Very small external 50mm viewfinder?

[Juan Valdenebro]

Hi,

Are there real small ones? Say, half the Voigtländer ones... I don't need visual comfort or great space surrounding the framelines, just a guide in a very small finder...

Thanks!

Cheers,

Juan

 

[Leigh Youdale]

This might not be what you want, but I think it's an interesting concept.
http://www.ikodot.com/takealook.html

 

[hexiplex]

This might not be what you want, but I think it's an interesting concept.
http://www.ikodot.com/takealook.html

Wow, I want one of those! Too bad about the price tag on them, though. 99$ is a bit too rich for me. But I just can't get over how cool that would be to have, will experiment with some steel wire and some nice pinheads!

As for tips for very small viewfinders, a friend of mine milled a cube of solid black plastic into a very miniscule viewfinder. A small hole in the middle and two grooves on the side for the accessory shoe and that was his viewfinder, as far as I recall the FOV from it pretty well matched his 28mm lens. Otherwise, you might consider making a viewfinder out of a 35mm disposable camera, wont fit the 50mm FL, obviously.

Jays tips for DIY viewfinders.

http://www.jay.fedka.com/index_files/Page358.htm

 

[Juan Valdenebro]

Thanks, Leigh...!

That's nice, but a bit too big this time... I am needing something very compact, like the 28/35 mini by CV, but for a 50mm lens... Something like the ones on old Barnacks...

Cheers,

Juan

 

[raid]

The 50mm VF that comes with the Heliar and the Bessa T set is small.

 

[Juan Valdenebro]

What one from the very early (pre-M) bodies? Do they remove? Fit in a hotshoe?

Failing that, yeah - the CV finder is rather small (the totally round one, like the 75 as Raid mentions).

Hi, Double Negative... I meant those external, really small ones on the very early Barnacks, before they became internal...

I'll take a look at the CV one... Thanks!

Cheers,

Juan

 

[rxmd]

You can always buy a dead Zorki, rip out the viewfinder and put it in a little box made from a dead hotshoe adapter.

 

[ferider]

Hi Juan,

not sure if you want it small in use or only in your bag. The Zeiss 433/24 folds, and is usually not too expensive. See here, for instance: 380354356819@ebay.

The CV finder is discontinued, and quite expensive now. I just got an SBOOI yesterday, which is same size as the CV and pretty small. I myself love brightlines.

I was looking for a 50mm finder for a while. One small one popped up, no-name, similar in size to the mini CV finder. Cann't find it anymore. You could also buy an "Argus A" and rip its finder off. If none of this works, they are out there, keep looking.

Roland.

 

[ferider]

This is the one I'm thinking of (or similar).

The last one went to 172 bucks (120746381806@ebay).

 

[John Lawrence]

A cheaper alternative to either the Voigtlander or SBOOI is the Helios viewfinder:

http://photography.shop.ebay.com/Film-Cameras-/15230/i.html?_nkw=helios+viewfinder

You used to be able to get these for around £15.00 a few years ago...

A quick bit of searching, and here are a couple for around £25.00 (new):

http://www.mwclassic.com/acatalog/Online_Catalogue_LEICA_COPY_12.html

John

 

[ferider]

The Helios finder has no 50mm framelines.

 

[John Lawrence]

The Helios finder has no 50mm framelines.

Whoops!

Note to self: never post after boozy lunch, and read thread thoroughly!

John

 

[rjbuzzclick]

You might want to check out the Petri Tele-Wide Finder:

http://www.mattdentonphoto.com/images/fed_3_finder.jpg

They're very inexpensive. If you're looking for 50mm framelines, this may not be what you're looking for but you might be able to get used to it. As you say, it's only for an approximation. The wide lines seem to be around 40mm (my best estimate). I use it with a Jupiter 12 and using the whole field of view approximates the 35mm J-12 pretty well.

 

[bastian a.]

The only 50mm finder I know is the Leitz SBOOI which is small and very good.

 

[Juan Valdenebro]

Thanks to everyone!

Cheers,

Juan

 

[ferider]

Juan, here is the SBOOI on a camera you know ....

Bought in EXC+ condition for US 130. Amazing view through it. Send me a PM, I have some pointers if you are interested.

Roland.

 

[Juan Valdenebro]

OK, thanks, Roland!

Cheers,

Juan