35mm External Finders for M2

[blackdot]

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I’m in the unfortunate position of loving my M2, preferring the 35mm focal length, and wearing glasses. I’m looking at the Light Lens Lab external finder as well as the Sony FDA-V1K C. The latter is a Zeiss finder for the Sony RX-1, which I also own and like quite a bit. Has anyone compared the two and preferred one or the other, especially with eyeglasses? Thanks. 

[a.noctilux]

Go to one of the rare SBLOO/12010

or if you plan to use other shorter lens(es), DA446A

then why not 18707

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[250swb]

I definitely wouldn't get the Light Lens Lab finder which is a copy of the SBLOO for the simple reason that with glasses I can't see the edge of the frame at all if my eye is centred. I can see the 35mm framelines in my M2 so I'd be making it far worse trying to use it. Far better is the bog standard Voigtlander plastic 35mm finder because not only can I see the entire illuminated frame wearing glasses but also a bit around the edge of it. The Voigtlander finder also has the advantage of being cheaper and brighter than Leica 35mm finders.

Edited August 15, 2023 by 250swb

[blackdot]

7 minutes ago, 250swb said:

I definitely wouldn't get the Light Lens Lab finder which is a copy of the SBLOO for the simple reason that with glasses I can't see the edge of the frame at all if my eye is centred. I can see the 35mm framelines in my M2 so I'd be making it far worse trying to use it. Far better is the bog standard Voigtlander plastic 35mm finder because not only can I see the entire illuminated frame wearing glasses but also a bit around the edge of it. The Voigtlander finder also has the advantage of being cheaper and brighter than Leica 35mm finders.

Thanks for the warning on the LLL. I've got the metal Voightlander 28mm, and it is quite nice. I'd still like to try the Sony/Zeiss, as I remember long ago looking at their 21mm and being amazed.

I really wish I hadn't sold my M6TTL 0.58. 

[spydrxx]

After gnashing my teeth a few years ago trying to decide on a 35mm finder (I also wear eyeglasses) for my other bodies (not M2), I began by making one from a discardrd cheap consumer film camera. It is small and works ok, but when I found a good deal on the metal Voigtlander I got one. WOW...it is fantastic, super bright framelines and a clear bright view. Even wearing glasses I can see everything, and for a year or so also used it for my 28mm lenses. If you can get your hands on one, I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

[Anbaric]

9 hours ago, 250swb said:

I definitely wouldn't get the Light Lens Lab finder which is a copy of the SBLOO for the simple reason that with glasses I can't see the edge of the frame at all if my eye is centred. I can see the 35mm framelines in my M2 so I'd be making it far worse trying to use it. Far better is the bog standard Voigtlander plastic 35mm finder because not only can I see the entire illuminated frame wearing glasses but also a bit around the edge of it. The Voigtlander finder also has the advantage of being cheaper and brighter than Leica 35mm finders.

I didn't know about the LLL 'SBLOO' - bit cheeky of them to call it that on the website, and I see that their IROOA hood copy even has the codename engraved on it. They also have a WEISU 35mm finder copy - I wonder what the eye relief on that one is like?

[250swb]

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1 hour ago, Anbaric said:

I didn't know about the LLL 'SBLOO' - bit cheeky of them to call it that on the website, and I see that their IROOA hood copy even has the codename engraved on it. They also have a WEISU 35mm finder copy - I wonder what the eye relief on that one is like?

I think they are just making exact copies and not improving on what nowadays would be considered a modern take on the design. So some things they nail, but a with viewfinders and glasses they default to an out of date expectation, and great if you don’t wear glasses but they should perhaps mention it somewhere or offer an alternative magnification.

[Anbaric]

12 minutes ago, 250swb said:

I think they are just making exact copies and not improving on what nowadays would be considered a modern take on the design. So some things they nail, but a with viewfinders and glasses they default to an out of date expectation, and great if you don’t wear glasses but they should perhaps mention it somewhere or offer an alternative magnification.

I suppose Cosina/Voigtländer were prepared to innovate a bit more, and it's a pity their discontinued stuff is now becoming harder to find. They also made another 35mm finder in metal that was a bit closer in design to the longer focal length Leitz finders, which made it quite small and neat and probably less vulnerable than the SBLOO with its big front element.  I have tried that one, but don't recall what the eye relief was like.

[blackdot]

10 hours ago, spydrxx said:

After gnashing my teeth a few years ago trying to decide on a 35mm finder (I also wear eyeglasses) for my other bodies (not M2), I began by making one from a discardrd cheap consumer film camera. It is small and works ok, but when I found a good deal on the metal Voigtlander I got one. WOW...it is fantastic, super bright framelines and a clear bright view. Even wearing glasses I can see everything, and for a year or so also used it for my 28mm lenses. If you can get your hands on one, I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

I've got the 28mm version, and it is indeed fantastic. A bit scratchy - could use a rubber thingy on the eyepiece - but I've been careful.

Edited August 15, 2023 by blackdot

[blackdot]

I stopped by a shop today that had the LLL and SBLOO finders, and wow - quite unsuited for use with glasses indeed. Shockingly so. It's like Leica has some hostile policy against eyeglass wearers.

