M3 view finder question

[joelE]

I've recently read in this forum of people using the entire view finder of an M3 to compose with 35mm or 40mm lenses - does anyone know what exact mm the whole view finder shows? Is it closer to the 35 or 40? Does anyone use this method on an M3 for either of these lenses and have any tips or suggestions?

thanks,
joel

 

[jaapv]

I don't use it that way, I find the edges too uncertain and dependent on the angle one looks into the ocular. Goggles are the answer, I fear. Or just knowing your lens and extrapolating from 50 mm.

 

[xayraa33]

the taped up vf of an M3 will show less than the field of view of a 35mm lens, probably closer to a 40mm FOV.

 

[joelE]

thanks for the replies - what do you mean 'taped up'?

 

[furcafe]

He probably means the view you get when you put tape over the frameline illuminator window, i.e., the view without any framelines.

IME, the view of the entire M3 VF is indeed approx. 40mm. I do use my M3 that way w/40mm lenses although I also use an accessory 40mm VF when more "precise" framing is required. Since I started out using non-frameline RF cameras (e.g., Contax II & IIa), framelines are merely a convenience for me, not a necessity.

thanks for the replies - what do you mean 'taped up'?

 

[Graybeard]

A posting some time ago indicated that the entire field of view of the M3 (outside of the framelines) viewfinder was 38 mm. FWIW

 

[joelE]

Thank you - that is exactly the information I was looking for. . . thanks for all the replies.

joel

 

[TimF]

A posting some time ago indicated that the entire field of view of the M3 (outside of the framelines) viewfinder was 38 mm. FWIW

Ah, but at what distance? The framelines are only strictly accurate at closest focusing distance anyway; at longer distances you will get an area outside the lins recorded on film - just one of those things.

I did read somewhere that a 35mm lens focused at six feet has a field of view of six feet along the long edge of the frame, so with that focal length at least some rough guesstimation will get you in the ballpark.

 

[richard_l]

I use the entire M3 finder for my 40mm Rokkor. It works for me.