Nick_S Posted January 31, 2014 Share #1 Posted January 31, 2014 Advertisement (gone after registration) I am considering getting either the metal Voigtländer 21/25mm combined viewfinder or a separate plastic Leica 21mm Finder 12008. I note that the Voigtländer is centred over the hot shoe while the Leica one is offset horizontally towards the lens mount. Does this imply that there are lateral framing errors in the Voigtländer that one does not get with the offset Leica finder? Ideally, I would look at the metal Leica 21mm finder 12024, but it still has internal markings for the obsolete M8, rather than a more sensible display corresponding to the 24mm lens (perhaps they could update it reflecting their current camera models...) Any advice would be appreciated. Having grown used to pairs of framelines with the M6, I would rather like the idea of a two-in-one finder with 21mm and 24mm framelines. Nick Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted January 31, 2014 Posted January 31, 2014 Hi Nick_S, Take a look here 21 mm and 25mm viewfinder offsets. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
250swb Posted January 31, 2014 Share #2 Posted January 31, 2014 I have the 12008 and the Voigtlander plastic 21mm which is also offset. Out of the two I much prefer the Voigtlander. The problem I find with the Leica finder is that it sticks out behind the camera body, and if you hold the camera in the conventional orientation for vertical framing (portrait, with the viewfinder lowest) the the finder sticks into your forehead while you are focusing. Not a problem for the odd picture, but it gets annoying on a consistent basis and in cold or hot weather. The Voigtlander on the other hand sits flush with the rear face of the camera and doesn't get in the way at all. So depending on how you hold the camera you may want to consider comfort as much as view, and to be honest the Voigtlander is as good as the 12008, or as good as it needs to be for what is still an approximation. But I don't know how the metal finder stacks up. Steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
semi-ambivalent Posted January 31, 2014 Share #3 Posted January 31, 2014 I use a CV 21/25 with my 21SEM and it works quite well. I have not done any framing tests; I think that would be silly unless I was shooting chromes for projection. I don't know if it gives precise framing and I don't really care. I've come to think of RF photography as a little more loose than with an SLR as regards framing. The print is where you nail the framing, right? That said, the CV VF is small, well made and attractive. s-a Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IWC Doppel Posted February 1, 2014 Share #4 Posted February 1, 2014 I have the metal 21/25 and use it with 21 and 24 Lei ca lenses I prefer it to my new silly priced 18mm Leica viewfinder. It's clearer suffers from flare much less and is superb Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les_Sismore Posted February 2, 2014 Share #5 Posted February 2, 2014 fyi http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/customer-forum/151199-voigtlander-21-25-metal-finder.html Cheers Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick_S Posted February 2, 2014 Author Share #6 Posted February 2, 2014 The comparative review by Fuzzy Logic in the thread linked to was useful, thanks. So far no-one has commented on whether there is any systematic horizontal bias in the Voigtländer 21/25mm combined viewfinder (which might arise if it was designed for a Voigtländer camera where the position of the hot-shoe relative to the lens is closer together, compared to a Leica M). Nick Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted February 2, 2014 Share #7 Posted February 2, 2014 Advertisement (gone after registration) Again no experience of the CV metal finder, but the offset of the plastic CV 21mm finder and the 12008 is identical. Steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
newnew Posted February 2, 2014 Share #8 Posted February 2, 2014 You should also consider the lower priced 24 mm viewfinder for the D-Lux series. Its full limits, outside the white guidelines correspond more or less to the 21 mm . I am shooting my SEM 21mm with the D-Lux 24 mm finder and had no bad surprises so far (behind the distorsion on the viewfinder). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IWC Doppel Posted February 2, 2014 Share #9 Posted February 2, 2014 The comparative review by Fuzzy Logic in the thread linked to was useful, thanks. So far no-one has commented on whether there is any systematic horizontal bias in the Voigtländer 21/25mm combined viewfinder (which might arise if it was designed for a Voigtländer camera where the position of the hot-shoe relative to the lens is closer together, compared to a Leica M). Nick None that I have noticed the position and angle is similar to my metal Leica 18 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sisoje Posted February 2, 2014 Share #10 Posted February 2, 2014 I used VC21 viewfinder (original) for years with M8 and VC15 lens. It was good, but not great. The main issue I had was distortion and having hard time "hitting" the horizon level. Before you blame it on my eye or my ability to frame, I have to add it happened only with this viewfinder... But, it was cheap and better then older Leica ones... Recently, after getting SEM21, I was able to trade some vintage Leica M mount adapters for VC Zoom finder. That thing is ugly and big, but great for what it is! Picture is big an bright, not as distorted as original 15mm viewfinder. No issues with getting the horizon strait any more. If you can live with really unusual design and size, I recommend this accessory especially if you have any other lenses between 15-35... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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