Rangefinder or Viewfinder

[Bill Pierce]

While a number of people have pointed out that there are other “full frame” digitals as expensive as the M9, these are often studio cameras. News and documentary photographer’s cameras are faced with breakage, theft and confiscation. Working abroad, specifically in the Middle East, Africa, China and the Soviet Union, I started not using my beloved Leicas and lenses because I wouldn’t be able to replace them.

Many of us (including one friend who has been field testing the M9 and loving it) don’t use a camera in a way that optimizes it’s quality. That probably included Bresson and Smith. The bright line finder with it’s ability to see beyond the frame and keep everything sharp, is ideal for anticipating the moment in situations you don’t control. That is a huge part of the rangefinder appeal for many Leica photographers. Right now I’m wondering if there is a place on top of the Canon S90 that I could epoxy an accessory shoe for my Leitz bright line finders.

 

[Jamie Pillers]

Bill... come on now. In your lengthy career you certainly must have made your own viewfinder out of little piece of wire, right? Tape a little wire rectangle on top of that S90 and, viola, a funky viewfinder that diverts thieves! 🙂

That S90 looks interesting doesn't it. I'm thinking about it too. And I also was struck by its lack of a viewfinder mount/hot shoe.

 

[mh2000]

buy one of the of the crappier old 620 6x9 folders and take the flip-up VF off it. then just use some thin adhesive foam to stick it to the top of the S90. it will flip down out of the way when not in use and actually even look pretty good.

I too have been on the fence with the S90... but have read a few mediocre reviews of the lens performance...

 

[Ranchu]

I have just purchased a 35mm Voigtlander brightline for my G10 (enroute). I love the camera, but I've had a really hard time getting used to the 3:4 format and the built in finder. I can wholeheartedly recommend the G10, it's color is the best I've seen out of digital (shot raw through DPP), it really does look a lot like a phase one P20. G11 looks on paper even better for photojournalism. Could do without the swivel screen, though. Add a screen protector, and half a lensmate adaptor to protect the lens mech, and it should be a pretty tough package.

 

[aizan]

i love viewfinders...if they're built-in. accessory viewfinders, not so much.

 

[mfunnell]

i love viewfinders...if they're built-in. accessory viewfinders, not so much.

I hear you. Even the fairly cr*ppy viewfinder on, say, my old Oly Stylus Zoom is infinitely superior to any EVF. It shouldn't be beyond the wit of camera makers to put its equivalent into, say, something like the X1 or DP-2. (The VF on my Hexar is what should really be aspired to.) While an external finder may be better than nothing (or an EVF) it really isn't a proper substitute.

...Mike

 

[Ranchu]

I couldn't abide an EVF, no chance, but why not an external optical one on an AF camera? I think it will be better than what I've got!

 

[mfunnell]

I couldn't abide an EVF, no chance, but why not an external optical one on an AF camera? I think it will be better than what I've got!

I agree. But so far I haven't found a camera so good that I'm prepared to put up with an external finder to use it. That may change. Somebody may put a "good enough" integrated finder in a camera I like (the latter being easier to do than the former, I think). But who knows? So far I haven't found a large-sensor digital non-reflex camera I'm prepared to pay money for. Price/performance hasn't worked for me, yet, so I'll stick with film for that type of camera. (I'll keep using film as well and anyway, but for reflex cameras digital works for me in many circumstances, and it works for those occasions when small sensors do what I want as well.)

If I were richer I'd probably make different decisions (a lot richer, and M9 here I come!). But right now I have what works for me within what I'm prepared to afford.

...Mike

 

[Ranchu]

I hear you 100%, 2K or 7k just isn't a reality for me.

Wanted to suggest to Bill, I remember seeing somewhere an (ebay?) ad for an old shoe accesory bracket that screwed into the tripod mounting hole, went up the back of the camera, then had the shoe. A C shaped strip of metal. Might be something to DIY, it would obscure the screen, but you could put some holes in it to see settings and such, stick some felt on the inside to keep it from hacking up the camera. Just an idea. :angel:

I am somewhat intrigued by this...

http://www.cameraquest.com/fujibigjob.htm

Wish it had raw.

 

[johnastovall]

I love my CV 28/35 minfinder on my GR-DII small, fast and still fits in my shirt pocket.

 

[dseelig]

evf viewfinders

evf viewfinders

To me putting a leica lens on one of these evf cameras is like going to jail and dropping the soap. Give me a rangefinder for my own work.