21mm Viewfinder

D

dweekie

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Sep 14, 2011
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After 2 years of being on the fence, I finally snagged a Contax G21 lens. I didn't get a viewfinder though :bang: .

I guess I'm taking this as an opportunity to explore other options since G users only seem to use the G finder, whereas other lens users never seem to use the G finder.

Is the G21 viewfinder worth searching for? Or is it a relic for the system with better options available elsewhere?
 
You can use any 21mm finder. It doesn't matter. The 21 G originally was sold with the finder as a set.
 
The Contax 21mm finder is excellent but you can certainly use another brand. The Zeiss is the nicest I've ever seen.
 
Try the Cosina Voigtlander 21mm finder. Metal, has 25mm frame marks in it also, and not expensive. Stephen Gandy sells them.
 
I have both the G21 finder and VC metal 21mm finder.
The VC one offers bigger and brighter image IMO.
But the G21 feels more contrasty
 
I use the Leica Frankenfinder with all extra-wides on all my RF cameras. Stunning finder with a very visible and useful bubble, as well as adjustable framelines as one gets closer to the subject. Impeccably built. Bubble not absolutley necessary for a 21 I suppose, but helpful at times. Just out the other day with the G2/21/Frankenfinder. Perhaps overkill if the 21 is your only very wide lens. Probably costs more than the 21 did...
 
The ZM 21 finder is by FAR the best 21 finder ever made and I suspect even better than the Contax G version. The CV finder is OK but has more distortion with less brightness, something you'd appreciate in framing a poorly lit subject.
 
I picked p a G21 about a week ago that came with the viewfinder. The view isn't as bright as the ZM finder and it has a cross hair in the middle of the finder. It may be distracting for some, but I use it on my Ricoh GRD IV with the little accessory lens and it makes a good looking kit. If you can find a cheap G21 finder, buy it. The Leica and ZM equivalents are only very slightly better and you would need to have them side by side to notice.
 
Nice! I hope the VF you got was in decent shape ;)

Great idea using it on the GRD!

KD

kzphoto said:
I picked p a G21 about a week ago that came with the viewfinder. The view isn't as bright as the ZM finder and it has a cross hair in the middle of the finder. It may be distracting for some, but I use it on my Ricoh GRD IV with the little accessory lens and it makes a good looking kit. If you can find a cheap G21 finder, buy it. The Leica and ZM equivalents are only very slightly better and you would need to have them side by side to notice.
Click to expand...
 
Robert Lai said:
Try the Cosina Voigtlander 21mm finder. Metal, has 25mm frame marks in it also, and not expensive. Stephen Gandy sells them.
Click to expand...

While the 25mm frames could be a handy addition to the current VC 21mm viewfinder, I prefer the older one because I find the extra framelines clutter the view.
 
I find finders to be very non critical. Any one will serve the purpose.

I used the ContaxG 21mm finder with that system and 21mm Biogon for years. I now use the CV finder with a CV 21mm lens. Either finder is more than adequate. Buy based on price because it will make no difference in your photos.
 
I also find the finders not to be a critical factor in photography. I use a 20mm finder with a 19m lens and also a 21mm lens. I use what I get my hands on.
 
Wow, I didn't realize viewfinders were so personal, even compared to lenses!

Thank you for all the responses. It seems the consensus is that the G21 viewfinder does not bring anything to the table (other than matching color) compared to other options. gshybrid offered a plastic voigtlander at a good price. If that falls through, I think the metal voigtlander 21/25 is perfect for me since I have a ZM25 as well (though only on the GXR for now).

The Zeiss is extremely appealing, but I just can't justify the price for my own use.
 
dweekie said:
After 2 years of being on the fence, I finally snagged a Contax G21 lens. I didn't get a viewfinder though :bang: .

I guess I'm taking this as an opportunity to explore other options since G users only seem to use the G finder, whereas other lens users never seem to use the G finder.

Is the G21 viewfinder worth searching for? Or is it a relic for the system with better options available elsewhere?
Click to expand...

If you're interested, I have a Leica 21mm finder for sale, not put it in the classifieds yet, but PM me if interested.
 
I have picked up 21mm f/4.5 Biogon for my Contax RF's, and am thinking about getting either Zeiss 440 turret finder, or original 21mm finder,that came with said Biogon. Any opinions on these two?
Normally, I use KMZ turret finder, Nikon and Leitz 35-135, and find them adequate, so dimness of them don't really bother me, since they are for reference, for the most part. I am just wondering about the difference between said two finders at 21mm.
 
Regardless of quality, which is the most compact? I didn't mind by Avenon at first, a little annoyed with it atm.
 
I think the CV finders are definitely the most compact. The G21 finder is huge in comparison to the ZM and Leica equivalents.

@Kent: The finder is superb! I use it on my GRD IV with the little accessory lens. It makes a pretty match!
 
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