ho_co Posted September 15, 2006 Share #1 Posted September 15, 2006 Advertisement (gone after registration) Has anyone figured out the universal finder? Pics at Reid Reviews show two indices. Does it have a pair of frame lines for each setting where digital and analog overlap? Does knob turn beyond the end of the digital frame index, now showing only the outer frame, for film users? Leica tech sheet says "Frames ... are mirrored in separately," so apparently the lower index is set to the actual focal lengh with film, but to the EFL with digital (and the higher index is simply a guide)? Any thoughts? Thanks! --HC Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted September 15, 2006 Posted September 15, 2006 Hi ho_co, Take a look here Universal finder--tell me more?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
marknorton Posted September 15, 2006 Share #2 Posted September 15, 2006 HC, I'm as mystified about it as you are. Good news is that the body is black anodised aluminium and the optics include ASPH and APD glass so the image quality should be good. Seems clear how it will work on a film camera - 5 focal lengths supported, but I'd feel a bit short-changed if it only supported 3 focal lengths on the M8. My view is that you should select 16 on the lens and dial in 16 on the finder whichever body it's mounted on. I've seen the double index too and can see they are two focal lengths apart so maybe that is the way it works. Just grates a little to spend $700 on this thing and have two settings reserved for film users only! Oh, and couldn't they have made it look a little better? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
grober Posted September 15, 2006 Share #3 Posted September 15, 2006 This new universal finder seems manatory for those who plan to purchase the new Tri-Elmar but, absent that specific lens, I wouldn't want this HUGE accessory clutttering up the top of my M8. (The Tri-Elmars are too slow anyway, IMHO.) -g Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ho_co Posted September 15, 2006 Author Share #4 Posted September 15, 2006 My view is that you should select 16 on the lens and dial in 16 on the finder whichever body it's mounted on. I agree. Maybe having the second index is there to remind the user what to do since he can't do that? Certainly does seem less direct than Leica usually is. Concerning the idea of $700 and some frames usable only with film: maybe try to think of it as lagniappe? ("lagniappe" = New Orleans / Cajun term for 'something extra thrown in for free') --HC Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marknorton Posted September 15, 2006 Share #5 Posted September 15, 2006 This new universal finder seems manatory for those who plan to purchase the new Tri-Elmar but, absent that specific lens, I wouldn't want this HUGE accessory clutttering up the top of my M8. (The Tri-Elmars are too slow anyway, IMHO.) -g Sure the Tri-Elmars are slower, but in the context of the minimum ISO of 160, they're still fast enough to be worthwhile. Pack an M8 with the two Tri-Elmars and maybe the 75mm APO Summicron and you have a fabulous travel kit, all the way from 21mm equivalent FoV up to 100mm. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marknorton Posted September 15, 2006 Share #6 Posted September 15, 2006 From Leica's description, it does look like M8 users have to make the adjustment for this old film stuff when setting the focal length. IMHO, they should provide alternative labels to mark the top of the finder appropriately. It's bad enough to have to put the ugliest Leica product ever on the top of your camera without being constantly reminded that your camera is not FF... Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sean_reid Posted September 16, 2006 Share #7 Posted September 16, 2006 Advertisement (gone after registration) One sets the finder to the EFOV (effective field of view) of a given lens on a given body. So, with a 16 on an M8, one sets the finder to 21 whereas one would use the same setting for an actual 21 on an M7. The double lines are reminders that a 16 on the M8 will be cropped to a 21, etc. I don't mind the design at all (in person). It just looks clunky and old-fashioned which is actually delightful. It's quite easy to use, actually. The other knob is a distance/parallax adjustment. Cheers, Sean Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marknorton Posted September 16, 2006 Share #8 Posted September 16, 2006 Perhaps it will look better in the metal. It will certainly come to bits in my hands to see if it can be modified to allow the correct frame to be displayed when you dial in a focal length. Another odd thing is that it talks about an illuminated spirit level. Wondering if it takes power from the hot shoe? Also, does anyone know if the LCD frame counter is backlit or do you have to squint at it in the dark. The same light level sensor which controls the brightness of the LEDs in the viewfinder could have been used to switch on a backlight when it gets dark (and you "arm" the light meter). It is a clunker though... Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ho_co Posted September 20, 2006 Author Share #9 Posted September 20, 2006 "ugliest product Leica makes" ... "it is a clunker, though" ... etc Perhaps there's an aftermarket here for 'skins' as for the iPod? Bright red, emerald green, sky blue? The mind boggles! --HC Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marknorton Posted September 20, 2006 Share #10 Posted September 20, 2006 Yeah, I'd go for leopard skin myself... Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gravastar Posted September 20, 2006 Share #11 Posted September 20, 2006 <snip>Another odd thing is that it talks about an illuminated spirit level. Wondering if it takes power from the hot shoe? <snip> It looks as if there's a yellowish colored window on top near the eyepiece to illuminate the level. Bob. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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