Anybody shoots without an external viewfinder?

[xdayv]

For lenses wider than 28mm? Like 21mm or 24mm. Curious to hear what are your experiences and thoughts.

 

[swoop]

I use a 25mm Biogon without the viewfinder. I tend to just estimate the composition and it usually works out. The only time I ever find myself trying again is when I'm photographing real estate. But then again I use an M9 do its easy to see if I framed it right or have to try again.

 

[Richard G]

I like the external VFs but often can't be bothered, especially with the M9 with the opportunity for immediate review, as pointed out. I do this with the 21 mostly. Furthermore the Leica camera VF with rangefinder patch and 90 frame lines is very good for ensuring the camera is level, and I will check there even if I do happen to have the external VF attached.

 

[Jockos]

I use the 21mm without finder. Since it's so wide, I always get everything in the frame anyways!

Framing wise I think its reasonable at 50mm frames + three steps forward; if I was after perfect framing, I wouldn't be using a rangefinder anyways.

 

[Benjamin Marks]

I also use a 21 (and sometimes a 15) on an 0.72 M9 without a viewfinder. It is just another thing to keep track of! I am going on a trip soon. I packed the lenses, but the VFs? If I can find them, great. It not. Well, no biggie.

 

[icebear]

I use a 25mm Biogon without the viewfinder. I tend to just estimate the composition and it usually works out. The only time I ever find myself trying again is when I'm photographing real estate. But then again I use an M9 do its easy to see if I framed it right or have to try again.

Same here, same lens and no external finder. Just eying around in the built in finder usually is sufficient and then if necessary, I hit the play button to review and take another shot in case the composition was not ok. That's not ideal but totally sufficient for the occasions I do use the 25mm. If I'd use this lens as my primary lens I would most likely get an external finder.

 

[seakayaker1]

I have a 24/3.8 lens and do not use an external viewfinder.

As mentioned above I just estimate and have not been displeased with the results.

Perhaps someday . . . . .

 

[xdayv]

Oh, thanks guys for chiming in, good to know.

 

[Rob-F]

I found that I could shoot my 24mm with the camera's 28mm framelines by using a little judgment as to how far the 24mm field extends past those framelines. But if I have a 24mm Leica aux. finder or the 25/28 Zeiss finder along, I will use it instead.

 

[noisycheese]

I use the hot shoe mount viewfinder when I use my 30mm lens on my Hasselblad XPAN II. The 30mm lens I have is is actually the Fuji version for the TX-1 but they are interchangable with the XPAN lenses.

I have found that the shoe mount viewfinder is pretty accurate - about as accurate as the frame lines in a Leica viewfinder (pretty close but not exact).

Here is an image of the TX-1 with the 30mm lens and shoe mount viewfinder intalled:
https://www.google.com/search?q=fuj...is%2Fgalleries%2F72157623661693336%2F;500;333

The Hasselblad finder mounts over the cameras viewfinder whereas the Fuji version mounts over the centerline of the lens; I would have to think that this would be more accurate than the Hasselblad style mount. I doubt if there is much difference, though - given Hasselblad's reputation and track record.

 

[rich_]

I had it in my head that I must have a 21mm viewfinder for accurate framing on my Biogon. But then I bought one and realised that after the first shot I can frame fine with estimation!

It makes the camera look pretty mean though with another eyeball. Hah

 

[Richard G]

Another thing about the external VFs is how quick they make a grab shot. Scale focus, manual settings for exposure: the camera is up to the eye (chin) for the shot and down again, and it hardly looks like a photo has been taken.

 

[Ronny]

No, not with 15 or 21 mm - It´s ok anyway without.

Leica MD-2 + 15 mm by Ronny Persson, on Flickr