Mamiya 43mm Viewfinder Alternatives

[NaChase]

First of all, I did a cursory check to see whether this topic has been covered elsewhere and didn't find anything, but in the event it has and I just missed it I would be happy for someone to point me in the right direction. Otherwise, here's my issue.

I got a screaming deal on a 43mm, but it does not come with the necessary viewfinder. Given my understanding that 43mm on 6x7 equates roughly to 21mm on 35mm, I am wondering whether the Voigtlander 21mm finder would be an acceptable substitute (the one actual Mamiya VF I found on ebay was literally the same price as the lens I bought).

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[rodt16s]

I saw MW Classics put up a 43m Vf for sale today
No connection with the shop..

 

[NaChase]

I saw MW Classics put up a 43m Vf for sale today
No connection with the shop..

Thanks a ton! I'll check it out.

 

[Phil_F_NM]

It does and it doesn't. 6:7 is much more square than the 2:3 ratio of 35mm cameras so you'd have to mask a bit of the sides off.

Phil Forrest

 

[Oren Grad]

Another one to consider is the Ricoh GV-1. Nominally 21mm coverage, though the specification is for only a 90% field of view, and since it was originally offered for the small-sensor GRD cameras, I think the aspect ratio will be 4:3 rather than 3:2.

 

[Beemermark]

Dealing with large & medium format VFs nothing equates to 35mm. But then again it’s like using 35mm rangefinders. Some are very close and you learn to allow for the difference. To me it was always to have a view finder that gave a little more coverage that the film.

 

[Corran]

I have a 43mm VF I bought to use as a fixed viewfinder for a 75mm lens on 4x5. I paid $100 for it, on eBay, a couple of years ago.

Of course none that cheap may be readily available, but if it were me, I'd just hold out till I found the right one. It's a fantastic VF and has a bubble level inside. Way better than using a 35mm VF with the wrong aspect ratio.

 

[kutting]

Here's a comparison between the Mamiya 43mm finder (with the bubble level) and a Zeiss T*21 finder mounted on my Mamiya 7ii.

The Mamiya 7ii has the 43 mm lens mounted in both shots and the camera remained in the same position mounted on a tripod. I used my iPhone to take the pictures so the quality isn't great, but you get the idea.

I'm surprised at how close the two shots are when you compare the frame lines.

All the best.