Making photographs with the M8

[jelderfield]

So, I just purchased the Voigtander 28mm external finder from Photo Village so that I can use my CV 21mm F4 lens (now effectively at 28mm).

I find it really ironic that this third party accessory now provides me with the most accurate view for any of the 4 lenses that I own for use on the M8.

As well as the CV21mm, I have the Leica 28mmF2, 35mmF2, and 50mmF2.

But in all cases the frame lines that correspond with those focal lengths really do not match what the lens captures on the sensor.

I know that this is ground that has been well covered - however I now feel that I will be doing most of my daylight photography with this CV lens. I always used 35mm as my first choice on the film bodies with 28mm second. Now I will use the 28mm field of view as my primary on the M8 until Leica can come up with a solution to the existing frame lines.

I did have an email correspndence with Leica USA about this and it comes down to yes the frames are set to .7m on the M8 and 2m on the M7 which is what I was used to. I think 2m works better.

And the only solution would be for Leica to make a new mask for the finder. The person I emailed with indicates that this might be possible - but frankly it didn't seem very likely to me from the tone. He did say "never say never"however.

I guess until that day the CV lens will be how I am most reliably making my photographs.

Jonathan
Jonathan Elderfield Photography

[Stieglitz]

Originally Posted by jelderfield

I guess until that day the CV lens will be how I am most reliably making my photographs.

Jonathan
Jonathan Elderfield Photography

Not sure I understand you. You are complaining about the framelines in the Leica viewfinder, like the CV finders, and conclude that you will use CV lenses to solve the issue.

Why not use a CV finder with your wider Leica lenses? If the issue is a finder one, why make it a lens issue?

Personally, despite all the raves about CV lenses here, I do find the 16/4.5 one I tried as inferior to Leica (except of course in the "value" department). But if there is a lens quality difference, solving the finder issue with a different lens seems to me to be throwing out the baby with the bath water.

Or perhaps I've misunderstand you.

[j. borger]

I think you misread what Jonathan stated Michael ..... his complaints are about the inaccuracy of the M8 framelines in the viewfinder (for 28-90mm lenses) compared to the 28mm(CV) external finder he uses with his 21mm CV lens.
I can only agree with him ...... the framelines of the M8 are very inaccurate (almost unacceptable) ......

Besides the pairing of framelines (like the 50/75 combo) is confusing and makes use of both these focal lengths a real pita! I have not used my R-D1 since i picked up the M8 almost a year ago .... but if i could implement one R-D1 feature in the M8 it would be the 1:1 finder and single framelines instead of the duo lines Leica uses in it's cameras!

[jaapv]

You are right about the 50/75, Han, but I do not see how that could be changed without losing system compatability.

[j. borger]

Originally Posted by jaapv

You are right about the 50/75, Han, but I do not see how that could be changed without losing system compatability.

Why the relative large corner cut-outs in the 50mm frame-lines --- which makes it even more confusing to judge where the 50 or 75 frameline are when quickly framing a shot?
And ..... why would other pairings or single framelines mean you lose system-compatability? Just curious....

I realy would not mind selecting single framelines by hand....

[mustafasoleiman]

I think that, besides the accuracy, the framelines pairs should be different.

They now are as follows:

24/35
50/75
28/90

I think a better setup would be:

24/50
28/75
35/90

These pairs are more in tune with the possible combinations of lenses one might use, and they would allow to immediately see what the other lens FOW is.

From this site I reckon that most people are or would use a 28mm with a 75mm, a 35mm with a 90mm and so on.

These pairs would seem to reflect that and allow for a quick FOW check of the alternative lens in the pair.

As an added advantage, the 50 and 75 framelines are not together, so that even the people who do not use these combination of lenses, will have something to cheer at.

[jelderfield]

Yes - to confirm the above - I find the external finder for the 28mm (21mm lens) to be more accurate at showing me what the lens will capture on the sensor than the frame lines in the camera viewfinder. The 28mm external finder is more precise while using the camera frames results in a lot more on the sensor than you think you are going to get from what the lines show. When I shot with the M7, M6 and M4-P I found the frame line to be MUCH more accurate when shooting at typical distances of say 2-8 meters. I just find it ironic that to get a precise frame I need to use an external finder - regardless of the brand of the finder or for that matter the lens. Jonathan Elderfield Photography