Large Format External Viewfinders

[Spluff]

Hi!

Does anyone know if it is possible/practical to use a large format external viewfinder (e.g. from Silvestri or Linhoff) on a 35mm camera?

I am looking for a decent external viewfinder with 35mm framelines (and other framelines such as 25mm or 21mm) and I wasn't sure if it was possible to use one of these large format viewfinders with the appropriate mask. I am aware they are quite expensive, but I think I'd get a lot of use out of one as I do like scale focussing.

Failing that, can anyone recommend an easily available (in the UK) external viewfinder with 35mm framelines. I just bought a Helios one - not very good!

Thanks!

 

[Corran]

The ones I have would dwarf most 35mm rangefinders, are expensive, and would not be the right aspect ratio.

A 6x9 viewfinder would work, but again would likely be very large compared to the 35mm RF ones.

Personally I've used 35mm RF viewfinders on my 120/4x5 cameras many times but never the opposite way as it just doesn't really make sense, unless there is a very small and/or cheap 6x9 VF I'm unaware of.

 

[CharlesDAMorgan]

My Linhof large format viewfinder when extended is larger than my Leica III. It will not fit any hotshoe I can find on any 35mm camera in my possession!

The widest lens it supports is a 90mm - so about 28mm in 35mm terms.

I think this is the wrong tree up which to bark!

 

[Deleted member 65559]

Spluff, LF viewfinders will have different aspect ratio than 35mm. Ebay is the place to get see the widest variety, even if you choose to later look for one locally. Here's the Voigtlander 35mmfinder that came up on my search today: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Voigtlande...365891?hash=item4219a947c3:g:PE4AAOSwzode1IF1
...also individual finders will be much smaller than the multifocus finders. Check Cameraquest for a multi finder they have one from 15-35. https://www.cameraquest.com/voigtacc.htm

 

[Emile de Leon]

Linhof is a little different in construction of shoe mount..
I'm in the process of trying to use a bunch of 35mm viewfinders on my 6x12 Linhof..
But the differences are frustrating..
Already messed up a Leica WATE viewfinder trying to adapt it to the 6x12..as the Linhof finder doesnt adjust to distance and isnt the greatest for viewing either..
Why any viewfinder of this type doesnt have adjustment for distance..or at the minimum..have extra lines drawn for close up..is beyond me..

 

[Zonan]

At least on iPhone, Mark II Viewfinder app. Totally replaced my Linhof finder.

 

[Spluff]

Thank you all for your very quick and thoughtful responses. Clearly the large format viewfinder is not the way to go (or alternatively, I take up large format photography!)

Deardorff38 - thank you for the heads up the Voigtlander on eBay and the multi-finder. That finder isn't available in Europe and after VAT and import duties, that starts to become quite expensive (quite why they don't sell it in Europe, I do not know)

Zonan - thanks for the note about the app - that is lovely, albeit unfortunately a bit impractical sticking the phone on the old Leica iiib 🙂

 

[Deleted member 65559]

Spluff Here's one in the EU for 37 Euro..
https://www.ebay.de/itm/Altix-und-B...835718?hash=item23d89a23c6:g:sJsAAOSwXoRa6rse

 

[Phil_F_NM]

You could find a Bolex Octameter and use it as a compositional viewfinder. They are so cheap these days as to almost be free.

Phil Forrest

 

[Spluff]

You could find a Bolex Octameter and use it as a compositional viewfinder. They are so cheap these days as to almost be free.

Phil Forrest

Crikey, I've just realised I have one of those somewhere. Been a few years now though since I saw it - will need to rummage around in all the boxes marked "Camera Accessories" (along with various cable releases, filters, lens brushes ..!) Thanks for jogging my memory!

 

[Spluff]

Spluff Here's one in the EU for 37 Euro..
https://www.ebay.de/itm/Altix-und-B...835718?hash=item23d89a23c6:g:sJsAAOSwXoRa6rse

Thank you - haven't seen one of those before - that's a cracking price, worth a gamble!

 

[keytarjunkie]

Yeah, don't do this. Wrong aspect ratio, not built for normal hotshoe, and obscenely huge/heavy. Voigtlander and Leica make excellent wide/zoom viewfinders and they're much smaller.

I do use this viewfinder on my Linhof though! You can always take up large format rangefinder photography!

 

[Spluff]

Yeah, don't do this. Wrong aspect ratio, not built for normal hotshoe, and obscenely huge/heavy. Voigtlander and Leica make excellent wide/zoom viewfinders and they're much smaller.

I do use this viewfinder on my Linhof though! You can always take up large format rangefinder photography!

Yikes! Point taken!

Hmm, maybe I need to look at Linhofs then - my father told me to do that years ago - perhaps now is the time! Thanks! 🙂