jimleicam3 Posted June 17, 2009 Share #1 Posted June 17, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) Is it possible to use a 21 mm lens on the M8 without the external viewfinder? How wide can you go with guessing on the M8? Thanks Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted June 17, 2009 Posted June 17, 2009 Hi jimleicam3, Take a look here How wide without a viewfinder?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Nicoleica Posted June 17, 2009 Share #2 Posted June 17, 2009 I think that a lot depends upon your eyesight. Some people can see the full limit of the viewfinder with no problems, whereas others, myself included, feel like their eyeball has been training for a marathon run just to see the 24mm framelines. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
burkey Posted June 17, 2009 Share #3 Posted June 17, 2009 I use a 21mm Skopar on my M8 and ended up buying the small metal CV 28mm finder to use with it. Aging eyes and glasses were the reason. . . . David 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! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/88257-how-wide-without-a-viewfinder/?do=findComment&comment=935650'>More sharing options...
Tim B Posted June 17, 2009 Share #4 Posted June 17, 2009 We very recently had a thread on this - you might like to do a search. Look at: ( http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-m8-forum/87373-can-i-get-away-elmarit-21mm.html ) My own experience is that as I use the 21mm (28mm FOV) a lot on my M8, and I wear glasses, I cannot easily see into the corners of the viewfinder so an external viewfinder is absolutely necessary. I use the little Voigtlander one, which is neat and fine (and doesn't cost a fortune.) I have superglued a rubber "O" ring on the eyepiece to prevent it ruining my glasses. I use a 28mm Elmarit ASPH (35mm FOV) as well on this camera and that is very comfortable without an external viewfinder. Tim Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
noah_addis Posted June 17, 2009 Share #5 Posted June 17, 2009 Even if you can see into the corners of the M8 viewfinder, it's tough to get accurate framing with a 21. I'd say stick to a 24mm if you want to use the M8 finder. I use my 24 Elmarit much more than my 21 ASPH just because I don't like using an external finder but I do like accurate framing. When I do shoot with the 21, I always use the voigtlander finder mentioned above. It's very bright and accurate. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimleicam3 Posted June 17, 2009 Author Share #6 Posted June 17, 2009 Thanks for the help. I am concerned about going wider than 24 mm because of the added expense of a viewfinder. I have ordered the 24 mm f/3.8, but of course I always question my own choices. Thanks again. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shootist Posted June 17, 2009 Share #7 Posted June 17, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) I use a CV 21 without external VF. I don't find it a problem. I guess for me accurate framing isn't that important. but I do ok with thr framing using just the internal M8 finder. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted June 17, 2009 Share #8 Posted June 17, 2009 With practice you will get to know the FOV of your lens. Then you will not need a viewfinder. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
offshore Posted June 17, 2009 Share #9 Posted June 17, 2009 I second that with practice you will get to know your FOV and in a pinch if you use the entire viewfinder FOV it is close enough with a 21 to come out correct. I wear glasses and it works for me when I need it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
photophile Posted June 18, 2009 Share #10 Posted June 18, 2009 I use my 21 all the time without finder. the edges are approximate but it is far easier than focus / adjust etc. for my style of shooting. The 21 yields excellent results. good luck. CH Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
t024484 Posted June 18, 2009 Share #11 Posted June 18, 2009 I use my 21 all the time without finder. the edges are approximate but it is far easier than focus / adjust etc. for my style of shooting. The 21 yields excellent results. good luck. CH +1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Double Negative Posted June 18, 2009 Share #12 Posted June 18, 2009 I use a 25mm regularly, which isn't an issue at all (being around 35mm) but go so far as to use an 18mm as well (being around 24mm) using the entire VF. Naturally it's not "accurate" (in RF terms) but it works great for me. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hunghang Posted June 18, 2009 Share #13 Posted June 18, 2009 My experience is as follows. I use a CV 21mm LTM and use the 21mm/35mm adapter that brings up the 24/35mm framelines (if my memory is correct - haven't got the M8 here... just select the ltm to m adapter that brings up the 24mm framelines on your M8). At close distances, the 24mm framelines are quite accurate. At infinity/far distances, use the whole VF (what you see using your naked eye without glasses). Finally, use your judgment and estimate somewhere in between for mid-distances. Works wonderfully well - at least for me anyway. I am starting to enjoy the M8 more with my 21mm now that the above "tricks" work well for me. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveB Posted June 18, 2009 Share #14 Posted June 18, 2009 External finders help, but they're not totally necessary on the wide end. I use a 12mm CV on the M8 and, as often as not, don't bother mounting the external viewfinder. I have a pretty good idea in my minds eye where the limits of the image are going to fall. More important, is understanding how these ultra-wide lenses distort the image and where the subject will be minimally/maximally distorted. I find myself doing a sort of "frame bracketing" that places the vanishing point and horizon at several points around the center of the image. Then I choose the best solution from among several examples. It's amazing how easy photography becomes when you don't have to worry about framing or focusing! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimleicam3 Posted June 18, 2009 Author Share #15 Posted June 18, 2009 I use my 21 all the time without finder. the edges are approximate but it is far easier than focus / adjust etc. for my style of shooting. The 21 yields excellent results. good luck. CH Would you try that with the new 18 mm f/3.8? Thanks Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
barneybm Posted June 29, 2009 Share #16 Posted June 29, 2009 I just got a 16-18-21mm and use it without any finder. After the first picture, you see exactly what you're getting. There is no problem with composition. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
efftee Posted June 29, 2009 Share #17 Posted June 29, 2009 I use a CV 15mm without an ext viewfinder. Then again, I don't need very accurate framing and as some already said, with use, you'll get an idea of what's in the fov. With an M8, if you're not happy with what you see on the LCD, you can always make another. Strangely though, I find that 8 out of 10 times, I prefer the first shot regardless of the framing. Go figure. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
fefe Posted June 29, 2009 Share #18 Posted June 29, 2009 I always use my CV15 without an external viewfinder. It covers a FOV of 90 degres so it is really easy to visualize. If I need precise framing I look at the picture on the LCD and take another one to correct the framing errors. I don't take moving targets with it so it's not a problem and it saves me carrying a 20mm finder (which I don't have anyways, I just have the 15mm sold with the lens). 21mm FOV on the M8 is so close to the entire viewfinder perspective that even with glasses if you peak on the corners you'll get a rather good idea of what you'll include in the frame. The frame lines in my M8 are inaccurate enough that I learned to trust my estimations of what should be in the picture in function of distance and focal length and just use the viewfinder as an assistance, not as exact framing information. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
odyocu Posted June 29, 2009 Share #19 Posted June 29, 2009 I think 21mm is the limit w/o viewfinder. 24 mm is already shown. The area around it approximately gives 21mm, but not accurately. furthermore, you can't see all cormers at the same time (if you have eyeglasses like I do). But it works. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted June 29, 2009 Share #20 Posted June 29, 2009 Is it possible to use a 21 mm lens on the M8 without the external viewfinder? How wide can you go with guessing on the M8? Thanks If you already have a 21mm it is a great lens on an M8; I use mine a lot. I use an old Leitz metal 28mm finder from my M3. You definitely need a finder for accurate framing, though for grabbed 'street' photography, you can get by with guesswork. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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