diagram of ZM framelines

[mirrored]

I am new to a rangefinder as well as this forum. Hello! 😉

As very fixed to SLR winder and way to presice compose in a winder (often looking carefully DOF too), I have think I would prefer different (or adjusting) magnification with different focal lenghts. I see well that RF never meet SLR in this point where really need presice view, but if can do something to RF winderview for reach as big view than possible, it will help a little to turn on RF.

Only RF I have purchased is FED5 (USSR). I bought it without keeping it my hand. After 15 seconds real meeting I was able to say the finder wasn't good for me and I put it for sale. Yesterday I meet Leica M4-2 (first time Leica M in my hands) and I was very happy to see its finder very good compared to FED.

I will go to see other Leica. And I will go to see brand new Zeiss Ikon. I am thinking how I get good winder for 50mm when I don't want too much framed sight. Can added magnificate lens help? Is there different alternatives to it?

Other lens I would use is 35mm and 24mm and a perhaps a short tele. (Two bodys may be in my prefer if RF like me. 🙄

I wear glasses as my first post show. My interest to RF is little size and weight and redused small format using in general when I more carry Hasselblad than my 135mm SLR. I perhaps would sell much of my SLR things - only keep close-up and couple of more lenses - and would get lightweight 135mm camera to carry with bigger formats or anytime.

 

[maddoc]

For 28mm / 35mm frame lines (.. and easy to see meter readings) when wearing glasses ? Nothing beats the Hexar RF ! 🙂

 

[sojournerphoto]

I wear glasses and the ZIs 35mm framelines are fine (but a bit tight), the 50s are fine and the 85s a bit small, but useable. The 28 is hard to see at a glance although I can look around the vf to see the edges (I've had this with some slrs as well. The meter is a bit out to the ;eft to pick up together with the frames and focus patch, but then I'm either already set in manual or use AE and know if there's enough light really. So it's not a practical issue.

Mike

 

[Jamie Pillers]

I've had the ZI for about a month now and I'm no longer finding the 28 lines too difficult to see. Like you, I have to look around the edges a bit to see them but it doesn't bother me now. I basically just assume the frame will be just a smidgeon bigger than what I see through the entire viewfinder. It seems quite comfortable now... so much so that I now have TWO 28mm lenses to go with the camera. 🙂

 

[Roger Hicks]

I am new to a rangefinder as well as this forum. Hello! 😉

As very fixed to SLR winder and way to presice compose in a winder (often looking carefully DOF too), I have think I would prefer different (or adjusting) magnification with different focal lenghts. I see well that RF never meet SLR in this point where really need presice view, but if can do something to RF winderview for reach as big view than possible, it will help a little to turn on RF.

Only RF I have purchased is FED5 (USSR). I bought it without keeping it my hand. After 15 seconds real meeting I was able to say the finder wasn't good for me and I put it for sale. Yesterday I meet Leica M4-2 (first time Leica M in my hands) and I was very happy to see its finder very good compared to FED.

I will go to see other Leica. And I will go to see brand new Zeiss Ikon. I am thinking how I get good winder for 50mm when I don't want too much framed sight. Can added magnificate lens help? Is there different alternatives to it?

Other lens I would use is 35mm and 24mm and a perhaps a short tele. (Two bodys may be in my prefer if RF like me. 🙄

I wear glasses as my first post show. My interest to RF is little size and weight and redused small format using in general when I more carry Hasselblad than my 135mm SLR. I perhaps would sell much of my SLR things - only keep close-up and couple of more lenses - and would get lightweight 135mm camera to carry with bigger formats or anytime.

Hello!

RF is very different in mood and feel to SLR: in my view, looser, more casual, more relaxed, easier. You have to let go of certain SLR expectations, or keep the SLR(s) for when you want those expectations.

But then, I've been using RFs for almost 40 years, and wrote a book about 'em.

Cheers,

Roger

 

[mirrored]

Fine! There must be much knowledge and experience in this forum.

