Leica LTM Do I really need a finder?

Leica M39 screw mount bodies/lenses
The 35/2.5 Skopar is going to capture a good deal more on film than what you are going to see in the 50mm VF on the IIIa.

So, yes you will need a separate finder.
 
The finder on the IIIa is designed for 50mm. When I use a 35mm lens on mine, I just fill the frame, knowing that I'm going to get a little more than what I see. Any wider than 35mm or longer than 50mm, I would recommend a finder, but for 35mm you can do without.
 
No you don't.

I agree with Fred and Steve

When I first got my IIIc it came with a 3.5cm Elmar. I just got on with it. Just frame, and visualise a slightly wider FOV in your head. Obviously if you want to frame exactly, a finder is the thing (I now have a VIDOM) but I wouldn't get hung up on it to start with.

Regards,

Bill
 
You can do it, but it not for close cropping.

The diagram below shows approximate frame coverage of each focal length.
 

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Thanks for the diagram. I have a Bessa R and can see about how it works. I like leaving some room around my images any way so I can crop and process later. It may work out for the best. I will be on the look out for a finder though.
 
Cosmo, make sure you don't end up wasting too much negative area. Those of us who have made the transition from 6 by 6 cm to 35 mm tend to compose tightly because the frame is so much smaller.
 
Regarding accessory finders...


If you want a single-purpose finder, the new C-V are probably the best buy.

If you think you might be getting other focal-legnth lenses for the III, you might want to consider keeping your eyes open for some sort of multi-focal finder.

In my humble opinion, the Leitz "VIDOM" and "VIOOH" Imarect finders are more valuable as collectibles than they are useful accessories; others will disagree with me, but I think there or more user-friendly finders out there.

My top-picks for multi-finders are:

1) Nikon "Varifocal" ( not to be confused with the "Variframe")

2) TEWE Polyfocal (German copy of the Nikon)

3) Zeiss "turret"

4) Russian copy of the Zeiss turret finder.


Of the four types I listed, the TEWE and Russian turret are probably the least expensive.

The great thing about the TEWE and Nikon vari/polyfocals is that the frame size of the viewing window remains constant as you dial-up the different focal legnths; with the Leitz finder, the viewfinder image gets smaller and smaller as you dial-up longer focal-legnths. By the time you set it for 135, the vF image is tiny. Accurate, perhaps, but not terribly easy to use.

You might find a 35mm folding "sports finder" a bit cheaper than the optical finders...

Good hunting !


Luddite Frank
 
Solinar said:
You can do it, but it not for close cropping.

The diagram below shows approximate frame coverage of each focal length.
Click to expand...

Andrew, that's a useful diagram!

Cosmo, what a timely question, I'm waiting for a 35mm RF lens that is in LTM, so I'll be using it on my IIIc, the info in this thread would be very useful.
 
I have been looking at the different finders. Other than the 35mm and 5cm I hope to add a 90mm. I want a 15mm too but a finder should come with that. Thanks for all of the usefull info. I have seen the turret stlye finders on e-bay. I ike what I see.
 
CVs are unbelievable in their brightness and clarity for the $$$, but figure out some way to secure it safely to the camera.....or else you'll lose it.
 
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