Waist-level finder SLRs

[Phil_F_NM]

Bronica S2a.
Phil Forrest

 

[bluesun267]

The Nikon F3 waist level finder is a beautifully constructed device and is pretty plentiful and inexpensive. I love it but it never gets used for aforementioned reasons. Someday I may find a need for it

 

[Pioneer]

Go big or go home!!

The only way to do this is with a 4x5 Graflex with a rotating back. I love my Graflex Auto RB. Otherwise you will be wasting an awful lot of time looking through tiny little magnifiers, even with medium format. The only waste level viewfinder that I have ever found on a medium format camera that has actually worked out has been the one on my Zeiss Ikon Ikoflex IIa but there could be others. Even Rolleiflex does not do this well.

If you are committed to finding something decent in 35mm the only option that has worked for me is the Pentax FB-1/FD-1 combo Action Finder that fits on the Pentax LX. This one is magnified so it works a lot better. jAnd, since it rotates you can use it as a waist level finder and an eye level finder without having to change finders.

 

[ChrisPlatt]

Unmagnified waist level finders are very difficult to use on 35mm SLR cameras.
The image is simply too small to focus accurately when camera is held at waist level.

Chris

 

[narsuitus]

My first SLR (Miranda Sensorex) had a waist-level finder feature that I used when mounting the body on a microscope.

My second, third, fourth, and fifth SLRs (Nikon F, F2, F3, and F4) also had a waist-level finder feature that I used when mounting the bodies on a telescope or a copy stand.

My first and only medium format SLR (Mamiya RB67) has a waist-level finder feature that I use when shooting portraits and macro.


Nikon F4 with waist-level finder by Narsuitus, on Flickr

RB67 with waist-level finder by Narsuitus, on Flickr

 

[DRSummi]

Inexpensive way to try WLF 35mm would be with an Exakta SLR with Zeiss Jena lens. You can get them cheap at tag sales and flea markets. Maybe, now even at camera swap meets.

Historical Note: Hitchcock movie Rear Window. Jimmy Stewart uses an Exakta with a huge telephoto lens (Zeiss ?)

 

[Pál_K]

Historical Note: Hitchcock movie Rear Window. Jimmy Stewart uses an Exakta with a huge telephoto lens (Zeiss ?)

Kilfitt Fern-Kilar 400/5.6

 

[seany65]

Thank you all, you have really cleared my mind!

Actually I had not thought about the "vertical composition" factor .. surely it would be very bizarre to try to photograph something rotated 90° and peeking at the subject sideways..

I think I'll delve into the medium format options instead, they actually look more interesting.

Thanks again everyone!

Ooh, ya big cowardy-custard! Why not see vertical composition with a wlf as a challenge?

Don't forget the fact that a wlf greatly facilitates low-level horizontal composition. Also if you go down the MF route and want to do vertical compositions you'll need a prism finder or rotary finder to use the camera in the vertical, so you may as well not bother and just get an slr anyway!

You could always just get a cheap wlf 35mm camera, such as a pentacon fx2 or practica vlc3 to see how you manage.

 

[Danny D]

I know a guy online who swears by WLF Nikon F2's. He shoots wide angles and just zone focuses everything so all you're left doing is framing and getting correct exposure. It's great for car photography.