5cm SBOOI Finder accuracy

[paniolo]

Hello Photographers,

whats your personal opinion about the SBOOI finder accuracy?

When I look through and compare with my Leica M3 finder the rectangle frame of the SBOOI is more 4:3 compared to 3:2.
Of course theres a paralax mark for short distance but I would like to know if you can use the whole frame safely for disctances about 2-3m.

Regards

 

[NeeZee]

I use it on my IIIf when I shoot 50mm. While it's not that accurate (you'll always get more on the negative - esp. on the left and right hand side of the frame) you can be pretty sure that everything within the frame will be on the negative. As I mostly shoot people with this focal length that's the most important thing for me - for landscapes at infinity the built-in finder is more precise. I only use the parallax markings at distances between 1 and 1,50m - you should be ok with the whole frame at 2-3m. All in all it's a great finder due to its brightness and 1:1 view.

 

[paniolo]

Thank you!

 

[Mr_Flibble]

On mine the frame lines in the SBOOI are positioned off-kilter.
Was this normal for these viewfinders? I ask because I found that the frame lines in the KMZ Turret Finder are off at an angle too.

Adjust the ones in the SBOOI is easy though.

 

[Erik van Straten]

Adjust the ones in the SBOOI is easy though.

Is that easy? How is that done?

Erik.

 

[Mr_Flibble]

Look at the underside of the SBOOI, you see a very tiny set-screw in the middle of the foot. If you loosen it, you can turn the optical unit freely inside the housing.

 

[Erik van Straten]

Thank you Rick, I did not know that.

Can you only "turn" the frame or can you change the viewing angle too by pulling or pushing the optical unit?

Erik.

 

[Mr_Flibble]

I was only talking about leveling out the frame lines.
I guess you could move and lock the optical unit further back in the housing to get a larger view angle, but I don't think the folks at Leitz ever thought about doing that. 😉