Who shoots with a 21 mm lens w/o a VF?

kshapero

kshapero

South Florida Man
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Bessa R4x"s do not respond. Does anyone shoot a 21 mm lens or wider without an external VF? For me they physically get in the way. So can one get desired composition w/o the Ext VF? I don't see focusing as much of a problem, just decent composition. Or is it just full of surprises?
 
I've used it on the ZM, and it seems to capture quite a bit more than to the edges of the viewfinder, sometimes a pleasant surprise and then sometimes the stereotypical finger in the picture. This is very unscientific and my own opinion (except for the finger - its definitely there!), and to be honest I've started using a 28mm instead and do prefer that since the ZM has a frameline for it. I've heard that people use the full ZM finder to approximate a 24 or 25 mm lens and that sounds more reasonable.
 
I use a CV 21mm finder. Frankly I cant think of a reason not to use it, depth of field is so huge that focusing is really easy and with auto exposure and a basic understanding of light and metering it should not be all that much trouble. If you dont like the bulk of a viewfinder there is always an SLR with the same focal length you could use.
 
I recently bought a Zeiss 21 in M-mount and really, really like it. I have had a Nikon 20mm lens for 20 years, but have not used it nearly as much. I have used a finder, but am about 50/50 in actual use. On the M8, the view of a 28mm finder is about right. On an E-P2 there is no issue as you see through the lens, but with that combo I do focus and frame using the camera's EVF.
 
I use the CV21 more often with the finder. Sometimes I use it w/o the finder on the M3 or CL. The CV21 also is effective on the m4/3 camera's as a 42mm lens.
 
I have always shot the 21
Without a VF
In general i prefer less

I just center the main point of view
Slightly tilt the 21 SA
For additional Edge
and SHOOT

Never really had a problem in my compositions
I have a '21' set on flickr
Cheers-H
 
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I'm currently shooting a CV15 on an R4a without the external viewfinder ( I know you asked us not to respond, but I guess the 15mm presents me with similar problems to yours with the 21mm). I use the integral viewfinder to compose the central area of the photograph, and just hope my fingers aren't in the way!

I'm looking at buying a Bessa L and shooting 'blind' - until I get my hands on a cheap enough external v/f. I should get a few surprises on the way.
 
I use an R2S with the 21mm but use it without the viewfinder, which is in a drawer someplace. But I find that if I just move my eyeball around to the extremes past the framing lines, it approximates the field of view pretty well. I don't know what other viewfinders look like though. However, the 25mm and 28mm are a bit more problematic to approximate.
 
I just got a 21/2,8 Biogon with a 25/28 finder (for my M8) and spent the day shooting it, and I like the finder a lot. I was much less comfortable not using it.
 
I use 21 on M5 and Hexar RF (Better on Hexar) w/o external VF all the time and wit some practice it works Ok for me. I do have an external VF for my 21mm but use it only about 10% of the time.
 
I do, CV 21/4 with the full VF of the M8, primarily landscapes, so I can chimp if there are framing or edges I want to include/exclude. The whole VF is probably excliding an extra 10-15% of what the 21 gives on the image, depending on your eyepoint position.
 
I have shot with the Elmarit-M 21/2.8 on my M6 always without the external VF. Some months ago I got one of the CV's. Was totally pissed off by it until its foot just mysteriously broke and never used it again.
 
helenhill said:
I have always shot the 21
Without a VF
In general i prefer less

I just center the main point of view
Slightly tilt the 21 SA
For additional Edge
and SHOOT

Never really had a problem in my compositions
I have a '21' set on flickr
Cheers-H
Click to expand...
I like this
 
I go for the VF... just take steps to make it secure in the accessory shoe, whether that means tightening up the shoe rails, adding a shim, or using a rubber band under the lens and around behind the VF to hold it in place!

My first 21 was the Biogon-G, and my idea was to just let the camera's AE and AF do their jobs while I viewed the world through the big bright external VF. That worked out pretty well. I really don't mind having that gizmo on top, and it does seem to make other people double-take to see it. That can lead to a photo-op...
 
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