CV 15mm & 25mm on a Barnack?

[traveler_101]

Have any of you used a Cosina Voigtlander 15mm or 25mm on your screwmount Leica? My lenses came with viewfinders which block the shutter speed dial. I can move the dial, but I can't see the setting. It's a real annoyance so much so that I have been using these lenses on my Bessa T instead. Unfortunately that's not always possible. What have others done about this?

 

[Phil_F_NM]

I took this shot (and many others) using the CV 15mm on my IIIf.

I had the 15mm VF on the camera and don't remember ever having a problem with the shutter speed dial.

Phil Forrest

 

[Monochrom]

yes, i used a ltm 21mm on my iiif....never had any problem with the VF.

 

[summar]

I've had the same experience with the same equipment as Monochrom.

 

[Luddite Frank]

Have any of you used a Cosina Voigtlander 15mm or 25mm on your screwmount Leica? My lenses came with viewfinders which block the shutter speed dial. I can move the dial, but I can't see the setting. It's a real annoyance so much so that I have been using these lenses on my Bessa T instead. Unfortunately that's not always possible. What have others done about this?

Are you using a -c or later Leica, or the smaller -b and earlier models ?

The -c and later camera bodies are approximately 1/8" longer, and have larger shutter-speed dials, which might make them slightly more manageable with the accessory view-finder ?

😕

 

[traveler_101]

Are you using a -c or later Leica, or the smaller -b and earlier models ?

The -c and later camera bodies are approximately 1/8" longer, and have larger shutter-speed dials, which might make them slightly more manageable with the accessory view-finder ?

😕

Great little lenses aren't they? Thanks for the photos.

Yes, I have the IIIf with the larger shutter speed dial, I imagine. Just to clarify the problem: I can see the dial and I can move the dial, but I cannot readily confirm the settings. There is a little arrow on the shoe of the camera which is used to line up with the lines on the shutter speed dial indicating your shutter speed (see photo below). Lining these up by eye is next to impossible for me when either of the large plastic finders that came with the CV lenses is mounted on the camera. This is far less problematic with the Soviet FED finder I use for my 35mm Color Skopar. Having said this, I have used both lenses on the Leica with some difficulty. Just wondering what other people do about it, but it doesn't appear to be a problem . . .

http://www.flickr.com/photos/93975264@N05/12096848135/lightbox/

 

[Tom A]

The plastic finders do "crowd" the Barnack's - you get used to it after a while. One solution is of course to spring for the more compact 12 and 15 mm finders from Cosina. They work well on my IIIf's and g's. Not cheap (check with Cameraquest.com) but boy are they nice!

 

[B-9]

Ive been using a IIIf with a 25/4 snapshot skopar, with old v1 plastic Viewfinder, its not really that much of an issue to out me off, you could always change your aperture instead?!

Canon has a 25mm and 28mm finder, the later being more easily found.
Nikon also made a 25mm finder, but you'll pay out the wazoo.

Really, the best in terms of quality to price, is the one you already have.
Your really not going to find a "better" view, but there are smaller choices, if you have the $$$

 

[traveler_101]

The plastic finders do "crowd" the Barnack's - you get used to it after a while. One solution is of course to spring for the more compact 12 and 15 mm finders from Cosina. They work well on my IIIf's and g's. Not cheap (check with Cameraquest.com) but boy are they nice!

Ive been using a IIIf with a 25/4 snapshot skopar, with old v1 plastic Viewfinder, its not really that much of an issue to out me off, you could always change your aperture instead?!

Canon has a 25mm and 28mm finder, the later being more easily found.
Nikon also made a 25mm finder, but you'll pay out the wazoo.

Really, the best in terms of quality to price, is the one you already have.
Your really not going to find a "better" view, but there are smaller choices, if you have the $$$

Sometimes I need to change shutter speed to keep aperture down in bright light settings, especially if shooting 400 speed film.

I really hate spending money for finders; but when you're shooting this wide you have little choice, although I believe the M6 and the Bessa R4x have 28mm frame lines, which would do for the 25 Snapshot Skopar I guess. So maybe that could be part of the excuse i need ti get a M6 😀.

Actually, the more important question is the 15, which I use a lot more frequently than the 25. The 15mm black metal finder is $209 on Cameraquest.com-- ouch, but I suppose I could get something for the plastic CV finder on E-Bay and then put up the difference. I'll think about it.