rramesh Posted March 30, 2012 Share #1 Posted March 30, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) While it is great to use a 21mm and accurately frame a picture with a viewfinder, I am wondering "what if" I did not have one handy. As such, any tips on the best way to use a a 21mm without a viewfinder, would be appreciated. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted March 30, 2012 Posted March 30, 2012 Hi rramesh, Take a look here 21mm sans viewfinder. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
bybrett Posted March 30, 2012 Share #2 Posted March 30, 2012 You can still make compositional choices with the area seen in the viewfinder in the knowledge you will capture say an extra 15%. The review screen is your saviour if you wish to operate light, sleek and more accurately. Sometimes I shoot landscapes at arms length a la compact camera style. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pgk Posted March 30, 2012 Share #3 Posted March 30, 2012 I have 2 x 21s but currently no viewfinder - I simply use the camera's viewfinder and estimate the rest by attempting to visualise what would be there in a 90 degree field of view which actually isn't as difficult as it may seem. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlashGordonPhotography Posted March 30, 2012 Share #4 Posted March 30, 2012 I'll occasionally use my 21 without the finder. Often I'll just have the finder in my pocket and use it hand held, especially if I feel the need for fill flash. Gordon Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil U Posted March 30, 2012 Share #5 Posted March 30, 2012 I have 2 x 21s but currently no viewfinder - I simply use the camera's viewfinder and estimate the rest by attempting to visualise what would be there in a 90 degree field of view which actually isn't as difficult as it may seem. +1 Pretty much what I do. Visualise the field of view, determine what is in the centre of it and then put the RF patch over that and shoot. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ralf Posted March 30, 2012 Share #6 Posted March 30, 2012 +1 Pretty much what I do. Visualise the field of view, determine what is in the centre of it and then put the RF patch over that and shoot. This is what I used to do, nevertheless I got the original viewfinder a couple of weeks ago.....wouldn't want to leave the house without it ever since. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lars_bergquist Posted March 30, 2012 Share #7 Posted March 30, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) Any lens shorter than a 35 is sensitive to camera alignment. So either you do deliberately use strongly non-horizontal perpectives, or you take care to spare your viewers from seasickness. I find it very difficult to align the camera properly without the proper finder – quite apart from the impossibility to judge composition. If you can't tolerate working with a finder, use a longer lens – or you might just as well shoot with your eyes closed. The old man from the Kodachrome Age Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
macusque Posted March 30, 2012 Share #8 Posted March 30, 2012 This is what I used to do, nevertheless I got the original viewfinder a couple of weeks ago.....wouldn't want to leave the house without it ever since. Me too. Much better composition now (not perfect but you know, it's almost impossible giving the nature of rangefinder cameras). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tgray Posted March 30, 2012 Share #9 Posted March 30, 2012 Any lens shorter than a 35 is sensitive to camera alignment. So either you do deliberately use strongly non-horizontal perpectives, or you take care to spare your viewers from seasickness. I find it very difficult to align the camera properly without the proper finder – quite apart from the impossibility to judge composition. After shooting quite a bit with a 21 with a Zeiss finder, I often find it easier to ensure vertical and horizontal alignment with the built in finder. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeicaPassion Posted March 30, 2012 Share #10 Posted March 30, 2012 Me too. Much better composition now (not perfect but you know, it's almost impossible giving the nature of rangefinder cameras). +1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMacD Posted March 30, 2012 Share #11 Posted March 30, 2012 Usually I skip the 21 viewfinder. I can use the built in viewfinder and know I am getting extra that I can view on the screen. Back in film days, when an instant review was not possible, the 21 viewfinder was much more necessary. I have used the WATE finder since I appreciate the bubble level a great deal. But often with architecture interiors, I am using a bubble level on the top of the M for alignment. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
algrove Posted March 30, 2012 Share #12 Posted March 30, 2012 I seldom use any of my 21's without finder, but on occassion I forget one or cannot find it in my bag. Since getting a WATE I really like the Frankenfinder for leveling shots instead of using a double Thumbs Up-one for finder and the other for a bubble level. Lars has it correct as far as well aligned images requiring little or no alignment correction in PP. Sure I have lucked out on many shots without finder, but have many more with misaligned shots taken without finder. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kokoshawnuff Posted March 30, 2012 Share #13 Posted March 30, 2012 I used to use a 21mm without a finder. I would occasionally get unwanted things creeping into the outer edges of my frame or missing things because I'd overestimate the f.o.v. Ultimately it would mean I'd miss a shot completely or I'd have to crop and wind up getting a 24/25mm f.o.v. There are those out there that are very comfortable with this focal length and can get the framing they want 95% of the time, but for me it's an occasional focal length and the framing isn't engrained in my mind. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted March 30, 2012 Share #14 Posted March 30, 2012 Not everybody likes viewing the world through a periscope but better use a small lens to avoid blockage of the viewfinder. Pity that Leica don't make little 21s like the Skopar 21/4. The latter deserves the red dot at f/4.5 and on though, provided the sample you get is as good as it can be. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Fluff Posted March 30, 2012 Share #15 Posted March 30, 2012 If you can't tolerate working with a finder, use a longer lens – or you might just as well shoot with your eyes closed. Absolutely agree. Photography IS composition. Why bother to take pictures when you can only guess at what they will consist of? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted March 31, 2012 Share #16 Posted March 31, 2012 When HCB shot his famous Gare St Lazare image, he stood behind a fence and said he could not see anything. He had to crop his picture afterwards but the result is here. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ohnri Posted March 31, 2012 Share #17 Posted March 31, 2012 Using an external VF with a 21 is a great way to slow you down. For shooting action you might as well be using a view camera. My fight photos taken with a M9 using either a Noct or a 21 'lux, without finder, are on display next month. -Bill Come to my Exhibition: COLLISION: Fashion meets Fighting At the: Hatakeyama Gallery 905 S Hill St, Los Angeles April 12 at 6:30 PM Jump start Art Walk LA and See kick ass fighting and fashion photos Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Fluff Posted March 31, 2012 Share #18 Posted March 31, 2012 When HCB shot his famous Gare St Lazare image, he stood behind a fence and said he could not see anything. He had to crop his picture afterwards but the result is here. And your point is? That anyone can get lucky I guess. Sure, sometimes I take pics with a camera held high overhead, but I'd still rather be able to see what I was doing given a choice. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Fluff Posted March 31, 2012 Share #19 Posted March 31, 2012 Using an external VF with a 21 is a great way to slow you down. For shooting action you might as well be using a view camera. If you follow that argument then an SLR would have been an even better choice. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted March 31, 2012 Share #20 Posted March 31, 2012 And your point is?... Pretty clear i feel. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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