view on external viewfinders?

[haribo]

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Alright, here's a rather odd and potentially dumb question.

Have a c/v 15mm lens and bought yesterday the c/v 12mm as well.

Technically, with the M8 I'm supposed to use the 15mm viewfinder. But, and that's a big one, the 12mm vf that came with the new lens looks incredible (even on a black M8, and it is made out of metal instead of plastic!).

 

So, here's my question, if I would use the 12mm vf how much harder would it be to frame correctly?

Would I be way off or still within limits since one always gets a bit more on file???

 

Unfortunately, I can't test it for myself because the Milich LTM8 for it hasn't arrived yet and I secured the other one with a dab of Loctite to the 15mm lens.

 

Thanks.

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[lars_bergquist]

People are complaining about finder frames taking in too much – this would give you the problem in spades! It would be like using the finder for a 16mm lens (on a full frame camera) for a 21 mm lens. Don't! The esthetics of the image is more important than that of the camera, and the CV 15mm finder is a good one.

 

I am using a 'Miliched' 15mm, but I have a Leica 21mm finder for it. Still, I wouldn't hesitate to use a CV 21 finder with it, if I had to.

 

The old man from the Age of the SBLOOI

[dseelig]

Quite frankly I hated the voigtlander viewfinder for the 21 just a ton of distortion. I got a zeiss and love it David

[farnz]

Have a c/v 15mm lens and bought yesterday the c/v 12mm as well.

Technically, with the M8 I'm supposed to use the 15mm viewfinder...

Harald,

 

Owing to the M8's 1.33 crop factor, the efov (effective field of view) for the CV15 on the M8 is 20mm and for the CV12 is 16mm, so you could use the 15mm VF for both and attach framelines for the CV15 (the body of the VF would act as framelines for the CV12). (I've done this using 0.5mm masking tape on the large end of the VF and it works very well.) This has two advantages: 1) with the CV15 you can see what's happening outside the frame, and 2) you only have to carry and use one VF.

 

I note that you prefer your 12mm VF because of its build and image quality so you might like to experiment with attaching 2 sets of frame lines to it, although it might be a bit fiddly. (Attaching 1 set so that it's straight and even was a little fiddly because the masking tape is very fine but my fingers are not. )

 

Pete.

[etienne_werner]

Alright, here's a rather odd and potentially dumb question.

Have a c/v 15mm lens and bought yesterday the c/v 12mm as well.

Technically, with the M8 I'm supposed to use the 15mm viewfinder. But, and that's a big one, the 12mm vf that came with the new lens looks incredible (even on a black M8, and it is made out of metal instead of plastic!).

 

So, here's my question, if I would use the 12mm vf how much harder would it be to frame correctly?

Would I be way off or still within limits since one always gets a bit more on file???

 

 

 

Thanks.

 

I'm with you on this one. Not only is the quality of the 12mm VF on equal heading with any of the VF out there (it is one of the few that is Aspherical) but it also gives the viewer the possibility to look outside of the frame when composing a picture. Something, I believe we Leica photogs like and are used too. So I would like to find a way to have the 16mm frame made inside this 12mm VF. I wonder if an engraving shop could do this?

 

Kind regards,

 

Etienne

[carstenw]

In your situation, here is what I would do:

 

- Put the camera on a tripod, point it at a subject with lots of detail all over.

- Put the 12mm lens and viewfinder on the camera and take a picture.

- Using the rear screen as a guide, find the points corresponding to the real image on the back of the viewfinder. It might help to use a little transparent tape, and then you can draw dots on the tape.

- *Somehow* mark this point on the viewfinder. A small removeable paint dot might do the trick.

- Repeat for all corners, and perhaps for the 15mm lens as well.

[haribo]

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Thanks for all your comments.

 

Must admit my thinking wasn't all that extreme as some thought. Sorry for not being clear enough.

For the cv15mm I will of course use the 21mm viewfinder. (Although Etienne's idea is a good one!!!)

What I was thinking was rather using for the cv12mm the original 12mm viewfinder instead of the 15mm one. Both have no framelines and I figure a bit wider view won't hurt framing too much with this lens.

 

Thanks.

[Chuck Hatcher]

For the cv15mm I will of course use the 21mm viewfinder...

 

Another option is to use the 21mm finder for both. It seems to be identical to the 15mm finder but with added 21mm bright frame lines. Use the 21mm frame lines for the 15mm lens and the entire view for the 12mm.

