Auxiliary Finder quandry.

[phototone]

I have received a 24mm Leica auxiliary viewfinder in excellent condition. Problem is, that I don't need a 24mm finder, I need a 28mm finder. There was a mistake made, and the price I paid is reasonable, and I can't seem to find a 28mm for the price I paid for the 24, which leaves me with this question.

Should I keep the 24 finder and just use black tape and mask it down for the view of the 28 mm?

Should I send it back for a refund, and keep looking?

I wear thick glasses, so the eye relief of the Leica masked down is a benefit.

I would really like to keep this in the Leica brand. I know I can get 28mm finders all day long in the Voigtlander line.

 

[Steve Hoffman]

I didn't think Leica makes a 28 finder now. I thought they only currently made a switchable 21/24/28 finder which costs a lot of dough..

 

[aizan]

If they made a mistake, they should exchange it for the right thing. But if they don't have a 28, masking won't really help "trim" the brightline. Just return it.

 

[phototone]

Leica HAS made 28mm flinders. Perhaps not currently. I would be happy with a good used 21-24-28 finder.

 

[aizan]

i doubt it. it's only good setting is 24. the others are blurry and distorted.

 

[Jason_K]

B&H has one listed in their used department for $269.00

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=800365949&is=USE

 

[sgy1962]

Don't make compromises. I would send it back.

 

[FrankS]

Is it a bright-line type? If not, then masking would be a good solution - eye relief like you mentioned. Maybe trade later if a 28 comes along. It sounds like you got a good deal?

 

[Grumblepunk]

It's Leica. It's metal. It's black. It's a 28mm brightline and I want it with all my heart, but I should probably get the lens before I go mucking about for finders. 😀

Oh, and it's currently at US $41.66, but you know how that goes.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7522492047&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT

Usual disclaimer: Not affiliated with this seller or Warner Bros. Studios or AoL or the Chilean government or Snapple, in any way-shape-or form, for as long as I live so help me god.

 

[aizan]

here are prices for the last few sloozes that have gone up on ebay:

$333, m-, chrome, box, no case
$315, ex+, chrome, slight seperation, case
$306, ex, black, mild brassing
$231, ex+, chrome, no case
$213, g, chrome, engraving missing 'r', no case
$158, m-, plastic, case
$152, ex+, plastic, case
$150, g, plastic, case
$141, ex+, plastic, case

 

[jaapv]

There is another alternative: Get a 24 mm lens....

 

[einolu]

The voigtlander finders are wonderful. I have only tried the 75mm one, but they are very well made and the metal 28mm finder looks great too.

 

[HenningW]

Over the years I've used most of the Leica finders. If you insist on getting a Leica finder, try and get the later plastic one, as they last longer when dropped. The metal housed ones transfer the shock to the glass and bye-bye. Eventually they will drop. The metal ones slide out of the shoe more easily than the plastic ones. If you do get a metal one, glue a string to it and clip it to your strap or strap eyelet. Something called a 'cap keeper' used to be sold; I put one of those on my finders after a while, especially after I got a Hologon, with it's never-to-be-replaced finder. Over the years I've spent quite a bit more on 21mm finders than my SuperAngulon cost brand new. I still have some Leica 21 finders; one plastic one in fine shape and three metal cased ones in various states of useability.

The current variable finder, which apparently is manufactured by Cosina, is poor in all regards. Too big, too poor optically and too expensive.

The only finders I'll buy now are the Cosina ones; the plastic ones are better for viewing than the little 28/35 one, but the latter is tiny. I have the 12, 15, 21 and 35 finders and the angle finder with 12, 15 and 21 attachments, and all are very good. The 12 is metal, and predictably I'm on my second one, as I punched a hole in the front element at some point.

Henning