Best way to take a picture through a viewfinder?

sreed2006

sreed2006

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This is a two camera question. The second camera is taking a picture through the viewfinder of the first camera (such as a Leica M, or an SLR, or even an Olympus XA).

Assume the second camera has live view or at least a way to see through the lens.

What is a workable setup for the second camera to accurately show what the eye would see when looking through the first camera's viewfinder? Such as what focal length lens to use? The frame lines in the first camera's viewfinder need to be in focus, as well as the distant objects seen through the viewfinder.
 
Use a phone camera. Small sensor point&shoot might work as well. You need the small (in absolute terms) aperture and no protruding parts in front of the front element.
 
Well, then I see two options: correcting the distortion in post or trying a different one. I just tried with my Ricoh GR (the APS-C one), not good, partly shaded, that's already too large a front lens or distance from the eyepiece of a Spotmatic. Would be worse for an M I think.
 
Short macro on crop sensor at f22.

But picture you have is already good enough for it purpose. Which is to show us how it looks like. No worries, be happy.
 
Ko.Fe. said:
Short macro on crop sensor at f22.

But picture you have is already good enough for it purpose. Which is to show us how it looks like. No worries, be happy.
Click to expand...

The pincushion distortion of this picture misled someone to think the frame lines look that way in real life. That’s a shame because the frame lines are perfectly straight when looking through the viewfinder. I am looking for a more accurate technique.
 
I would use a phone camera and live with the distortion. On camera manuals when they want to show the framelines, they draw the lines on a photo...
 
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sreed2006 said:
The pincushion distortion of this picture misled someone to think the frame lines look that way in real life. That’s a shame because the frame lines are perfectly straight when looking through the viewfinder. I am looking for a more accurate technique.
Click to expand...

Hell with this particular someone. If they can only watch comics and can't read disclaimers, they not going to make it with camera which has framelines, anyway. Those are in SLR crowd. :D
 
iPhone for most tutorial and practical use purposes.
I guess the question should be asked... what is the end use you are after OP... Internet sharing/blog, print in book or manual...etc ??
iPhone has it's limits. Practicality is not one of them. It's quick and easy.

iPhone of 1937 Bessa RF split Rangefinder window handheld quick and dirty.
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39415232311_5575e07021_c.jpg
 
The goal is to show what the eye sees, or as close to that as possible. There are many uses. Once a good technique is found, the pictures can be used for a variety of purposes.
I am not pleased with the results I have obtained so far and am hoping for a better way.
 
Use a photo editing app like Filterstorm on your phone camera, it provides pincushion correction. There may be other apps that do chromatic aberration correction, which is also evident in your image.
 
This is what the phone camera is for. Correct the distortion in Photoshop. Nothing else will let you put a lens that close to the VF and get that full view.
 
Looking into the viewfinder, you need a lens with an opening about the same size as the human eye, and one that focuses at a distance. (Infinity? I don't know, but it's not way up close, so the macro lens won't do it.)

I agree with the other comments; correct the distortion.
 
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