Universal Finder

[Keykey]

Hey guys,

I'm planning to get an universal finder for my Zorki 4 and Jupiter 12. Just wondering what you guys are using?

Universal Turret Finder? Imarect? Or some other types that I haven't discovered yet?

Cheer,

Keykey

[varjag]

I have a universal turret finder and a dedicated 35mm KMZ finder that came with my J-12. I use the universal one, as it has 50mm framelines as well, corrects (somewhat) for parallax on my Kiev-4A and looks neat :)

[doubs43]

I have both the Imarect and FSU Universal turret-style finders. The Imarect has a far, far superior parallax correction capability. The turret finder, OTOH, allows you to see outside of the image framelines and has a 28mm capability that the Imarect doesn't have. The Imarect seems to fit tighter in accessory shoes without the wiggle that all turret finders I've used seem to have. That "wiggle" can seriously effect the accuracy of the view you see.

Unless I need the 28mm field, I prefer to use the Imarect for it's stability and parallax correction superiority.

Walker

[rbiemer]

I like and use mine. I also have one of the Japanese "Tele-Wide" ones which is smaller and much lighter and has brightline frames in it for both wide and tele. I'm not really sure what "wide" and what "tele" lenses this finder was mader for but, for me, it's close enough.
The bright-lines in this finder tend to flare out if there's a strong light in my field of view.
The unversal finder is more closely matched to the lenses and I can use it for more different lenses(28,35,50,85, and 135mm) so when I get all of them I will not have to have a finder for each one.
One major issue with the example I own is that the eye-piece is even harder on my eyeglasses than my FSU cameras.
Right now which one I use depends on what kit I'm taking with me: if I'm going light and take one camera with the J-12, I stick the tele=wide on it and go. If I'm taking the bag and all my stuff, then the universal is with me and I use it.
I didn't pick the tele-wide; it was part of the package with the J-12 in contax mount I bought for my Kiev, but I'm glad to have it.
Rob

[ddutchison]

I like and use mine. I also have one of the Japanese "Tele-Wide" ones which is smaller and much lighter and has brightline frames in it for both wide and tele. I'm not really sure what "wide" and what "tele" lenses this finder was mader for but, for me, it's close enough. ...


The "wide" on the Yashica Tele-Wide (That's the finder with the thin engraved silver ring around the eye side, and 2 thin rings engraved on the opposite end) is a perfect match for any of those popular 40mm lenses. Quite a lot cheaper than the Cosina/Voigtlander 40mm finder! The "tele" looks a good match for a 75, but it's a bit tighter than that.

I'm not sure about the other Tele-Wide finders like Petri, they might be different.

[Mike Kovacs]

I have a KMZ universal viewfinder and it is quite bright, has parallax correction marks and framelines that show what's outside the frame. Make sure you double check its accuracy with your longest lens, a 135/4 Contax mount Sonnar in my case. Mine is pretty accurate, even with such a close focusing 135 rangefinder lens. (1.5m if I recall)

Mine is the "wrong" turret for my Contax/Kiev. The original Zeiss Contax and early Soviet turrets lean right off the shoe, the one's meant for the LTM cameras leans left off the shoe. The latter "mirror image" turrets appear to be much more common but unfortunately lean over the rewind knob necessitating their removal at the finish of each film. My guess is that the Contax/Kiev models would interfere with the shutter controls on the LTM cameras.

[dll927]

I've also wondered some about those universal finders - the bane of RF thread-mount cameras. From some threads I've seen here, the Russian ones are about like things said about the cameras- you may or may not get a good dependable sample. Given that they are probably rather scarce by now, it may be a matter of luck. I'd be interested in hearing more about them, and whether they are useable on Kievs as well as Zorkis. It would seem they should be, after all they go in the accessory shoe.

[DaveP]

Zorki's and Kiev's require a different finder. One is oriented to the left , one is oriented to the right. This is to clear the shutter speed knob..............

