Curious about viewfinders - seeking opinions

[Huck Finn]

I met with Rover & Ray after work yesterday. We had a great time swapping camera stories. Rover brought along his M6 .72 with a pair of Summicrons & I enjoyed fondling them . . . although I felt embarassed to do so in public. 😉 Ray brought a Canon RF with 50/1.4 (?) & Nikkor 105. Classic!

Although I have handled Leicas before, I noticed something this time that I had overlooked in the past for some reason. With my glasses, I couldn't see both sides of the 50 mm frame lines at the same time - much less the 35 or the 28. The fit of everyone's glasses is unique, so I wouldn't attempt to generalize. However, I was surprised because not only can I see the 50 mm frame lines on my Rollei 35 RF, but I can also see the 40 mm frame lines with glasses without any problem. AFAIK, the viewfinder & eyepiece for the Rollei are the same as for the R, R2, & R2a.

So my question is: Has anyone else noticed that they can see more in the viewfinder of a Bessa than they can in a Leica M .72?

 

[Bertram2]

Peter,
I can confirm that I can see the 50mm lines and the 35mm lines of an R with my glasses on.
Some years ago I tried a M6 and as far as I remember I found that at least the 35mm frame wasn't completely visible.
I had to take the glasses off, which works too for me.

 

[rover]

For me, with my glasses on I can not see the entire 35mm framelines in my M6, but I do not have an issue with this. The frame lines are on the very edge of my view, so I can see them if I wish to. Compositionally I think this is somewhat of a benefit. I was able to see them a little more on my R2 and R. Interestingly, I had more trouble seeing the 40mm framelines in the R3a I think.

 

[back alley]

the r was not a problem for this bespeckled shooter.
i can't remember what the m4-p was like, but i only had a 50mm with it and don't recall any issues.

with the canon p i don't see the edges of the 35 fl but, like rover, it's not a problem.

do tell us more about the meet, curious minds are inquiring...

joe

 

[Huck Finn]

So . . . what happens to the rangefinder advantage of being able to see more than what's within the frame lines?

 

[back alley]

i knew there was gonna be a trick question...

i guess for some of us that 'advantage' is not there.
interestingly, it IS there with the oly rc.

joe

 

[ray_g]

i guess for some of us that 'advantage' is not there.
interestingly, it IS there with the oly rc.

joe

Joe has a point there. I suppose a lot of it has to do with the VF magnification. As you mentioned, rover's M6 is a 0.72, while the Bessa R2 and Rollei RF have a 0.7 (or 0.68, actually) magnification. The Oly 35 RC's is 0.6. You may be more comfortable seeing the 35mm framelines with your eyeglasses on using a 0.58 M.

Joe, we had a good time yesterday... Coffee and Cameras. I brought the P, along with the 50/1.4, now with rover. I also brought along a 105/2.5 LTM Nikkor...heresy, I know.

 

[Huck Finn]

Funny thing is I had come across an M6 for a really good price that I was on the verge of buying. . . . I'm back on the ZI bandwagon. Love that viewfinder.

 

[back alley]

ya know huck, i hope i never get to see/feel/hold a zi in person.
why, you may wonder?

every time i look at a pic of it, i'm reminded of one of my favourite cameras...the cle from minolta.
that was the perfect set up for me and i was not bright enough to realize it and hold on to it.
this zeiss reminds me of what i gave up. and i fear that i may fall in love with it.
joe

 

[rover]

Ray forgot to mention that he also had an M3 in his bag, which he offered up for a fair share of fondling.

I believe a great thinker once said,

"Everyone NEEDS and M3!"

This great thinker may prove to be a very wise man.

 

[Huck Finn]

"The curse of the ZI" - I agree, Joe. I wish I had never seen that viewfinder. If I had any brains, I would just hold onto my Rollei & explore the world of 40 mm lenses . . . maybe add an aux VF for my CV 28/3.5. Along with the CV 75/2.5 & 40 Sonnar that I have, I really like how compact this set-up is. But the damn Zeiss keeps haunting my dreams. :bang: And then there's my wife . . . :angel:

 

[ray_g]

Joe... I was looking at photos of the ZI, and was struck by how cool it would look with your sillver photo-equip grip 😉

 

[rover]

There is a 40/2 CLE on ebay right now Huck. Truely a great lens.

 

[Huck Finn]

I believe a great thinker once said,

"Everyone NEEDS and M3!"

This great thinker may prove to be a very wise man.

Rover, was that great thinker . . . you? 😎

 

[rover]

No, Brian Sweeney. He is the Dali Lama of M3s.

 

[back alley]

Joe... I was looking at photos of the ZI, and was struck by how cool it would look with your sillver photo-equip grip 😉

you've been hanging with ralph too long...

joe

 

[back alley]

"The curse of the ZI" - I agree, Joe. I wish I had never seen that viewfinder. If I had any brains, I would just hold onto my Rollei & exploe the world of 40 mm lenses . . . maybe add an aux VF for my CV 28/3.5. Along with the CV 75/2.5 & 40 Sonnar that I have, I really like how compact this set-up is. But the damn Zeiss keeps haunting my dreams. :bang: And then there's my wife . . . :angel:

I KNOW!

why can't we be satisfied with what we have?
i love my canons and yet, here i am thinking about that zi!
stoooooooooooooooooooooooopid!

i wish it was as easy to buy some talent.
joe

 

[Huck Finn]

No, Brian Sweeney. He is the Dali Lama of M3s.

I was just trying to give you an opportunity to let the cat out of the bag about your new purchase. Did it arrive last night?

Now I've served you up a fat pitch. Don't miss. 😉

 

[back alley]

ralph bought an m3?

will it never end...😉

joe

 

[Huck Finn]

There is a 40/2 CLE on ebay right now Huck. Truely a great lens.

I'm actually thinking about the Nokton. . . . Sonnar by day, Nokton by night. 🙂 I know, I know BAD BOKEH. I actually like the pictures I've seen with this lens. Maybe there's a need to avoid overly contrasty backgrounds, but the extra two stops over the Sonnar is more appealing to me than just one.

Hmmm . . . maybe I should just get them both. 😀 The great thing about these 40's is that they are ALL so compact. Very tempting. 🙁 🙄