peter_n Posted October 20, 2006 Share #21 Posted October 20, 2006 Advertisement (gone after registration) Well, the 25 CV finder (with brightlines is preferred) is good. Very good. The 24mm ASPH is excellent. And so may be the forthcoming CV R4A... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted October 20, 2006 Posted October 20, 2006 Hi peter_n, Take a look here 24mm Viewfinder Options ?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
drtrm Posted October 23, 2006 Share #22 Posted October 23, 2006 I've had no problems with the 21/24/28 Leica finder on my M7. It is a gorgeous optical instrument and it held up well during a trip to the Mesoamerican jungle in search of Maya archeology in 2005. In fact, I also use it on my Contax G2 as a more convenient option to the Contax 21mm finder or the built in frames. Tom M. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
robert-gregory Posted October 23, 2006 Share #23 Posted October 23, 2006 I've had the 24mm Elmarit since it was introduced. Although the finder is fine, bright, and does the job, I've never liked the size and plastic. Just by chance I picked up a new black paint Voigtlander 28/35 for my LTM camera and since selling those have had it on top my M4. As it turns out the very outside beyond the 28mm frame is close to the 'minds-eye' 24 view. Its small, looks great, well made with a sharp -.5 view and has been my new 24mm external viewfinder. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
asiafish Posted June 6, 2014 Share #24 Posted June 6, 2014 Wow, old thread, but still an important topic. I use the Leica 24mm f/3.8 Elmar-M on both my M Monochrom and M5 and was recently in the market for a bright line viewfinder for it. I started with a cheap Panasonic designed for their LX3 point-and-shoot and it works surprisingly well, thought its cheaply made and distorts a lot. Still, for $100 it was great. I'm using the lens more and more, so I decided to invest in a better finder and tried Leica's current metal bright line 24mm finder. It is outrageously expensive, but actually provides an even better view than the camera's viewfinder, with completely flare-free optics and bright frame lines that are easily visible even with my glasses on (I can only see 50mm frame lines reliably with glasses on an M camera). VERY expensive at over $800, but hey, its Leica. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkP Posted June 6, 2014 Share #25 Posted June 6, 2014 There is a Leica 24mm optical VF for the D-Lux4 which have from when I bought my D-Lux 4. I use with my 2.8/24 ZM Biogon - works perfectly. Quite cheap to buy new - even cheaper on eBay. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NJH Posted June 7, 2014 Share #26 Posted June 7, 2014 I'm using the lens more and more, so I decided to invest in a better finder and tried Leica's current metal bright line 24mm finder. It is outrageously expensive, but actually provides an even better view than the camera's viewfinder, with completely flare-free optics and bright frame lines that are easily visible even with my glasses on (I can only see 50mm frame lines reliably with glasses on an M camera). VERY expensive at over $800, but hey, its Leica. You can get the exact same design of viewfinder with a plastic body for a fraction of the price secondhand. I would think they were only made for a short time but once I got over the excitement of getting my bargain viewfinder it turns out that there are a few out there. I agree it is a wonderful finder but it does stick out the back of the camera a bit which some may not like and some prefer (I find it means I am not having to mash my face into the back of the camera). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IWC Doppel Posted June 7, 2014 Share #27 Posted June 7, 2014 Advertisement (gone after registration) I have a 21/25 metal CV viewfinder an 18mm Leica metal uber expensive one and I have tried the 21 and 24 Leica, the CV 21/25 is my preferred choice, a bargain. Okay 25 isnt 24 but I have never found this an issue, a superb viewfinder. If they did an 18 as good I'd swap the Leica any day of the week Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke_Miller Posted June 8, 2014 Share #28 Posted June 8, 2014 I'm using the lens more and more, so I decided to invest in a better finder and tried Leica's current metal bright line 24mm finder. It is outrageously expensive, but actually provides an even better view than the camera's viewfinder, with completely flare-free optics and bright frame lines that are easily visible even with my glasses on (I can only see 50mm frame lines reliably with glasses on an M camera).. That was the finder I got when I started using the 24 Elmarit-M on my M9. I was very satisfied with it except in bright outdoor situations where the frame lines would wash out at the top of the frame from the bright sky. Picked up a used Frankenfinder for $300 less than the 24 metal finder cost new. Although ungainly looking it is a superb finder using the same frameline illumination technology as the camera viewfinder. I find it much easier to frame accurately with it because I can see the framelines in almost any lighting and they are (manually) parallax corrected. A fringe benefit is when I shoot with my 28 Summicron. Its hood blocks quite a bit of the camera's viewfinder, but the 28mm setting on the Frankenfinder allows me to see the entire frame even at the closest focus parallax setting. Also, when I decide that I need (or want) a lens wider than 24mm I can use the other 16-18-21mm frame lines to help me decide how wide I want to go. And - I won't need an additional finder to go with it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcraf Posted June 8, 2014 Share #29 Posted June 8, 2014 That was the finder I got when I started using the 24 Elmarit-M on my M9. I was very satisfied with it except in bright outdoor situations where the frame lines would wash out at the top of the frame from the bright sky. Picked up a used