85mm for IIa

[puderse]

I've both tele and wides for my IIa and I think I want an 85mm, Contax or NIKKOR "C", but I haven't seen one yet with the proper viewfinder like I have for my other teles.

Am I looking for something that was never made?

 

[Bar8barian]

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[marcr1230]

The Nikon 8.5cm has a nice flash shoe mounted viewfinder

I have the Nikon 8.5 and a nice Zeiss Jena 8.5 - both for Contax and both very functional
I haven't done any head to head testing though

 

[Gregm61]

I have two different finders to use with my 85mm f2 Sonnar on the IIA. The Zeiss universal finder and the torpedo-type that only shows fields of view for the 85 and 135mm focal lengths. I think the only other type Zeiss made for the Contax was the one that could be clipped on to the finder window, converting it for the 85 or 135mm lenses.

Here's a page from the mid-50's catalog that lists the various finders available..

https://gmchappell.smugmug.com/Other/Contax-IIA-Plustek-8100-Image/i-5HVMdQh/A

 

[micromontenegro]

The Zeiss 440 turret finder will work fine, and you have the added convenience of 21, 35 and 135mm finders included.

 

[furcafe]

FYI, the clip-on contraption is really just a VF mask, without any magnification. It also has the disadvantage of requiring the removal of any strap or split-ring as it fits over the strap lug.

I have two different finders to use with my 85mm f2 Sonnar on the IIA. The Zeiss universal finder and the torpedo-type that only shows fields of view for the 85 and 135mm focal lengths. I think the only other type Zeiss made for the Contax was the one that could be clipped on to the finder window, converting it for the 85 or 135mm lenses.

Here's a page from the mid-50's catalog that lists the various finders available..

https://gmchappell.smugmug.com/Other/Contax-IIA-Plustek-8100-Image/i-5HVMdQh/A

 

[Gregm61]

I'm not even a fan of using the built-in finder when shooting the 50mm lens. Using the universal viewfinder and dialing in the right parallax compensation provided by the finder results in a much more accurate view of what the camera is actually capturing.

 

[Cascadilla]

+1 for the #440 turret for 21, 35, 50, 85 and 135. It has diopter adjustment and good parallax adjustment, in my experience. If your wide angle lenses include a 28, you'll need something else--either a separate 28 mm finder (Zeiss made one for their pre-war 28 mm f/8 Tessar, and there are others) or the pre-war Zeiss multi finder which has 28 instead of 21 for the widest setting. The 440 is better, in my opinion, having used both.

 

[BillBingham2]

Can you give me some guidance with respect to what you think is a proper finder?

I've used external brightline, zoom and sports finders with some success. Less success with the turrent and barrel finders, but that is me.

I loved my Nikkor 85/2 and would highly recommend it as a great LTM-85. From a size perspective (and a bit slower) there is a ELMAR 90/4 that is easy to carry and looks great on a IIa.

Let us know what is good to you and what you want to shoot, it may help with recommendations.

B2 (;->

 

[furcafe]

I think the OP may be looking for the original Nikon finder for the Contax version of the 8.5cm/2 Nikkor-P. IIRC from my Rotoloni, they were made (marked on the foot w/a "C" like the lenses), but it wouldn't surprise me that they are difficult to find. For the chrome version of the Nikkor-P, a silver 8.5cm finder would be the appropriate version (photos here: http://mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/nikon/nikkoresources/RF-Nikkor/RF85mm/index3.htm#finder ). I have the similar-looking finder for the Contax version of the 10.5cm Nikkor-P & it's marked w/a "C" (to distinguish it from the 1 for the LTM version).

Can you give me some guidance with respect to what you think is a proper finder?

I've used external brightline, zoom and sports finders with some success. Less success with the turrent and barrel finders, but that is me.

I loved my Nikkor 85/2 and would highly recommend it as a great LTM-85. From a size perspective (and a bit slower) there is a ELMAR 90/4 that is easy to carry and looks great on a IIa.

Let us know what is good to you and what you want to shoot, it may help with recommendations.

B2 (;->