28mm framelines on Zeiss Ikon

[DGA]

Hi,
I'm a happy new owner of a lovely black ZI.
I own a Bessa R3A and had the opportunity to put my hands on a mint black ZI for a very good price, so I did.

After a week with the ZI, I can say that the it is far superior from the Voigtlander in almost every aspect, and it is the most natural upgrade a Bessa owner can get (at least from my point of view).

Still, I find it a bit hard to get used to the 28mm frameilnes in the ZI's larger viewfinder and, although I can see them end-to-end, I prefer using an external viewfinder, as I did with the R3A.
(when sooting, I usually ware contact lenses instead of glasses)

Is it just me, or the 28mm feamelines are indeed too wide around?
How do you find the 28mm framelines in your ZI?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

 

[Michael I.]

did you consider a diopter on your vf?

 

[kshapero]

Enjoy it either way. life is filled with surprises.

 

[Avotius]

When I tinkered with the ZI I noticed that the 28 framelines were very visible compared to the lines in my M6. I wear glasses and can just see the 35mm lines and moved to contacts and see the 28mm lines just...the ZI is better though. That said the ex. viewfinder is great too, but I prefer to see in camera.

 

[ljsegil]

I use both methods; the external viewfinder takes a little more time and of course is not as good for a moving subject, but I do think it is easier to compose. The Zeiss 25/28 finder is superb. I find the 28mm framelines in the ZI still usable with my glasses, just a little scrunching around necessary, but nothing difficult or distracting.
Best,
LJS

 

[Joe Vitessa]

I find the 28mm lines OK, but not as great as my Minolta CLE. (A great cam for 28mm fans, IMHO.) I'll use a Voigtlander 28mm viewfinder on the ZM when I'm going for quick shots. I think the camera's built-in 28mm framelines are fine for photo ops requiring more careful composition. Use the camera a little more--you'll get used to them.

Joe V.

 

[DGA]

Thank you guys.

did you consider a diopter on your vf?

Mike, It's not that I can't see the framelines, it's just that they're very wide.
Besides, as far as I know, diopters should be put on when you want to correct the vision through the viewfinder as glasses do, and I have perfect vision with my glasses/contact-lenses.

I think that getting used to the framelines is what I should do.
Yesterday I was shooting a roll with my 28mm without the viewfinder and I think I got the frames correct.
I still have to develop the film to see what I really got, but I have a good feeling that I did it right.

 

[noimmunity]

eventually you can find an R4A...the 28 framelines on that camera are incredible!

 

[bennyng]

The 28mm frameline on the Zeiss Ikon is not a problem for me. Like the big, bright viewfinder, and I really appreciate the markings on the framelines as well. It's serves as a good visual reminder of which frameline you are using.

Cheers,

 

[monopix]

I'm surprised at how many people here say the 28mm framelines on the ZI are OK. I find them impossible to see - at least, all at the same time. I have to move my eye about to see them and it's the biggest complaint I have of the camera. It's better if I don't wear glasses but I still can't see all at the same time. I agree with Joe that the CLE is much better and that's what I use if I know I'm going to be using the 28 very much.

I've posted a couple of short clips of the view through the finders of the ZI and the CLE on my Web site. I shot them using a digital camera pressed up against the viewfinders and it's a pretty good representation of what I see if I'm not wearing glasses. I've moved the digital camera about while shooting them to give an idea of how much I have to move my eye to see the framelines on the ZI and how, on the CLE, a similar amount of movement doesn't lose the framelines.

You can see them here http://www.monopix.co.uk/viewfinders.shtml