Do you use accessory viewfinders?

[jkelly]

I keep an SBOOI 50mm finder on my IIIa and use it constantly. Obviously, it's not needed on my M3. I also have a 35mm finder, but usually just guestimate the width.

 

[Spyderman]

Just bought the FSU universal turret finder and boy is it huge! I doubt I will be using it to frame shots... but I intend to use it together with my Olympus OM kit : I have exactly the focal lengths which are on the universal finder: 28-35-50-85-135 and the finder will help me determine which lens to use 🙂

 

[Fred]

For wides, CV15, 21 and 28 I use external finders on the Bessa R although I don't use the 28 on the Leica though if I'm wearing contact lenses. I also use a Bessa L which err... would produce some 'interesting' results without a finder 🙂

 

[dazedgonebye]

With 21mm, I use the external finder. With 35mm, I just use the 40mm framelines and enjoy the built in slack.

 

[Flinor]

I use them in many combinations. The 15 on a film camera and RD-1 with two different finders, a 28 with finder on an M5, a 135 finder with a 90 on the RD-1 and a 50 finder with a collapsible Summicron makes my CLE a jacket pocket camera.

 

[laptoprob]

Only on the IIf and the Bessa T. On the IIf usually not the 50mm finder, but I do use the other sizes.
I am in the process of making one for 25mm out of a door-peephole which is about the same fov, only circular and fishy. But, very small and cheap!
I have a 200mm Komura coming up which I hope to use without finders. The focussing view of these two cameras should be almost correct, but circular.

 

[Bill58]

Yes--but I lost my $150 VC 50 VF the other day because I stupidly took off the gerry-rigged safety cord. Ouch!

I find that my accessory (mostly) VC VFs are far superior to the camera's and I get much better framing--even w/ quick, hyperfocal shots.

 

[Didier]

Using CV 15, 15D, 21 and soon 28/35 on R-D1, Bessa L, M6, Kiev 4am, Canon VT dL - and maybe on Sigma DP-1 soon. Oh, I forgot - CV 75mm with 75 Summilux on M6.
Didier

 

[bobkonos]

I use the 15 and 21 finder on any of my M cameras with those lenses attached, the 28 finder on the M2-M3-M4, and a 35 finder on those M and screwmount Leicas that require it. I like the view through a finder and I love the look of a finder on the body.

 

[Richard Black]

I use the 28mm with the C-S 28/f3.5 on the Bessa R and the 35mm on the Mir with J-12. I have an 85mm for a J-9 I sold and a 3 way made by Argus 35-50-100, haven't use it yet.

 

[mike_j]

Sometimes use the 25mm CV finder but generally make do with the inbuilt M6 28mm, I have a tendency to crop pics too tightly anyway.

Always use the 21mm because the difference is too great.I do find the accessory finders a bit of a nuisance as I work on a minimum equipment basis with the Leica.

 

[Xmas]

I use the FSU clones of the Zeiss turret 28-135, they work ok.

Noel

 

[Jim Cain]

Ok, lets turn the question around to the longest length. Did anyone ever make an 180mm viewfinder that could be used on an M8 and an 135mm lens? I have tried this lens on the m8 with good results--in the center.

 

[Krosya]

Ok, lets turn the question around to the longest length. Did anyone ever make an 180mm viewfinder that could be used on an M8 and an 135mm lens? I have tried this lens on the m8 with good results--in the center.

I don't know if there is a single 180mm one, but I have this one - its a zoom that goes from 35mm to 200mm. One of the click stops is 180mm. Here is a pic.
I may be willing to part with it if the price is right. 😉

 

[visiondr]

I've just received a Zeiss 2.8/25 and I'm currently on my first roll of film using the far edges of the finder on my .72 MP. Maybe I should post some pics to show illustrate my accuracy (I deliberately framed to just barely fit in certain "landmarks" at the edges of the perceived frame).

 

[BillBingham2]

On my Bessa L, where my CV 25/4 sits, there is one a top all the time. When I use my 15 on my M6, one is on top too. When I used to use my 21/2.8 on my M6, there was the finder too.

B2 (;->

 

[charjohncarter]

I have seven screw mounts, so I use my finder on my IIIf all the time (even with the fifty). One strange thing is how many people with digital SLRs ask what it is.

 

[mkl]

I always use the accessory viewfinder when I'm using my CV 21mm.
Before mounting the lens, I check with the viewfinder (just held by hand) that that the 21mm focal lenght will "work" (a little like using the frame selector of the M).
I focus and adjust aperture/speed with the body's viewfinder, then I frame with teh accessory viewfinder.

 

[Pherdinand]

i hate the damn things.
In my oppinion,they kill the whole idea of a rangefinder.
On a large format camera, or a scale focus camera, fine. But on a rangefinder??

They do look cool, though 😀

 

[aad]

I use one all the time on my IIIf. Even the 50-if it's bright I seldom use the RF anyway.

I've considered sticking the 50 finder on the Pentax MX using the 40 pancake stopped way down.