Using 24mm without external VF

[NJH]

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Hi I just wanted to chuck this question out there and see if and how many of you guys shoot 24mm (or its equivalent on an M8) without the use of an external viewfinder?

 

I have the CV 25 for my M8 with a plan of moving on to the M9 when funds allow and I was going to just try and use that lens as is, use the viewfinder to line the camera up and try and visualise the image, then chimp it off the rear screen a bit later to check if I got it right. I half have to that now anyway as I wear glasses most of the time and thus can't see all of the frame at once with wide angles.

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[Hookeye]

Well, I, for one. I have a 24mm Summilux, a 21mm Elmarit in addition to a CV15 and the CV12. I almost never use EVF for any of them. It is simply too much hassle. I have a reasonable good "feel" for what they capture, even without a viewfinder. My framing is never "perfect" of course, but I remedy that with a bit of cropping in PP. This goes for both M8 and the M240. The only thing I am really careful with is the horizon. Particlularly when buildings, rooms, door frames etc are included in the image. On the M8 I usually place a little bubble-level in the flash shoe. On the M240 I do the same, or use the built in (but awkward) horizon function. Here I can also "cheat" and use the live view if I am unsure about the framing.

[andybarton]

I do, but I have a 0.58 viewfinder which pretty much covers the whole of the 24mm area.

 

I also have a 24 external finder, but rarely use it. It would be essential for use on a 0.72 or 0.85 viewfinder.

[jaapv]

24 is about 50/50 with/without viewfinder. I find I use the EVF on the M a bit more often that the optical one on the M9.

[albireo_double]

I use the 24 Elmarit Asph with the Zeiss 25/28 external finder which is close enough. It helps me visualise / compose the image better than using the camera without it and estimating what will still be in and what already out.

[gpwhite]

I shoot my 24 Elmar without an external viewfinder quite a lot, mainly because it is too vague to frame the shot at 0.7 to 1.5m focus (the perspective that I like to compose) with the external OVF. On the one hand, I waste quite a bit of pixels in the periphery of the capture because I always under-estimate the FOV by about 10%. On the other hand, I shoot the Elmar @ f/3.8, occasionally @ f/5.6, so I am cropping off the range that is certainly not as stunning as the main rectangle of the capture. Although I am not a good guesser of the actual frame when using the internal VF, I still shoot this way probably 80% of the time.

 

The EVF on the M240 is really a sad compromise. I need to use it for framing with my 18 Super Elmar, but you cannot focus a 24 or an 18 with it, IMHO.

[Bill W]

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I use an external finder with my 21 but not the 24. If you experiment some, you will get an good idea what is going to be covered or included that you do not see.

[jaapv]

I shoot my 24 Elmar without an external viewfinder quite a lot, mainly because it is too vague to frame the shot at 0.7 to 1.5m focus (the perspective that I like to compose) with the external OVF. On the one hand, I waste quite a bit of pixels in the periphery of the capture because I always under-estimate the FOV by about 10%. On the other hand, I shoot the Elmar @ f/3.8, occasionally @ f/5.6, so I am cropping off the range that is certainly not as stunning as the main rectangle of the capture. Although I am not a good guesser of the actual frame when using the internal VF, I still shoot this way probably 80% of the time.

 

The EVF on the M240 is really a sad compromise. I need to use it for framing with my 18 Super Elmar, but you cannot focus a 24 or an 18 with it, IMHO.

I have no problems with my Summilux 24, nor my Super-Elmer 18, using focus peaking.

[efreed2754]

Hi. Use 24 and 18 Leica glass on M9 for three years. Need for 18 and preferable for 24.

 

So suggest getting the finder unless you plan on going to M which obviates need for any finders with Live View.

 

Have gone without finder for 24 when in a hurry or lazy. Get as close to camera as can,frame carefully and hope for the best. If time, just chimp and adjust.

 

Risk is missing a great shot. So.....if you are doing carefully posed shots with adults or landscapes should be ok. OTOH, if doing candids, or shooting children or other action you will miss some shots.

 

Guess your shooting style and budget will influence your decision. Oh, do you use a thumbs up that occupies your hot shoe?

 

Prices seem to be dropping, so explore used if you can before making a final decision.

 

Ed

[rramesh]

I regularly use a 21 (CV for some time and now the SEM) without a finder. I just find it cumbersome to look through 2 finders. I guess with a digital camera, you have the ability to take more shots than needed and pick the one that is best framed.

 

Also with practice, you pretty much know where the frame would be.

[gpwhite]

I have no problems with my Summilux 24, nor my Super-Elmer 18, using focus peaking.

 

Yes, actually, I think if one uses LV and a tripod, things get to be quite precise

 

Of course, these steps might not flow with the optimum freedom of shooting that the M affords.

[atournas]

I learned, with some practice, quite early how to estimate the field covered with the 35mm lens (3m by 2m when at 3m from the subject) and with the 50mm (3m by 2m at 4m). So, when I started using the 21mm on the M9, I did some rough calculations of how to visualize the field to be covered--not a substitute for the external VF, but it works most of the time.

 

I occasionally compose with the full view of the RF viewfinder of the M9 and crop the image to get a 10MP 28mm-like shot.

 

Paul

[NJH]

Thanks guys. When I upgrade to the M9 I will just try it for a while and see how I get on without an external VF.

[MarkP]

I love the 21mm Leica optical VF for framing.

I'm not so fussed with a 24/25mm lens.

[rob139]

I use my 24mm summilux on the M8 without an external viewfinder. It works fine, just use the whole viewfinderframe and you will be as exact in framing as you will be with an external one.