I have allready seen Leica M3, M6 and Zeiss today.

Looks like important for me is 1:1 viewing. With that is nice to keep both eyes open. Often I am tired to close other eye in my SRL as well. It feels very primary ergonomic fault in camera design generally if must do that. M3 have a magnification very close to 1:1 and I can easily use it with 35mm and longer focal lenght. Next I want to work out possibilities to increase magnification to 1:1 with M6 and Zeiss Ikon. If you can help a little, I am grateful.

Other solution would be cover eye like a pirate. Or learn to use left eye. But covering is not as good as 1:1 magnification.

(I meet 1:1 magnification in first Leica M in my hands and it was a very pleasant experience. The owner have a 50mm additional finder in his M4-2. In fact he have 3 finders, 2 additional.)

 

[Andrew Sowerby]

If you want 1:1 magnification, bet a Bessa R3a or R3m. Just don't expect to use lenses wider than 40mm.

 

[mirrored]

If you want 1:1 magnification, bet a Bessa R3a or R3m. Just don't expect to use lenses wider than 40mm.

What is different in view M3? I find that it works with 35mm, which is one important lenght for me. (Most important is 50mm.)

Second, have the Bessas shorter distance in focus system any matter really? So, is it difficult to get exact sharpened?

 

[mirrored]

If you want 1:1 magnification, bet a Bessa R3a or R3m. Just don't expect to use lenses wider than 40mm.

I read something and it might be my 50mm camera. Must find one to my hands and see.

 

[Andrew Sowerby]

If 35mm is an important focal length for you, maybe you should abandon the 1:1 idea. I don't think there are any cameras with 1:1 magnification and 35mm framelines. You might consider a Leica M6, M7 or MP with a 0.85 finder.

 

[infrequent]

if 50 is more important, than R3A might do with its 1:1 finder. M3 comes close after that but has no 35 framelines (neither does the R3A). the next closest will be M6/M7 with .85VF which is probably the best compromise between 35/50 framelines. i have a M6-TTL .85VF if you are interested! ; )

 

[mirrored]

When I shortly try M3 yesterday, I got impression its good for 35mm too. But I turn my interest to newer body and light meter is my prefer. (I would like AE too and this is a question between Ikon and Leica to me. Thus I like Leica M building more and strange film change doesn't turn me back becauce overal strengt structure in body.)

M6 cameras are very common, but are 0,85? Maybe my camera would be M6 with 0,85 finder and adding sometimes 1,25x magnification lens. I find those 1,25x lenses in Ebay. 0,85x1,25=1,06


Bessa is interesting too. I need to check it in reality. I dont need frame: near true area visible is enough.

35 and 50mm are both important. And last years I have find myself doing things with 70-90mm too, composing "like 50mm", "normal photos" with unsharp areas. But this is area where is questionable forgot SLR. In other hand RF teach to know picture forming through experience.

 

[infrequent]

if AE is of interest, don't discount Hexar RF...arguably the best AE rangefinder every built. seriously, its the camera the M7 wishes it was.

 

[thomasw_]

M2 is great for 35mm and very good with 50mm. That might be the best body for you. It is the best all-round body for many of us. But if you do shoot a lot with a 50mm, I have to recommend the M3, too. It is the camera I use to shoot with my fast 50; but the M3 is lame with a 35.

 

[mirrored]

Thanks a lot. Nice to get answers. I am grateful and glad. 🙂

I couldn't hold me to bid M6 on Ebay thus collector who is selling all away doesn't know what magnification it have. I will get 50/2 Summicron too. So I will get experience and perhaps this M6 stay later to my wideangle body.

 

[mirrored]

Local shop have M3 in much used condition, dinged and cover (leather?) partly ripped away, shutter unworked, for a 400€ including Leica specialist service and fixing to full working and warranty.

It's only a tool, i can hear, but it makes me thinking a new Bessa for almost same prise or my first couple of rolls used cabinet M6 for a douple prise. But they are all different ofcourse.