What kind of viewfinder for the X1?

[damnsharp]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Goodmorning,

I am puzzled about what kind of viewfinder I would buy for the X1. Maybe it's because I am not used to it, I always shoot with a Nikon D200 but now I am going to buy the X1.

 

First, I asume that I need to buy a viewfinder for 36mm and that the next one doesn't work? Leica Leitz viewfinder, Aufstecksucher f= 5 cm ! - eBay, Leica, Alte Kameras, Photographica, Foto Camcorder. (Eindtijd 14-feb-10 19:13:28 CET)

 

The Leica X1 viewfinder looks nice, is expensive but I think I like a metal one more.

I read that someone uses a Leica SBLOO but it's also very expensive and I do not know the difference with the new Leica VF.

 

Also I don't know if a old VF works as good as the new ones.

The Voigtlander 35mm VF looks nice and is not as expensive as the Leica one.

 

What can I expect from a good VF? What is a difference between an old one and a new one?

 

Thanks!

[daubsphoto]

The finder you pointed out is for a 50 mm field of view, and the effective FOV of the X1 lens is 36 mm, so it wouldn't work very well. From what I understand, the only advantage to the new dedicated viewfinder vs. others (both older Leica VF and other brands), is that it includes a LED focus indicator light so you can tell when the autofocus has locked on.

 

Just realize that with all viewfinders, the view you see is approximate based on an assumption of the focusing distance made by the manufacturer when creating the viewfinder. The parallax error changes depending on your distance from the subject. I think the alignment for the new 36mm finder is 1.5 meters (meaning the finder's field of view is most accurate at this distance), but perhaps others will point out the actual distance.

 

So you could go with some other 35mm accessory viewfinder--I have used several Voigtlander viewfinders and, although they aren't as optically sharp as the Leica versions, they work just fine for me.

[wda]

Optical precision and excellent clarity is what I expect from an external viewfinder. Essentially you get what you pay for. Why not wait until the Leica viewfinder is available and assess it before committing yourself?

 

An external vf is always a bit of a compromise because of the unavoidable parallax error. But for many photographers, a viewfinder has a lot of advantages over an LCD for image framing and steady shooting no matter what you pay.

[damnsharp]

Thanks for the quick replies. I will wait and try the Leica VF but it is too bad I cannot try the Voigtlander viewfinder.

Does anyone know if on that viewfinder you also can see the AF light? If it is necessary I am nog sure about.

[earleygallery]

The Leica viewfinder is set for 36mm which is the correct focal length. Any 35mm Viewfinder will work but will show a slightly wider view than you capture, but then even with the Leica VF the field of view will be approximate.

 

Either way the AF light is on the camera NOT in the viewfinder. You will see it with your peripheral vision when the AF has locked on the point of focus.

[damnsharp]

Thanks for all the replies. After doubting and looking I decided to go for the Voigtlander 35 Metal Brightline Viewfinder (link to picture: http://www.cameraquest.com/jpg6/VF 35 M S 1.jpg and link to website: Voigtlander Bessa RF Accessories). I like the round design.

[pappde]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

While you are @ Cameraquest check out the 28/35 MiniFinder. I have that on my X1 and it works great.