External VF Framing Accuracy

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I’m looking to upgrade my 21mm and possibly 28mm viewfinders, and was wondering if there any particular finders that are more accurate than others. I have a plastic Leica 21mm, and it is not a very nice view due to heavy distortion. I also have a metal Voigtlander 28mm finder which is a joy to use, but I noticed it does not match the framing of the 28mm framelines in my M6ttl.

Are the Zeiss finders accurate? I know that shooting this wide it is less of an issue, but I want to make sure I don’t lose any important elements should I need to frame rather tightly. They are not offset like the Leica finders, but I’m not sure how much of a difference that makes. 

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[PCPix]

I have the 21/24 (and the 15) small Voigtlander round metal ones - I like the 21/24 for the fact that it covers the next two wider focal lengths not covered by (most) M viewfinders.

I really don't think external viewinders are that accurate, definitely more of a 'guideline' in my experience (15, 21, 24) and with barrel distortion. The Voigtlander metal options are central in the hotshoe so slightly offset to the right of the lens optical axis, I've never found this to be an issue - after all the regular camera viewfinder is offset by much more to the left and nobody really complains (!)

The Voigt metal finders are small and robust - only downside (which seems to apply to many external viewfinders) is no ability to lock the foot onto the hotshoe... I use a thin plastic shim underneath the foot to make the fit very tight... haven't lost one yet!

[250swb]

All my plastic Voigtlander finders are all offset to the left so are on the lens axis on a Leica M body. They are also the brightest finders I have and with a bit more eye relief so you can see a bit more outside the frame which can be useful. I don't understand why people use the metal finders I feel they are more 'form over function'.

[PCPix]

36 minutes ago, 250swb said:

I don't understand why people use the

…plastic ones!

Personally, I think the Voigt plastic finders look out of place on a metal M body, though I don’t know if they show a wider view outside of the framelines than the equivalent metal ones? The metal ones certainly are bright, clear and the field of view outside the framelines is perfectly adequate for my purposes. 
 

Irrespective of the metal/plastic consideration - I think the Voigtlander finders offer good value and should be considered seriously if you are looking for new finders. 

[Danner]

I use the 28mm Voigtlnder (metal) finder on my M6 with 28 Elmarit, and have not noticed it to be any more or less accurate than the Leica built-in frame lines (which aren't very accurate).  If you're looking for tight framing accuracy, get an SLR (LOL).

The Voiglander finder is very nice, and easy to see though wearing eyeglasses.

Edited May 3, 2024 by Danner

[250swb]

43 minutes ago, PCPix said:

…plastic ones!

Personally, I think the Voigt plastic finders look out of place on a metal M body, though I don’t know if they show a wider view outside of the framelines than the equivalent metal ones? The metal ones certainly are bright, clear and the field of view outside the framelines is perfectly adequate for my purposes. 
 

Irrespective of the metal/plastic consideration - I think the Voigtlander finders offer good value and should be considered seriously if you are looking for new finders. 

I think we generally agree, the Voigtlander finders are cheaper and brighter whichever type you use, but as I said the offset on the plastic finders is slightly more Leica friendly.

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I looked at the older metal Leica 21mm finder the other day, and noticed that the foot is not offset. Is this not an issue because of the super wide angle? In that case, wouldn't the Zeiss work the same?

[Luke_Miller]

I use the Leica 12011Universal finder aka Frankenfinder.  It has individual framelines for 16-28mm lenses, has a level bubble in the viewfinder, and is adjustable for shooting distance to correct for parallax.

Edited May 31, 2024 by Luke_Miller