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Fiewfinder 21/28mm for M-A and CL


MGou

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Probably that may have been discussed many times before - and i read all about i could find.

Please be patient with me 🙂 asking again.

A few weeks ago i restarted shoting film after i stopped around 2002 and sold all my equippment.

I got a M-9 years ago with a current 50 Summilux Asph, later added the 35 FLE and was so far happy.

When M-10 P came out i added that too.

I never got really into digital for a few reasons:

I donˋt like much working on each pic at the computer afterwards, as i am sitting in front of a monitor job wise.

I lost pictures over the years (but i still have all negatives ever shot from past)

Fear the sensitive electronic in rough condition as well beeing out of juce while out and about.

And so on 🙂

There are also many pros shooting digital.

Actually i am completely fallen in love with film again - and it is after this 20 years of absence - still the same thrilling kick.

Long story short:

Now i hav a M-A black chrome and a CL is on its way.

I have - and much like - SEM f3,4 21 Asph. and a current 28 Summicron Asph. V2.

On M-A 28 i can use perfect - with the CL i read it could work using the whole fiewfinder.

As i donˋt have it yet i can not check, but read that the few maybe is a bit tighter through the CL finder than 28 requires.

Anyway, for 21mm i need a external viewfinder for both cameras (and M-9).

I was - after reading a lot - getting to the conclusion, that maybe the 

Leica brightline finder 21mm (12024/12025) could be the ideal match for me?

It will show 21mm accurately and 28mm. Where the 28mm will bring the bonus to show a bit outside the frame for the CL,

simmilar the M-A (and M-9, M10) finder have some space around the 28mm frame lines.

I am mainly shooting black and white, 

mainly street, bit of architecture and landscape and want go for more portraiture (with 50mm)

Would that finder be a wise move?

Someone maybe can tell from own experience.

I know there are alternatives, but than i may need separate finders for 21 and 28mm.

I am just not sure to spend that much of money, but on the other hand, at least the

21mm lens is worthless without a separate finder on my film bodyˋs.

 

Thankˋs for reading 🙂

 

P.S. the reason for my lens selection is, 

all lenses are on top spec and all do have 46mm filter treat.

All are reasnably compact with minimal finder blockage (at least without hood)

I am not planing for other focal length.

I mostly use 28mm but want to use 21 with film more.

 

Roland

 

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Hello Roland,

aux viewfinders are expensive, I do have used a few (or dozens ?).

In your place, I'd have a look at Voigtlander or Zeiss.

 

Wait a minute,

after using small but limited finders, I end up with 12014 (21-28)

and better (if not pretty ! ) DA446A (15-35)

They are not cheap, but in the end quite flexible (I use them on M/LTM/etc.), the nice thing is, I can tailor the "real" coverage of the lens in use.

On film this is a long road of practising, but in the end I see that 21mm is not quite 21mm in real use, so tailoring "real" coverage can save the day.

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12014

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

Edited by a.noctilux
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Hello Noctilux,

thank you for your answer.

The zoom finder 12014 i had a few years ago. I was very disappointed with its 

optical quality (barrel distortion) and with the more guestimate and blury frame edges 

that i send it back the next day. It was also some kind too big to leave it on the camera.

The voigtländer zoom finder may be good - i donˋt know - but is very big.

That leads my intention to unobstrusevly use the CL for street ad absurdum 😁

Unfortunately i have never looked through one of the other finders (CV, Zeiss ...) except the Leica zoom finder.

I just want to avoid the buying - not liking and selling - procedure until i find the one i like.

There is no shop nearby to have a glance through any finder.

Hence i need real world experience from user in similar situation (21 and 28 with 0.72 M finder and CL)

I do know, that framing is not 100% exact with M, but i also need the finder to get an impression of the perspective

i am getting plus the more or less acurate framing. 

Sometimes i need to walk (around - away - approching) permanently glancing through the finder to get it done 🙂

In that aspect i am very happy with the 28mm framelines of all my M bodys.

 

Roland

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Aux viewfinder is something to look through, for framing with Leica M (or CL)

even with some practices (months or years), we can do without it.

No aux VF can be bright/small/cheap in same time, so some compromise must be made choosing one or two.

For decades I use 21mm Super-Angulon 4/21mm on MDa with the old (a bit dim/hazed) SBKOO/12002

even if I have also nicer/cleaner more modern plastic (with locking lever) 21mm VF that I use on other M.

 

In your place, you may find in good shape/price ( not the brightest or accurate ) and in plastic ...

I'd take for 28mm 12017 and for 21mm 12012  that I use for so long with LTM and M

 

SBKOO + MDa + S-A 21mm

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And what about the 12024 or 12025 which have included the 28mm frames in the 21mm finder?

Have you ever uesd one of those? If i get the plastic ones i need one 21mm and one 28.

Both together may be the same price as the actual brightline finders but older and not pone to break as the brass version.

 

Roland

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I use the Voigtlander 28mm finder, and it works very well.  It is more affordable than the Leica finders.  It is also rather compact.

No experience with 21mm finder.

Hope this helps...

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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!

comparing to Danner's 28 VF size, 21 is bigger

if not use with care, protruding lens at front can scratch easily

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Thanks a lot for all your usefull imput,

as i have received my "new" CL and shot 3 films already i will give you soon an update.

Just was busy shooting, developing and scaning 🙂

and i have my solution which works pretty well for me.


Roland

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Latest Leica 21mm external VF is fitted with full frame and crop frame lines, works well framing 28mm focal length lenses. It was developed for M8 with 1.33 crop sensor: 21 x 1.33 = 27.93

Comes in black and chrome, expensive, I got mine secondhand, worth looking for one, very satisfied framing 28mm lens.

Edited by mmradman
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