X1 finder distorted and not very clear or bright?

[Leica X1]

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Hi all,

 

I was just wondering whether 36mm X1 finder is distorted and not very clear or bright. I sold the finder recently as a new, but the buyer contacted me with these issues.

 

I heard yes the finder is not as bright as others (voigtlander or Zeiss) and distortion is inevitable, so didn't complain any of these issues when I bought and inspected it though.

 

Thanks!

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[c6gowin]

The Leica 36mm X1 finder is bright and clear IF you are looking through it straight on. If your eye is the least bit off center then the viewfinder gets a little fuzzy. At first I found that very annoying, but after some use I realized the finder worked great if the eye is properly aligned. I don't know if this is an intentional design consideration to keep the eye positioned properly for framing accuracy or if it is a poor design. I want to believe its intentional.

[BB W]

Seems to be pretty darn clear and bright to me.

[nippa]

The first X1 viewfinder I looked through was back in March at the Dealership in West Palm Beach. It was definitely not as clear as my finder for the DLux4 and I rejected it.

 

Later I bought an unseen copy from a UK Dealer and even that appears to have lower light transmission than the DLux4 version. The heavy silvering inside the lenses probably accounts for the difference.

Distortion isn't really an issue if you use it correctly.

 

Given the retail price the quality is appalling:) <flame on >

[jsrockit]

The Leica 36mm X1 finder is bright and clear IF you are looking through it straight on. If your eye is the least bit off center then the viewfinder gets a little fuzzy. At first I found that very annoying, but after some use I realized the finder worked great if the eye is properly aligned. I don't know if this is an intentional design consideration to keep the eye positioned properly for framing accuracy or if it is a poor design. I want to believe its intentional.

 

Exactly...it is about being accurate and keeping your eye centered. I, for one, am glad they made it this way.

[Ferry Zievinger]

Very clear to me!

[Julian Thompson]

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I returned mine because it had a poor tolerance of off axis viewing - I found it almost useless.

[jsrockit]

I returned mine because it had a poor tolerance of off axis viewing - I found it almost useless.

 

But why would you want to view it off axis?

[Nicoleica]

I returned mine because it had a poor tolerance of off axis viewing - I found it almost useless.

 

If you think that this finder has a narrow tolerance, you should try the C11 finder. It's more of a bore-sight than a finder.

[Julian Thompson]

But why would you want to view it off axis?

 

Because I'm used to the incredibly forgiving and super bright finders on the M7 and M9 - that thing on the X1 isn't comparable. With the M's you can hold the camera at any angle and get away with it. With the X1 finder I found myself having to 'make sure' I was viewing it perfectly in line - it felt restrictive to me. But of course if you don't use M's or whatever YMMV.

[Julian Thompson]

...and I suppose also I realised that the X1 with a finder and a grip was just as bulky as M9 with a 40CL on there, so half of the X1's benefit (form factor) was lost - added to the oddness of the finder and it had to go. (The other thing was that I kept reaching for the manual focus ring on the lens!! ) No regrets for me though - I've got used to using the LCD on the X1. (Actually I've also got used to not using anything and pointing the camera at my subject purely by holding the camera at crazy angles - over my head - round corners, near the floor - it's all stuff that I struggle with using the M cameras and I believe it really compliments my other Leica's really well because of this extra versatility)

[jsrockit]

Because I'm used to the incredibly forgiving and super bright finders on the M7 and M9 - that thing on the X1 isn't comparable. With the M's you can hold the camera at any angle and get away with it. With the X1 finder I found myself having to 'make sure' I was viewing it perfectly in line - it felt restrictive to me. But of course if you don't use M's or whatever YMMV.

 

Actually, I do use Ms... but they have paralax correction and obviously the framelines change for each lens you use, etc. I've just found that I like the fact that when I'm viewing it off axis, I know I'm using it wrong... and if I'm on axis, I'm as accurate as I can be... so, yes, I guess MMV. That said, I only use the finder when I can't see the LCD. Whatever works for each of us though...

[Guest xCorpsman]

I bought the Leica OVF with my X1 and I've been using it almost exclusively. I spent the day out photographing horses and classic automobiles yesterday, no chimping, just enjoying the day and snapping away.

 

Off-topic, but the the Luigi case helps to keep the chimping to a minimum too.

[jsrockit]

I bought the Leica OVF with my X1 and I've been using it almost exclusively. I spent the day out photographing horses and classic automobiles yesterday, no chimping, just enjoying the day and snapping away.

 

Off-topic, but the the Luigi case helps to keep the chimping to a minimum too.

 

Unless you are missing some action, there is nothing wrong with chimping...