jimleicam3 Posted August 16, 2009 Share #1 Posted August 16, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) Is it possible to use the M8 without a viewfinder and the new 18 mm f/3.8? I have been looking at a very wide angle lens, but I don't want the addition of a viewfinder on top of the camera. Am I crazy? Thanks for your help. Jim Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted August 16, 2009 Posted August 16, 2009 Hi jimleicam3, Take a look here 18 mm f/3.8 Without a viewfinder??. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
GarethC Posted August 17, 2009 Share #2 Posted August 17, 2009 yes Jim you are, I had doubts about focussing and then framing with the viewfinder but honestly, it is very easy and you really can't guess it. It becomes second nature after a while and I use hyperfocal many times so I don't even need to focus through the camera. That said, it seems that when I don't need to focus I still find myself looking through the camera as I need to check the exposure because obviously with that fov the exposure can get a bit whacky. Get the lens and the viewfinder, you'll never regret it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sfokevin Posted August 17, 2009 Share #3 Posted August 17, 2009 Not crazy at all!!... I have the SEM 18 and use it fine without an external finder (I find any external finder as clutter in my bag and on my camera too)... Once you use it for a while and do a bit of chimping you will intuitively know what crop you will get that is slightly beyond the range of the internal viewfinder... And for what Leica wants for the external finder you can fly more than 1/2 way around the world for a photo shoot! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dougg Posted August 17, 2009 Share #4 Posted August 17, 2009 I'd suggest the top-mounted accessory viewfinder, not necessarily the current Leica offering. There are plenty of less expensive 24/25mm finder choices, and one of them is particularly big and bright... the Zeiss 25/28mm finder, which you can use equally well with either the 18 or 21mm lens on the M8. Versatile, and very pleasant to use. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbretteville Posted August 17, 2009 Share #5 Posted August 17, 2009 I use a Zeiss 25/28 finder some of the time, but I also use the 18 without a finder. You'll learn to guesstimate the fov after a while. - Carl Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
adli Posted August 17, 2009 Share #6 Posted August 17, 2009 Is it possible to use the M8 without a viewfinder and the new 18 mm f/3.8? I have been looking at a very wide angle lens, but I don't want the addition of a viewfinder on top of the camera. Am I crazy? Thanks for your help. Jim I used the 18 mm for six weeks this summer without problems before my viewfinder arrived. Since the M8 have an LCD screen you can always check your image right after you shot it to se if your composition was correct. The viewfinder will however increase the chance of getting it right the first time. And you don't have to use the viewfinder all the time, even if you have it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
barneybm Posted August 17, 2009 Share #7 Posted August 17, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) I use the 16-18-21 Tri-Elmar without a viewfinder and, like the other posts suggest, it works out fine after the first shot. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterP Posted August 17, 2009 Share #8 Posted August 17, 2009 I guess I'm in the minority here. I use the 21/24/28 Variable viewfinder. Half the cost of the 18/24 finder. I don't chimp, and I don't like to guess. Sort of pointless to spend $3k on a lens and then 'hope for the best' with the results. We all have our different shooting styles and preferences. These are merely my preferences. Cheers Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
efftee Posted August 17, 2009 Share #9 Posted August 17, 2009 I use a CV 15mm without an external viewfinder. Whilst you wouldn't get it right 100% (not like any viewfinder would give you 100% anyway), you'd get used to the framing after a while. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hdrmd Posted August 17, 2009 Share #10 Posted August 17, 2009 I agree with eftee. It takes a little practice, but you soon get used to no external finder. It is so easy to check the display after the shot and adjust. DR Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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