35mm External VF: What's your recommendation?

[Vincent.G]

I wear glasses and prefer an external VF with lesser magnification. I find VF with plenty of eye relief helps me frame a little better.

I hope I can use this external VF with my Nikon RF body too.

What are you using and what's your recommendation?

 

[Robert Lai]

I prefer the current Cosina Voigtlander models. They are coated, very bright, and offer good eye relief. I can see the entire frameline with my eyeglasses on.

 

[Godfrey]

I wear glasses and prefer an external VF with lesser magnification. I find VF with plenty of eye relief helps me frame a little better.

I hope I can use this external VF with my Nikon RF body too.

What are you using and what's your recommendation?

I have both the Voigtländer and the Leica. The Leica has more eye relief, is brighter, and the frame lines are more accurately 35mm FoV. It's about $90 more than the Voigtländer at B&H Photo.

G

 

[Shac]

another vote for the CV

 

[Vincent.G]

I am leaning towards the 35mm CV finder too.

I saw a Helios multi frame line VF on the auction site. It is selling below 100. Anyone used those before?

 

[jim_jm]

I'd look for a CV finder as well - the metal versions seem more robust and compact than the plastic ones, though.

The Leitz brightline finders are also excellent, but a bit more $$. If you find one at a good price, grab it! I just picked up a 5cm SBOOI finder and it's really nice.

 

[oltimer]

As a Leica owner, I have the 50 (SBOOI), and the 35 (SBLOO), and with original boxes. The Voightlander 35 that Stephen Grandy sells is totally weather sealed; and in my opinion a far superior product. Today I only use my Voightlander 35 viewfinder.

 

[peterm1]

I find the old Voigtlander "turnit" finder from the 1950s to be excellent if somewhat large. It provides optics for 35/50/100mm lenses and provides an exceedingly good and bright view. The all metal and glass one is better made than the more plastic one. The original Canon 35mm finder is also quite good and much, much smaller.

http://www.leicashop.com/vintage_en/voigtlaender-turnit-3-finder-sku22772-6.html

http://www.shutterbug.com/content/prominent

 

[Erik van Straten]

The Nikon RF 35mm bright line finder is good. The finder has a bit of optical barrel distortion, on wich the bright line does not anticipate.
The great advantage of the Leitz SBLOO however is that the bright line anticipates on the barrel distortion of the finder. This is very convenient.

Erik.

 

[02Pilot]

The only 35mm VF I have is the old Canon unit, which is compact, clear (once you clean the glass, which is very easy), and cheap, but it would not work well with glasses. I like my CV finders (in other focal lengths), and these seem quite well-suited to longer eye relief.

 

[Vincent.G]

How about those VIDOM or VIOOH finders? Worth the money and how good are their eye relief?

 

[Erik van Straten]

How about those VIDOM or VIOOH finders?

They are worth the money, but they are for a 35mm finder big and clumsy. The VIDOM-finders show a mirror image, like the VISOR.

The WEISU is a wonderful little finder, but is expensive. It is more a collectors item, not unlike the Nikon minifinder.

Erik.

 

[Robert Lai]

I had the Helios once. It is OK, but not that bright, and I didn't feel the framelines were very accurate either.

 

[Vincent.G]

It seems that the SBLOO sells for a little more than a new CV finder. But the CV finder comes in black.

 

[Vincent.G]

I had the Helios once. It is OK, but not that bright, and I didn't feel the framelines were very accurate either.

Thanks for sharing!

 

[Vincent.G]

The only 35mm VF I have is the old Canon unit, which is compact, clear (once you clean the glass, which is very easy), and cheap, but it would not work well with glasses. I like my CV finders (in other focal lengths), and these seem quite well-suited to longer eye relief.

I came across the Canon 35mm chrome VF bundled with a chrome Canon 35m f2.8 lens. The price looks good for a lens with a VF.

 

[RichL]

I use a Komura which works just fine with glasses.

 

[Erik van Straten]

It seems that the SBLOO sells for a little more than a new CV finder. But the CV finder comes in black.

The SBLOO too - in black paint - but I admit it is among the rarest Leica items. I have one ...

Erik.

 

[HuubL]

I have a Russian KMZ 3,5cm finder. No framelines, but perfect for the job.

The SBLOO too - in black paint - but I admit it is among the rarest Leica items. I have one ...

Erik.

Erik, where do you get all that beautiful (and rare!!) black Leica stuff?

 

[oltimer]

The SBLOO too - in black paint - but I admit it is among the rarest Leica items. I have one ...

And a very rare 1st series too boot. Nice catch Erik, looks mint