MF SLRs: Prism or Waist Level finder?

MF SLRs: Prism or Waist Level finder?

  • Prism

    Votes: 64 34.6%

  • Wasit Level

    Votes: 112 60.5%

  • Sports

    Votes: 2 1.1%

  • Other

    Votes: 7 3.8%
  • Total voters
    185
I've been using WLF on 500CM, but lately realizing I'm using magnifier to focus most of times. I just ordered 45 degree prism finder so I'll see how I like it. Main reason for using WLF was the size and weight on Hassy. I really like using WLF on TLR, but not particularly a big fan of WLF on Hassy.
 
The reason I am asking is because I have a Mamiya 645 that came with the prism finder, and I find it very awkward to use this way - holding, focusing and shooting. Seems like a WLF would be more natural. This could be peculiar to these cameras.
 
I have a M645 with both finders (well, I just sold it). The 6x4.5 format makes for shooting portrait format (vertical) impossible with a WL viewfinder. Keep this in mind. The waist level finder is also very difficult to focus well (even with the magnifier), for the screen is dark. The prism is awkward, but it is a better focussing tool. The waist level viewfinder is only good for very specific situations. Having used both, i would say just stick with the prism. This awkwardness is the price you pay for the inexpensive version of medium format.
For 6x6, a waist level viewfinder is my preference as the screens are brighter than the Mamiya (hassy and rolleiflex at least are).
 
filmfan said:
I have a M645 with both finders (well, I just sold it). The 6x4.5 format makes for shooting portrait format (vertical) impossible with a WL viewfinder.
Click to expand...

Good point. The prism also has a hot shoe. I was considering buying a WLF and selling the prism, but maybe I will keep both.
 
The Mamiya 645 that I have came with the Prism finder and I like it...It has a meter, it's easier to use the camera in the vertical position, as stated above, the hot shoe is a plus and it seals the focusing screen better that the wide open WLF...
I did buy the WLF for it about a year later and really like it...I always use the magnifier for any focusing (due to my age).
I like the angles I can get with the WLF...it's opened up a whole different way of shooting for me...
They're always on sale...get one...I think you'll like it...maybe not as natural as a prism finder but you get used to it...
My WLF has been mounted on the Beast ever since I got it...
 
I like 45 degree prism. It's two stops dimmer than wlf but the image is in normal position. It's easier to compose, at least for me. Also, with the prism, the camera is somewhat weather sealed. It's hard to use wlf with tripod. Some people do, but I can't
 
When I had a M645 I had both and after tweaking (read with drill, epoxy glue and magic) a left sided hand grip from Vivitar (strong and low cost) to sit at 45 degree angle back I used the eye level almost all the time.

When I was using a 'Blad on and off it was WLF all the time due to size, it was just too heavy to use comfortably without a grip.

B2 (;->
 
A prism on a 645 SLR is problematic since you have to rotate the camera body to change the negative orientation, and then use of the prism is very awkward.

Non-metered prism finders for the Hassie are cheap and I picked one up to try it. My preference after using both is the waist level.
 
Unless you really need the portrait orientation on the 645, a WLF is great.

I never had any problem with the laterally reversed image. It's just a matter of making the mental adjustment that you don't turn the camera in the direction of the subject in the finder; rather, you 'drag the subject' to where you want it in the frame.

The biggest plus about a WLF is the ability to judge composition with both eyes. That you see the image reversed from real and can compare the two, also helps in judging whether and how the shot will come out best.
 
Having brief experiences with Rollei & Mamiya TLRs, Hasselblad & Mamiya RB SLRs, I found I disliked the WLF, partly for the reversed view. So when I finally bought my own MF SLR, it was a Pentax 6x7 with prism finder, as this camera is clearly configured/designed for comfortable eyelevel use. I found the others mentioned pretty awkward handling at eyelevel, even with such as the Porro Prism on the Mamiya C. I think the Hasselblad 45° prism would be ok, but haven't tried one. The Pentax 645 doesn't even offer the option of waist-level viewing (except with the 90° eyepiece adapter) and that's fine by me as it handles very well.
 
Both. With my Pentax 645N, there's no choice - prism only. My Rolleiflex SLX came with a WLF and I have yet to feel the need for a prism finder. I have both a WLF and plain prism for the Mamiya RZ-67, with the WLF being used most of the time (especially if I'm out and about) but the prism finder getting a look in whenever the mood takes me.
 
On my Mamiya 645 1000s, I prefer the WLF because of the easier focusing due to higher magnification. I sold the prism finder because I was not using it. On my Pentax 67, I use both WLF and prism finder (WLF for tripod work and prism finder for handholding). Unfortunately, the P67 prism does not show all of the frame and changing the VF on the fly is not very convenient.
BTW, I'm not a big fan of vertical orientation and the few times I want to shoot a vertical image using a WLF, I can easily do it on the tripod using a gear head (but I agree that handheld it's not very convenient).
 
I think you need both a WLF and a Prism finder shooting medium format, be it two separate cameras. I only have WLF MF-cameras right now, and it does get difficult with certain angles, extending the tripod all the way and climbing on a table to still be able to compose happens quite often when I use the TLR.

martin
 
WLF is awesome to see. There's something magical about seeing through a ground glass. The bigger the better, like 5x7 actually, but I digress. For those who hasn't tried it, do it at least for the experience.

Prism is useful when you're in a hurry (shooting events, for example). And of course, when you have to shoot above chest-level.

On a tripod, doing still-life with little objects, nothing beats 90 degree magnifier. I have one on my Hasselblad that came from a Bronica (the previous owner welded a Hassy "feet" on it) that has 5x magnification.
 
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