Leica LTM Imarect/VIOOH or Russian universal finder

[colyn]

Which would you prefer on a Leica screw the Imarect/VIOOH or Russian universal finder??

Would be mainly used with focal lengths 35mm and 50mm and sometimes 85/90mm..

My Imarect has pulled a disappearing trick but I currently have a Russian finder..

 

[raid]

I favor the Russian finder over the Leica multi-finders that I have.

 

[colyn]

I favor the Russian finder over the Leica multi-finders that I have.

My personal experience is the Russian finder is easier to see through and I do like the crosshairs..

 

[d30gaijin]

Which would you prefer on a Leica screw the Imarect/VIOOH or Russian universal finder??

Would be mainly used with focal lengths 35mm and 50mm and sometimes 85/90mm..

My Imarect has pulled a disappearing trick but I currently have a Russian finder..

Neither, I prefer the Leitz VIDOM.

 

[Mr_Flibble]

The VIDOM looks cooler, but the Imarect doesn't have that weird mirror image.
I wouldn't know about the Russian one, though I've heard a number of forum members here say they're better (or at least more comfortable on the eyes).

 

[projectbluebird]

I realize it's not one of your choices, but I prefer the varifocal type of VF. There are several makes but I've got one from walz that covers framing for 35, 50, 85, 90, 105, and 135. The best part is the increasing magnification as the focal lengths get longer, like the zeiss/russian turret, but the size is more compact.

Just to clarify, I also have one of the russian turret finders and while nice quality-certainly the best quality of the russian equipment I've owned- it is too large for my taste and the parallax compensation leaves much to be desired. (another good point for the varifocal type)

 

[LeicaTom]

Neither..........I don`t like putting finders on top of my cameras, it scratches them up badly, VIDOM and VIOOH are notorious for this *almost 60% of all surviving "wartime" IIIC`s have some sort of finder damage on the top plate, this is very depressing *..........but the "wartime" VIOOH`s are interesting as collectables though, while there`s like 4 or 5 different versions

The BEST finder in my opinion that I also use often for 35mm, 50mm and 90mm is the ROSOL sportsfinder, light, fast, easy to use and compact, it doesn`t get in your way and there`s not all this fidding about with it, aim and shoot just like a gun! - I really don`t have time to be adjusting levers on finders for shots and you don`t have to be a rocket scientist to know how to use one of these......

It also stores up nicely too while everything folds up

- that`s my 1945 IIIC K to IIIFBD conversion all dressed up, ready to shoot for bear!

Six months ago the evilbay was full of these for sale, seems the market`s a little thin for them now, but they do come up for sale between $45/$50 to $100/$125, depending on condition, what versions and if a case/box or pouch is with it etc.

Tom

PS: You have to also put some tape or something to protect on the bottom front of this finder bottom so that when you pull it off you don`t scratch the top plate - just so that everyone knows!

 

[Roger Hicks]

Russian.

Incidentally they come in RH and LH versions, 'mirror images' of one another: foot to the left, foot to the right.

Much harder-edged than zoom finders (such as Tewe) and a bigger image than Leitz masking finders.

Tom's comments about ROSOL show the importance of personal taste. For me they're among the worst of finders: bulky, vague and easy to knock off. That doesn't mean that either of us is right: it merely illustrates that it can be dangerous to rely on anyone else's opinion.

Cheers,

Roger

 

[Mark Wood]

As Roger says, it's dangerous to rely on opinions, so with that caveat in mind, here are mine. My only issue with the Russian finder is that as it was a Zeiss design for the early Contax, there were no problems with making it quite large but the positioning of the mounting "foot" means that it sticks out quite a long way on the back of a screw thread Leica. I've probably got an odd shaped head(!!) but I find the turret finder gets in the way when I try to use the focussing window. On the plus side though, it's nice to have the large, bright image and the 28 mm frame.

I'd written off any ideas of using my father's old VIOOH finder until I had it cleaned by CRR. It was actually a revelation to see how bright these can be as most seem to have misted up over time. The small images at 90/135 mm aren't ideal, although on the plus side, the parallax correction is very accurate (when I remember to use it!). As you'd expect, it fits the cameras nicely. Apparently James Ravilous used one all the time on his M3 but sadly, I haven't found that it's helped me to take photographs anything like as good as his...

Mark

 

[Solinar]

If the VIOOH has been cleaned - then the viewfinder works quite well for the 35 and 50 mm focal length. The view is sparkling clear and razor sharp once it has been cleaned. Framing is spot-on, provided one takes the time to make the necessary adjustments on the VIOOH for parallax and cropping of the FOV for near focus.

The fly in the ointment with the VIOOH is its use of a cropping mask versus an variable optical arrangement. At the 50 mm setting the image is basically the same size as the normal viewfinder on a Leitz Barnack.

The KMZ Soviet finder is the ticket, if one uses an 85 or 135 - but on a Barnack these lenses, especially the 85, are bulky. Most users will find the provided cross-hairs beneficial in keeping the horizon level as well.

