Muizen Posted January 20, 2012 Share #1 Posted January 20, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) I am considering the purchase of a 21mm lens for my M9, like e.g. the affordable 21mm 2.8 ZM Biogon T*ZM. But I would not like to use a special viewfinder with this lens because it would mean carrying around an additional piece of equipment. I wonder whether it is absolutely necessary to use a special viewfinder when shooting at 21mm? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted January 20, 2012 Posted January 20, 2012 Hi Muizen, Take a look here Viewfinder for 21mm lens?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
jaapv Posted January 20, 2012 Share #2 Posted January 20, 2012 It depends how good you are at visualizing the field of view. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted January 20, 2012 Share #3 Posted January 20, 2012 They are not so big and heavy and usually they stand fine in the shoe (I have the old Leitz metal)... in a 21 frame "lot of things enter into"... imho a proper VF is good to have. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cocker Posted January 20, 2012 Share #4 Posted January 20, 2012 I think you need one. I use the Voightlander - reasonable price and good for the job. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted January 20, 2012 Share #5 Posted January 20, 2012 I prefer using mine, even for the 24 - but I have been known to shoot my 18 or even 15 without Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Artichoke Posted January 20, 2012 Share #6 Posted January 20, 2012 I think you need one. I use the Voightlander - reasonable price and good for the job. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk gets the job done & is light in weight a VF not only helps with framing, but allows you to see unblocked & beyond the frame I have been known to use one with a 28 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sblitz Posted January 20, 2012 Share #7 Posted January 20, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) i use the metal voigtlander and it is more than fine to me .... looks good too Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jneilt Posted January 20, 2012 Share #8 Posted January 20, 2012 I tried without...and the idea that "lots of things creep into the image" is very true. I will also add that it helps with your horizontal/vertical quite a bit. I bought a leica finder...the new one...it is well made and very easy to look through. Mine sits on top of a thumbs-up I have in the hot shoe and I have not noticed any differences in framing by adding the mm or so. Sure, you can take a photo without one, but to frame properly...your guessing, no matter how good you are. It weighs about 2 ounces. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lars_bergquist Posted January 20, 2012 Share #9 Posted January 20, 2012 I would not dream of using my 21mm, or any lens wider than 35mm, without an accessory finder. (Yes, that goes for 28mm too! I wear specs and I simply cannot see the 28mm frame.) With these lenses, camera alignment is important, and this is much easier with a proper finder field of view and a visible frame. This is in addition to concerns about composition. But of course you do not NEED an accessory finder. You do not 'need' any finder at all – you can shoot with both eyes closed, for that matter. They say that no matter how much you goof, you can always fix it in PP. It must be very comforting to believe that, lie a belief in Santa, the Tooth Fairy and life eternal. The old man from the Age of the Brilliant Finder Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
algrove Posted January 20, 2012 Share #10 Posted January 20, 2012 Use one unless you can perfectly visualize the scene as Jaapv said. Yes, they are an extra piece, but often afford that quick framing after having set focus,etc.. As mentioned nothing blocks your with a VF. The Zeiss ones are very clear and way less in price than the Leica equivalent. I use a little deerskin pouch for my Zeiss ones since they do not come with a case like the Leica ones do. If you have more than one VF just color code them in different pouches. Bought 12 pouches from the American Indians for about US$25. if I recall. I have turned my pouches inside out so the smooth side of the deerskin is against the VF leaving little or no leather fluff to bother with on the VF. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Double Negative Posted January 20, 2012 Share #11 Posted January 20, 2012 I don't care for external VFs either, and I use the 4/18 and 2,8/25 ZMs as well as the 4/21 Color Skopar all without a VF 99% of the time. The internal VF gives a pretty good estimation of up to maybe 25mm if you peep towards the edges a little. Close enough, I say. Just don't frame so tightly. You can always straighten and/or crop in post as necessary. If you have to get one, the CV finders aren't that bad. The metal ones are better than the plastic ones. But a Leica or especially a Zeiss they're not. Then again, they don't cost $500 each, either. I wrote a little about viewfinders and such here. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted January 20, 2012 Share #12 Posted January 20, 2012 I have the Zeiss ones (most of the others too ) and really like them. However, if you dislike clutter get the Leica all-in-one 21-24-28. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AbbeyFoto Posted January 20, 2012 Share #13 Posted January 20, 2012 The Zeiss 21mm finder is very good - recommended. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted January 20, 2012 Share #14 Posted January 20, 2012 As Lars has said camera alignment is important with a very wide lens, slight movements can have a very big affect on the image, so yes, you need a finder. I have a Leica plastic 21mm finder but prefer the plastic CV 21mm finder even though it does stand taller on the hot shoe. Steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted January 20, 2012 Share #15 Posted January 20, 2012 ....But I would not like to use a special viewfinder with this lens because it would mean carrying around an additional piece of equipment.... I am puzzled by your reason. The VF is tiny compared with the alternative lenses and other travel paraphernalia you are likely to be carrying around with you. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Double Negative Posted January 20, 2012 Share #16 Posted January 20, 2012 I have the Zeiss ones (most of the others too ) and really like them. However, if you dislike clutter get the Leica all-in-one 21-24-28. True, while uncluttered - differs from what most folks are used to, as it doesn't have framelines... Just fuzzy black borders. It's also a bit on the larger side. Though the focal length spread and all-in-one nature is pretty cool. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted January 20, 2012 Share #17 Posted January 20, 2012 I must confess I don't use it that often - but it can be a quite useful piece of gear. As for the Zeiss viewfinders, I only bought them recently, but I can say that all the money I spent on CV, various e-bay cheapies, and even Leica was money wasted in the end. Best to go to Zeiss immediately. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Double Negative Posted January 20, 2012 Share #18 Posted January 20, 2012 I must confess I don't use it that often - but it can be a quite useful piece of gear. As for the Zeiss viewfinders, I only bought them recently, but I can say that all the money I spent on CV, various e-bay cheapies, and even Leica was money wasted in the end. Best to go to Zeiss immediately. Very true. Zeiss sets the benchmark for all other VFs. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
asmith Posted January 20, 2012 Share #19 Posted January 20, 2012 I will admit to an irrational prejudice. I don't like putting anything on my Leicas except Leica products. I regard the appropriate viewfinder as part of the lens package and see it as part of the lens price. Alwyn Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted January 20, 2012 Share #20 Posted January 20, 2012 You'll be waiting for the Leica SD card then, or the Leica sensor, or the Leica cicuit board, or the Leica battery? Steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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