Leica 28mm aux VF vs CV 28mm aux VF

[J J Kapsberger]

I looked through a (plastic) Leica 28mm aux VF. One thing I liked about it is that it extends a bit behind the body, which gives my (not insubstantial) nose a bit of room.

The frame lines were bright; the image not too distorted.

One thing I didn't like about it is the price tag: CAD 199, perhaps negotiable.

The CV 28mm aux VF is much cheaper and made out of metal. How does it compare to the plastic Leica one?

 

[ferider]

The metal CV finder is not much cheaper these days.

I've had both. The Leica plastic finder is safer for the camera and nice that you can lock it (even though that mechanism tends to break). The CV finder is really really nice, less distortion, brighter, and higher eye point. I would prefer it.

Roland.

 

[J J Kapsberger]

...higher eye point.

Thanks. That's important, as I wear glasses.

 

[Bill Blackwell]

Personally, I prefer the plastic finders; they're easier on the accessory shoe. Be that as it may, the CV finder is probably better because it's sealed from dust (the Leica plastic finder is not). The best of both worlds would be the (now discontinued) CV plastic finder - if you can find one.

 

[Ljós]

Hi,
the point you are making about the Leica finder giving more "nose" room is spot on and not to be laughed at. I owned a new VC 28mm metal finder and a damaged, but useable) Leica SLOOZ 28mm metal finder at the same time. The VC 28mm finder is indeed sparkling bright, but combined with the way it sits on the camera (its back is flush with a Leica M) I did not really find it "high eyepoint". This is something very banal and practical and not so often mentioned on RFF, but think about it: using the camera in "portrait" orientation, it is very easy to look through any finder, because the camera itself is out of your face. That way, the VC metal finder is great even for those wearing glasses.
In "landscape" orientation, which tends to be the most used way of holding the camera, the fact that the VC finder is flush with the camera is a disadvantage.

I can't comment on the Leica plastic finder, I have never handled one. The picture below shows a comparison of a SLOOZ with the VC 28mm finder. I do not know whether the Leica plastic finder is just a SLOOZ in a plastic casing.

All the best, Ljós

 

[BillBingham2]

The only leica plastic finder I ever had was the 21. Never really loved it. I have the CV metal and love it. Had several plastic CVs and while they were better than the plastic Leica, not near as good as the metal CV.

With a bit of abuse the brass very nicely too.

B2

 

[sepiareverb]

I'm remebering I briefly had the 24 Leica plastic finder, and didn't like it as I couldn't see the lines well. You've obviously not had this problem with the 28 finder you've looked at- so I'd say go for it. I do miss the longer construction- my current finder for the 24 is the new Leica 18mm (the M8 lines = 24mm) beautiful, but it is tiny.