E Leitz Wetzlar universal viewfinder question

[keithslater]

Hello,
I received in the mail today a universal viewfinder to use on my Feds. The question that I have is, mounted on the shoe end of the viewfinder is another small 1/4 "shoe" that raises the viewfinder up. Does this need to be on it? It slides off and on. I am very happy with this viewfinder, it seems pretty clear, adjusts for parallax, and has a shoe on top so I can use a flash. This is great.
Keith

 

[keithslater]

By the way, here is a pic of it.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7533286048&rd=1&sspagename=STRK:MEWN:IT&rd=1

 

[je2a3]

If it's used with earlier Leica S-Ms, Fed-1 or Zorki 1, I think the shoe should be removed for proper parallax view.

 

[keithslater]

I will be using it with a Fed 2 and a Fed 5, most likely with the Fed 5.

 

[je2a3]

Check this site out for an explanation of parallax - http://jay.fedka.com/index_files/Page314.htm, Jay uses the Russian turret VF as an example but you may use a caliper to measure the VIOOH's distance to the lens. Most early FED 2s had a lower cold shoe the late models had a raised shoe by about 3-4mm.

Hope this helps!

 

[keithslater]

That is interesting, however the site does not give what would be the correct lens to viewfinder distance. Or would that be different on every camera?

 

[pshinkaw]

I think the extra foot might be an add-on to provide extra clearance, perhaps for a shutter speed dial.

I have an IMARECT which is quite similar and it has only foot. I think Leitz intended for the finder to be only as high above the camera top as it was originally made. That way the parallax adjuster on the back will more accurately show the film framing.

-Paul