Recommendations for a 21mm finder?

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kzphoto

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I have acquired a Super Angulon 21/3.4! Wonderful lens, but the Leica finder isn't giving me an accurate picture -- looks like the shoe on the finder has been replaced and isn't aligned properly.

I have a few inquiries out with DAG / Sherry Krauter about a repair on the finder, but in the mean time I'm considering the possibility of a new finder.

Any solid recommendations on a finder would be fantastic.

~k.
 
The Voigtlander 21mm finder is big and bright, and eminently usable even when wearing specs. I suspect the Zeiss equivalent is even better, but have never felt the need to trade up.
 
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I have an old chrome Leica, a current Voigtländer and a current Zeiss, and I've had the 2cm FSU and the Kobalux/Pasinon. The Zeiss is incomparably the best, though I've not tried the current Leica finder.

Cheers,

R.
 
I used to have Zeiss 21mm finder and now have voigtlander 21mm, Voigtlander 15-35mm zoom finder, and leica 21-24-28 finder and here is what I think.

Zeiss 21mm Great view. minimal distortion, a bit larger, very expensive.
Voigtlander 21mm, good view, some distortion, smaller, inexpensive.
Voigtlander 15-35mm, good view, some distortion, magnification is small, usable for other FL, larger and expensive.
Leica 21-24-28 Good view, some distortion, difficult to see entire view (like 28mm line on 0.72x M6), Larger, expensive

So, if I am to buy only one finder for 21mm, then I would take Zeiss if I have lots of $$, but if $$ is concern, VC 21mm does it fine.

Hiromu
 
I have the Leica 21mm finder and it seems accurate.
It's bright, clear at least.
I would have to buy another one though, I'd buy the VC 21mm for cost reasons (one can almost buy a VC lens for the price of a new Leica VF...)
 
If you put out big money for a finder make sure it fits the camera securely! The things love to fall off when most inconvenient.
Here's the link to safety catch I made up after loosing a Leitz 21mm finder... It's #63 http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=700375#post700375

Some people have had problems with the plastic foot breaking off their finder. If you get a plastic one be gentle with it.

Glenn
 
Looks like the feet on mine have broken off at some point -- I'll be checking out a Contax g1/g2 21mm finder and a CV 21mm finder. I realize now that I have a newer Leica plastic finder. Maybe I can do a side-by-side write up.
 
I've no experience of the 21mm Finder, but I have the old, chrome, SLOOZ finder (28mm) which is great. Very bright and accurate, but it seems to flare quite badly. It could do with a hood really! That said, it does look right on an M, which is nice.

If you have got the cash though, I'd say go with the newer Zeiss finder. Nice quality, very bright and it looks smart as well. You might well find a good deal on a second hand example.

Best of luck.
 
What camera are you using?
The hotshoe on Leica M's is offset from the centerline of the lens and Leica 21mm finders are offset to line up over the centerline. The Zeiss 21mm finder is for a Zeiss camera and is not offset, while a brillant finder it does not provide accurate framing for me and I use a Leica plastic 21mm. I won't purchase the new Leica 21mm finder until they take remove the M8 framlines. -Dick
 
I use an old plastic Leica 21mm finder (see Ken Rockwell's review and comparison with other finders here. The only other finder I have is for a Bronica RF645 45mm lens - and compared to that, the Leica finder has very little distortion. Nice to use. It was about US$200 used.

Steve
 
I see no reason buying zm finder when the cv 21mm is available for $100 used.
Plus, the 21mm finder can be used with cv 15mm. I just saved you about $400.
 
I have owned the Leica 21mm VF and CV21mm VF before. Leica one is better, especially with the lock to stay at the shoe securely. CV is good enough and value for money, but make sure it's not loose at the shoe.
 
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