Finders for Bessa T - single length vs zoom

[Anupam]

I am debating whether I should get one of the zoom finders like the TEWE or go for seperate finders for 35 and 50mm on my Bessa T. The CV ones are great but beyond my budget, so I am looking at old FSU single length finders as well as old canons, nikons etc. Brightline would be nice. I want something relatively light and compact, so I am not considering the FSU turret finders.

Opinions of older single length finders vs zoom finders would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Anupam

 

[clarence]

I use the made-in-Japan Helios MkII finders. They have brightlines for 35, 85 and 135. I use the space outside the 35mm frame to approximate for 25mm. You may approximate for 50mm in the space between 35 and 85. No parallax compensation of course, and the lines tend to fade when directly pointed at sources of bright light but then the finders usually sell for about 10GBP new.

As many others will probably note, there is a zoom finder in the classifieds right now, sale possibly pending.

Clarence

 

[dostacos]

I have a Russian 35-135 viewfinder but it hits me in the forehead when I try to look thru the regular viewfinder so watch out for the combined finders

 

[dostacos]

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost-classifieds/showproduct.php?product=5324&cat=3

This one does not look like it sticks out like mine....

 

[Nando]

I prefer dedicated finders for each lens. That said I went out and got CV finders for all my lenses except for the 135mm. CV doesn't have one for that focal length so I got the Leitz one. The money I spent on these finders is almost the same as I paid for my Leica M3 (DOH!!). I had three multifinders, the Russian Turret finder, the Leitz VIOOH finder and a TEWE 35-200mm zoom finder. Of those I prefer the TEWE finder. If you have patience and a bit of luck, you can find a nice one for a good price. Mine cost me $75USD which I still think is a pretty good price but I've seen them go for around $50 sometimes. Many people on ebay have BIN prices set quite high for these finders though. I sold the Russian one but kept the Leitz because it is "minty". I haven't tried the Helios but it seems to be quite a good buy.

Even with a multifinder, I would still invest in a dedicated viewfinder for your favourite focal length. If it is 50mm then Photo Village was selling the black CV finders for $60 as 'New Old Stock' without warranty. I picked one up. It was a while ago and I don't know if they still have them. If your favourite focal length is 35mm, the Russian 35mm finder is nice and clear. It's a bit big though and there is no brightlines. It sticks further out the back than the CV 35 finder on my Bessa-T so it gets filled with forehead grease quite often.

Have you seen Stephen Gandy's guide to accessory viewfinders? Lots of good info there.
http://cameraquest.com/leicafin.htm

 

[pvdhaar]

Although I prefer to use dedicated finders because they're smaller, I've also got a zoom finder that has a very nice feature; there's a distance ring that makes it tilt to compensate for parallax. Especially when working close, below 1.5meter/5 foot this is nice on the Bessa-T, where you don't have a built-in VF with parallax compensated framelines.

 

[laptoprob]

I had a big multifinder, like the Tewe. I sold it because it is sooo big. Besides, dedicated finders usually are brighter and much smaller.
I have a relatively small Accura finder which shows wide and tele brightlines, approx. 40 and 80mm. With parallax correction ring. I had it in the classifieds earlier. You can have it for 30 euros ex. shipping and fees (if appliccable).

 

[Ken Ford]

My experience mirrors Rob's. When I had my T, I started with separate C-V finders for each of my lenses - a 40 and a 90. I lusted for a zoom finder, though.

I finally found one (a Walz, I think) in a local store, and guess what - I didn't like it. It didn't have the crispness and brightness of the C-V finders, and it had already been cleaned and serviced. I passed on it and had a new appreciation for the C-V finders.