Do you use Voigtlander 50mm viewfinder?

[Jamie Pillers]

I'm thinking of buying a Bessa T and a Voigtlander 50mm viewfinder to use with my 50mm Nokton lens. I've never used a camera with a separate viewfinder. I'd like to hear from anyone that uses this kit.

I wear glasses and I'm wondering what the views through the rangefinder and viewfinder are like. I'm not concerned about shifting back and forth between the two (at least I don't think I am). But I'm hoping the rangefinder view doesn't look too much like a small tunnel, or that I won't be able to see the 50mm framelines in the viewfinder.

Thanks for your help.

 

[bennyng]

The Voigtlander 50 mm viewfinder is 1.0 magnification. That means you can practically shoot with both your eyes open and the frame line will appear in your vision. Even with glasses.

So I focus on the Bessa T body and then compose on the view finder. Once you get used to it. It's not too much trouble. But quick subjects like moving children can be quite challenging.

Hope that helps.

Cheers,

 

[pvdhaar]

I don't wear glasses, but still it took me a while to get comfortable with the 1:1 50mm VC finder. I wasn't used to having to have the eye so close to a finder. I now place my thumb under the finder and rest my cheekbone against it to get the perfect distance where I can still see the entire frame.

 

[kully]

The good thing with the 1:1 finder is that it has a plastic ring on the back unlike most of the other metal bodied finders which are metal, so it won't scratch up your glasses. Also, it feels nicely made.

As Peter said, you have to get pretty close to see everything and it's not perfect for me with my glasses.

 

[pvdhaar]

The good thing with the 1:1 finder is that it has a plastic ring on the back unlike most of the other metal bodied finders which are metal, so it won't scratch up your glasses. Also, it feels nicely made.
.

Hold it, wait a second... Are there different versions?

The 50mm 1:1 CV that I have does NOT have a plastic ring. It's simply not there, there isn't even a place for it. Did VC update the design? Or are you talking about the finder that came in the 101 set?

 

[pvdhaar]

Ok, there seem to be more than one 1:1 50mm CV variants.. Scroll down to the 50mm finder section in http://www.cameraquest.com/voigtacc.htm

I've got the black 50 Brightline Finder -- standard production, and it's all metal.

 

[Jamie Pillers]

Thanks everyone for your helpful information. It sounds like you all have been able to make whatever accommodations you've needed in order to use this combination of Bessa T + viewfinder. I didn't see that anyone chucked it in the garbage in a fit of frustration, so I'll give it a try. 🙂

 

[kully]

Ok, there seem to be more than one 1:1 50mm CV variants.. Scroll down to the 50mm finder section in http://www.cameraquest.com/voigtacc.htm

I've got the black 50 Brightline Finder -- standard production, and it's all metal.

Ah.. your's is the same design as the 35mm finder - it is designed for maximum scratching damage 🙂