Leica 21-24-28 viewfinder

[Robin Harrison]

Hi all.

Does anyone have any experience with this finder? I've been looking for a 28 finder for a while, and one that also has the ability to view the other two focal lengths would be a bonus (as I could leave the Voigtlander 21mm finder at home). The specs on the leica sight state that the magnification changed for each setting, so can I assume this is a zooming finder? If so, is the zoom continuous? That would be a boon if I eventually buy a R-D1, as presumably one could set an intermediate setting (e.g. 15mm x 1.53 = 23mm, so set the finder in between 21 ad 24).

The only other similar product is the new dual finder for the Ricoh GR-Digital. This just has two framelines, I believe. Any one tried this one out?

Thanks,
Robin.

 

[jaapv]

I fear you misinterpreted the Leica site. They mean three different finders, I think. Off to the second-hand market and the Bay, these multi-finders do exist, but not made new by Leica, as far as I know.

 

[pbjbike]

Here's an image of it, one I could find quickly:

http://www.tamarkin.com/catalog/products/leica/leicaviewfinders.html

If memory serves, Jorge did some research on these and may even have one.

 

[jaapv]

Here's an image of it, one I could find quickly:

http://www.tamarkin.com/catalog/products/leica/leicaviewfinders.html

If memory serves, Jorge did some research on these and may even have one.

I didn't know that. Lovely thing. I would like to have it. Less than lovely price. I won't buy it.....

 

[pbjbike]

They go for $250-350 used...😉

 

[Jon Graham]

Try one before you buy one. Many (including me), do not like it.

 

[Robin Harrison]

Try one before you buy one. Many (including me), do not like it.

Could you elaborate, Jon? What about the finder did you not like? Do you feel the multi-finder was a compromise compared to the single focal length equivalents? Was it too large?

 

[Guy Bennett]

Does anyone have any experience with this finder? I've been looking for a 28 finder for a while, and one that also has the ability to view the other two focal lengths would be a bonus (as I could leave the Voigtlander 21mm finder at home). The specs on the leica sight state that the magnification changed for each setting, so can I assume this is a zooming finder? If so, is the zoom continuous? That would be a boon if I eventually buy a R-D1, as presumably one could set an intermediate setting (e.g. 15mm x 1.53 = 23mm, so set the finder in between 21 ad 24).

I tried this finder when it first came out, and wasn't particularly thrilled with it. My main gripes with it were:

- It's not a brightline finder. It uses masks to frame the view, which means you can't see outisde of the frame, it's blacked out, so to speak, like an SLR VF.

- It's big, compared to the single focal VFs, and gives the M a higher profile than I personlly like.

- It was expensive, and though the added expense might have been worth it if I owned the three focal lengths it covers (I don't), I still wouldn't have liked to live with the above negatives and so passed on it. YMMV.

I forgot to add that it is *not* a continuous zoom finder. There's one setting for each of the three focals and you cannot set it to intermediary positions.

 

[harmsr]

I was looking for a finder for my 28 2.0 ASPH, as it is difficult for me to use the VF 28 frame lines on a .72 M.

IMHO the Leica multi-finder is horrible. It is dim, has a lot of barrel distortion, and doesn't use frames.

The one for the Ricoh GR is 4:3 format and won't show the correct frame lines for 35 mm 3:2 film.

I bought the Zeiss 25/28 finder which has frame lines for both 25 and 28. It is very bright with virtually no distortion, and is usable with eyeglasses. Unfortunately, it is also pricey but very good.

Best,

Ray

 

[StuartR]

The others have nailed it -- it is big, bulky, distorted, doesn't have brightlines and it is fairly dim. The Zeiss 25/28 finder is in a class by itself. It is expensive, but it is brighter by several orders of magnitude and there is almost no distortion. The voigtlander finders are very bright, but they have a great deal of distortion (at least the 15 and 21mm finders do...I have heard good things about their 28 finder, but I have no doubt the Zeiss is superior).