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21/24/28 viewfinder for 21 and 28 mm ?


cirke

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Hello

 

I do not understand the difference between the Leica 21/24/28 viewfinder and the viewfinders 24mm and 21mm

especially since the 21/24/28 costs 200 Euro less than others 2 models for one focal only

 

additionally there is a Universal Wind Angle Finder for 16/18/21mm

 

What is the difference?

 

I currently have an M 2.8/28 Asph Elmarit and I want to buy a Super Elmar M f: 3.4 / 21 asph, is the viewfinder 21/24/28 ok for both ?

or do I need the Universal Wind Angle Finder ?

 

thank you

Edited by erick
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Can I refer you to this page, and my post #66 where I comment on a number of viewfinders for 21mm, including the Vario 21-24-28.

 

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/customer-forum/168679-21mm-viewfinder-leica-zeiss-4.html

 

The Vario is relatively large and there is quite marked distortion. If you want to use a VF for 21 & 28 I'd recommend a 21mm Leica (which gives you 21mm & 28mm framelines) for the reasons mentioned in the post.

Unfortunately it is not cheap!

 

Mark

Edited by MarkP
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I can understand the objections against the 21-24-28, as it has no framelines (wysiwyg) and does distort. On the other hand it is relatively compact compared to the Frankenfinder, quite bright and does not distort more than the Voigtlander ones, which many people are quite happy with.

I've put a couple of Zeiss finders beside for size comparison.

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the WATE finder is this one ? The Leica Wide Angle Tri-Elmar (WATE) Lens Review | STEVE HUFF PHOTOS

it will work for M 2.8/28 Asph Elmarit and Super Elmar M f: 3.4 / 21 asph ?

 

thank you

 

It's here Leica Camera AG - Photography - LEICA UNIVERSAL WIDE-ANGLE VIEWFINDER M - but it's not designed for 28 as this frameline is covered with the M9. 28 is given if you're working with the M8.

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[The Universal-Weitwinkelsucher M a. k. a. 'Frankenfinder' is] not designed for 28 as this frameline is covered with the M9. 28 is given if you're working with the M8.

Sure it's designed for use with a 28 mm lens on the M9 (or on any film M camera). With both the 'Frankenfinder' and the 21/24/28 finder you're having, at your convenience, the options to use either the camera's viewfinder's built-in 28 mm framelines or the accessory finder's 28 mm frame when using a 28 mm lens on a 35-mm-format M camera (or a 21 mm lens on the M8). Framing a 28 mm lens using an accessory finder is more comfortable because the framelines are easier to see and show more field-of-view outside the frame. On the other hand, you'll need to switch eyepieces for focusing and framing. So for some situations the one option is better; for others the other.

 

I am aware of three modern multi-frame accessory finders for Leica M cameras: the Leica 21/24/28 mm finder, the Leica Universal-Weitwinkelsucher M ('Frankenfinder'), and the Voigtländer 15-35 mm zoom finder. All have their specific strengths and weaknesses. Personally, I like the 'Frankenfinder' best.

 

The reason to include the 24 mm and 28 mm framelines in the 'Frankenfinder'—which was originally meant for use with the Tri-Elmar-M 16-18-21 mm Asph lens (a. k. a. WATE)—is the M8, of course. On the smaller sensor, the Tri-Elmar's three focal lengths are 21 mm-e, 24 mm-e, and 28 mm-e. So when you're using the Tri-Elmar on a film M or the M9 when you'll use the 16, 18, and 21 mm framelines. When you're using it on an M8 or M8.2 camera then you'll use the 21, 24, and 28 mm framelines. As a consequence, this finder will also serve 24 mm and 28 mm lenses on 35-mm-format M cameras. A truly universal wide-angle finder indeed. And the built-in parallax correction is superb and unique. So is the built-in bubble level.

 

When using more than one wide-angle lens on an M camera then having one multi-frame accessory finder rather than several single-frame finders will make a lot of sense. You'll save bulk, weight, and money, and you won't need to switch finders when switching lenses. Of course, for a 28 mm lens on an M4-P, M6, M6-TTL, M7, MP, M9, or M9-P, you don't necessarily need an accessory finder ... but you still may find it convenient to use one.

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I have tried a number of finders, and have settled on the Frankenfinder for use with my 21 and WATE. I fought it at first because of its size, but have come to like it, and as mentioned above, I don't need to juggle viewfinders when I change lenses.

 

Since it fits to the camera, I have found it catches less on clothing'/bags/etc. than the traditional finder that pops up from the top of the camera.

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One other negative for the 21/24/28 finder: If you wear eyeglasses, your eye will have to be too far back to make comfortable use of it.

 

Like others', my first choice is the Universal Wide-Angle Finder ('Frankenfinder'); my second choice would be the individual finders. Since the current 21 mm finder has both the 21 mm frame and the 28 mm frame, it could be a good choice for the two lenses you're currently using.

Edited by ho_co
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