swatch
Established
I am looking for 21mm viewfinder .... in terms of clarity and distortion, which is better between Leica and Zeiss?
Thank you for sharing your experience?
Thank you for sharing your experience?
which 21mm viewfinder?
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Captain
Well-known
The Zeiss is definitely the best finder but also one of the most expensive. I find the Voigtlander 21mm finder better than the plastic Leica finder, I havent tried one of the older metal Leica finders though.
Tom A
RFF Sponsor
No contest! The Zeiss finders are the cream of the crop. Nothing like it - the CV and Leica finders are good (about the same quality, though I find the VC finders a bit brighter).
The Zeiss finders are expensive, but for once you get what you paid for.
Of course, you can always buy a 21 VC f4 in screwmount and pay less than for a Zeiss finder, but you get a lens and a decent finder at that price.
"Though can not have too many lenses" anyway.
The Zeiss finders are expensive, but for once you get what you paid for.
Of course, you can always buy a 21 VC f4 in screwmount and pay less than for a Zeiss finder, but you get a lens and a decent finder at that price.
"Though can not have too many lenses" anyway.
sepiareverb
genius and moron
The current ZM 21 is stunning, but for the price you can get the Leica 21/24/28, with a case. The 21/24/28 is suseptible to falling apart however, I don't think the Zeiss would. One of my 21/24/28's is still in NJ getting put back together after the screws that hold the barrel to the base came loose.
Note the ZM finders do fit in the old single length Leica finder cases, which are still made.
Note the ZM finders do fit in the old single length Leica finder cases, which are still made.
awilder
Alan Wilder
I just bought the ZM finder with a 21/4.5 C Biogon. No regrets despite it's price tag. I've used the CV and current Leica 21 finders in the past and neither is as distortion free or as bright. Can't speak for the older chrome Leica 21 finder.
pfoto
Well-known
As an alternative try the 20mm Russar finder from the FSU. Optically excellent with built-in mechanical parallax correction. About $80-100 on eBay.
back alley
IMAGES
i have the 25/28 zeiss finder and it is remarkable!
i mostly use it on the grd though.
i mostly use it on the grd though.
L
leif e
Guest
It´s been said, I guess, but I did walk the streets of Paris for some days recently, my M4 equipped withe the new CV 21 and the CV finder. It really does work well for me. On the other hand I´ve not been used to anything better.
Still; I want a Bessa R4 even more now.
leif e
Still; I want a Bessa R4 even more now.
leif e
Roger Hicks
Veteran
I have an old metal Leica 21 finder, a plastic Voigtländer 21 finder, a 21 Kobalux and a 21 Zeiss, though I've not tried the current Leica 21. I used to have the Russian 2cm too.
The Zeiss is so far and away the best of the 5 I've tried that there's no contest.
Cheers,
R.
The Zeiss is so far and away the best of the 5 I've tried that there's no contest.
Cheers,
R.
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craygc
Well-known
I use a Contax G finder with my M2...
Should add that I often find the Voigtlander angle finder very useful with the 21mm
Should add that I often find the Voigtlander angle finder very useful with the 21mm
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sepiareverb
genius and moron
Forgot about that one. The G 21 finder is very nice indeed, and gives a very good FOV with the G 21 anyways.
Chromy too, if you like chrome.
Rob-F
Likes Leicas
I walked into Central Camera in Chicago, looked through the Zeiss finder, and bought it on the spot. When I got home I sold my Leica finder. The Zeiss makes all the difference when shooting with the 21mm lens. The focal length now becomes a serious tool for architecture and other subjects where good alignment is important.
Stoneaxe
Member
My CV finder foot crumbled shortly after I got it. Unless you are lucky enough to have a friend rebuild it in brass as mine did, treat it with kid gloves. Also the top of the frameline is almost invisible. Yes, you get what you pay for.
swatch
Established
which 21mm viewfinder
which 21mm viewfinder
thank you all of you sharing your experience and the advice provided. I will go for Zeiss and start saving money.🙂
which 21mm viewfinder
thank you all of you sharing your experience and the advice provided. I will go for Zeiss and start saving money.🙂
erikhaugsby
killer of threads
Just to satisfy my curiosity, is there anywhere I could see a block diagram of the 12mm finder?
Tom A
RFF Sponsor
I have never seen a diagram of it - only parts coming of the aspherical grinding machines and the assembly at the factory!
surprisingly my cv 21 has lived all the falls, rolling around in the bag, the car, falling out of the shoe on asphalt etc....
i was really irritated about the barrel distortion for some time, but got used to it. i wouldn't say no to zeiss, but i'd probably be afraid to use it... ,-)
anyone has the zeiss and the mamiya 7 (43) finder to compare??
i was really irritated about the barrel distortion for some time, but got used to it. i wouldn't say no to zeiss, but i'd probably be afraid to use it... ,-)
anyone has the zeiss and the mamiya 7 (43) finder to compare??
