Frankenfinder information wanted badly

[menos]

I have finally found a shop, who will sell me the Leica Universal Wide Angle Finder separately from the WATE.

The catch is, as usual, the item is wrapped and not allowed to touch or take out of the glass vitrine.

I wanted to try out the Frankenfinder with these combinations:

R-D1 + CV 15 f4.5 Heliar II
M7 + CV 15 f4.5 Heliar II


1) Can anybody, who owns this finder and a EPSON R-D1 comment on the usage of this combination?

2) Does anybody have images FROM this combination, showing the finder mounted, the accessibility of camera controls and the position of the viewfinder?

3) How is the finder with two eye usage (when using an external viewfinder, I often focus with my left eye and compose the shot with my right eye, having my head slightly tilted to the camera)? Are the two viewfinders apart enough from each other, to allow this?

4) I have the CV 15mm plastic finder. I don't like the loose composition without parallax control. I don't like the heavy barrel distortion, making judging straight composition difficult.
Is the Frankenfinder really that more usable in these regards?

5) I shoot almost entirely handhold. Is the finder really that bulky, that makes this cumbersome?

Thanks for any help ;-)

 

[sepiareverb]

Not precisely what you're after but...

I use the Frankenfinder on MP/M7, M8 & Contax G2 with excellent results. In my mind the G2 is sized much like the R-D1?

The finder is absolutely excellent. Well worth the price, as the ability to tune the framelines for distance is fantastic. A little bit of testing and I had it keyed to the G/16 and 21. I also use the Leica 21/2.8 on the MP/M7 with this gem. While it is big, and kinda heavy, having an M camera style viewfinder with plenty of space around the framelines for the very wide lenses is ideal for how I like to work.

I haven't used a tripod in years, and while the finder is bulky it isn't anywhere near as ungainly as having a flash mounted.

 

[menos]

Not precisely what you're after but...

I use the Frankenfinder on MP/M7, M8 & Contax G2 with excellent results. In my mind the G2 is sized much like the R-D1?

The finder is absolutely excellent. Well worth the price, as the ability to tune the framelines for distance is fantastic. A little bit of testing and I had it keyed to the G/16 and 21. I also use the Leica 21/2.8 on the MP/M7 with this gem. While it is big, and kinda heavy, having an M camera style viewfinder with plenty of space around the framelines for the very wide lenses is ideal for how I like to work.

I haven't used a tripod in years, and while the finder is bulky it isn't anywhere near as ungainly as having a flash mounted.

Thanks for the info Robert.

The G2 might fit similar technically, regarding the shoe mount position and top deck. The eyepiece though sits more in the middle (closer to the hot shoe) than on the R-D1.

The R-D1 eye piece position is very similar of that of Leica M bodies.

Your site is very interesting, I would be very interested on how you set up your business and how it goes for you ;-)


So more Frankenfinder user comments?

 

[RAN]

Hello
I was wondering if the Frankenfinder when mounted on an MP parially
covers the rewind knob and therefor must be removed before rewinding a roll of film..or is there enough clearance to do so without removing the finder
Thanks

 

[RAN]

double tap

 

[Artorius]

The Leica Universal Wide angle Viewfinder #12011 goes for $900+. I would check our Head Bartender at CameraQuest, and check out the Voigtlander 15-35 Zoomfinder;
http://cameraquest.com/voigt_1535_vf.htm

It sells for less than $530, and it can be used on the RD-1, M8x, and film
Makes more sense $$ wise to me.

 

[menos]

The Leica Universal Wide angle Viewfinder #12011 goes for $900+. I would check our Head Bartender at CameraQuest, and check out the Voigtlander 15-35 Zoomfinder;
http://cameraquest.com/voigt_1535_vf.htm

It sells for less than $530, and it can be used on the RD-1, M8x, and film
Makes more sense $$ wise to me.

It has no leveling device within the viewfinder.
It does not have bright line framing with "image outside the frame" but the black boarder zoom crop.
I am not sure about it's parallax correction settings.

It looks like a nice package for people with lots of "in between" lenses and focal lengths, longer than 28mm.
I am happy, to spend the 200,- EUR price difference more on the Frankenfinder.

I would like to have it for mainly shooting the CV 15 on either camera.
My main gripes with the plastic 15mm CV finder is:

- horrendous distortion
- bad framing without proper parallax correction
- no help for leveling
- black boarder crop opposed to bright line frames with "outside the frame display"

Looks, I am in for a Frankenfinder ;-)
I will have this noted and keep the decision for later, as I just upgraded my printer, which was more important than a better viewfinder for a barely used lens.

 

[Benjamin]

Looks, I am in for a Frankenfinder ;-)
I will have this noted and keep the decision for later, as I just upgraded my printer, which was more important than a better viewfinder for a barely used lens.

Not to be rude, but if you barely use it, then why bother?

 

[menos]

Not to be rude, but if you barely use it, then why bother?

Because I am not satisfied with the CV 15mm finder.