Diopters and VC External VFs: considering a 25 snapshot skopar

[gbb]

Hello everyone,
I'm considering getting a 25mm snapshot skopar w external vf and am wondering if I'll be able to see through it without glasses. I currently only need glasses for reading, about a 1.5 prescription, and when using my bessa r viewfinder have no need of glasses at all. But when using my Widelux I have to wear my reading glasses if I want a clear view through the vf. I'm guessing these are just two different types of vf, and so am wondering whether the one that comes w the VC 25 in ltm, the original plastic one w bright lines, will require me wearing reading glasses for viewing and framing. Hoping some of you can check your VFs and help me out, thanks
Gbb

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Yes, I do need reading x1.25 glasses to read tiny words on some beer tins and I don't need, yet, glasses for framing or driving.

I used to have 25 and its plastic VF. I'll describe it as taking time and slightly eyeballing, but my eyes sits deeper.

 

[gbb]

Hi Ko Fe
But do you remember if you had to wear reading glasses to use the vf or could you see well without them?

 

[Ko.Fe.]

No glasses for reading was needed. Just like with any other VF I used. I need reading glasses to see better on the ground glass in TLR, LF camera, because it is same as reading. I also think I will need it with Russar VF, because it has to be viewed from some distance.

 

[jim_jm]

I have the VC 21 plastic and 21/25 chrome finders, and don't need reading glasses or any diopter adjustment to use them. I do use 1.25x reading glasses for reading and computer work. I also have the Leitz 35 and 50 bright-line finders, and those work fine without any correction also. For most of my SLR's though, I do need a correction diopter to be able to read the shutter/aperture info and to focus accurately.

 

[Scrambler]

Never noticed a need for reading glasses with external finder. There's nothing "up close" like in a camera finder - the only close thing is the framelines and if they are a bit fuzzy its the least of your worries.

It's not uncommon for RF camera VFs to have a small diopter (usually -1) to them, which was your issue above. You need a +1.5 for reading, so the -1 was particularly unhelpful.

The external VFs should, IMHO, be fine.

 

[gbb]

Great, thanks you all for your help.

 

[mgrinnan]

the 25 viewfinder is ghetto, plastic, no frame lines.... that said, it’s a good lens and I’m glad I bought it. I’m nearsighted so idk how to respond to your farsighted issues.... 25mm is def imprecise territory, but that’s part of the fun. It is range finder forum, after all....

 

[Ko.Fe.]

the 25 viewfinder is ghetto, plastic, no frame lines.... that said, it’s a good lens and I’m glad I bought it. I’m nearsighted so idk how to respond to your farsighted issues.... 25mm is def imprecise territory, but that’s part of the fun. It is range finder forum, after all....

You have one which is historic and very first one.

https://www.cameraquest.com/voigtacc.htm

The original 25 Voigtlander finder introduced in January 1999 did not have brightlines. In January 2001 a new 25 brightline finder was introduced with the SC 25 lens for Nikon and Contax rangefinders. Over the next few months the new brightline began shipping with the 25 Leica screw mount lens. If your 25 Voigtlander finder has no brightlines, it is the older version.

 

[gbb]

Well I just got the camera and I can see fine through the vf, but it seems to me the bright lines are upside down! Should the dotted line be on top or bottom? I seem to remember it was on the bottom last time I saw one. Also, the two plastic halves are loose and can be brought closer by tightening the little screws, so there's some play in the two halves. Might it be that someone took it apart and put it together wrong? Should I send it back to the seller or is this fixable? Thanks.

 

[john_s]

Is the dotted line below a solid line? If so, it is to help framing for close photos. Typically the dotted line is the top of the frame for a 1m distance if I remember correctly.

 

[Rob-F]

Hello everyone,
I'm considering getting a 25mm snapshot skopar w external vf and am wondering if I'll be able to see through it without glasses. I currently only need glasses for reading, about a 1.5 prescription, and when using my bessa r viewfinder have no need of glasses at all. But when using my Widelux I have to wear my reading glasses if I want a clear view through the vf. I'm guessing these are just two different types of vf, and so am wondering whether the one that comes w the VC 25 in ltm, the original plastic one w bright lines, will require me wearing reading glasses for viewing and framing. Hoping some of you can check your VFs and help me out, thanks
Gbb

I think it depends on your age. I believe a young person can accommodate a 1.5 diopter error. By age 40 or so, when the lens in the eye is becoming inflexible, and most of us are approaching the time of needing bifocals, a corrective diopter would be helpful. By 50, if not before, the need is more apparent. Been there, done that.

 

[jim_jm]

Is the dotted line below a solid line? If so, it is to help framing for close photos. Typically the dotted line is the top of the frame for a 1m distance if I remember correctly.

Yep, dotted line in the top portion of the frame. Since your taking lens has a lower viewpoint than the VF, at closer distances you would be cutting off the top portion of your subject otherwise.

It's easy to disassemble the finder, or snug up the screws if needed. I dropped my plastic 21 finder once and the rear element with the framelines was knocked askew. All the optical elements are seated in slots, so it's pretty straightforward.

 

[gbb]

Yep, dotted line in the top portion of the frame. Since your taking lens has a lower viewpoint than the VF, at closer distances you would be cutting off the top portion of your subject otherwise.

It's easy to disassemble the finder, or snug up the screws if needed. I dropped my plastic 21 finder once and the rear element with the framelines was knocked askew. All the optical elements are seated in slots, so it's pretty straightforward.

Hi Jim
I tried the screws first thing but they won't go tighter and it's still loose, and the frame lines move if I separate the two halves. Would you take it apart to see if something's not seated right? Do you by any chance have pictures of what it looks like inside? Thanks.