Lenses not blocking the internal viewfinder

[paniolo]

Hello Photographers,
I prefer to use the internal viewfinder of my Barnack to keep the package compact.
Is the 5cm Elmar the only lens that doesnt block the lower part of the viewfinder or are there more lenses that wont block?

Regards
P

 

[NeeZee]

Just checked with my Summar: minimal blockage, hardly noticable. Summicron collapsible blocks quite a bit more, Summitar should be in between. As I never use the Summar without a hood, though, the SBOOI finder is on my IIIf permanently...

 

[Solinar]

Sometimes you need a bit more glass, especially with a Leica II.

A small bit of intrusion hasn't bothered me.

Leica II with a Canon 50/1.5

 

[iphoenix]

Hello Photographers,
I prefer to use the internal viewfinder of my Barnack to keep the package compact.
Is the 5cm Elmar the only lens that doesnt block the lower part of the viewfinder or are there more lenses that wont block?

Regards
P

Yes, assuming you are only asking about Leitz 5 cm lenses; I have both a "I" and a "IIIf", and the Elmar is the only one which doesn't block the finders.
Wider lenses may also be clear but, would need their own finders.

 

[jcb4718]

I also prefer to have an unobstructed Barnak viewfinder. I have two lenses that do not obstruct its viewfinder:
1. the Canon 50mm f3.5 collapsible. Its a straight Tessar design. In appearance it differs from the f3.5 Elmar in that the aperture control is around the barrel instead of on the front of the lens. Its performance is similar to the LTM f2.8 Elmar.
2. the Chiyoko Super-Rokkor 45mm f2.8. Its rigid (non-collapsible). 5 elements in 3 groups, where the only real 'group' is a sonnar-like cemented triplet. It certainly has a sonnar-like performance.
When I say 'do not obstruct' I mean you can just about see the lenses through the viewfinder but in no sense could you say there was any 'blockage'. By measuring these lenses I have worked out the following formula: D = 0.6*L+56 where L= length flange-to-front of the lens and D=maximum diameter that will not obstruct the viewfinder (both dimensions in mm).This formula may help you work out if a lens is likely to obstruct the viewfinder without having to actually obtain one. If members have other lenses they could measure I'd be interested to see if this formula also applies. As I said, its only based on 2 lenses.
I have read that the modern rigid CV Color-Skopar 50mm f2.5 does not obscure the viewfinder. Also, maybe, the collapsible Hexanon 50mm f2.4 is OK...but I do not have these lenses, not even the dimensions.

 

[Scrambler]

Just checked with my Summar: minimal blockage, hardly noticable. Summicron collapsible blocks quite a bit more, Summitar should be in between. As I never use the Summar without a hood, though, the SBOOI finder is on my IIIf permanently...

Summitar intrudes into the bottom 1/8 on the right.

 

[Solinar]

Summitar intrudes into the bottom 1/8 on the right.

The same is true for the Canon 50/1.5 shown in the above image.

Best Regards from:

 

[paniolo]

Thank you!
I am realy interested in the Voigtländer 50mm 2.5.
Any user comments on blockage?

 

[Spavinaw]

Simple solution to this basic Leica design flaw--Get a Canon Barnack style body. Take my word for it, neither the lens nor the film cares who made the body!

 

[paniolo]

Its time for reopening guys.
What about the Jupiter 8 lenses? Especialy the very early chrome one with focus tab.
I just know my Jupiter 3 which blocks about 1/4 of the bottom.
The fact that its a 1.5 lens makes it big of course. Are the J8's smaller in diameter and probably not in the mood to block the vf? ;-)

 

[traveler_101]

Its time for reopening guys.
What about the Jupiter 8 lenses? Especialy the very early chrome one with focus tab.
I just know my Jupiter 3 which blocks about 1/4 of the bottom.
The fact that its a 1.5 lens makes it big of course. Are the J8's smaller in diameter and probably not in the mood to block the vf? ;-)

No, I think they are shorter but not narrower. See here http://radojuva.com.ua/wp-content/u...inder-lens-review-contax-kiev-mount-rf-10.jpg

Here is a lens that I think will be small enough to do the trick for you -
http://www.ebay.com/itm/CHIYOKO-SUP...823?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item25a72551e7

 

[traveler_101]

By the way, is there a reason you are looking for an alternative to the Elmar?

 

[traveler_101]

 

[Livesteamer]

I just checked several lenses on my IIIc. The tabbed Jupiter 8 and Nikkor 50mm f2.0 intrude very little in the finder. The Nikkor 50mm f1.4 intrudes a bit more but I have not found it to be a problem. I love the Nikkors but I also like the Jupiter 8 because it is almost as good, optically as the Nikkors and it is much lighter. A Leica IIIc and a good Jupiter 8 is a nice combination. Joe

 

[Particular]

I have the later design jupiter 8, and on a IIIc it does block the lower right corner moderately. It is not enough to annoy me though.

That Super-Rokkor above makes it a really nice combo.