, brighter than cosina, and brighter than the Leica M viewfinder by a wide margin. the zeiss ikon also has a big and super bright viewfinder, just hope zeiss will release a digital RF soon.

[okram]

Thank you all.

Mr Mancuso suggested to use 1.25 magnifier and an external wf, with what I agree to be something for me.

I also think Zeiss WF looks the best, and its half the price of Leica.

(I just cant determine its size on their site, compared to others...and the body)

 

It is also very possible I will take ZM 21/2.8, since it seems that somewhat even beats elmarit.(corners sharper, more vignetting, though - it seems it is allways a choice for lens ingenieurs beetween the two...i noticed it also at some other lenses...) and it is almost a third of a price.

I red today 24/25 test on Sean`s site, and It would be nice to see 21s also tested...

Erwins test is little too technical, though good.

[pelikan1931]

also just finished reading Sean's review, nice work!

 

it seems the biogon 25 is the sharpest of the three, and also flares least, impressive considering the costs and also that biogon is non asph design.

[Guest guy_mancuso]

Thank you all.

Mr Mancuso suggested to use 1.25 magnifier and an external wf, with what I agree to be something for me.

I also think Zeiss WF looks the best, and its half the price of Leica.

(I just cant determine its size on their site, compared to others...and the body)

 

It is also very possible I will take ZM 21/2.8, since it seems that somewhat even beats elmarit.(corners sharper, more vignetting, though - it seems it is allways a choice for lens ingenieurs beetween the two...i noticed it also at some other lenses...) and it is almost a third of a price.

I red today 24/25 test on Sean`s site, and It would be nice to see 21s also tested...

Erwins test is little too technical, though good.

 

Thanks Marko . I use the Voightlander 28mm finder for my Leica 21mm and works very nice about 130 dollars I believe