Nikon 105mm Bright line Finder

[aoresteen]

Having just bought a 10.5cm f/2.5 Nikkor for my Contax IIa, I need to track down a Nikon Bright Line finder for it. I don't want the torpedo type.

Anyone know of one that is for sale somewhere? I've looked at the usual places (ebay, KEH, Tarmarkin) but no luck.

Yes the 10.5cm Nikkor is marked 'C' on the barrel!

Thanks!

I did post a WTB listing but thought I'd ask the group if they knew of one at a dealer etc.

[Brian Sweeney]

These tend to be rare and expensive. By the time the black type 105 finder came out, the S3, S4, and SP all had 105 lines built in. Nikon had ramped down production of the "C"ontax lenses in favor of their own S-mount. Be prepared to pay as much for the finder as you did for the lens. It would be cheaper to buy a Zoom-Finder for the 105. Nikon zoom-finders are running between $100-$200, and other brand zoom-finders run under $100. I use one bought for $5 at a show for my Contax with the Nikon 13.5cm and 8.5cm lens and also use it on the Nikon S2 with the 10.5cm.

[aoresteen]

Thanks Brian.

I had a Nikon vari-finder which was ok (I had a LTM 105mm Nikkor but sold it & the varifinder 2 years ago). Right now I have a CV 90mm bright line which I will use until a 105 come along.

I know that these will be pricy and I hope to snag one for under $300 (HA!)

[Sonnar2]

Are they really "zoom" finders or just adjustable metal plates which shades everything except the adjusted foacl length? AFAIK both type existing... which was made by Nikon?

BTW, there were nice brightline finders made by Canon as well... with 100mm, not 105

Cheers, Frank

[aoresteen]

Good idea on the Canon BL. I'd overlooked them

As to how the "zoom" finders work I don't know.

Thanks!

[Brian Sweeney]

Very early Nikon viewfinders used the variable masks. They are very collectable and go for much more than they would normally. Most Nikon variable finders used zoom optics and had parallax correction via the foot.

[Sonnar2]

How keep them apart? I want a real optical zoom finder, not a "hole" with masks.
Additionally, it's strange how rare the Canon 85mm brightline finder is.. I have a 100 and it's more common, but most Canons provide 100mm frames as well.. not 85mm. And a lot of 85mm lenses out there (Nikkor, Canon, Jupiter alone I have..). It's not a big thing neither with my Canon P nor with my Bessa-R where I can use the 90mm, but a "nice-to-have"...

cheers, Frank

[Roger Hicks]

The Nikon finder with which I am most familiar is what appears to be a TEWE copy, though I suppose it is possible that TEWE actually copied the Nikon. It is a combination zoom/masking finder: the 200mm field is definitely smaller than the 35mm.

Cheers,

Roger (www.rogerandfrances.com)

[laptoprob]

Hi, does anyone know about the Canon 85mm viewfinder, is it the tubelike finder? Or is it more like the conic shape like the Canon 35 or the Leitz 85mm brightline?
I just got the tubelike finder on *bay. I think it is a maskfinder, not a brightline finder.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7517863838&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWN%3AIT&rd=1
Thanks, Rob.

[Brian Sweeney]

AT THAT PRICE YOU GOT A BARGAIN!

I have the later Canon 135 Black finder, I do not know about this one. Mine is brightline. i suspect this one is masked. In any event, you got a steal.

HEY, CANON GUYS!

[laptoprob]

Oh Brian, and what a beautiful steal it is. I bought the 85 and the 35mm Canon finders together. Both are - let's say - tunnelvision viewfinders, but that is no problem. Tunnelvision means it has a mask for 85mm and the 35 for 35mm ofcouse. The 35 even has a ugly mask in front that masks even more clearly, but it is very easily removed to show only the round glass.
The 35 is ofcourse nor lifesize but the 85mm is almost 1:1 lifesize. That is very convenient. The 35 also shows a little barrel distortion, but so does the 15mm Heliar viewfinder. Not a big deal.

Now I have to figure out a nice way to carry these little gems!

Rob.