Use entire CLE viewfinder with 25mm Biogon

[marduk]

I've been looking for a new external viewfinder for my 25mm Biogon but came across Minolta CLE for a good price. I'm wondering know if I could use the entire CLE viewfinder with 25mm - seems to be quite a match from what I've read. Not sure though if I'd love to frame it this way, so I would appreciate some opinions on the following questions:

1) Doesn't ZM 25mm Biogon obstruct part of the VF? TTL metering works fine with this lens?

2) How difficult is it to keep vertical lines straight when framing in such a way?
If CLE viewfinder is similar to my M3 I could live with that, otherwise cheap CV finder would be better, what do you think?

 

[PaulDalex]

I have the CLE and the 25/2,8 Biogon and have used this combination with excellent results. And I remember only pure photographic pleasure no problem at all. Some time has passed but my recollection is that the lens is visible in the viewfinder. I will verify that in a few days for you. I Don't remember any problem as to metering.
Regarding the last question I made landscape photos so I cannot speak much of distortion (which looks absent to me). However according to Zeiss distorstion is very low, so much so that they recommend the lens for architectural photos

 

[marduk]

Thank you, this is exactly what I wanted to know. Yes, I think the lens would protrude into VF a little, not a big issue though.

 

[PaulDalex]

I made the test. Yes you can see the lens but the occupied area in the viewfinder is really minimal

 

[zwarte_kat]

I had the combination, but ended up selling the 25mm. The performance was great and no problems with the viewfinder for me, but I found it too large for the CLE, as well as for my Nex and GXR. If I would get another 25mm mount lens, then I would go for the Voightlander or the compacter but slower Zeiss. Or I would learn to live with having "just" 28mm and get one of the nice options there.