pnoble Posted December 29, 2009 Share #1 Posted December 29, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) I am thinking of getting a 24mm lens, probably the Elmar since it seems if anything to outperform the Elmarit. Which external viewfinder do you recommend, Leica or otherwise? I doubt I will get a 21mm or 28mm so there is no inherent advantage for me in the Leica variable viewfinder. Any input on the 24mm choice is also welcome. I don't see the value of the Summarit in 24mm for an M9 in terms of the weight, size, cost or DOF benefits. My line up will be 24mm/35mm (f2)/50mm (f1.4). A 21mm would give more perfect FOV spacing but I think one gets less optical quality for more cost/size/weight and an only slightly wider FOV. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted December 29, 2009 Posted December 29, 2009 Hi pnoble, Take a look here Viewfinder for 24mm. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
JPH1962 Posted December 29, 2009 Share #2 Posted December 29, 2009 Regarding your Lineup, i can not really be of any help - but since I have a 24, my previously much enjoyed 21 is at rest... so i use a lot the 15 Heliar, 24 lux, sometimes 35 Nokton and a lot the 50lux pre-asph. The 28 is almost never used. There is no 24 Summarit. Regarding the finder: I use most of the time the voigländer 21 for my lux, that fits quite well. rgds JPH Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dfarkas Posted December 29, 2009 Share #3 Posted December 29, 2009 The 24mm Leica M finder works nicely and is very small. The 18mm Leica M finder will work as a dual finder for both 18mm and 24mm, which would make sense if you plan to add an 18mm later. If you go with a Zeiss ZM finder, I'd recommend the 21mm not the 25/28mm finder for the 24. The 25/28 is too tight for the 24. The 21 seems to be pretty much exact. The Zeiss finder is very large and bright, but physically larger than the new Leica finders. Hope this helps. David PS - I use the 24 Summilux on the M9 and love it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted December 29, 2009 Share #4 Posted December 29, 2009 I used the DLux4 finder which was fine, but I prefer the CV 25 finder which is more clear and larger. It distorts, but I do not find that a problem. Zeiss and Leica M are expensive and crazily expensive imo. Oh yes - Summilux 24 for me... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pnoble Posted December 29, 2009 Author Share #5 Posted December 29, 2009 Regarding your Lineup, i can not really be of any help - but since I have a 24, my previously much enjoyed 21 is at rest... so i use a lot the 15 Heliar, 24 lux, sometimes 35 Nokton and a lot the 50lux pre-asph. The 28 is almost never used. There is no 24 Summarit. Regarding the finder: I use most of the time the voigländer 21 for my lux, that fits quite well. rgds JPH Sorry, I meant Summilux. I can really see the value with an M8 having a 1.4 as a standard wide (32mm) lens, but with an M9 I would use more as a secondary lens in probably mostly daylight conditions. I would have bought the 35mm 1.4 if it wasn't about to be upgraded. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thompsonkirk Posted December 29, 2009 Share #6 Posted December 29, 2009 Voightlander finders seem fine to me. I just got one for my 21 – which used to be a 28 (equiv) on my M8. Kirk Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jagsiva Posted December 29, 2009 Share #7 Posted December 29, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) I use the Leica 18mm for my Elmar 18 and 24. Looked at the Zeiss, but the framing on the 18 finder was too tight. It is pricey, but I could cover both lenses and estimate inbetween for my 21 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Samir Jahjah Posted December 30, 2009 Share #8 Posted December 30, 2009 I am thinking of getting a 24mm lens, probably the Elmar since it seems if anything to outperform the Elmarit. Which external viewfinder do you recommend, Leica or otherwise? I doubt I will get a 21mm or 28mm so there is no inherent advantage for me in the Leica variable viewfinder. Any input on the 24mm choice is also welcome. I don't see the value of the Summarit in 24mm for an M9 in terms of the weight, size, cost or DOF benefits. My line up will be 24mm/35mm (f2)/50mm (f1.4). A 21mm would give more perfect FOV spacing but I think one gets less optical quality for more cost/size/weight and an only slightly wider FOV. On the M9, I found that you can do some precise framing without the need of an external viewfinder. Otherwise, the 18mm is a very nice option. I find that the Leica 24mm VF or VC 25mm are not pleasant to use... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlam Posted January 1, 2010 Share #9 Posted January 1, 2010 On the M9, I found that you can do some precise framing without the need of an external viewfinder. Otherwise, the 18mm is a very nice option. I find that the Leica 24mm VF or VC 25mm are not pleasant to use... Could you explain a bit about the technique? I'm becoming a M9 user soon and I'm considering an external VF for my 18mm. Joseph Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Samir Jahjah Posted January 1, 2010 Share #10 Posted January 1, 2010 Could you explain a bit about the technique? I'm becoming a M9 user soon and I'm considering an external VF for my 18mm. Joseph I first focus on the main subject, then I frame, looking at the main corner(s)...if you move your eyes around, you have a pretty good idea of what will be in the frame. The Leica 24mm VF is not precise at all in my views, so it does not bring more accuracy than using the internal viewfinder...the more you use it, the more precise will your framing become. