noah_addis Posted October 16, 2009 Share #1 Posted October 16, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) I bought my 21 Elmarit Asph for the M8, so I never got around to getting an actual 21mm finder. I was using the great little voigtlander metal 28mm finder on the M8. What is the best 21mm finder out there for a reasonable cost? I don't like the current Leica finder, which I believe also has framelines for the M8, which I don't want. I also have no interest in a frankenfinder or other large device. I'm looking for a small, sturdy finder that's good optically. If it's made of metal that's a plus. I really wish voigtlander made a 21mm version of the round metal 28mm finder, but I don't believe they do...though I'd love it for someone to tell me I'm wrong. I don't mind a used or vintage finder if it's not too hard to find. Incidentally, I had never used the 21mm on film until recently. While I know it's not reputed to be Leica's best lens, I was amazed by the results. It's much better than the other brand 20/21mm lenses I've used in the past. While it won't be a primary lens for me, I'm sure it'll be fun on the M9! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted October 16, 2009 Posted October 16, 2009 Hi noah_addis, Take a look here Best 21mm finder?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
glenerrolrd Posted October 16, 2009 Share #2 Posted October 16, 2009 The best finder is the zeiss 21mm....all metal no distortion and bright ...not cheap a little over $400. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
eleskin Posted October 16, 2009 Share #3 Posted October 16, 2009 Save your money! Buy a Voigtlander 21mm Finder. I have one for my M8 and 15mm Super Wide Heliar and this finder is wonderful!!! AND it is not that expensive!!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
eleskin Posted October 16, 2009 Share #4 Posted October 16, 2009 By the way, I live in Allentown PA and Cameraquest is the way to go. I received my order in 2 days!!!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rolu Posted October 16, 2009 Share #5 Posted October 16, 2009 The Voigtländer is fine. I was told it is much brighter than the old Leicas. The new Leicas are certainly no comparison (?), well neither from a price point of view. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
xrogers Posted October 16, 2009 Share #6 Posted October 16, 2009 The optical quality of the Voigtlander finder is very good, especially considering the cost. I do not like the plastic foot on that finder, however. It uses a cut in the foot to "spring load" it, weakening an already weak link. It started flopping around atop my M6 when one side of the foot crumbled while using it in the cold. Unless they've changed it, it doesn't have near the durability of their metal 28 finder. I had a friend machine a replacement foot from aluminum, and had no problems since. The Zeiss finder is a beauty, easily the finest 21 finder I've ever seen optically, and it appears to be very strongly built (but a bit larger than the Voigtlander). If I had no existing investment, I'd wince repeatedly, and then cough up for the Zeiss. Later, Clyde Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
guidomo Posted October 16, 2009 Share #7 Posted October 16, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) CV 21mm viewfinder, images courtesy of CameraQuest Home Page 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! 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/100371-best-21mm-finder/?do=findComment&comment=1077469'>More sharing options...
Srutkay74 Posted October 16, 2009 Share #8 Posted October 16, 2009 I also have the above finder. I havent had the same problem with the foot, i can tell that eventually i could. But optically its great for the price. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_tribble Posted October 18, 2009 Share #9 Posted October 18, 2009 Noah - how many wides are you likely to be using? I'm now working with 18 and 21 and am very pleased that I picked up the WATE finder. Only one thing to carry around, the parallax adjustment works great and it's the next best thing to looking through the finder of the RF itself ... If you could find one used it could be a way to go... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
noah_addis Posted October 18, 2009 Author Share #10 Posted October 18, 2009 Noah - how many wides are you likely to be using? I'm now working with 18 and 21 and am very pleased that I picked up the WATE finder. Only one thing to carry around, the parallax adjustment works great and it's the next best thing to looking through the finder of the RF itself ... If you could find one used it could be a way to go... The 21 is and will be the only lens I have that requires a finder. I don't use super-wides very often. Even the 21 will be a bit of a specialty lens. My priorities for a finder (in order) are compact size, durability and optical quality. These may sound backwards but it's something that I won't use often so I want it to be small, and it's likely to get banged around so I want it to hold up. And, if I were using it more I'd be more worried about optics but as long as it pretty much shows me what will be in my frame, I'll be happy. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_tribble Posted October 18, 2009 Share #11 Posted October 18, 2009 In your position I reckon either the Zeiss or the Voitlander will do the job. I've used both in the past and they're optically fine.. the Zeiss is more robust. The 21 feels really wide on the M9. Very satisfying. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
eleskin Posted October 18, 2009 Share #12 Posted October 18, 2009 The foot of the 21mm finder is weak, as mine broke in half. I glued the foot together and then on to the finder itself with J&B Weld. It is as strong as steel now. If you buy one new, get some J&B weld and fill the hole in the plastic foot to reinforce it. This should prevent any cracking of plastic, and make it as strong as metal. The optical quality and price of the finder cannot be beat, and I would not hesitate to get one, especially in these hard economic times where we are all watching our money carefully! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter_n Posted October 18, 2009 Share #13 Posted October 18, 2009 My priorities for a finder (in order) are compact size, durability and optical quality.Not 21, but I think the 24 is the same size. Below is a quick snap of the old plastic 24, the current all-metal 24, and the CV 25. The current 24 is the smallest, a ridiculous price, but it's built like a brick. The M8 frame is not as annoying as I thought and the bottom of it is used for parallax correction. I may get the top corners removed. 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! 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/100371-best-21mm-finder/?do=findComment&comment=1079788'>More sharing options...
noah_addis Posted October 18, 2009 Author Share #14 Posted October 18, 2009 Not 21, but I think the 24 is the same size. Below is a quick snap of the old plastic 24, the current all-metal 24, and the CV 25. The current 24 is the smallest, a ridiculous price, but it's built like a brick. The M8 frame is not as annoying as I thought and the bottom of it is used for parallax correction. I may get the top corners removed. Thanks that's a big help. Does anyone have a pic of the New Leica finder and the Zeiss together? Is it possible to get lines removed from an external finder? The M8 lines would drive me nuts, I know. The ONE nice thing about using an external finder is there's only one set of lines. I'd hate to give that up. And I'd hate to pay the price for the Leica finder! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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