FYI - Zeiss optical viewfinder range also has a 35mm

[Winedemonium]

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Many may know this already, and perhaps few have need for one in this focal length.

There is of course the Leitz SBLOO for something more in keeping with a Leica body. But I have long been a fan of the large Zeiss finders made for the ZM system, offered in 15, 18, 21, and 25/28 (dual marked). They are large, very crisp, and have T* coated optics.

Well, Zeiss made one pretty much identical to that ZM range, but for Sony for the RX1 camera (Sony ref. FDA-V1). It comes in a not very pretty, but very handy Sony case that fits the other Zeiss (ZM) finders. 

I recently bought a mint used one for a fair price before finding out that Sony reference code - and indeed they are available even cheaper if you search, NIB (I guess they weren't such a popular accessory to Sony digital camera). It's a very high quality finder, if you need one, fyi.

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[Datsch]

Thanks for this. Food for thought, something perhaps to go with my new 35 ZM Distagon ...

Minus point: Although I think it would work well with an autofocus camera like the RX1 I am still finding the need to RF focus quite carefully, even at F8, unlike the wider lenses where you can set and forget focus and external OVF is normal ...

Plus point: Your view is (hopefully?) unobstructed, no finder blockage (The Distagon is honkingly large!)

Edited June 27, 2024 by Datsch

[Winedemonium]

@Datsch - it's certainly true that zone focusing is possible with higher confidence with wider lenses than 35mm, and a lens as sharp as the 35 ZM Distagon is going to reveal any errors with great acuity (!), it's still doable, especially if the distance to target is guessed. (A combination of film and a softer lens also helps!)

My motivation has come from a new pair of eyeglasses that have rendered the 35mm framelines on 0.72 a bit hard to see easily. Perhaps at some point I'll pick a 0.58 finder Leica for 35mm, but for now I'm quite happy to have found this ZM-type Zeiss finder, and especially with one of my little 3.5cm LTM lenses attached, it will turn my MPs into point-and-shoots.

[yossi]

This is also for info. for those who are looking for a good external 35mm VF.  Apology if OT.

I found in my dry cabinet this Leica VF for D-LUX 4, code: 18696.  See pix below:

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From the instruction, it shows that this VF has both 24mm and 35mm framelines.  It looks like the current 21mm metal VF 12025, but it is not metal.  Very bright. (Interesting to find "Made in Japan" on the box.  Not sure who made it for Leica.)

I am not sure if it is still available new currently.  I check the price tag on it and it is about $300 when I got it new years ago.  This might be another good alternative to the old SBLOO VF.

Edit:  Just saw a used one on eBay right now.  US seller (not me :D).  Asking around $200.  Just an indication of price.

Edited June 28, 2024 by yossi
For completeness.