Ease of use? Nikon varifocal finder versus single Voigtlander brightline finders

[Enoyarnam]

Dear all,

After a long spell using a Zorki 4 I kicked off the New Year (hurrah!) by buying a Voigtlander R2S from Robert White in the UK.

I am now updating the accessories that I use. My focus of my query comes in two parts.

First, how does the Nikon varifocal viewfinder (with the special 28mm attachment) compare in terms of ease of use (and brightness) with the Voigtlander 28mm brightline viewfinder?

Clearly, the Voigtlander finder is good value for money. But I do wonder whether it is the best long-term investment.

Second, how does the Nikon varifocal viewfinder (with or without the 28mm attachment) compare with the KMZ (or Zeiss) universal finder?

Once again, it would appear that the non-Nikon finders are far cheaper and more freely available (i.e. from Ffordes). But are they better in terms of their quality and ease of use?

I would warmly appreciate any feedback relating to the issues that I have outlined above.

Best regards
Eugene

 

[Tom A]

I haven't used the Nikon Varifocal, but I have (and still have some of the Leica variframe finders). The Zeiss and FSU finders are OK too, but none of them are substitutes for the VC finders. Most of the Varifocal finders stop at 28mm as the widest and in case of the Leica or Nikkor you have to find the adapter - rare and expensive.
If you are going to be using the 28 on the R2S - I would recommend the VC 28 finder (the metal version). Very bright and solid. For some reason, the finders coming out of Cosina/Voigtlander are better than anyone elses, Leica included - and at prices that are modest.
The Variofinders was the solution for the early Leica screwmounts and Zeiss/Nikon's cameras with just the 50 frame in the body. They tend to work better with longer focal lengths than with the wide angles. Even with the 28 "adapter" I find that they tend to be a bit dim and also clumsy. They keep snagging on everything, straps, jackets and interiors of camera bags.

 

[Roger Hicks]

The only multifocal I'd really recommend is the Zeiss/Russian 'turret' finder (like a microscope nosepiece) with 28-35-50-85-135 and variable magnification. I've had most of the others -- still have some, including the Tewe -- but I can't recommend 'em much, though I'd rather have a Tewe (zoom-plus-masking) than any masking finder Leica ever made.

And a brightline beats 'em all unless you're changing lenses often.

Cheers,

R.