Viewfinder question

[efirmage]

I've been frustrated with my M6's viewfinder as of late. I have been doing more portraits and there have been numerous times when the focusing patch is just not bright enough when there's a lot of detail going on.

My question is just how much better is the ZM's viewfinder/focusing patch compared to the M6? Worth selling an M6 for? I'll be adding another M camera to my setup ASAP, but that could be a year or so before I can fund it.

Thanks for your opinions!

Also, of course I'd like to try an Ikon, but none of the camera stores around me seem to have them to try out.

 

[user237428934]

Great viewfinder compared to a M6 but the meter Information on the left can be a little hard to see especially if you wear glasses.

Perhaps the following photo gives you an impression of the size of the Zeiss viewfinder compared to the M8 viewfinder.

 

[huntjump]

great shot comparison^^

 

[nandemofoto]

I found the VF of ZI to be the main reason to purchase this camera, the VF is bright clear and joy to use, I didn't have any problems with the flare either.
However if you mainly shoot portraits I recommend m6 with 0.85 magnification I think this is the best tool for this kind of work.

 

[presspass]

The older Ms - 2, 3, and 4 - and the newer M7s and MPs all have more visible rangefinder patches. With practice, you may be able to train yourself to work around the M6 flare problem, but it's not always easy. The ZI has a wonderful viewfinder and is easy to focus; I wear glasses and can't see the meter information in bright sunlight. The CV cameras are a mix of the two - better meter information and a viewfinder that's between the Leica and the Zeiss. You do have to remember to change the framelines manually. That's not a problem if you use just one lens, but it will create issues if you have a 50 on and are using the 90 frameline. I have, and use, all three brands. So far, I like the M7 best - quieter, longer base rangefinder, and pretty much flare-free. But price can be an issue - I bought mine quite a while ago and the prices for new and used would now be out of reach.

 

[efirmage]

Thanks for the responses. I do a mix of portraits and urban/landscapes, split between a 50 and a 28, so I need the normal magnification. I also need built in metering, so the older M's don't really work for me.

I think an MP or M7 might be most ideal, but definitely out of my price range. I also like a couple of the practical things on the Ikon, like being able to see which film you've got loaded, exposure in the VF etc, so I think that might be the best solution.

Hopfully a used one will come along and I can compare the two directly, or just keep both!

 

[nandemofoto]

Zeiss Ikon than it is. The only things I didn't like about this camera were the black paint on ZI which is scratching easily and the delicate feeling of the body, not as bad as Bessa but not as tough as Leica M.
To keep it nice and shiny I recommend cheap Mr Zouhu half case.
Best,

 

[kshapero]

I find that either a Leica M3 or a newer one with the .85 VF are the best, but the ZI is very bright especially helpful in low light situations.

 

[Dwayneb9584]

I looked through the M6 Viewfinder at B&H a couple years ago when buying a rangefinder and found it really low lit. Checked out a Zeiss and it was so big and bright. It's really amazing. I now shoot a Zeiss and love it. Metering isn't so bad in daylight. Sometimes I can make out the metering in bright areas but if you move left to right or up and down a bit you'll be able to see them. I recommend getting the Zeiss Ikon for sure.

 

[morback]

The older Ms - 2, 3, and 4 - and the newer M7s and MPs all have more visible rangefinder patches.

Interesting observation. I use an M2 and a ZI. There's no question, the ZI's viewfinder is the best. My ZI shows details within the patch my M2 doesn't.

Something that does not get mentioned is that the ZI's viewfinder is actually a copy/inspired by the M3's, in the sense that the frameline mask is parallel to the film plane. Apparently that's what makes the M3's (and so the ZI's) viewfinder so bright, contrasty, and flare proof.

That being said, the real hang-up for most people is the "build quality". If you expect Leica feel, there's only one company that provides that.

 

[Steve_F]

I maybe too late for this thread, but last year I had my M6TTL finder upgraded to the MP spec. Nice and contrasty now and never had white-out since. It cost just under £200 here in the UK.

Steve.