R4A or external viewfinder for wide-angle?

[TobiasL]

I currently use a Zeiss Ikon with 50mm and a 35mm lens. I'm planning to get a lens wider than 35mm, most likely the Biogon 25/2.8. But since I wear glasses I think it's a pain using anything wider than 35mm on my camera because I can only see the 35 and 50 framelines.

I'm considering to buy the R4A and only use the 25mm lens on that one or get a external viewfinder for the Zeiss Ikon. Any thoughts?

How good is the viewfinder on R4A compared to Zeiss Ikon? If it's as good or close then it might be a better option but need to see clearly with glasses. I also like the idea of having a second body.

 

[Bob Michaels]

Buy the 25mm lens and try using the full ZI viewfinder. Only if that does not work, consider the external viewfinder or another body.

I like having a second body as a backup but cannot shoot 2 bodies with 2 lenses at the same time. Others have no problem. I do think having the 2nd body be identical to the first is a real benefit to me. Again, others have no problem. It seems to be a matter of your style.

 

[KenR]

I can only say that the R4X body and a 28mm lens is a great combo. I too wear glasses and find it easy to see the entire frame. I also use it with a 21mm lens and here I do have to search around for the frame lines. While the view with a 35mm is fine, for me the 28mm and the R4 are just perfect. With a 50mm it's a bit of a stretch as I have trouble focusing and don't get great results wide open (but at f8 or smaller, the depth of field takes care of this problem.) Go for it, a wonderful 2nd body.

 

[presspass]

The Zeiss external viewfinders are wonderful - like putting a frame around reality that makes it even brighter. That said, they're pricey and you do have to switch your eye from rangefinder to external finder unless you zone focus. The R4 body would be like buying an external viewfinder and, for a couple hundred more, getting a camera attached.

 

[back alley]

i wear glasses as well and used my zi with the 25 w/o a finder w/o a problem.
it does not take very long to adjust to the wider lenses and guestimate what will be in the frame.

that being said i really liked the r4a i had but much preferred the smaller cv lenses on it.

 

[segedi]

I have the 25mm Biogon mounted on my R4A presently. It's a great combo, but agree with the above comment, the 25mm CV would make a smaller combo. The 25mm biogon's length and weight make for a weird combo as the body seems lighter and the setup "top heavy". But It still takes great photos. I prefer the experience of using an internal vs external viewfinder and bought the R4A for this purpose. And I actually like the ergonomics of the Voigtlander vs the Zeiss Ikon; for me, it feels better in the hand. I also like have a second body - one for wide and one for normal or telephoto.

 

[TobiasL]

I think I'll probably get the lens first and see how that work on my camera but think I need to get a second body sooner or later. If I look around in the viewfinder then I can see the 28 framelines but would imagine it could be difficult to guess how much wider it will be using a 25mm lens.

 

[thegman]

I used to have a ZI, now I have an R4A. I much prefer the built in finder to the clip on ones, but on the ZI, with a 25mm lens, the whole of the finder is likely fine.

I used the R4A with a 21mm lens, the frame lines could be a little more visible, and I don't wear glasses. The 25mm lines I expect would be OK with glasses though.

If you're set on a 25mm lens, get it and see how you go with the ZI. If you feel you want a wider finder later, get the R4A/M.

Both the ZI and R4A are great cameras, you can't wrong using either.

 

[Rayt]

I prefer the SLR for lenses wider than 28mm because to be able to see through a super wide lens gives me a better sense of perspective. That said, I now have an R4M with 21/35 Duel Hexanon and looking through that finder is just wonderful.