CV 28/35 mini-finder vs CV 35mm brightline

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KyleCharles

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Hi all, my name is Kyle. Although I have been lurking here on RFF for 2 or 3 years now, this is my first thread. I have spent much time here and have learned a lot! Because of the wealth of good information here, I have acquired a modest collection of fixed lens Japanese rangefinders that I enjoy very much.

Recently a good friend of mine gave me a Leica IIf RD 1/1000 with a 50/3.5 red scale elmar and a 90/4 elmar. I have also acquired a 50/2.8 elmar and a Serenar 50/1.8. Right now everything is in the shop getting cla'd.

I have decided to get a 35mm lens (Canon 2.8 or 1.8, I have not yet decided) and I am trying to choose the right external viewfinder for myself. I will be buying a used example as I can not afford a new one (especially the 28/35). The way I see it, I have 3 choices:
Voigtlander 28/35mm mini-finder
Voigtlander 35mm brightline finder
Canon 35mm finder

Overall, I am the most attracted to the CV 28/35 mini-finder because I really like the small size. I am compactness freak. However, I wear glasses and I'm wondering if I will be able to see the frame lines clearly. I am also wondering about any potential distortion and frame line accuracy issues with this finder.

I know the CV 35mm brightline has a good reputation and good eye relief. I am put off by the larger size as compared to the 28/35.

I am worried that the Canon finder will scratch my glasses and not have enough eye relief. I do not know if this finder has bright lines or not. This finder only seems like an option if I decide to get the 35/2.8 as they are commonly sold together. I am not seriously considering this finder, but just figured that I would mention it.

So what do you think? Is the regular CV 35mm brightline considerably better than the 28/35 mini-finder? Is it better by enough of a margin to warrant it's larger size? Are the frame lines more accurate? Is there less distortion? Is the mini-finder usable for a person with with glasses?

I apologize for the long winded post. Moderators please feel free to move this if you feel this thread would be better placed in the general discussion or any other category.

Thank you all for your input!
 
I've owned and used both CV finders and I wear glasses. I found the 35 finder to be much better than the mini finder.

Offers to buy or sell are not permitted in discussion threads.
 
Thank you Frank. I apologize for the breach of etiquette. I have edited my post and will read the forum rules again and more carefully.

Is it just that the 35mm brightline is better overall, or just better for those of us that wear glasses? Is it a frame line accuracy issue or an eye relief issue?
 
KyleCharles said:
Hi all, my name is Kyle. Although I have been lurking here on RFF for 2 or 3 years now, this is my first thread. I have spent much time here and have learned a lot! Because of the wealth of good information here, I have acquired a modest collection of fixed lens Japanese rangefinders that I enjoy very much.

Recently a good friend of mine gave me a Leica IIf RD 1/1000 with a 50/3.5 red scale elmar and a 90/4 elmar. I have also acquired a 50/2.8 elmar and a Serenar 50/1.8. Right now everything is in the shop getting cla'd.

I have decided to get a 35mm lens (Canon 2.8 or 1.8, I have not yet decided) and I am trying to choose the right external viewfinder for myself. I will be buying a used example as I can not afford a new one (especially the 28/35). The way I see it, I have 3 choices:
Voigtlander 28/35mm mini-finder
Voigtlander 35mm brightline finder
Canon 35mm finder

Overall, I am the most attracted to the CV 28/35 mini-finder because I really like the small size. I am compactness freak. However, I wear glasses and I'm wondering if I will be able to see the frame lines clearly. I am also wondering about any potential distortion and frame line accuracy issues with this finder.

I know the CV 35mm brightline has a good reputation and good eye relief. I am put off by the larger size as compared to the 28/35.

I am worried that the Canon finder will scratch my glasses and not have enough eye relief. I do not know if this finder has bright lines or not. This finder only seems like an option if I decide to get the 35/2.8 as they are commonly sold together. I am not seriously considering this finder, but just figured that I would mention it.

So what do you think? Is the regular CV 35mm brightline considerably better than the 28/35 mini-finder? Is it better by enough of a margin to warrant it's larger size? Are the frame lines more accurate? Is there less distortion? Is the mini-finder usable for a person with with glasses?

I apologize for the long winded post. Moderators please feel free to move this if you feel this thread would be better placed in the general discussion or any other category.

Thank you all for your input!
Click to expand...

you need to understand you are comparing apples to oranges.

the two finders are designed to do different things.

each of those finders fulfills their design better than the other.

yes, the CV 35 finder is a better 35 finder than the 28/35 finder. It is also larger and gives only one brightline.

The mini finder is smaller and has two brightlines. It is smaller than the 35 VF, and also has a incredibly better 28 frameline than the 35 finder - which has none.

As far as what you can see with your glasses, that depends upon YOUR eyes and YOUR glasses -- NOT the finders!

All of the CV finders are MUCH better than their vintage classic counteparts - Leica, Canon, Nikon, or whatever.

Apple and oranges.

It all depends upon what YOU need and want - not a right or wrong answer.

Stephen
 
I also have the dedicated CV 28 finder. Both are excellent. They are both larger than the mini finder obviously, but their large view with less distortion at least gives the impression of more accurate framing. The mini finder is mini.
 
I have the CV 21/25, 35, and 75 brightline finders. Also the Ricoh 28 (for the GRD) and a circa 1960ish Leitz 5.0cm Brightline. Frankly, to my eye, they're all so close in quality as to be almost indistinguishable other than field coverage.

I once tried a CV 28/35 mini-finder and found that with my glasses it restricted my field of view too much* and was difficult to keep my eye positioned properly with it to frame very accurately. I'd only buy one for the compact size when not too concerned with framing accuracy.

* Due to my glasses, the CV 35mm Brightline OVF renders a field of view that almost exactly matches a 40mm equivalent FoV - It's perfect for a 28mm lens on the Ricoh GXR-M (24x16mm format, 42mm equivalent) and doesn't quite match the framing of a 35mm lens on 35mm film format. Your eyes, the glasses you wear, how they fit on your face and how the camera allows you to approach the finder with your eye all have a bearing on how a particular viewfinder will work for you.
 
I've had both the mini and the 35 finders and I wear glasses. The mini was difficult to use. The 35 is excellent with glasses. The old Canon finders (I still have a 28) weren't too bad, but are bigger than the VC finders.
 
I will go for the 35mm metal CV finder, which is better and cheaper.

I spent very long time to find a CV mini finder several month ago, but sold it immediately after I recieved it. The distortion is a problem for me.
 
You could always go diax. ;-) 35 1:1 is hard to beat. I have the cv mini, cv 35, diax and 1:1 35/50 topcor and they all have a niche. I think you made the right choice. given the glasses.
 
I've had two CV mini finders. On both, the rubber gasket that protects you eyeglasses fell off during routine use. I also have the 28 brightline finder (metal) which, although larger than the mini finder, is superb. If I were in your shoes, I'd look for the dedicated 35 brightline finder.
 
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