terry_sham Posted July 4, 2006 Share #1 Posted July 4, 2006 Advertisement (gone after registration) I am comparing the Leica 21/24/28 zoom viewfinder with the Zeiss 21mm viewfinder for Zeiss Ikon. Actually, I am using 21mm, 35mm, 50mm and 90mm lenses so that I only need the 21mm frame. Why I considering Leica zoom is because I like its round shape outlook and the stopper for secure mounting on hot shoe. Anyone has experience with them? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted July 4, 2006 Posted July 4, 2006 Hi terry_sham, Take a look here 21mm Viewfinder. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
doubice Posted July 4, 2006 Share #2 Posted July 4, 2006 Terry, I used to own the 21-24-28 finder. Bought it because I thought I would kill three birds with one stone. Well - it it big, clumsy and has no bright lines; I sold it within three months. From what I read, the Zeiss finder is probably the best 21mm finder produced so far. It is quite costly though - if I were you, I would look at the Voigtländer 21mm brightline finder instead. Superb, has bright lines and the price can't be beaten. All the best, Jan 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbretteville Posted July 4, 2006 Share #3 Posted July 4, 2006 Terry, As mentioned the Zeiss VF is supposedly the best one around. If the ~$500 price tag dosen't bother you, get one. I have 21 and 25 finders from Voigtländer and am happy with them. I really like the notch in the center of the bright line (both portrait and landscape mode) where the horizon needs to go. They're at least as bright as my M6's finder. At $128 from Steve at Cameraquest they're a good deal. - Carl 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nikau Posted July 4, 2006 Share #4 Posted July 4, 2006 When my 21mm Leica finder broke after several years of use (the mounting shoe snapped off) I replaced it with a Voigtlander unit for far less than the cost of another Leica one. It's brighter and I heartily recommend it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marknorton Posted July 4, 2006 Share #5 Posted July 4, 2006 That viewfinder is described in minute detail in US Patent 6643462 (http://www.uspto.gov). My nightmare is that I will have to use one of these with the M8 and the 21mm Elmarit if the viewfinder doesn't go wider than 28mm (37mm equivalent fov). I find the whole idea of having to meter/focus through one eye-piece and frame through another a real negative. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
urleica Posted July 4, 2006 Share #6 Posted July 4, 2006 I was sadly disappointed about the quality of 28-24-21 mm View finder and sold it within one week! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mym6is12 Posted July 4, 2006 Share #7 Posted July 4, 2006 Advertisement (gone after registration) I find the whole idea of having to meter/focus through one eye-piece and frame through another a real negative. Most of the time with the 21mm I find myself scale focusing and setting the aperture to be the depth of field I require. The in camera RF/VF is used very infrequently - perhaps only for group shots indoors. The Zeiss VF is superb - it's in the same league as the SBOOI : clear, sharp and has low distortion - way better than the old plastic Leica one. I've never used the new zoom one so I can compare it to that. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tobey bilek Posted July 4, 2006 Share #8 Posted July 4, 2006 Big, Clunky, and not better for framing than a CV one without brightlines. You are never sure where the edge of the frame is and it varies with the position of your eye. The zoom feature and foot clamp are it`s two best assets. I bought one for use with a 25 mm Cv lens and it is no better than the free CV finder that comes with the lens. Get an old metal Leica finder that has some barrel distortion, but a solid foot, or the new Zeiss, or go cheap with a BL Cosina Voigtlander one. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wizard Posted July 4, 2006 Share #9 Posted July 4, 2006 The CV 21mm viewfinder which I use is in my view superb, VERY bright, clearly visible frame (and accurate, too!), the ZEISS may be a fraction better (never had one in my hands though), but the price is more than a fraction higher, so for me it was a nobrainer... Cheers, Andy Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stunsworth Posted July 4, 2006 Share #10 Posted July 4, 2006 Plus if you ignore the framelines you can use the CV finder with the 15mm lens Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
terry_sham Posted July 4, 2006 Author Share #11 Posted July 4, 2006 I have also found a Ricoh GV-1 with 21 and 28 framelines which is for the GR Digital. According to its outlook, I think it is a Cosina's product. Does it work? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter_n Posted July 4, 2006 Share #12 Posted July 4, 2006 In general Leica seem to do a very poor job with viewfinders. I recently bought a 24mm ASPH and the viewfinder that came with it is horrible; like looking down a tunnel. I bought a CV 25mm finder and the difference is like night and day. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wizard Posted July 4, 2006 Share #13 Posted July 4, 2006 Peter, that's what I did, except that I did not buy the Leica 24mm finder in the first place But you are correct, the CV viewfinders are really good. I also have a 28mm CV finder (the metal version), and that one is a gem. Andy Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
xrogers Posted July 4, 2006 Share #14 Posted July 4, 2006 I have the VC 21mm finder, and have looked at the Zeiss finder. The VC finder is a very good finder. It has a bit of distortion, and some of the bright lines flare out occasionally. The case and foot are plastic---this has been a problem for at least some folks. One side of mine crumbled when removing the finder on a subzero (farenheit) day---it appears it was cheaply "springloaded" by a cutout in the foot itself that substantially weakens one side of it. Replacement feet are hard to come by (I couldn't find one when mine broke, but I've heard that Steve Gandy, after many requests, was able to obtain some recently). Anyhow, I machined a new foot from aluminum that works fine, but wouldn't buy another VC finder that had a plastic foot. The Zeiss finder is beautiful. Bright, clear, and no noticable distortion. It is clearly optically superior to the very nice VC finder. It also appears far more durable, with a strong metal case and foot. If I decide to replace the VC finder someday, it will be with the Zeiss. For my needs, it would be worth three VC finders. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lstaerck Posted July 5, 2006 Share #15 Posted July 5, 2006 The Leica 21 mm old metal Viewfinder is also not that perfect. In mine, the lens towards the eye fell off. I fixed it with glue. Greetings, Lilian Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
terry_sham Posted July 9, 2006 Author Share #16 Posted July 9, 2006 I have tried the Zeiss 21mm viewfinder. It blocks the shutter dial indicator on my MP. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter_n Posted July 9, 2006 Share #17 Posted July 9, 2006 Peter, that's what I did, except that I did not buy the Leica 24mm finder in the first place Andy LOL Andy, I didn't have a choice. The VF was sold with the lens in a package - it was "thrown in" to make up for the fact that the lens focusing ring had flaking paint. So after selling the Leica VF the deal was comparatively inexpensive. FWIW Rich Pinto at Photo Village is still selling new CV 25mm finders for US $70. No connection, etc. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tobey bilek Posted February 6, 2016 Share #18 Posted February 6, 2016 21/24/28 finder should be embarrassed to have the Leica name. I can not see the 24 edges even without glasses. It needs to be set to 22.5 mm for it to be accurate at 75 feet. So you dodge your face around trying to see left and right edge and then the camera is moved. The locking foot is the best & only good feature. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
a911s Posted February 6, 2016 Share #19 Posted February 6, 2016 I use a 18mm Zeiss viewfinder for my Leica 21mm f2.8 Asph on a M9-P. It's perfect - better than anything else IMO. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IWC Doppel Posted March 4, 2016 Share #20 Posted March 4, 2016 A vote for the voigtlander metal 21/25 I prefer it to the new Leica 21 plus it covers 24mm as well Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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