1:1 viewfinders

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CK Dexter Haven

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Hey.

I have an old Voigtlander VITO CL. It was my grandfather's camera. I've never used it- it's a decorative piece on my bookshelf. But, i recently picked it up for the first time in years, and marveled at the viewfinder. It's so large and clear. Looking at it again, i realize it's a 1:1.

Aside from that recent CV Bessa, which other cameras have a viewfinder like this? Are there any in the Canon/Yashica/Olympus lines? Anything that would be considered a 'bargain?' With a decent lens?

I guess the lens focal length is a part of the equation if we're talking about fixed lens cameras. This one has a 50mm / 2.8 Lanthar. Probably has to be close to a 50mm (normal) in order to get that 'both eyes open' shooting thing with the 1:1.....
 
Well, first of all, don't count out the old Vito. If it works well, and you can live with the weight, it's a really nice camera. I shot mine for a long time. You could also pick one up with the better-spec Color-Skopar lens for very little money. Even a CLR (coupled RF), although you'd have to make sure the RF image is still good. My copy has a faded half-mirror.

The C line IMO is just a little after Voigtländer's peak, unfortunately. The B bodies are better built, but have smaller finders.

They also made the "Kontur" accessory finder (http://www.cameraquest.com/leicafin.htm).

Other than that, of course the Leica M3 finder is nearly 1:1, close enough to allow "both eyes open" shooting. And I can think of Agfa's Optima series from the mid-seventies, which was available with an RF in the top of the line model (1535). Fixed 40mm/2.8 lens, auto exposure only.
 
Thanks, 'Battery' —*i had been looking for the Agfa 1535 for a long time, not even realizing the finder was 1:1.

Yes, Jim, i have a feeling i'll have to turn to the R3A. I didn't want to spend much, but i reckon any pursuit worth the effort is worth a full effort.

'msbarnes' - thank you. The Konica is interesting. I was hoping for something more 'modern' than that or the Vito. I was hoping there would be something like a Yashica GTN or a Canonet that would fit the bill. I'll look into the Canon P.
 
The Zorki 3, 3M, 4 and 4K have finders that are close to 1:1 (actually a fraction larger than life) and the Jupiter 8 that comes with most of them is a good lens. "Bargain" then depends on if you get a good example.
 
I use a Konica IIIM with a 1:1 viewfinder and a 50/1.8 Hexanon fixed lens with corrected parallax. I have to say that a "real size" viewfinder is a pure joy to use, even though the camera is old. For some reason the vf is very clear too, and the rf patch is better than the one I got on my Canon P.
 
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