Frankenfinder for $300 less than the 24 metal finder cost new. Although ungainly looking it is a superb finder using the same frameline illumination technology as the camera viewfinder. I find it much easier to frame accurately with it because I can see the framelines in almost any lighting and they are (manually) parallax corrected. A fringe benefit is when I shoot with my 28 Summicron. Its hood blocks quite a bit of the camera's viewfinder, but the 28mm setting on the Frankenfinder allows me to see the entire frame even at the closest focus parallax setting. Also, when I decide that I need (or want) a lens wider than 24mm I can use the other 16-18-21mm frame lines to help me decide how wide I want to go. And - I won't need an additional finder to go with it. +1 for the Frankenfinder. It's bulky, possibly ugly, but it's optically and functionally superb. I was out shooting with it and my 21 2.8 Asph this morning. I don't go really wide too often, but this reminded me how good this accessory is, and especially as I also have an 18 SEM and 24 2.8. Try and find a good used one if you can. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdlaing Posted June 9, 2014 Share #30 Posted June 9, 2014 +1 for the Frankenfinder. It's bulky, possibly ugly, but it's optically and functionally superb. I was out shooting with it and my 21 2.8 Asph this morning. I don't go really wide too often, but this reminded me how good this accessory is, and especially as I also have an 18 SEM and 24 2.8. Try and find a good used one if you can. Ditto. I wouldn't be without it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Sellitto Posted June 15, 2014 Share #31 Posted June 15, 2014 Rolo, I also use the leica 21 24 28 finder....well constructed. I occasionally use the plastic 24 leica finder which was offered as an accessory to the D-Lux 4 which has held up well! ~f Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirkB17 Posted June 15, 2014 Share #32 Posted June 15, 2014 +1 for the Frankenfinder. It's bulky, possibly ugly, but it's optically and functionally superb. I was out shooting with it and my 21 2.8 Asph this morning. I don't go really wide too often, but this reminded me how good this accessory is, and especially as I also have an 18 SEM and 24 2.8. Try and find a good used one if you can. Exactly my thoughts. I bought a used Frankenfinder for a fraction of the price of a new one and I am excited about the quality. Perfect. So my 21 now is a joy to use. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
asiafish Posted June 16, 2014 Share #33 Posted June 16, 2014 You can get the exact same design of viewfinder with a plastic body for a fraction of the price secondhand. I would think they were only made for a short time but once I got over the excitement of getting my bargain viewfinder it turns out that there are a few out there. I agree it is a wonderful finder but it does stick out the back of the camera a bit which some may not like and some prefer (I find it means I am not having to mash my face into the back of the camera). The current model does not protrude much. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter H Posted June 21, 2014 Share #34 Posted June 21, 2014 I recently picked up a mint 21/24/28 zoom finder. The 21 and 24 are fabulous. I don't need the 28 because I use the camera's VF, but the zoom is so good that even for 28mm I'm finding myself using it. I'm now getting rid of all my other finders except the EVF for a very few rare and specific purposes where 100% framing accuracy is essential. Otherwise, I like this zoom finder so much that I don't need or want anything else. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rramesh Posted June 22, 2014 Share #35 Posted June 22, 2014 On a full frame and if you also have the 21, best would be getting a 21 finder. The metal ones (SBKOO) come with 21 and 28 frame lines. Framing between the two will give you 24. One finder for 21-24-28. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeicaPassion Posted June 22, 2014 Share #36 Posted June 22, 2014 One finder for 21-24-28. Yes. For me, it's the perfect viewfinder for the 3 focal lengths, and it's much smaller than the Frankenfinder. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter H Posted June 22, 2014 Share #37 Posted June 22, 2014 Yes. For me, it's the perfect viewfinder for the 3 focal lengths, and it's much smaller than the Frankenfinder. But not as nice to use as the smaller zoom finder, in my opinion. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
efreed2754 Posted June 23, 2014 Share #38 Posted June 23, 2014 I have a 21/25 metal CV viewfinder an 18mm Leica metal uber expensive one and I have tried the 21 and 24 Leica, the CV 21/25 is my preferred choice, a bargain. Okay 25 isnt 24 but I have never found this an issue, a superb viewfinder. If they did an 18 as good I'd swap the Leica any day of the week Hi IWC. As you may know your 18 Leica finder has a 24 setting for use on the M8. So you can use the 18 as I have for 18 and 24, and then 21 is in between the two if needed. Since got the M 240 don't carry the finder for 18 or 24. Ed Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
drew.saunders Posted June 23, 2014 Share #39 Posted June 23, 2014 I know it may be heresy, but I have the CV zoom finder and it's actually much better than the 24mm finder that came with my 24/2.8. Since I also have a CV 15 and 21, I get to carry only that one finder, and it's not really all that bulky. Even if I'm only carrying the 24, I carry the CV finder instead of the Leica 24. Both type "A" and "B" versions have settings for a 1.3X crop camera like the M8. It really does zoom, so you can get in-between focal lengths too, if you need them. It click-stops at 25mm, so you can either back it off a bit (it tends not to drift) or just shoot at 25mm and know you're getting a little "bonus" for the actual shot. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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