If I didn't already have the SBLOO and SBOOI bright-line finders - I'd still prefer the trusty VIOOH over the KMZ turret finder for the 35/50 focal lengths. In my experience the image is noticeably sharper and brighter than what one sees using a Soviet turret finder.

 

[Roger Hicks]

. . . the mounting "foot" means that it sticks out quite a long way on the back of a screw thread Leica.

Dear Mark,

I solved this one by filing away the first few millimetres of the foot, to a depth where it cleared the top of the front of the shoe.

Cheers,

Roger

 

[Mark Wood]

Dear Mark,

I solved this one by filing away the first few millimetres of the foot, to a depth where it cleared the top of the front of the shoe.

Cheers,

Roger

Thanks Roger, that's a very good idea. The crosshairs also do add a lot to the usability of the finder (I'm adept at getting sloping horizons with wideangle lenses!) so they're worth the effort, even though I do wonder if they look a bit odd perched on top of a tiny IIIa. Still, they do the job.

Cheers, Mark

 

[Spider67]

Just a not about the FSU turret finder:
The right hand version is for the Kievs and should better not be used with the Zorkis. The shutterspeed dial of my Zorki C got caught in the bulging part of the turret. The VF is in the exactly same position as in the Zorki-Version. The Zorki VF can be used with the Kiev it will only cause a wee inconvenience when you have to rewind the film.

 

[LeicaTom]

......vague and easy to knock off.

That doesn't mean that either of us is right: it merely illustrates that it can be dangerous to rely on anyone else's opinion.

Hmmm well I don`t misuse my cameras enough as to "knock off" a ROSOL finder, I`m very careful with my gear even though it get`s used hard sometimes in my photoshoots, I have the foresight to see a problem and steer clear of anything that might cause a accident, I dropped maybe one lens in over 25 years of shooting film, I don`t think that`s a bad average and I`ve never damaged a camera with a finder either

...and yes it`s just it my opinion as always, but I don`t see anything so dangerous about it though, I honestly don`t think I`m the ONLY one left using one of these, I think people have to see deeper than what`s posted and realize that everyone`s personal styles and even their photography business asks for different things, opinions and tools, I`m happy with the ROSOL it works for me and it should for anyone else who uses it right......I have quite a few friend`s who still use one regularly


Tom

 

[Dralowid]

My opinion (ie not the truth, last word, official position etc) is that the viewfinder expeirence is best with the bright line finders. None of the universals work as well or offer such a pleasing experience. Once you have tried one, the beloved VIDOM or VIOOH or whatever will be traded for another.

So if you need an additional finder, have a look at one. The Leitz ones are really superb and, by the way, the CV ones ain't half bad.

And Tom, yes, I found ROSOL great fun, together with a 'barndoor' Summicron hood, the kit gets so big that the risk of being struck by lightening increases appreciably.

only my opinion mind...and nowadays all my ltm lenses are 50s...so what do I know?

Michael

 

[colyn]

My opinion (ie not the truth, last word, official position etc) is that the viewfinder expeirence is best with the bright line finders. None of the universals work as well or offer such a pleasing experience. Once you have tried one, the beloved VIDOM or VIOOH or whatever will be traded for another.

I have Leitz brightline finders for 35, 50, 90, and 135mm but sometimes just like to carry a single finder.

I also have CV finders for the 15, 21, and 28mm lens.

 

[mynikonf2]

"If the VIOOH has been cleaned - then the viewfinder works quite well for the 35 and 50 mm focal length. The view is sparkling clear and razor sharp once it has been cleaned. Framing is spot-on, provided one takes the time to make the necessary adjustments on the VIOOH for parallax and cropping of the FOV for near focus."

I have a Imarect/VIOOH & it does need cleaning. Can someone recommend where to send it for this service?
thanks, Mike

 

[LeicaTom]

And Tom, yes, I found ROSOL great fun, together with a 'barndoor' Summicron hood, the kit gets so big that the risk of being struck by lightening increases appreciably.

only my opinion mind...and nowadays all my ltm lenses are 50s...so what do I know?

Michael

Now that`s pretty dammm funny !!!!!

And I live in Florida, so I have a really good chance of it, hahahahahah IIIC K with an Elmar 90, FIKUS and a ROSOL with and on top of the camera, just like a lighting rod

Tom

PS: Mee too! 75% of the time I`m only shooting 50`s with my LTM equipment, so really don`t need a finder LOL!!!!

 

[Mark Wood]

Peter at CRR in Luton, UK cleaned and serviced mine a couple of years ago. I can't remember what it cost (although it wasn't too expensive) but it made a world of difference to the brightness/clarity.

Mark

 

[LeicaTom]

DAG or Sherry Krauter (Golden Touch Leica) should clean them no prob, also ask Youxin Ye, maybe he will do them?
(he might also be a whole lot cheaper than the other two I mentioned)

Tom