nokton 40 viewfinder?

[pismo923]

I was looking at the various threads about the 40 Nokton and am curious about the 40 brightine finder. Does anybody use the finder on their M or other bodies without built in 40 framelines? It seems like the vast majority of users just use the 50 or 35 framelines and approximate the coverage. Is it the added cost of the finder that deters you or is "close" good enough?

 

[pagpow]

The advantage to NOT using an external VF is avoiding the need and time to reposition the eye, not having something else sticking out of the camera's "perimeter" and avoiding the need to keep track of another piece of equipment or possibly losing it. That's why I do it, not the cost.

Giorgio

 

[FrankS]

The cameras' 35 frame lines are close enough for me. Just keep in mind you see a touch more than what will appear on the film.

 

[Rob-F]

If you are shooting with an M2, M4, or M5, you will probably find that the 35mm frameline will match the 35mm lens field of view rather well, with the possible exception of when you shoot at minimum distance. But with the M6, and beyond, to the present day, including the MP and M7, some of the framelines, including the 35mm and the 50mm--thanks to someone at Leica--got smaller (Honey, I shrunk the framelines). So when shooting with a 35mm lens, you get more in the picture than you saw in the framelines. Hence the popularity of the 40mm focal length, which is a pretty good match for the 35mm framelines in more recent Leicas. So some of us use 40mm lenses with our post-M5 Leicas, and the 35mm with our earlier ones.

Long story short, if you are using an M6, M7, or MP, just use your 40mm lens with the camera's 35mm framelines. If using an M2 or M4 or M5, just use a 35mm lens. Phooey on external finders for anything but lenses wider than 28mm!

 

[pismo923]

If using an M2 or M4 or M5, just use a 35mm lens. Phooey on external finders for anything but lenses wider than 28mm!

I am using an M4-P, however with my eye glasses the 35 frameline is too frustrating for me. I thought perhaps using a finder would help. Filing it down to bring up the 35 framelines doesn't solve the problem in my case as I would still need a finder to view comfortably.

 

[Bob Michaels]

...... Is it the added cost of the finder that deters you or is "close" good enough?

The 35mm frame lines of my Zeiss Ikon fit the 40mm field of view perfectly. Much closer than they match up with a 35mm lens.

I can't tell any real difference between a 35mm and a 40mm lens when actually out photographing.

 

[peterm1]

Close enough is good enough. The 40mm lens brings up the 35mm framelines from memory. I prefer to use the 50mm lines with this lens in practice, as it gives a tighter field of view. The lens will deliver a slightly larger image in practice however, so the final image may need slight cropping. I prefer to do it this way because otherwise you could inadvertently get less than you intended in the image when using the 35mm framelines. I have never used an accessory finder with this lens. In fact I have never heard of one for this lens. This lens is so good you can just about forgive its unusual focal length. Personally I prefer it to 35mm as I never have much use for wide angle lenses on my M cameras.

 

[FrozenInTime]

The 40mm Nokton brings up the 50mm frames on Leica M cameras.
I seem to get on okay using it as 50mm + a bit more.
I would say see how you get on without an external finder first.

 

[pagpow]

I am using an M4-P, however with my eye glasses the 35 frameline is too frustrating for me. I thought perhaps using a finder would help. Filing it down to bring up the 35 framelines doesn't solve the problem in my case as I would still need a finder to view comfortably.

Have you considered using a viewfinder diopter and lifting your glasses when you shoot. That's what I do. It lets you you get your eye closer so you can see the edges of the frame more easily. Another option.