The amazing SBOOI 5cm/50mm optical viewfinder

[MarkP]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

So my mint (not minty) SBOOI just arrived.

This is the most amazing viewfinder.  Despite being 50 years old it is crystal clear with perfect bright lines. 1.00 magnification allows one to frame and shoot with both eyes open.

It is an extraordinary experience composing with both eyes open with 50mm frameline overlay!

Does anyone else use this little gem?

 

 

 

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

 

 

 

Edited November 11, 2021 by MarkP

[wizard]

vor 13 Minuten schrieb MarkP:

Does anyone else use this little gem?

Yes, I use mine on my Minolta CLE whenever I mount a 50mm lens on that camera. I also have the original small leather case for that finder, which may be mounted to the camera strap. And yes, the optical quality of that finder is indeed superb. It is imho the best 50 mm finder, better (brighter and larger magnification) even than the M3 finder.

Edited November 11, 2021 by wizard
addition of text

[a.noctilux]

Of course, best of 5cm/50mm viewfinder 👍

Since the day that one Barnack's fan showed me (my first look through this incredible VF) his SBOOI,

each time that I can, it's pretext to use one 😁

 

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

 

seen here already

Edited November 11, 2021 by a.noctilux

[MarkP]

Thanks Wizard, I'll try it on my CL. I quite like using a 50mm lens on it.
And yes it is better than the M3 VF..

 

Hi a.noctilux,
Show off 🙂,  an impressive array of SBOOIs.

I bought it for my IIIf but it's so good on the M cameras. 
I better get another one before you corner the market.

Edited November 11, 2021 by MarkP

[a.noctilux]

Hello Mark,

going further, if you need to tailor the fixing on the camera,

have a read here for the crude adaptation, be careful not to break something though

 

[MarkP]

15 minutes ago, a.noctilux said:

Hello Mark,

going further, if you need to tailor the fixing on the camera,

have a read here for the crude adaptation, be careful not to break something though

 

Thanks for that link.  Mine fits snugly on all my cameras - luckily.  
I'll be very careful if I need to adjust the feet.

I have the 21mm VF and was aware that a subtle adjustment of the linear slot lightens up the fit in the hotshoe.

Edited November 11, 2021 by MarkP

[jankap]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

1 hour ago, MarkP said:

Thanks Wizard, I'll try it on my CL. I quite like using a 50mm lens on it.
And yes it is better than the M3 VF..

The CL is a APS crop camera. The 35mm lens is the right choice for the SBOOI in this case.

I have one too, I use it for my Tessina. Not very often I must admit (film camera).

Edited November 11, 2021 by jankap

[MarkP]

1 minute ago, jankap said:

The CL is a APS crop camera. The 35mm lens is the right choice for the SBOOI in this case.

I have one too, I use it for my Tessina. Not very often I must admit (film camera).

I have a CL film camera which is what I thought you meant. I’d not use it on a cropped CL sensor 🙂

[wizard]

vor 3 Minuten schrieb jankap:

The CL is a APS crop camera.

Unless Mark refers to a Leica CL film camera, that is.

Edit: My post crossed with Mark's 🙂

Edited November 11, 2021 by wizard

[jankap]

OK, just came to remember the Minolta-Leica.

 

[darylgo]

The amazing SBOOI would be mounted on many of my cameras, a few times on the S2.  When hiking in the cold the primary viewfinder fogs easily, switching to the SBOOI would give me a few extra moments of shooting.  The use of tape at the back helped with issues of sliding, certainly not an elegant solution.  Lately, my use is infrequent and I think about selling them. Similar to many Leica items, I can’t part with them.  

[Roland Dunn]

Just found a SBOOI for my iiif. Can anyone tell me what the visible dashed horizontal line just under the top of the main bright line frame indicates?

[jaapv]

The parallax cutoff at minimum focus distance. 

[Erik van Straten]

Yes, I use this finder a lot. I have an original black painted one (shiny laquered) probably prewar, because the inscription is without the GmbH-marking. The black finish on this item is e xtremely rare, I´ve never seen another one like it, not in the flesh, on the internet or printed. Usually these finders are in chrome and have the GmbH-marking. One of the greatest Leica-accessories.

Erik.

Edited July 28 by Erik van Straten