21-24-28 external viewfinder

[startover]

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Hi all, I have Leica lenses for 21 and 28, and a 24 from MS-Optics.  Wondering what would be a good single viewfinder to buy.  The 21-24-28 variable finder from Leica seems to get a lot of flak for distortion.  Is there a 21 viewfinder that would also show the frame lines for 28?  I can then estimate where the 24 lines would be.

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[jankap]

This distortion will not show up in your picture. A viewfinder gives the outline of the intended picture. The rest is in the brain of the photographer. The best "viewfinder" is a Visoflex, because you then see what the lens sees.

[startover]

Yes, I understand barrel distortion doesn't affect the image.  Hoping for a wysiwyg viewfinder.

Can't use the Visoflex for my M-P.

[Stephen.s1]

cameraquest.com

[wda]

It is a very convenient and well-made Leica accessory which I can strongly recommend. Mild distortion can be a slight nuisance, but it does not impair its performance and integrity.

[plaidshirts]

1 hour ago, startover said:

Hi all, I have Leica lenses for 21 and 28, and a 24 from MS-Optics.  Wondering what would be a good single viewfinder to buy.  The 21-24-28 variable finder from Leica seems to get a lot of flak for distortion.  Is there a 21 viewfinder that would also show the frame lines for 28?  I can then estimate where the 24 lines would be.

There always this pricy thing which is well regarded: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/461939-REG/Leica_12011_Universal_Wide_Angle_Viewfinder_M.html

The Voitlander checks 2 of the boxes so you'd have to estimate the 28mm fl: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/725639-REG/Voigtlander_DA216B_21_25_mm_Viewfinder_Black.html

[startover]

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Thank you.  Yes, the Franken Finder would be a great option although I am put off by the size.  And, yes, the 21/25 from Voigtlander is likely what I would get if I can't find a better solution.  I am still considering the variable 21-24-28.  I understood that it works with masking not with bright lines, which might restrict the field of view.  No solution without any some tradeoffs it seems.

[a.noctilux]

12013 or 12014 (in Wiki) are the second best VF I use,

the best if not the prettiest is DA446A as said above ... which is future proof (from 15 to 35mm lense)

always possible to finetune the field of view as will.

To have an idea of it's size, comparing to other VF, a bit on the heavy side though.

Edited April 2, 2021 by a.noctilux

[UliWer]

The Leica 21-24-28 looks good on the camera. Though it is not very well constructed: you just have a "window" for each field of view with no frames like you are used to with the  M - viewfinder. So you don't see what happens outside the "windows". It also has no correction for different distances, which may be important in some instances.

The "Universal Wide Angle Finder Finder" (16 -28m) has frames and you see the surroundings for each field of view. Though there is much distortion the picture is incredibly clear; you can also fine tune it for different distances. There is a sprit level to help you keep the camera straight, which is helpful for wide angles. But it is so horribly large (though not heavy) that most people shun to add it on their cameras. 

I had a short look though the Voigtländer Zoom finder when it was introduced. The picture I got for different focal lengthes seemed quite good. Though the whole thing didn't convince me  that it would not fall apart after some hours of usage. Perhaps this first impression was wrong and it is reliable on long term. Since Voigtländer doesn't offer it anymore it is hard to find - and not cheap second hand.  

[wda]

1 hour ago, UliWer said:

The Leica 21-24-28 looks good on the camera. Though it is not very well constructed: ...

I beg to differ. Nothing wrong with its construction. Design? Maybe, if you are expecting frames. More like an EVF for framing.

[RoySmith]

I had an alternative idea about a viewfinder for 21, 24, and 28mm lenses.  Leica makes18mm, 21mm and 24mm Bright-Line  viewfinders. I have both the 18mm and 24mm models and they are very high quality.

These viewfinders have framelines for the full frame sensors and for the M8’s APS-H sensor which has a 1.3X crop factor.

The 21mm Leica Bright-Line viewfinder’s frame lines would therefore be 21mm and 27.3mm on a full frame camera.

About halfway between the framelines would be the 24mm lens field of view.

In this way, one small high quality viewfinder could work for the 21, 24, and 28mm lenses.

The 21mm Brightline Viewfinder is however only marginally cheaper than the Leica Universal Wide-Angle Viewfinder for M System so the latter would be the better choice.

[Luke_Miller]

When I added a 24mm lens I went with the metal Leica 24mm Brightline Finder.  In early usage I found the etched frame lines could wash out in brightly lit scenes, especially those with sky in the shot.  So I would struggle with composition and sometimes cut off part of my subject.  When I added my 21mm lens I looked for a different solution.  Found a used Universal Wide-Angle Finder (the Frankenfinder) and never looked back.  Its framelines are just like those in the camera's viewfinder and remain visible in the lighting I shoot in.  The  barrel distortion in the finder also affects the framelines so does not affect composition.  It also has parallax adjustments for closer subjects.  Used it was less than my 24mm Leica Brightline Finder bought new.

While not as elegant as the EVF I don't have to replace it each time I get a new body and I retain the benefit of framelines in the viewfinder.

[beewee]

I really like the Zeiss ZI IKON viewfinders: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/products/Viewfinders-Angle-Finders/ci/11366/N/3777857695?filters=fct_brand_name%3Azeiss

I have the 25/28mm and the 18mm but there’s also a 21mm version and 15 mm version as well. They are small, bright, and have less distortion and colour cast compared to all the other Leica single focal length viewfinders.

That being said, I’ve switched over to the Visoflex on the M10. The Zeiss viewfinders only got use on the M8.2 and when I’m doing night/astro photography where EVFs become useless.

Edited April 3, 2021 by beewee