Newbie question: sharp edges in the finder?

[Robert Vote]

Hello RFF,

I have only 2 RF (a MIR and a FED3b). And the edges of the finder of both are
blurry when I look through it. I like the bright finder of the MIR (Zorki 4) very much, but exact framing is not as easy as with an SLR.
So I wonder whether there are RF (maybe Bessa or other FSU-RF) with sharp edges?


Greetings from Dresden
Robert

 

[Jocko]

Hallo Robert!

A Bessa - like many more recent cameras - has moving projected frame-lines in the viewfinder, which automatically compensate for parallax (the difference between what you see through the viewfinder and what the lens projects onto the film). This means that you can compose as accurately as you would with an SLR, although there remain some issues with perspective.

Unfortunately the earlier cameras - including the soviet models - generally lack this feature. This is not necessarily a major drawback, and experience soon teaches how to compensate for parallax. You might find the Soviet multifinder useful. This device fits in the accessory (flash) shoe of your camera. It offers manual parallax correction and gives a bright clear view, better than many camera finders. There are always many on sale in e-bay.

All the best, Ian

 

[Robert Vote]

Thanks!

I will check for multifinders.

Greetings Robert

 

[JohnL]

I think he means that his frame lines are OOF. This could be a viewfinder calibration issue, or maybe you need a correction lens in the eyepiece for your eyesight. Do you wear glasses for distance?

 

[Jocko]

I think he means that his frame lines are OOF. This could be a viewfinder calibration issue, or maybe you need a correction lens in the eyepiece for your eyesight. Do you wear glasses for distance?

Yes John - as soon as I'd finished writing I wondered about that! The Mir/Fed 3 are not exactly glasses friendly...

 

[Robert Vote]

There are no framelines in the finder on Mir or Fed. I meant the borders of the finder when u look through it. I think Jocko understood it right. I am sorry for expressing me not exatly.

Thank you!

 

[Jocko]

I think Jocko understood it right.

Not necessarily, Robert!

If you wear glasses - as I do - you may be unable to see the edges of the viewfinder because your eye cannot get close enough. Do you wear glasses?

 

[Robert Vote]

I am not wearing glasses when I photograph. My eye is almost in the camera.
I have only about -1 dioptr. .

Thanks!

 

[Jocko]

I am not wearing glasses when I photograph. My eye is almost in the camera.
I have only about -1 dioptr. .

Thanks!

Robert - you know your cameras have a way to adjust the viewfinder dioptre so it matches your sight? This could prove helpful.

On the Mir this is done by moving the little lever at the bottom of the rewind knob. On the Fed I believe that you turn the metal "collar" of the viewfinder window itself.

 

[Robert Vote]

Yes, that is a very nice feature. I think I adjusted it already.

Thanks!