Canon leica copy for glasses wearer?

[Vinceoflex]

I have a Kiev 4 and have trouble seeing the whole frame through the view finder, would a canon Leica copy have a better finder?

Cheers,
Vinceoflex

 

[xayraa33]

I have a Kiev 4 and have trouble seeing the whole frame through the view finder, would a canon Leica copy have a better finder?

Cheers,
Vinceoflex

A bottomloader Canon?
No, not even with the improved series.

 

[jmcd]

I have a iiia. In the left window, I can see well enough with my glasses to focus. The composing window is small, but crisp, though impossible to see the whole view with glasses. I put on a small finder in the cold shoe and this works nicely for composing with glasses, while keeping the whole package small.

 

[ChrisN]

I have an IV-Sb - No, not very good for us that wear spectacles. The viewfinder is cramped, even for those with good eye. With my specs on I can only see a (large) fraction of the frame - no hope for accurate framing.

 

[Merkin]

You might want to consider one of the Voigtlanders. I know you can get diopters for them (a friend's father has one on his r3m), although I don't know where.

 

[Bingley]

Have you considered a Canon P, or L, or VI? These LTM bodies have much larger, brighter viewfinders, easy to use w/ glasses.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

The Canon P and Canon 7 have good eye-relief for glass-wearers for using with a 50mm lens. Both finders go out to 35mm focal length, frames for which are "tight" with glasses, but offer lots of margin for 50mm lenses.

 

[Richbuckle]

As has been said, the Bessas generally have really good eye-relief. I recently got a KMZ turret finder. As a glasses wearer I felt like shouting 'hallelujah!' at finally being able to frame reasonably accurately and comfortably with older rfs. You mention a Kiev 4 - strange, as I've always found these to have okay finders four those of us with two extra eyes.

I suppose the turret finder is quite bulky, but the Kiev is hardly a Barnack, anyway. Remember to make a pad for the finder, though (washers work well), otherwise you'll scratch the hell out of your glasses.

 

[lawrence]

I have an L1 and have owned a P and a 7. I can recommend the L1 for excellent eye relief provided you don't mind a small (low magnification) view. The finder doesn't have frame-lines -- you switch between 35mm & 50mm views using a little wheel. Contrary to some folklore, the wheel doesn't scratch your glasses but the finder does. To overcome this I stuck a small rubber washer round the finder and it does the job perfectly. You need to be aware that the L1 is quite slow to use as it has two shutter speed dials and you have to lift the top one to turn it. But personally I prefer it to the P and the 7, which some might argue are more practical.

 

[Vinceoflex]

I have considered Canon non leica copies but they are too pricy for the moment
and bessa's are as well. The kiev 4 has been modifyed and it's origanal finder scratched my glasses. The canon bottom loaders I guess is not for me. Are there any beter LTM copies that have a good view finder?

 

[ChrisPlatt]

Scratch the Canon P off your list

Scratch the Canon P off your list

I couldn't get my eye close enough to see the Canon P's 35mm framelines *without* glasses...

Chris

 

[MaxElmar]

Starting with my IIIa I tried for years to find an LTM (or any!) camera that was comfortable to use with glasses. I finally gave in and bought a 50mm brightline finder and it changed my life. Wow, a super bright 1:1 finder that's easy to use with both eyes open! Move it to any camera! Like HDTV from an old VCR!

Love my Bessa, too. At least at 50mm. 35mm is a little cramped seeing outside the frame. Guess I need an R4....

 

[januaryman]

A nice Fed 2 has that built in diopter you might like. You just keep your glasses in your pocket. If you are too nearsighted to allow that, it's a no win situation. It scratches glasses with the eyepiece.