ZI vs. CV finders

[kossi008]

Hi again. I'm still oscillating between the ZM 25 and one of the ZM 21s...

One question applies in either case, though: How are the Zeiss external finders compared to the Voigtländer ones? I would not mind springing the extra money if that got me something with less barrel distortion, as this has always been impairing my framing with the CV21/4 and it's finder...

 

[kossi008]

Well, I *still* wear glasses, remember? 😀

You recommended the 25/2.8 to me in the other thread, and I was going for it and the 18/4. But I just found out two things:

(a) My 28/3.5 seems to hold up pretty well under my new scrutiny. If it stays, I will definitely not need the 25.
(b) My prospected sales will generate cash for the purchase of exactly one more ZM lens. If I keep the 28, this will not be the 18, as I find the step too large. So I'm looking at 21s again...

So, how did you find the distortion on the 21 finder?

 

[Turtle]

I dont have the Zeiss , but the CV 21 finder. I find it has a little distortion and contrast is good. Downside is that parts of the frameline can kinda disappear (the top mainly I recall). Not perfect, but perfectly usable and very good for the money.

I find the CV finder much better than the Mamiya 7 finders as while thiese have great control of distortion and sense of space, they are much lower in contrast.

 

[kossi008]

Well, I do have the CV 21 finder, and I also have framelines disappearing now and then (mostly the lower ones, we must have different eyepoint centering).

While I agree that this finder is usable, I find that the distortion is not small. I have to really concentrate to get vertical lines vertical.

Does anyone here have both? I mean ZI and CV 21, or even ZI and CV 25?

 

[sahe69]

While I agree that this finder is usable, I find that the distortion is not small. I have to really concentrate to get vertical lines vertical.

Does anyone here have both? I mean ZI and CV 21, or even ZI and CV 25?

I've had the CV 21 finder which I later on changed to the ZI 21 finder. Whilst I find the CV finder very good in terms of brightness and overall usability, the ZI finder is really top notch. The distortions are virtually nonexistent and the brightness is just amazing - like it would amplify the ambient light. And the framelines are somewhat clearer as well (thinner) in my opinion.

As the only minus point the ZI finder is bulkier than the CV finder, and more boxy as well so it might get caught up in something a bit easier. (Not that it really is an important point for me at least)

 

[kossi008]

Thanks for the Info. I think I'll go for the ZI finder, then, as the distortions are really important for me...

 

[presspass]

I have both finders and the Zeiss are clearly better than the CV, but at a price. If you're going for a 21 and not looking for frame lines, check the Contax ones sold for the G series rangefinders - plenty bright and a nice rubber bumper for glasses.

 

[andreas]

I`ve used both. The CV21 finder is very good and perfectly usable.
The Zeiss 21 finder, as others have stated, is better. In fact, it`s not only better, it seems to be brighter than reality. And has less distortion too, but is also a little bigger.
If money is no object, go for the zeiss.

Good luck,
andreas

 

[craygc]

I also have both, and another vote for the Zeiss...

 

[kossi008]

If money is no object, go for the zeiss.

I wouldn't say that money is no object, but I'm willing to spend the extra cash if I get something for it, and this seems to be the case here.

Thanks, all.

 

[kossi008]

Thanks the clarification. That makes one more Zeiss vote, then (I should have done a poll, huh?)

Enough votes for me to make my decision. Thanks, guys.

 

[Gary E]

I've been recently using the CV 21, 28 and 75 finders and find them to be totally usable with glasses. The 28 and 75 are the newer metal ones and are a great bargain compared to the Zeiss and Leica offerings. But if I wasn't on a budget, I would've considered the Zeiss ones as well...

 

[tom_f77]

At one time or other i've had CV 15, 21, 25, 28, 35, 50 and 75mm finders. I also had the Zeiss 25/28 at some point.

Thinking about it, I think I remember justifying trying the Zeiss because it would replace two CV finders, so it was kind of half price. In fact, I'm not sure if I ever sold it... The ZM25/2.8 went to Kim Coxon, I think without the finder. Can't remember who got the CV25/4.

Does anybody remember buying a Zeiss 25/28 from me? If not I'm going to have to start searching hard. Maybe it's with the shade from my GR1v...

Anyway, they all work but the Zeiss was in another league. The only ones I have left are the 21, just in case, and the 35 which I have used with the 5D and OM/R 35mm lenses.

I wish Zeiss would make a 35 just for the hell of it. There's a certain perverse logic to it since the only compact it would really suit would be the Leica X1...

Tom

 

[umcelinho]

the 21mm finder from zeiss is just another level from the leica and the voigtlanders. another league. but i find it hard to justify spending that much on something that won't have a practical impact - at least for me - in the shooting experience or the results.

between the leica and the voigtlander i'd get the voigtlander. between the metal and the plastic one from voigtlander, tough choice, i like having 21mm only like in the plastic one, but the metal 21/25 one has the element better protected, should be more resistent and comes with a pouch, which is useful. also, it has less distortion.

 

[ferider]

The Zeiss finders are the best thing that happened since the invention of sourdough ...

However, you might consider getting the 21mm finder for your 25mm lens 🙂

 

[peter_n]

Thanks for the Info. I think I'll go for the ZI finder, then, as the distortions are really important for me...

Why? I mean I can (sort of) understand concern with distortion in a lens, but a VF? Doesn't affect the picture at all...

A tale of three finders: I use a Leica 24mm lens and for some reason I have three VFs for it, the new all-metal Leica 24, a current plastic CV 25, and a Panasonic 24. The best finder is the Panasonic ($160), the worst is the Leica ($760 at B&H) 😱.

I personally don't like the Zeiss finders because of their size; I've found that a big finder is the one attribute of a rangefinder that can draw attention to you. I'm a fan of the CV finders, they are small and bright and now mostly all-metal so you can leave them on in the bag.

 

[Tim Gray]

The 21mm Zeiss finder is pretty good. Better than my CV 15mm one. The bright lines can disappear from time to time and there is a bit of distortion. This can come into play when trying to line up your image vertically or horizontally. However it is very bright. I quite like it. Not sure if I would have paid full price for it, but I got a good deal here on the lens and finder together.

 

[Papercut]

The Zeiss 21 finder, .... it seems to be brighter than reality.

I had that exact same reaction the first time I looked through a friend's Zeiss 25/28 finder. I wanted to buy two and tape them to my glasses, because it made reality look better! 😀

When I bought a CV 21mm lens I paid just about as much as the lens itself to get the Zeiss 21 finder -- I might eventually upgrade the lens to a SA 21 or a ZM 21/4.5, but the finder will stay no matter what.

 

[Mister E]

Zeiss Finders FTW, but the new CV 21/25 finder is probably worth a look.

 

[meven]

Zeiss Finders FTW, but the new CV 21/25 finder is probably worth a look.

I had a look through the new CV metal 21/25 finder last week end and it is great, very well made, solid and tiny. Distortion is well controlled and price is still reasonable compare to the Zeiss counterpart.

I would definitely go for the CV one if I had to buy one.