When viewfinder is the n.1 criterion..

[Andrea Taurisano]

Hi

My Ricoh GR1v is a true jewel of a camera, but its rather tiny viewfinder is almost impossible to use with glasses (at least if relatively accurate framing is desirable). I have tried Leica Minilux and C2, and those have even tinier finders.

Is there anything I should consider that features larger viewfinder (ideally usable with glasses while still enabling decent framing) and fast lenses (anything between 28 and 40 mm, but max f2.8)?

Thanx in advance..

 

[--s]

Hi Andrea,

I´ve just tried the Olympus XA.
The vf is not big, but easy to see with glasses, there is a speed indicator needle in the vf, it´s a manual focus- camera, it´s 2.8/35 mm.

 

[johannielscom]

Try the Agfa Optima 535, 1035 or even the 1535 RF if you can find it.

Very bright and (close to) 1:1 finder. I even found the Optima 335's finder to be very bright, but the 335 has a 3.5/40mm lens, while the 535, the 1035 and the 1535 have a 2.8/40mm Solinar S lens, which is pretty sharp and strangely underrated...

Real all about it here: http://cameras.alfredklomp.com/optima1535/

 

[Andrea Taurisano]

Thank you both for your quick answer. I was actually thinking of something with AF and motorized film advance, more in the same group as GR1, Minilux, Contax T2.. But the tings you suggested seem worth a look at the earliest occasion (which may be exactly tomorrow since I'm going to Milan..). The only way to go forward is to try them, with glasses on..

 

[farlymac]

The Olympus Trip AF 50 might fill the bill, with a 28mm lens (though I don't know the maximum aperture).

PF

 

[pvdhaar]

Fuji Clearshot 50 AF, Vivitar Bigview BV35 AF, Yashica Clearlook AF to name but a few..

 

[Andrea Taurisano]

Hmm.. more sweet stuff suggested there, I see. Thank you guys.

I found at least one more: Rollei AFM 35 (38mm f2.6!). Excellent reviews it appears, and I tried it myself: the finder is definitely larger and brighter than the one in the Ricoh GR1.

And then Nikon 35Ti. This looks wonderful, but I haven't had the chance to try and find out about the finder's size and brightness.

 

[f16sunshine]

The Contax T2 or Should be at tge top of your list.
The T3 as well if you wish to spend the extra money.
I've "settled" in Konica Hexar AF which is larger but simply perfect!

 

[Andrea Taurisano]

The Contax T2 or Should be at tge top of your list.
The T3 as well if you wish to spend the extra money.
I've "settled" in Konica Hexar AF which is larger but simply perfect!

In fact, Hexar AF is the thing I most tried to find, with no success (don't want to buy it from ebay without trying the viewfinder first). All other specs are just perfect. Well, the 1/250th max speed isn't exactly ideal but can be survived I guess..

 

[f16sunshine]

In fact, Hexar AF is the thing I most tried to find, with no success (don't want to buy it from ebay without trying the viewfinder first). All other specs are just perfect. Well, the 1/250th max speed isn't exactly ideal but can be survived I guess..

There is one here in the classified. I do understand wanting to try first.
On the other hand.... it's a great candidate for quick resale and funds recovery if you don't get along with it.

Best of luck in your search 🙂

 

[rbiemer]

No sure how these might compare to what you've got now but, it might be worth looking at (or through) either the Olympus Stylus/Mju or the Pentax UC-1/Espio Mini cameras.
I wear glasses, am very farsighted, and have been pretty happy with both cameras. There is an f2.8 version of the Stylus but the UC-1 is f3.5 so it might not be fast enough.
The one thing I dislike about both of these is that the default for the flash is "on" so I have to remember to turn it off every time I open the camera.
Rob

 

[--s]

In fact, Hexar AF is the thing I most tried to find, with no success (don't want to buy it from ebay without trying the viewfinder first). All other specs are just perfect. Well, the 1/250th max speed isn't exactly ideal but can be survived I guess..

If you´re interested:
http://www.cameraquest.com/konhex.htm

 

[Andrea Taurisano]

Just a quick update, for those interested.. I made up my mind and ordered a Hexar AF, now I can't wait... ;-)

 

[cpc]

I think you've got cause and effect backwards. Large VFs usually prevent accurate framing with glasses on due to excessively short VF eye point. This is certainly the case with Contax T2/T3. The Hexar AF should be better though.