maxspbr Posted November 29, 2007 Share #1 Posted November 29, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hello all. To use with my "new" Elmar 9cm, I bought a Imarect Universal viewfinder (SVOOH, I think). The comments about it in the net aren't very good - but I'm loving to use it! The serial number is 33171. Is possible to know the year of production? Thanks in advance, Martin Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted November 29, 2007 Posted November 29, 2007 Hi maxspbr, Take a look here SVOOH - year of production?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
doubice Posted November 29, 2007 Share #2 Posted November 29, 2007 Hello all. To use with my "new" Elmar 9cm, I bought a Imarect Universal viewfinder (SVOOH, I think). The comments about it in the net aren't very good - but I'm loving to use it! The serial number is 33171. Is possible to know the year of production? Thanks in advance, Martin Hello Martin, I don't believe there are records of the Universal Finder's serial numbers. Yours, being number 33171 was probably made during the early 1950's. The correct code is VIOOH. I don't know what negative comments you read on the net - the finder was very precise for its days. Many manufacturers copied it - Canon, Nikon and many other independent Japanese accessory makers. Surely, there are better multi finders - Canon Zoom finders probably being the best ones. If you are planning to use only the 90mm Elmar, you may also consider the Leica 90mm bright line finder SGVOO (12025). Another great finder still available new is the one from Cosina/Voigtländer - also a bright line finder. Best, Jan Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted November 29, 2007 Share #3 Posted November 29, 2007 The "Imarect" better known as VIOOH (and 12000 W in last years, I seem) was produced for 14 or 15 years about '50-'64) ; numbers/year are not publicized fwiw, but saw items in the 75.000 range... and no item with 4 digits...yours could be of the first years ; it has many variants and so is an interesting collectible, but, as you correctly point, is anyway fine to use, even if of course for 90-only use smallest solutions exist. Just as curios : does yours have also the 8,5 cm index ? If you like to use it... find also its TUVOO ! (accessory-of-the-accessory... great years for Leitz....): it's the screw-in addon to use it for 28mm framing : with it mounted on, the item becomes REALLY a little too big... but with a very elegant shape... Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! (photo courtesy of B+H) Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! (photo courtesy of B+H) ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/39128-svooh-year-of-production/?do=findComment&comment=414976'>More sharing options...
maxspbr Posted December 3, 2007 Author Share #4 Posted December 3, 2007 Thanks for the answers! I bought this for two reasons: after so many years just with the 50mm lens, I want to start with others - now I'm planning to buy the 35mm Elmar and the Hektor 135. I know the other finders, but they are very scarce here in Brazil - and the price is very high! I paid around US$100,00 for the Elmar 90mm, and I refuse to pay more for a viewfinder than for a lens... Jan, The bad comments about the Imarect are because the field of view varies, not the image size. I didn't dislike this, specially because I usually take pictures in the 1-20m range. And most in 1-10m. And after a little practice, is possible to operate very quickly! Luigi, I readed about the TUVOO (Leica Manual), but never saw one "in person". It's one of those acessories very difficult to find here! But when I see one, I'll get it. My Imarect has the 85mm marking. In fact, together was a Summarex. I took a good look in it, because your comments about. Just a marvelous lens - unhappy US$3.000,00 is too high for me, now! Regards, Martin Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jc_braconi Posted December 3, 2007 Share #5 Posted December 3, 2007 ) numbers/year are not publicized fwiw, but saw items in the 75.000 range... and no item with 4 digits...yours could be of the first years ; Hi Luigi, I have one VIOOH numbered 3680 and one near 100 000 (99058) ! Cheers JC Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/39128-svooh-year-of-production/?do=findComment&comment=418442'>More sharing options...
Dr. No Posted December 3, 2007 Share #6 Posted December 3, 2007 The "Imarect" better known as VIOOH (and 12000 W in last years, I seem) was produced for 14 or 15 years about '50-'64) There must have been a production already before WWII!? I remember seen an ad from '47. OLAF Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
doubice Posted December 4, 2007 Share #7 Posted December 4, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) There must have been a production already before WWII!?I remember seen an ad from '47. OLAF The VIOOH was originally introduced in 1939, having replaced the VIDOM universal finder. The main difference between the two (apart from their shape) was that the VIOOH had extra prisms which made the viewed image both upright and right way round, which was not the case with the VIDOM. There were many variations of the VIOOH; the early ones are called 'Lyre shaped' or 'Pinched', due to their shape. All later VIOOH finders had straight sides, like the one the OP has purchased. The Universal Finder was also made in the US by Leitz New York - this was during the later part of WWII, when German goods were obviously unobtainable in the US. It had a different, more round shape and was called an 'Imarect Finder', code name IMFIN. The name 'Imarect' stuck and was used even for the Leitz Wetzlar VIOOH during the late 1940's and 1950's, when it was readily available in the US. There definitely were very low serial number finders - I have no. 4727 (Lyre shaped) and an identically looking one without a serial number anywhere on its body. Best, Jan Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. No Posted December 4, 2007 Share #8 Posted December 4, 2007 mine has the # 45991 and straight sides, it should be out of the 50s!? I like it very much. OLAF Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. No Posted December 4, 2007 Share #9 Posted December 4, 2007 mine has the # 45991 and straight sides, it should be out of the 50s!?I like it very much. OLAF By the way you can see it on the profile picture to the left:D Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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