Erik van Straten
Veteran
For all of you who thought that the Voigtländer brightline finders are simple copies from the Leitz examples.
Leitz 24 grams
Voigtländer 32 grams
Erik.
Richard G
Veteran
Or wished there was a black SBOOI and now find there is but you can’t find one or afford one if you could!
Erik van Straten
Veteran
Yes, my SBOOI is black. Extremely rare. I'm afraid losing it, so I looked for a black Voigtländer. Not easy though ...
Erik.
Erik.
madNbad
Well-known
Why do some SOOBI have grooves and others are smooth? Was it a cosmetic design change or do the grooves make it easier to pull it out of the accessory shoe?
Erik van Straten
Veteran
The later SBOOI has grooves, the earlier ones are smooth. I've never seen a GmbH SBOOI without grooves, but I've also seen SBOOI without GmbH that had grooves. This black one is smooth.
The grooves are not really necessary to pull them from a camera.
Erik.
The grooves are not really necessary to pull them from a camera.
Erik.
madNbad
Well-known
Thanks, Erik. I had a smooth sided silver one marked in the same manner as your black one with the 5cm but no GmbH. They were in production for a long time so it is not surprising there were changes along the way.
Larry H-L
Well-known
I seem to remember that there are two different versions of the Voigtlander 50mm viewfinders, the regular one, and then a slightly different version that came with the Bessa T set.
raid
Dad Photographer
I have a Leica brightline finder that was bought new with the M3 from Germany. It is still in the box.
D
Deleted member 65559
Guest
I'm a big fan of these. I use them on my M4 as well. I just sold my Voigtlander mini-finder & went to the round metal 35 Voigtlander finder on my iii black/nickel. The mini was just too small for quick shots or with glasses. I'm always looking in the corners for distracting elements. The 35 version is still smaller than the SBLOO which is huge on the iii.
I had Alan Starkie paint some chrome SBOOI for me. I have never seen an original black for sale, I would presume it would be way beyond budget. 
leicapixie
Well-known
I dislike bright viewfinders as their "clarity" or super bright, effects my judging light.
It spoils the whole concept of the M3 and M2 with added viewfinder..
It spoils the whole concept of the M3 and M2 with added viewfinder..
Erik van Straten
Veteran
Nice job from Alan Starkie.
I got an original many years ago from Tamarkin. Back then I did not know they were that rare. Since then I've never seen another one for sale. I used mine a lot, because it is so much nicer than a chrome one.
I also have an original SBLOO in black paint. I bought it about ten years ago from someone in LA for $800. It was expensive, but now they are worth ten times more.
The black Voigtlander ones are pretty rare too, just like the chrome ones that came on the Bessa T. These chrome ones are different, I've heard people complaining about them. The black Voigtländer is a joy to use, I'm very happy that I got one. Maybe chrome ones of the same model exist, but then I prefer a Leitz.
Leicapixie, I only use these brightlines on the Leicas I, II, III and IIIc, not on an M.
Erik.
I got an original many years ago from Tamarkin. Back then I did not know they were that rare. Since then I've never seen another one for sale. I used mine a lot, because it is so much nicer than a chrome one.
I also have an original SBLOO in black paint. I bought it about ten years ago from someone in LA for $800. It was expensive, but now they are worth ten times more.
The black Voigtlander ones are pretty rare too, just like the chrome ones that came on the Bessa T. These chrome ones are different, I've heard people complaining about them. The black Voigtländer is a joy to use, I'm very happy that I got one. Maybe chrome ones of the same model exist, but then I prefer a Leitz.
Leicapixie, I only use these brightlines on the Leicas I, II, III and IIIc, not on an M.
Erik.