which viewfinder for Elmarit 21mm?

[Steve McGarrett]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Just to make myself clear, yesterday I was referring to the Leica plastic viewfinder, not the Voigtlander one.

 

Not prone to slipping away thanks to the tightening lever (a feature lacking in first batches in the early 80s, however), not able to scratch the camera paint if mounted when you're in a hurry, optics not stellar but very good, decent eye relief for spectacles wearers...

Edited August 1, 2017 by Steve McGarrett

[IWC Doppel]

Voigtlander metal 21/25 is very very good and for me good enough for 24 and 21. I prefer to the uber expensive Leica metal alternatives

[Stein K S]

Voigtlander metal 21/25 is very very good and for me good enough for 24 and 21. I prefer to the uber expensive Leica metal alternatives

Also very happy with the Voightlander vievfiner 21/25 to go both with my 21 and 24 lenses! Small, bright... and ¨wider¨ than the Leicas. I do own the Zeiss 21 viewfinder as well. And while being even wider and brighter than the Voightlander, I still tend to pick that nice & small Voightlander.

 

Concerning accuracy, however, I find none of these to be really accurate vs actual picture frame (size and lines)... but still fine with me.

[Photon42]

I like the Zeiss Zi 21mm finder (metal), which which is brighter and better than the plastic Leica 21 finder, and the old Leitz 21 metal finder.

_______________

Alone in Bangkok essay on BURN Magazine

 

 

I agree on the Zeiss finder for the best viewing experience overall. The new Leica finder has a smaller footprint (very welcome) and is almost as bright, but normally much more expensive. I would not go for the zoom one (21-24-28). 

[james.liam]

I agree on the Zeiss finder for the best viewing experience overall. The new Leica finder has a smaller footprint (very welcome) and is almost as bright, but normally much more expensive. I would not go for the zoom one (21-24-28).

This may all change; not even certain the ZM finders are still in production and with more robust EVFs for the M10 and beyond, you should soon see many 2nd-hand Leica 21s showing up for sale.

Edited August 4, 2017 by james.liam

[happymac]

@kengai,

 

I sent you a PM.

 

Tom

[ShivaYash]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Personally for weight, I think you can’t beat the Voigtlander 21 plastic finder. It’s great. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170816/be8b6c6708a808e85398ac1a4ebf8e11.heic

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Peter H]

The nicest viewing experience is offered by the Zeiss 21 VF, but it is not 100% accurately aligned for a Leica M.

 

If you don't mind loose framing and use the VF as a close guide, it gives the clearest, brightest view of all and is very pleasant to use. But for accuracy (wysiwyg) you can't beat an EVF if you have a an M with live view.

Edited August 17, 2017 by Peter H

[Gobert]

The Ricoh GV-1 looks like quite similar to the Voigtlander, but cheaper to find on the 2nd hand market. Only the foot is different positioned. I own both and I think I prefer the Ricoh.

[LeicaFan1]

The Leica 12008 21mm viewfinder came from Leica Portugal and is all plastic and has a lock.  I prefer the plastic to the metal as it won't mar the finish and it is lighter.

[Gregm61]

As a glasses wearer I also prefer the Leica 12008 i recently purchased as old/new stock. I earlier bought and still have the Voigtlander 21/25 and it’d be much more likely to scratch my glasses so the 12008 is much preferred. That it also locks in place is the clincher.

 

I also utilize the same style finder for when I use the 24mm f3.8 Elmar.

Edited January 2, 2018 by Gregm61

[MarkP]

Zoom 21-24-28- is the worst finder I ever used.   Leica should be ashamed to have put their name on it.

So true.

[MarkP]

There have been many controversial discussions regarding the 21mm optical VFs (see below).

 

I had the Zeiss finder which I exchanged for the Leica metal 21mm OVF. As the dealer had recommended the Zeiss I wasn't penalised for the exchange when we compared finders in his shop and found the Leica to be 'better'.

 

The Zeiss gorgeous to look through but to me has unacceptable framing. I know that RF framing is always somewhat suboptimal but the Zeiss was worse than the Leica, and the rotational error is not easily fixed in-post. Furthermore it is so big it easily catches on neck straps etc and came off more than once.

 

Post #66 here details my assessment:

https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/144842-21mm-viewfinder-leica-or-zeiss/page-4

 

https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/167741-which-21mm-finder-a-comparison/

 

https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/167741-which-21mm-finder-a-comparison/

 

https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/257995-viewfinders-for-21swhats-the-bottom-line/

 

Regards,

Mark

Edited January 2, 2018 by MarkP

[michaelwj]

Ah, the old viewfinder thread!

 

In my opinion, none of them are perfect so I think it's best practice to use the one that is contemporary to the lens. So the original metal one goes with the 3.4/21 Super Angulon, the Elmarits get the plastic one, and the latest 3.4/21 gets the new metal one. The WATE gets the frankenfinder.

[a.noctilux]

I have had (used ...) dozen of viewfinders (metal or plastic) for M and Barnack over time.

... even own a VIOOH https://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-wiki.en/index.php/VIOOH

 

 

As multi focal lenses user (include SLR zooms and Tri-Elmar-M), never found the right finder untill...

 

I discovered the Voigtlander Zoom Finder 15-35mm :

https://www.cameraquest.com/voigt_1535_vf.htm

[Narsuitus]

I use the Contax G 21mm finder on my Leica rangefinders.

 

35mm Rangefinders by Narsuitus, on Flickr

[james.liam]

Any thoughts on whether the Contax finder introduces fewer framing errors compared to the Voigtländer Leica or Zeiss finders?

[dunhoy]

Leica plastic one works for me - got it used for a bargain - but one (whatever finder you choose eventually) used or you will be fleeced!