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Voigtlander or Leica Viewfinder?


markpsf

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Who cares? The viewfinder doesn't affect image quality nor focus. A $2000 camera ought to have a viewfinder anyway - or a screen good enough that a viewfinder isn't necessary.

Make a choice, pay your money and move on.

 

For some people spending money requires some thought process, and while a viewfinder won't affect 'image/pixel' quality, it may affect the picture quality if not framed correctly. The choice of the viewfinder is important and so is spending the money.

 

You say "make a choice". Well this is why we are talking about it, so that the 'better' choice can be made. Isn't such a hard concept to grasp now is it?

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What's hard to grasp is the inexpensive to make add ons (comparatively) not being included for the money..even if they sold a kit with the grip and vf for two hundred more...leica's accessories are a flat out insult after paying so much for a camera that doesn't quite measure up in so many ways. I don't hate the cam but I do consider anyone buying it should factor in another five hundred, for things that cost leica less than 10% of that to produce. IMHO if they continue this trend they will go bust..eventually electronics will overcome optical quality limitations, it's already started. I know that's not a popular opinion, but it's the truth to me.

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What's hard to grasp is the inexpensive to make add ons (comparatively) not being included for the money..even if they sold a kit with the grip and vf for two hundred more...leica's accessories are a flat out insult after paying so much for a camera that doesn't quite measure up in so many ways. I don't hate the cam but I do consider anyone buying it should factor in another five hundred, for things that cost leica less than 10% of that to produce. IMHO if they continue this trend they will go bust..eventually electronics will overcome optical quality limitations, it's already started. I know that's not a popular opinion, but it's the truth to me.

 

Edward, Leica have always been this way. Actually their camera/lens prices have gone up but accessories have actually come down and they've brought out cameras that most everyday folk can afford (under Panasonic). Leica is an exclusive brand, but they ain't a high performance camera with wiz bang speed and features like a Porche car for example. They are a niche product with snobbishness built in (like that?) and will always be more expensive as a way of differentiation and a sign of superior quality, even if thats not actually the reality. The marketplace is built on perception, not reality which is how most niche products survive. If Leica has to go down because of this then so be it. The day they become Panasonic is also the day the go bust IMHO.

 

I'm not defending their market positioning strategy, it's just the way the company is. You either pay up or seek alternative products you feel you'll get more value from. Leica have never been into 'value' like most German companies.

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Edward, Leica have always been this way. Actually their camera/lens prices have gone up but accessories have actually come down and they've brought out cameras that most everyday folk can afford (under Panasonic). Leica is an exclusive brand, but they ain't a high performance camera with wiz bang speed and features like a Porche car for example. They are a niche product with snobbishness built in (like that?) and will always be more expensive as a way of differentiation and a sign of superior quality, even if thats not actually the reality. The marketplace is built on perception, not reality which is how most niche products survive. If Leica has to go down because of this then so be it. The day they become Panasonic is also the day the go bust IMHO.

 

I'm not defending their market positioning strategy, it's just the way the company is. You either pay up or seek alternative products you feel you'll get more value from. Leica have never been into 'value' like most German companies.

 

Just to put this in perspective..I drive an m3. Not exactly a value proposition with a brake job at $1500 and inspections at the same. Once I sell it I can afford to add the x1 again, lol.

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Just to put this in perspective..I drive an m3. Not exactly a value proposition with a brake job at $1500 and inspections at the same. Once I sell it I can afford to add the x1 again, lol.

 

Thats so funny, and you're complaining about Leica prices...haha. Nice car, BMW is my favorite auto manufacturer. Remember like Leica, German manufacturing is more well known for quality parts and manufacturing which doesn't exactly equal reliability. My previous 05 530i had to have it's transmission replaced after 2 years.

 

If you want reliability in cameras and cars, it's gotta be Japanese made. I'd trust a Nikon D3s over an M9 any day for reliability. Its ain't like the old days where an M would work mechanically and only needed electronics for metering...and if the meter died, the camera would still keep clicking!

 

Leica's new big task is to get back that reputation, and need to start with weather-proofing the M, somehow...without making it (much) larger.

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Thats so funny, and you're complaining about Leica prices...haha. Nice car, BMW is my favorite auto manufacturer. Remember like Leica, German manufacturing is more well known for quality parts and manufacturing which doesn't exactly equal reliability. My previous 05 530i had to have it's transmission replaced after 2 years.

 

If you want reliability in cameras and cars, it's gotta be Japanese made. I'd trust a Nikon D3s over an M9 any day for reliability. Its ain't like the old days where an M would work mechanically and only needed electronics for metering...and if the meter died, the camera would still keep clicking!

 

Leica's new big task is to get back that reputation, and need to start with weather-proofing the M, somehow...without making it (much) larger.

Agreed, that was my point though..I am willing to pay more for hand made (engine in the m3) and premium for the label...so that kinda illustrates that the x1 was just a tick or 2 too much over what I'll deal with..the m3 excels at what it's meant for...going fast and cornering hard, tradeoff is some ride comfort..with 19" wheels in city streets it can get a bit rough. That said, if it was any harsher around town I probably wouldn't have bought it :)

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I wish that someone would post pics here of what both viewfinders look like on the X1. They both look rather odd to me. The Leica VF looks too big and the Voigtlander too round. What about this VF? It looks just right.

 

2lve5mv.png

 

These are from elsewhere in the forum. My favorite is the Black Voigtlander. I will post back shots next though so you can see the difference in back protrusion.

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These shots are from around the forum showing the difference in back protrusion:

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Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

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I have owned the X1 for a week now. I am also a M9 owner. I just wanted to chime in and say stop waiting for the Leica VM for the X1 to come into your local store I bought the round Silver Voightlander VM. Not only is beautiful on the X1 but works so well. I am having problems with my X1 being sluggish I am sure there are threads on this here so I will look for that but by turning off the LCD and using the VF the camera is a lot faster! The Voightlander is a deal and really looks great on the camera. Cameraquest has them as well as Adorama.

Great stuff!

M

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I have owned the X1 for a week now. I am also a M9 owner. I just wanted to chime in and say stop waiting for the Leica VM for the X1 to come into your local store I bought the round Silver Voightlander VM. Not only is beautiful on the X1 but works so well. I am having problems with my X1 being sluggish I am sure there are threads on this here so I will look for that but by turning off the LCD and using the VF the camera is a lot faster! The Voightlander is a deal and really looks great on the camera. Cameraquest has them as well as Adorama.

Great stuff!

M

 

Do you have glasses? Since the Voigt does not protrude far from the back of the camera do you have difficulty squeezing in to take a picture or is it easy? Thanks!

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Has anyone found a eyeguard / rubber eye ring that fits the voigtlander viewfinder? I was thinking perhaps a microscope ring, a binocular ring, or something would have a lip and be the right size to just slip right on over it without glue or tape or anything else.

 

Thanks.

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  • 2 weeks later...
Has anyone used this MINI Voigtlander viewfinder? I think it would be the perfect size for the X1 camera. I am wondering too, however, it you can focus accurately with it.

 

It doesn't aid you in focusing... no external optical VF will. It'll work fine though. Any of the ext VFs work fine on the X1. Pick the one you feel like paying for and you think looks best when you look through it.

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