Bright Line Finders, (3.5cm & 5cm), on "M" Models???

[LeicaVirgin1]

Dear Sir-

Recently, I invested in your book, "The Leica Compendium". I find it most useful.

In one of the chapters, you stae that by investing in a "Bright-Line-Finder" such as a 3.5cm & "possibly" a 5cm, (Old Weztlar style/Chrome) that it is more advantageous when street shooting when in a hurry; when things are happening rapidly.

Could you please elaborate on this matter? I went ahead and invested in a Leitz 3.5cm & 5cm BFL, (Soooo Nice! I must say.) I am just trying to use the tools for which they were designed.

Thank you in adavance for reading my post/question.

Respectfully,

DMB

 

[Solinar]

Well I'm not Erwin Puts, but I use mine as one would a sports finder - This allows me to have both eyes open and see a broad area outside of the selected frame. Both the SBLOO for 3.5cm and SBOOI are 1:1 finders.

Hope this helps.

 

[Ajax]

bright lines

bright lines

heyup and thank you..LeicaVirgin

A) for purchasing the book and B) for the kind comments...always appreciated.

Using an M (or an older L) body with 1:1 finders is a real joy. The effect of seeing the target through one of these is about as close to shooting in your head - i.e. seeing and recording the moment in your mind's eye - as one can get. Of course, a rangefinder camera can be used in the more measured way, stuck on a tripod, levelled etc., but for me, it has always been a tool best used to record life as it unfolds before me, and usually, while on the hoof. Success rates are geared to how well the owner knows his/her camera. 2nd nature operation is best; you should be able to feel your way around a lens so f/stops and distance can be set in a blink. There are ways to master this technique, like playing a guitar and everyone has their own special method. I will not tell you what mine are, they took years to develop, but it's pretty simple with lots and lots of practice. I often get caught fiddling and then accused of being 'obsessed' - take no notice, it's what keeps you primed...and what do they know! Mastering a 50mm is possibly the most difficult when distance judgement is critical to obtaining effective unsharp to sharp to unsharp planes.
🙂

As an aside, and just to rub home the fact that not all pros use the digital M, Jeff Widener and self spent a day in the City of Birmingham at the weekend banging off film on M7s and M6ttls. Jeff used an f/2 Summitar (1950s). I was reviewing the new Zeiss f/3.5 18mm ZF (on the M6 with adapter) and my favourite 35 f/2 Summicron (Vers.IV). We had heaps of fun.

enjoy your finders.
regards
Jonathan
www.ajaxnetphoto.com

 

[LeicaVirgin1]

Thank You, Jonathan!!!/RE: BLF's....

Thank You, Jonathan!!!/RE: BLF's....

Dear Sir-

Thank you for your response. I do love too look through the 35 & 50 BLF's, (older ones). Man, those things, (especially), the Leitz 35mm BLF, cost a bundle, but well worth it! Bam & it is DONE!!!!

Your book is great!!!!

Best & Respect,

DMB/LeicaVirgin1

 

[newspaperguy]

Slightly off topic, but in a similar vein - I had occasion this past weekend to attach a venerable Voigtlander KONTUR finder to my Rooski Barnack and shoot some night shots at our annual county fair. I was amazed to find that with even the teenyest (is that a word?) bit of light, the white lines functioned perfectly. Yes, both eyes open 🙄