Opinions needed about add-on Viewfinder

[Jamie Pillers]

I'm thinking of adding a viewfinder to my Ricoh GR (fixed 28mm lens). There are a lot of add-on viewfinders available out there, Ricoh, Voigtlander, Sigma, Leica, and Zeiss. Being realistic, I can't afford the Leica or Zeiss finders. So I'm looking at the Ricoh models (28 or 28/21), Sigma 28 (made for their DP1 camera), and the Voigtlanders (metal body 28 or plastic body 25).

I'd like any opinions you may have about these finders. I wear glasses, so I'll need a bit of eye relief around the edges. And I'd like the best of all worlds: no distortion, bright, and as close to normal vision magnification as possible. Any thoughts, especially if you've tried several of these finders? Thanks.

 

[GaryLH]

I use the sigma one because it is the smallest in terms of profile and less chance of snagging on my pants pocket and because I already have one for my dp1m.

In terms of overall better, the cv and Zeiss bright line ovf are better, less squinty, but they are much bigger. I have them for several rf film cameras.

Gary

 

[newspaperguy]

I have the 35 & 50 mm CV Brightline finders and love them both.

Also have an older CV plastic 25mm finder - no bright lines - not so
hot with glasses.

 

[sojournerphoto]

I've got the zeiss 18 and 25/28 finder that is excellent. I've also got a cv plastic 40mm finder that I use on a gx1 with the 20mm lens, and the cv is really very good and easy to use. Back before I left my gx200 on a train I used to use a 35mm finder on it all the time. It works really well on the small sensor cameras, as you the little rich have the snap scale focus option that allows very fast rf type shooting. I really like it and have some favourite pictures from that set up.

Mike.

 

[Jamie Pillers]

Thanks everyone for your responses. Gary, is the 'squinty-ness of the Sigma at a level that you'd call it annoying? When using it, can you see outside the frame lines? And is it a distortion free view?

Mike, you (and many others) say the Zeiss viewfinder is "excellent". Can you say what I'm losing out on if I 'settle' for the CV finder? Thanks.

 

[kzphoto]

Don't forget, Nikon makes one too for the Coolpix A:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/936378-REG/nikon_25876_df_cp1_optical_viewfinder_black.html

 

[Jamie Pillers]

Don't forget, Nikon makes one too for the Coolpix A:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/936378-REG/nikon_25876_df_cp1_optical_viewfinder_black.html

Thanks, Kevin. Yes, I saw that. But for nearly the same price as the Zeiss!! I went for the middle ground tonight (my usual tactic) and bought the Voigtlander. If it doesn't offer enough eye relief for my taste, I'll send it back and go for the Zeiss.

 

[FrozenInTime]

Don't discount the very compact Ricoh GV-2 ; I've been using mine since my GRD-II days and am still happy with it on the GRD.
If you can make it on Friday, I will bring it along.

Donald.

 

[sojournerphoto]

Thanks everyone for your responses. Gary, is the 'squinty-ness of the Sigma at a level that you'd call it annoying? When using it, can you see outside the frame lines? And is it a distortion free view?

Mike, you (and many others) say the Zeiss viewfinder is "excellent". Can you say what I'm losing out on if I 'settle' for the CV finder? Thanks.

Hi Jamie

the Zeiss is very bright and very well corrected. The CV is still bright and at 28mm you will lose nothing in practice and gain a great deal financially by buying the CV. At the very wide focal lengths the Zeiss does offer an advantage - based on comparing my 18mm Zeiss with a previous 15mm CV. The CV showed quite a lot of barrel distorition, which, whilst amusing, didn't reflect the lens that was actually pretty well corrected.


I really like a clip on vf on small cameras without viewfinders.

Mike

 

[daveleo]

I have the round, metal 35mm finder from CV. It is excellent. Very much so!
I had the plastic one also, but sold it as a package when I sold the lens.
I personally would not hesitate to buy the CV round metal design, see if it works with your glasses and return it if it does not.

Can't comment on the other brands - never used them.

 

[Jamie Pillers]

Thanks, Mike and Dave, for the input. Much appreciated.

 

[pet905]

I have a CV 21/25mm that I find to be excellent with my M4 and R3M. Although it is a EV, the Ricoh VF-2 is indispensable with my GXR and M-mount.

Cheers,
Peter

 

[Jamie Pillers]

Don't discount the very compact Ricoh GV-2 ; I've been using mine since my GRD-II days and am still happy with it on the GRD.
If you can make it on Friday, I will bring it along.

Donald.

Donald, I am planning to be there on Friday. I'd love to see the little GV-2, as I had to cancel my order of the CV version at Adorama. They were out of stock. Thanks. Jamie

 

[Chrisrw]

Jamie, I have the metal CV 28mm I use on my GRDIV, it's very clear and bright. I've been debating whether to keep or not as I didn't use it much in my recent trip. It's in like new condition with only slight brassing on outside ring. Let me know what you decide and perhaps we can work something out.

Chris