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter_n Posted January 2, 2010 Share #11 Posted January 2, 2010 I use three, the ridiculously expensive Leica 24, the CV 25, and the Panasonic 24. I like them all but the CV is the clearest. However it's plastic and the other two are all-metal so I recommend the Pany DMW-VF1 which is for their Lumix DMC-LX3 digicam. Frames exactly as per the CV 25 but won't break off in the shoe of your cam. Also it costs $190 vs $850 for the Leica VF. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pnoble Posted January 3, 2010 Author Share #12 Posted January 3, 2010 I use three, the ridiculously expensive Leica 24, the CV 25, and the Panasonic 24. I like them all but the CV is the clearest. However it's plastic and the other two are all-metal so I recommend the Pany DMW-VF1 which is for their Lumix DMC-LX3 digicam. Frames exactly as per the CV 25 but won't break off in the shoe of your cam. Also it costs $190 vs $850 for the Leica VF. Thanks, Peter. I just ordered the insultingly expensive Leica 25mm VF but may return it and go with the Panasonic/Leica LX3/D-Lux 4 version which I can then also use on my D-Lux 4. Great idea! Does it work as well optically as the 24mm VF? I have an M9 and don't need the M8 frame lines. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted January 3, 2010 Share #13 Posted January 3, 2010 It is rather small to look through; the CV one is nicer. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
noah_addis Posted January 3, 2010 Share #14 Posted January 3, 2010 Can't speak specifically to 21mm finders, but I used the voigtlander metal 28mm finder (for a 21mm on the M8) and it was wonderful. I just got a 21mm voigtlander plastic finder, and while I prefer the size, look, shape and durability of the metal finder, the 21mm plastic finder is quite nice. The view is clear and the framelines are accurate. I'm still getting used to shooting on full-frame again, but I'm loving the 35 and use it for most of my work, only pulling out the 21, 28 or 90 for special purposes. Ultimately I may decide to just go with a 35/24 combo but I'd go for the Elmarit for the speed. F/2.8 is about as slow as I can go for my work, which is often in low light. However, it's not an often-used lens so I don't need the large 24 'Lux. I bought a used 24 Elmarit, which I sold to get a 24 'Lux, which I sold to get my M9s. I don't regret selling the 24 Lux one bit, in fact I see it as one of the only bad Leica purchases I've made. (It's a great lens, just doesn't suit my needs on full-frame.) I do regret selling the 24 Elmarit, since it would make an ideal supplementary wide lens for my needs. Anyway, I wouldn't worry too much about perfect lens spacing, just get the focal lengths that work best for you. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_tribble Posted January 3, 2010 Share #15 Posted January 3, 2010 Frankenfinder if you're considering more than one wide lens. I still find it the best external finder I've ever used - works fine for me with 18 Zeiss and 21 Elmarit. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
viramati Posted January 3, 2010 Share #16 Posted January 3, 2010 I use the panasonic 24 finder for the LX3. half the price and a lot brighter than the leica one for the dlux 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
noah_addis Posted January 4, 2010 Share #17 Posted January 4, 2010 Maybe if I say it enough times it will come true...if you're listening at voigtlander, please please please make metal versions of your 21 and 24mm finders:D I have to say I'm impressed with the optical quality of the voigtlander 21mm finder, but I really prefer the look and feel of the metal finders (and possibly durability, though to be fair I've only had the plastic finder for a week so it may prove to hold up fine). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom0511 Posted January 4, 2010 Share #18 Posted January 4, 2010 I got the 24mm Leica D-Lux finder and really like it. I couldnt justify the price for the M-24mm finder and dont feel limited at all using the D-lux finder. I exchanged my 24 Elmarit for a 24 Lux. I have to say it allows a special look however 24 is still pretty wide and I dont know how odten I do need f1.4 in a 24mm lens. I dont regret to switch but I am not sure if I should have spent that much money. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter_n Posted January 4, 2010 Share #19 Posted January 4, 2010 Thanks, Peter. I just ordered the insultingly expensive Leica 25mm VF but may return it and go with the Panasonic/Leica LX3/D-Lux 4 version which I can then also use on my D-Lux 4. Great idea! Does it work as well optically as the 24mm VF? I have an M9 and don't need the M8 frame lines.I think it does work as well as the indecently expensive 24 VF. The barrel distortion in both appears to be about the same, the Leica has slightly more legible brightlines and has more area outside the 24mm brightline. I think the Pany I have is fine for normal use - also see the comment above by viramati. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
scott kirkpatrick Posted January 4, 2010 Share #20 Posted January 4, 2010 I use the CV25 finder with my 24 Elmarit. It's bright, pleasant to look through, doesn't distort too much, but it is at least three frame widths too tight when shooting at 2m distance, and presumably a bit more off at infinity. I'll repeat the experiment with the 21 CV viewfinder and edit in the results in a bit. scott edit: The CV21 finder is about 6-8 cm too wide on each side at a distance of 1.2 m. I think I prefer the CV25 finder. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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