[a.noctilux]

19 minutes ago, blackdot said:

I stopped by a shop today that had the LLL and SBLOO finders, and wow - quite unsuited for use with glasses indeed. Shockingly so. It's like Leica has some hostile policy against eyeglass wearers.

Nothing can replace real life deception.

Just go on wherever your direction.

 

For decades, Leica M were deceptive ...for many users and for eyeglass wearers.

Happily, some of the nicest photos from M were output by eyeglass wearers or others.

[madNbad]

I love these threads! I can't see past the end of my elbow without glasses, have a touch of macular degeneration and the retina in my right eye had a tear that was patched like wallpaper using a laser. I'm about to have glasses made that are simply distance and mid-distance to use with my M4 and M4-2, leaving off the bifocal part. My vision has been lousy my entire life but I've owned (and used) Barnacks, a CL(film), a M2, M6, two M6 TTL's and the only time I felt need for a viewfinder was for lenses 21 and wider. I did add a 28 finder to the current M cameras even though at .72 I could use the entire viewfinder. There are several places to get plastic covers for the metal eyepiece. DAG Camera Parts makes one of the best. Unfortunately, Leica discontinued the rubberized eyepiece that was used with the M6.

The M2 has the best viewfinder Leica ever made, the M4 is a close second. It's a joy to see those unencumbered frame lines and even with glasses, easy to use. I use a Leica rangefinder because of my poor vision. The long base rangefinder ensures focus which was not always guaranteed with some of the Nikon SLR's. Long ago, I learned the trick of scanning the entire finder. Moving my eye to check the corners, except for the lower right which normally has a lens hood or barrel blocking part of it. It's fast and I've always have pretty good luck.

Have I had the eyepiece beat up my expensive composite lenses? More than I can count. It won't keep me from using my Leicas.

Good luck finding a decent 35 finder. Spend the money and get the best you can find.

[blackdot]

On 8/15/2023 at 8:42 PM, 250swb said:

Far better is the bog standard Voigtlander plastic 35mm finder because not only can I see the entire illuminated frame wearing glasses but also a bit around the edge of it. The Voigtlander finder also has the advantage of being cheaper and brighter than Leica 35mm finders.

This is what I ended up buying. I like that it is offset to line up better with the lens axis. I have the 21mm version as well, but I haven’t been shooting that wide lately. Might have to change that. 

I recently read somewhere that some Leica techs can replace the smallish rectangular viewfinder aperture in the M2 with the larger M4 version. Is this uncommon due to parts, or something that can readily be done by most shops? Can the aperture be enlarged without a replacement part, or can it even be removed altogether without causing other more serious problems?

 

Edited August 19, 2023 by blackdot

[a.noctilux]

Sold out

from DAG

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Sorry

[madNbad]

About ten years ago, DAG installed one in my M2 while he was doing some other work and it did make the corners a bit easier to see. Now I have an ealy run M4 that has the older stye aperture and a M4-2 with the later version and it's an obvious difference. 

[lekitr]

I don't like the idea of having external viewfinder.  I use the diopter correction lens om my different m bodies and that was a revelation for me.  I'm not at +3, hopefully I will go a year or two before having to find third company who can provide me with a stronger one.  My optometrist proposed a different approach, using contact lens, actually two different one.  One + whatever needed for the finder on one eye and one regular on the other.  

[blackdot]

7 hours ago, madNbad said:

About ten years ago, DAG installed one in my M2 while he was doing some other work and it did make the corners a bit easier to see. Now I have an ealy run M4 that has the older stye aperture and a M4-2 with the later version and it's an obvious difference. 

I live in Japan, so I’d have to check around a bit. Couldn’t a shop just file out the existing mask rather than replace it?

[madNbad]

26 minutes ago, blackdot said:

I live in Japan, so I’d have to check around a bit. Couldn’t a shop just file out the existing mask rather than replace it?

Check with some of the Japanese market repair shops. The top plate needs to come off of the camera and it wouldn’t be a difficult modification. Kanto or another specialty shop may even have one in stock.

You could also check if they have any remaining M6 eyepieces. 

[blackdot]

7 minutes ago, madNbad said:

Check with some of the Japanese market repair shops. The top plate needs to come off of the camera and it wouldn’t be a difficult modification. Kanto or another specialty shop may even have one in stock.

You could also check if they have any remaining M6 eyepieces. 

Thanks! I’ve luckily not needed any repairs yet since I moved here, so I haven’t yet looked into repair shops. I’ve heard of Kanto, though. 

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[jayroon]

I recently bought the 35mm Zeiss finder that was made for the Sony RX1, same as Zeiss’s other external finders and its great! 

Similar story, eyeglass wearer and rangefinder shooter. 35mm is my preferred focal length, using the Zeiss 35 2.8 mostly, so the finder is a nice match. 

Not familiar with other external finders, but the Zeiss one is very bright and much easier to see the framelines compared to my M6, slightly different magnification most likely, didnt look into it that much. 

If youre still looking and have a chance to buy one you wont be disappointed!