Leica LTM LTM: use RF window as fake 135mm finder ?

Leica M39 screw mount bodies/lenses
Luddite Frank

Luddite Frank

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I had a minor flash of inspiration the other day, while pondering over my "new" Voigtlander ProminenT, and making a list of needed accessories ,which include accesory viewfinders... (more $$$...)


It occured to me that the RF windows on the LTM cameras (as well as the ProminenT) are evenly spaced, relative to the objective lens, so could one use the RF center-spot to frame the image with reasonable accuracy when shooting with the 135 lens ?

( The image wouldn't be much smaller than using a VIOOH at "135"...)


I guess this is as much a "theoretical" question as a practical one...

Any thoughts ?


Luddite Frank
 
I have tried this on my Leica IIIa and IIIf and found that the rangefinder lenses do not line up very well with the lens. Typically, the object which I was trying to put in the center of the frame ends up near the bottom of the actual picture. YMMV. My Russian turret finder is quite accurate and works well with my glasses.
 
I tried this too and as I recall came up with similar poor results. Lack of parallax adjustment more critical with 135 I suppose. I have used this method with very good results on an M2, but that is a different beast.
 
Hmmm... I guess if it were "good enough to true", this trick would be "common knowledge" by now....

I have a VIOOH (stays on the shelf) and a Nikon Varifocal, which is my user aux finder... it's just a bit of a pain to monkey with the lens, then the aux=finder, etc... I guess that's part of the fun of Thread-mount Leica !

Thanks for the replies...

LF
 
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