[haribo]

Was out all afternoon shooting with the cv15mm (with 21 mm vf).

To be honest, because I'm wearing glasses I don't really notice too much of the framelines in the 21mm viewfinder.

With glasses i just don't get close enough to it in order to enjoy the entire viewfinder window.

Could it be that for someone like me who wears glasses, the 12mm viewfinder could actually be a better choice for the cv 15mm and 12mm lens as well?

 

Anybody else wearing glasses experiencing the same?

 

Thanks.

[j. borger]

To be honest, because I'm wearing glasses I don't really notice too much of the framelines in the 21mm viewfinder.

Anybody else wearing glasses experiencing the same?

Yes ... same here .... .

Anyhow ........ i can't live with the distortion of the CV finders makes leveling and keeping lines straight almost impossible. Had the same experience with some 28mm Leica external finders in the past and the CV 28/35 minifinder...........never tried the Zeiss ... but they are a no go for me because of size.

I am on the point of giving up my last lens that needs an external finder ....

There might be one option left ... finding somebody who could engrave a "100% straight" cross in the middle of the finder to help to keep the lines straight..???

[farnz]

There might be one option left ... finding somebody who could engrave a "100% straight" cross in the middle of the finder to help to keep the lines straight..???

For a less drastic measure you could try putting a level strip of 0.5mm masking tape across your VF's wide end to see if it works for you before permanently engraving. The masking tape is cheaply available through eBay.

 

Pete.

[Hookeye]

Perhaps I should not tell this - for fear of making an ass of myself. But I hardly ever use the CV finders. I just have a general idea of the angle of view for both the CV12 and CV15 in my head. Then I just use the regular viewfinder of the M8 to check that the lines are straight and fire away. The final adjustments can be quicly

[Hookeye]

sorry that slipped away.

 

.. quicly done in Photoshop.

 

was what I meant to say.

[j. borger]

For a less drastic measure you could try putting a level strip of 0.5mm masking tape across your VF's wide end to see if it works for you before permanently engraving. The masking tape is cheaply available through eBay.

 

Pete.

 

Thanks for the tip .... worth a try!

[gareth_c]

Perhaps I should not tell this - for fear of making an ass of myself. But I hardly ever use the CV finders.

 

Can't see that as anything but a good thing. With the large DOF of these lenses pointing and shooting with an idea of the framelines in your head is what these lenses are all about, I would have thought.

[jlancasterd]

Another option is to use the 21mm finder for both. It seems to be identical to the 15mm finder but with added 21mm bright frame lines. Use the 21mm frame lines for the 15mm lens and the entire view for the 12mm.

 

Thanks Chuck, for confirming this - it's a question I'd been meaning to ask. I have both the 15mm and 21mm CV viewfinders and, on a casual comparison, the overall FOV of each seems to be much the same - If I can also use the 21mm finder as a 15mm it will certainly simplify matters if (when!) I get a 12mm for my M8.

[haribo]

Update:

 

Was out yesterday again shooting with the c/v15. This time using the 12mm viewfinder, though.

 

As stated earlier, because of me wearing glasses the view through those external finders is somewhat limited. With the 21mm vf for instance, the framelines equal pretty much my entire viewing window.

My findings with the 12mm viewfinder are such that I won't use neither, the 21 nor the 15 for my ultra wide lenses anymore.

Looking through the 12mm vf gives me pretty much what I get 'on file' with the cv15mm because of my glasses limiting how close I get to the finder. Pressing a bit closer to the viewfinder gives me a tad wider view which should be close to the fov of the 12mm lens.

 

For me it's a no brainer. From now on I'll stick to just one viewfinder, the 12mm, for both lenses.

Too bad, I spent the extra money for the 21mm viewfinder ...

[gareth_c]

For anyone that might be interested:

 

Robert White (UK) are this week getting in stock the CV 15mm with a 21mm finder as a bundle. £245 +VAT I think, thats £20 more than the original 15mm

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Hallo,

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[wparsonsgisnet]

Perhaps I should not tell this - for fear of making an ass of myself. But I hardly ever use the CV finders. I just have a general idea of the angle of view for both the CV12 and CV15 in my head. Then I just use the regular viewfinder of the M8 to check that the lines are straight and fire away. The final adjustments can be quicly

 

I have the CV15 (in a Milich sandwich) and used the viewfinder some, but found it easier to guess at the framing and not use it. I will try the .5mm tape for lines option and see how it goes.