Leica 18696 Viewfinder = Panasonic DMV-VF1 Viewfinder?

[John999]

I'm planning to get a D-LUX 4 or Panasonic LX3 with external optical viewfinder. Other than price, is there any difference between the Leica 18696 and Panasonic DMV-VF1 viewfinders?

[Martin Schmidt]

Originally Posted by John999

I'm planning to get a D-LUX 4 or Panasonic LX3 with external optical viewfinder. Other than price, is there any difference between the Leica 18696 and Panasonic DMV-VF1 viewfinders?

Leica and Panasonic are working together for the camera, but the viewfinders are completely self-engineered items. That means: if you buy a Leica-Viewfinder you'll get a 100% Leica engineered and produced viewfinder. Pana has done its own work. So, they are not comparable by slightly modification; more than Porsche vs. Toyota.

[k_g_wolf]

AFAIO the LEICA v/f has a metal >>body<< similar to the older LEITZ- finders.

The PANA v/f is made of plastic.

I would rather prefer dropping the PANA- finder since I ruined several metal- finders in the past. But they feel MUCH better !


Best

[Martin Schmidt]

Originally Posted by k_g_wolf

AFAIO the LEICA v/f has a metal >>body<< similar to the older LEITZ- finders.

The PANA v/f is made of plastic.

I would rather prefer dropping the PANA- finder since I ruined several metal- finders in the past. But they feel MUCH better !


Best

The Leica v/f for D-Lux4 is plastic as well. Only the viewfinder for M will be in metal.

[brucek]

I just received the Voigtlander 25mm finder for my D-Lux 4. Vertically it seems to be very accurate. Horizontally it indicates a wee bit narrower FoV than what is captured, which isn't really a surprise since it isn't a 24mm finder. But I like it so far.

Bruce

[lazaruz]

in the states where are the leica finders available now? i have been looking to no avail

[miami91]

Originally Posted by Martin Schmidt

The Leica v/f for D-Lux4 is plastic as well. Only the viewfinder for M will be in metal.

Keep in mind, the "M" viewfinder is perfectly usable on the D-Lux 4. In fact, in addition to the sturdy brass construction and Made in Germany quality, you also get an extra set of 32mm framelines (framelines for the M8 FOV when using the 24mm Summilux).

I've ordered the brass version for my D-Lux 4 ---- sadly it's still backordered.

Jeff.

[georgio]

I just bought a 24mm M viewfinder second hand, it's coming in on Monday,
the original finder is not expected before mid Dec, here in Europe my dealer said.
So this will do as good, I guess.
Geo

[streetshooter]

I just got the Panny finder and it's a beaut.....

made very nice and lets the flash come up if needed......very clear and bright...

accuracy seem to be about 95%...like an M camera
shooter

[wparsonsgisnet]

My 24 came with a Leica 24 viewfinder (metal, very nice), in a gorgeous leather case of course.

I also have 2 other viewfinders that I bot. These are both Voigtlander. In terms of what I use them for the price is right. No, I repeat No, critical work is done with these finders.

The photog process involves me and my understanding of the camera. Most of the time when I am using a finder, I am also using a monopod. A great deal of this time I am not even looking directly thru the finder.

The Voigtlander finders are highly praised in this forum and elsewhere. Save the bucks for Leica glass in the lens.

'Course, if you're doing architectural stuff, I take it all back.

[brucek]

One thing I just noticed about the Voigtlander 25mm finder is that it prevents the D-Lux 4 flash from extending fully. <sigh> Back it goes... The finder - not the D-Lux 4!!

[jrhustad]

Which 'M' viewfinder did you buy?

[jrhustad]

I talked with Leica the other day. You can buy Leica M 24mm viewfinder or the Leica M 21/24/28 mm viewfinder. The 21/24/28 viewfinder is about the same price as the Leica D-Lux 4 viewfinder. It seems to me that this would be the preference, as you can use it on the M for 3 different focal lengths. Ideas? Thoughts?

[intex]

Is there anyone that has a mini-finder that will work on the D-Lux4, such as the Voitlander 28/35 Mini-Finder?, which is an excellent size for the Dlux4.

Can someone post a pix of the Voigtlander 25 finder atop a DLux-4?

[intex]

Would this Mini 28-35 viewfinder word on the D4? How far off do you think the brightlines would be from the actual picture?

[miami91]

Originally Posted by intex

Would this Mini 28-35 viewfinder word on the D4? How far off do you think the brightlines would be from the actual picture?

What do you mean by "work"? Will it mount? Absolutely. If it mounts to the flash hotshoe on an M, it will mount to the D-Lux 4. I would imagine even the frankenfinder (Leica's universal wide angle viewfinder unit) would work in theory, although its size and bulk would be incredibly unwieldy on a D-Lux 4.

Remember though, that since you can't set the focal length with any precision outside of the two poles (24mm and 60mm), that those are really the only finders that will give you any kind of precision. And since I'm not aware of the existence of a 60mm finder, the 24mm size is the logical candidate. So would a 28-35 work? Well, the framelines will be much tighter than the D-Lux 4 max wide angle, so you'd need to do some trial and error to come up with estimations of where 28 and 35 fall on the focal length range indicator (ie, 35mm might be about 1/3 of the way on the scale), and even then it will be just that --- a rough estimate.

I'd stick to the 24mm. As to the CV 25mm, I'm currently using this, and will be happy to post a photo at the end of the day of what it looks like if no one else beats me to it.

Jeff.

[intex]

miami91, Thanks, I am trying to get as small a viewfinder as possible, that was the whole reason for getting the D-Lux 4 in the first place, and since I have purchased 2 cases already, with any viewfinder attached, I am not sure it will fit, especailly a larger one. Thats why I liked the size of the mini 28-35.

If you were to use the framelines on the mini finder at 28, I guess it would include an area that is smaller than the actual area that the camera would see, if it was set at 24. If this is the case, at least you would be able to compose the important subjects within the framelines, and know that a bit more would be included as well.

I need the viewfinder, as my eyes have trouble seeing the washed out image on the LCD in daylight, plus I am "old school" and like viewfinders.