Save yourself some money: 15mm and 21mm viewfinders are the same

[sleepyhead]

Hi Y'all

Maybe everyone already knows this, but I borrowed my friend's 15mm CV heliar lens and finder recently and noticed that the FOV of the 15mm finder was EXACTLY the same as the CV 21mm finder, except without framelines. I even put one finder up to each eye at the same time and could see in excellent wide-angle stereo! (whoa... who needs drugs?).

So, my conclusion is that if you have, or plan to have, both the 15mm and 21mm focal length lenses, just get the 21mm finder and save yourself money and the bother of changing finders. I personally would not find the 21mm framelines annoying when composing with the 15mm, but perhaps some people would.

Regards, Yaron

 

[petebown]

Both lenses are supplied with the viewfinders, so you can't save any money... You can't buy the lenses without the viewfinders. Unless of course, you buy one second-hand where the owner has lost the viewfinder.

 

[sleepyhead]

Both lenses are supplied with the viewfinders, so you can't save any money... You can't buy the lenses without the viewfinders. Unless of course, you buy one second-hand where the owner has lost the viewfinder.

Yes, I have a leitz 21mm but use the CV viewfinder, and a few weeks ago I saw someone in the States selling a few 15mm CV lenses without finders on Ebay for a very tempting price (like 200 bucks in new condition), but having to buy a 15mm finder separately put me off. If I'd known that i could have used my 21mm finder, I'd probably have bought one.

 

[Todd.Hanz]

The FOV of the 15mm finder is 110 degrees (I think), no framelines. Is the 21mm 110 degrees as well?

The finder doesn't show full coverage for 15mm, this is why the ever present knuckle from the shooters right hand appears in many shots 🙂.

Todd

 

[sleepyhead]

The two finders show EXACTLY the same FOV. But I can believe that the view is not the complete 15mm view, because I thought when looking through the 21mm finder that the framelines were pretty close to the edge, and that the difference between 21mm and 15mm seemed a bit small.

I think it's a bit lame (cheap) that the 15mm isn't a bit more accurate.

 

[Todd.Hanz]

The top and bottom of the 15mm finder is pretty accurate but the side aren't. It's not quite the same ratio as 35mm, it's a bit square but it works.

Todd

 

[hiwatt]

...15mm CV heliar lens and finder recently and noticed that the FOV of the 15mm finder was EXACTLY the same as the CV 21mm finder, except without framelines.

Damn! I couldn't believe you when I read it, so I had to wait 'till I got home (got both lenses and VFs)...you're right! Now I can leave the 15 vf permanently on the bessa L, and still be able to use the glass on other cameras; one less piece of equipment to worry about... 😎

 

[CameraQuest]

Take a Closer Look

Take a Closer Look

I can understand how a quick look thru the 15 and 21 finders might lead someone to believe the 21 is just a 15 with framelines, but not true. A careful look will show the 15 finder definately shows a larger field of view.

Technically this is because the 15 finder has a magnification of .38 and the 21 finder has a magnification of .42.

Stephen

 

[sleepyhead]

Sorry, but I disagree, because I could hold one finder each up to each eye simultaneously and see in perfectly clear wide angle stereo right up to the edges - so if there is a difference on paper, then it amounts to nothing in practical use.

If I ever go out with both these lenses, i'll only be using the 21mm finder.
---Yaron

 

[RML]

Sorry, but I disagree, because I could hold one finder each up to each eye simultaneously and see in perfectly clear wide angle stereo right up to the edges - so if there is a difference on paper, then it amounts to nothing in practical use.

If I ever go out with both these lenses, i'll only be using the 21mm finder.
---Yaron

You do that, Yaron.

I think the difference will show up quite clearly when used in close-up situations. Then the 21mm VF probably won't show the 15mm FoV, making it hard to questimate what will and what won't be in the picture.

 

[sleepyhead]

enough speculation - the only way to know how usable or not, is by going out there and shooting. I'll report back is I learn anything further.

Regards, Yaron

 

[Robin Harrison]

I have both finders and have to say that I think they show different fields of view. Does anyone know if there are multiple versions of either viewfinder? Perhaps one of them was revised at some point?

Different views aside, given the inaccuracy of the 15mm finder anyway, I don't think much is lost in using the 21 finder instead. And of course the 21mm finder with framlines is a close match for the 15mm on an R-D1. Three for the price of one!