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Leica vs Voigtlander Viewfinder


Zipy2691

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I foresee becoming the proud owner of an X1 next week. With it, I will most likely add the handgrip and probably the thumgrip.

 

However...

 

I know the issue was somewhat addressed in a previous thread but here is my question:

 

If I decide to go with a less expensive viewfinder (Voigtlander for exemple), would I loose any feature ?

 

Some might find the Leica vf clearer or more hip etc... but for the price difference, the Voigtlander or the SBLOO -if I can find one) might do the trick.

 

BTW, how does someone know if the subject is in focus looking through the VF ?

 

Yves

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One sets it to center point or face recognition and looks for the green confirmation light.

 

Honestly after using the leica vf for a week or so, I find it relatively pointless as it isn't accurate close or far...and sort of in between...it also didnt really help me stabilize the camera...

 

Overall an expensive accessory that I don't feel adds much, even in bright sunlight in the desert.

 

No you don't lose anything from one to the other..the leica has a softer rubber cap if you wear specs...but specs and ovf don't play nicely IMO anyway.

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Well, the viewfinder does help with battery life if you make sure to shut off the LCD (i.e., ext viewfinder "on" setting) - if that is important to you.

 

I bought the Leica viewfinder for my X1 because I thought it would benefit my shooting. I'm happy with it. It took a short while to get used to it instead of the LCD for composition, but I think it is accurate enough. I've gotten use to the autofocus quirks as well. I'm not unhappy I purchased it.

 

I certainly thought about the Voigtlander - aside from the better price and metal build, I also thought it added a more interesting look to the camera. However, because I wanted to shoot the X1 with my glasses on, I felt the Leica vf was better for this. It has a rubber guard and it extends behind the back of the camera a bit further than the Voigt from what I understand.

 

I had a Thumbs-Up on my M8.2 and really liked it so I assumed I would also get the X1 version. However, I had a chance to get a like-new Leica handgrip for less than half price so I picked one up just to try it out. I've been surprised by how much I like it and haven't felt moved to get the Thumbs-Up. The only downside of the grip is reaching the battery and card compartment takes a few seconds longer. Given the need to apply "patience" with many aspects of the X1, I figure this is a minimal gripe - or should I say grip?

 

The only other accessory I'd recommend for the X1 is the Gitzo Aegis SP8270 LCD cover. For me at least, it leaves me free of worry that I'm going to scratch the LCD on a coat/shirt button or pulling it in or out of a pocket or backpack. I'm sure some of the other protectors out there will work as well but this one fits well and I like Schott glass.

 

Doug

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I have a Voigtlander finder. I cannot imagine the Leica being so much better that it improve my photos. As long as the framing is okay (none of them are precise). Think about it this way: side by side comparisons of images taken with each (as people like to do in these forums) would be pointless. I don't mean to say it is silly to get the Leica. It might be made better and the name may give you a good feeling. After all, we are dealibg not only with technical precision but human emotion.

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Voigtlander vs. Leica viewfinder? There is no contest IMHO!. The Voigtlander is 1/2 the price of the Leica; comes in both silver or black; its rounded shape is smaller and to me looks more "retro" style on the X1; all metal rather than plastic construction; brilliantly clear optics and bright line with eye relief equal to the Leica viewfinder. Both the Leica and the Voigtlander suffer from the same amount of parallax and framing errors. So, to my mind the ONLY reason to buy the Leica is if you have money to burn and desperately need to have the "Leica" name on the finder.

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With the exception of if you must wear glasses when shooting, in which case the leica is less likely to scratch them.

 

i wear glasses and use the nice voigtländer.i glue a small black rubber gasket on it.

simple but effektive:)

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With the exception of if you must wear glasses when shooting, in which case the leica is less likely to scratch them.

 

I wear glasses and have never had any problems with scratching them looking through the Voigtlander. The eye relief is short enough, so placing any gaskets around the eyepiece would just make that worse.

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I wear glasses and have never had any problems with scratching them looking through the Voigtlander. The eye relief is short enough, so placing any gaskets around the eyepiece would just make that worse.

 

:confused::confused::confused:

........belive me it works....

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just got my new one,it´s a beauty:)

x1 with SBLOO

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I have a Voigtlander finder. I cannot imagine the Leica being so much better that it improve my photos. As long as the framing is okay (none of them are precise). Think about it this way: side by side comparisons of images taken with each (as people like to do in these forums) would be pointless. I don't mean to say it is silly to get the Leica. It might be made better and the name may give you a good feeling.
After all, we are dealibg not only with technical precision but human emotion

.

Tks for these words, at times it would seem that the camera is more important than the pictures.

magnolio:)

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It may be only my opinion, but I have shot thousands of photos on the X1 and never felt I needed a VF. Will make the camera less portable IMHO. I really feel the X1 was designed fro compactness and VF, grip, lens hood, etc,etc is really going against the fundamental design of it. I bought it for portability/size ratio.

 

A passive VF cannot be too useful with zero integration with the camera. No info on screen and no center markings either. How the heck to really aim accurately??!! Especially for spot focusing?

 

I do not need a VF on the X1 at all, really. It has to do more for me to even consider buying something so expensive. that goes for the CV one too. Ditto the handgrip. Hhaha...:D Leica has to do more than put their name for me to shell out the dole. The X1 is excellent value to me though.

 

Any loss of compactness will make me seriously start considering other camera options.

 

CJ

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