which 21mm finder - a comparison

[menos I M6]

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My GR-D has it's large finder glued to it.

I couldn't imagine taking one picture with these cameras, using the LCD display at arms length instead.

 

Ricoh completely nailed the customisability and functionality on this amazing compact camera, so it is completely streamlined to be used with the external finder and it's AF system. Great cameras.

 

When it comes to optical qualities for the money, the Zeiss finders can't be beat.

The modern Leica brass single focal finders are more compact and better parallax corrected for the use on a M + the 21 finder shows 28mm corners, helping to use it for a 28mm lens.

But one pays a price for these Leica single focals - it's a pity Leica didn't solve the "loose finder from hotshoe issue, as they wiggle out of the hotshoe easier than other non secured finders (curiously best here are the Voigtlander branded plastic finders, which fit really tight into the hotshoe).

 

For ease of use, best eye point, best parallax correction, integrated level, I prefer the Leica Frankenfinder by large - it's the best there is, comparing features and ease of use.

When I need small, the Leica single focals are the first choice if money is no subject.

The biggest compromise here is eye point and the fear of loosing one of these when carrying the camera on a shoulder, as the finder can wiggle out.

I have lost my 21mm Leica a time too often (luckily inside the camera bag) to be at ease, using these unattended.

 

On a really tight budget the Voigtlander plastic finders are fine.

 

I was really surprised, how very good the modern Voigtlander milled aluminium bright line finders for the 12/5.6 and 15/4.5 are. It would be great, if Cosina would offer these finders as well in 21/28 (do they for the 21/1.8 ???).

[NJH]

There is another alternative of course that may get overlooked, the Voigtlander R4 cameras. I bought an R4A secondhand for less that the Frankenfinders go for secondhand. I quite like the camera but wouldn't recommend it for use with big lenses as even the 21/4 skopar blocks into the view a little without the hood but with a filter, 25/4 skopar doesn't without the useless hood but with a filter, 28 Elmarit ASPH does with the hood but not without.

[honcho]

Both versions of the CV 12mm vf are impressive, but the huge curved front element of the first version is more vulnerable to smudges and damage than the second version.

 

The key to using it successfully is to make sure the centre of the pupil of your eye is aligned as close as possible with the centre of the viewfinder image and concentrate on the main subject without losing your composition by looking around the outrageous field of view.

 

I once dropped mine and the resulting chip is nicely centralised and perfectly in focus on that big front element, which aids eye-alignment nicely, but such a haphazard one-off chance of getting it right is not recommended.

 

Next time, I'll measure it carefully before I gouge it with a rock.

[IWC Doppel]

Has anyone tried the Voigtlander 21/25 Frankenfinder?

 

Voigtlaender - 21/25mm Viewfinder

 

Yes regarding the metal 21/25 I use it with great success with a 21mm Elmarit-M and 24mm Elmarit-M, I have the new Leica metal 18mm viewfinder and prefer the Voigtlander which is brighter and does not suffer from flare. It's simply nicer than the Leica.... I even took the Leica back and tried another assuming my copy must have problems, the other was the same. I also tried a new Leica 21mm metal viewfinder and prefer the Voigtlander in terms of clarity and brightness.

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[kdriceman]

Has anyone tried the Voigtlander 21/25 Frankenfinder?

 

Voigtlaender - 21/25mm Viewfinder

 

 

Yes, I have the silver, circular one. Like Steve, it is my favorite also. Fits perfectly, good build quality, smaller than the Zeiss finder and much more reasonably priced than either the Leica finders or the Zeiss finder.

 

 

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