[richiedcruz]

I have both the Imarect and FSU Universal turret-style finders. The Imarect has a far, far superior parallax correction capability. The turret finder, OTOH, allows you to see outside of the image framelines and has a 28mm capability that the Imarect doesn't have. The Imarect seems to fit tighter in accessory shoes without the wiggle that all turret finders I've used seem to have. That "wiggle" can seriously effect the accuracy of the view you see.

Unless I need the 28mm field, I prefer to use the Imarect for it's stability and parallax correction superiority.

Walker

I second the warning about wiggle with accessory viewfinders. I have an Argus turret style viewfinder that I was going to use on my Leica but it fits so loose in the shoe that I have to check that it is pointed straight. But, then again, this same finder fits fine on other cameras that I have; so it might be a matter of matching a partricular viewfinder to a particular camera.

Richie

[ruben]

Additionally to the wiggle issue is the problem of the Universal Turret falling off the camera when it is too loose.
But as my case is with Kievs, which have a sturdy shoe, I solved the problem by forcing both wings of the shoe a bit inwards, and now it's perfect.

Cheers,
Ruben

[varjag]

My turret finder (Zorki-type on Kiev-4A) fits with just enough friction and sits tightly - no wiggle at all. But it can be just a matter of luck.

As it is left-sided it does complicate the rewind process, although I usually don't remove it when rewinding.

[wierdcollector]

I have an Optimus (made in Germany) turret finder, a Leidolf Wetzlar 90mm finder, a Kaligar Tele/Wide finder and a Japanese (???) made Tele/Wide finder. Since I only own 50mm lenses (so far) I haven't used any yet, just acquired them along the way. The Optimus looks to be my favourite though, cool styling seems to work great.

[Leica-Virgin]

I have found that there is a huge variation as to how well these things fit FSU cameras.
My standard fix for things that need a bit of padding is to apply a little silicon sealant (the stuff you use around bath tubs or windows). It can be scraped off to refine the fit or completely removed at a later date if necessary. Also works for slack slip on lens hoods that need a little more friction.
Steve S

[Nick R.]

If you have a Kiev with the meter on top like mine, then the left leaning turret finder isn't a problem.

[dll927]

Up above, rbiemer mentions damage to eyeglasses. That's the very reason that, although it's a bit inconvenient at times, I've always used a separate pair of sunglasses made to my prescription. And I always insist on GLASS lenses. Eye-level cameras have never been very kind to plastic lenses, so this is at least one solution, even if not to the taste of everyone.

One additional advantage - the dark lenses ( I always get the darkest they make them) will shade the viewfinder to some degree. That can be helpful using cameras with auto-exposure, which tend to pick up light from the eyepiece. Not that this idea applies to most FSU cameras!!

[stephen_lumsden]

If you are in the UK, Mr. Cad sell the Helios Multifinder MKII with case for £20. This is smaller and less eccentric looking than the Universal with framelines for 35/85/135 and I have read its extremities of view correspond to 28mm. Best of all it can stay on the camera while in the ERC.

rgds


Stephen

[JasonC]

If you are in the UK, Mr. Cad sell the Helios Multifinder MKII with case for £20. This is smaller and less eccentric looking than the Universal with framelines for 35/85/135 and I have read its extremities of view correspond to 28mm. Best of all it can stay on the camera while in the ERC.

rgds


Stephen

Stephen, I am not in UK, but would like to find out more about the Helios Multifinder MKII. Does Mr. Cad have a website? Thanks.

Jason.

[Roger Hicks]

Look also for the Tewe 35-200 zoom finder. I have two...

Cheers,

Roger

[Rick Beckrich]

Keep your eyes open for a German Kodak 35/85 finder
(may have been for one of the Retinas?). This one has
RH offset and is home on my Kiev 4am with the J-12.

Have an Optimus 3-way and an unkown tele/wide that
get used on the Zorkis. These look like the old Leitz
brilliant finders, but they're not that good.

Rick

[zuikologist]

JasonC - Mr Cad website is here. Photo and apparently plenty in stock, but no additional information.

http://www.beginlaunch.com/shop/product.php?productid=5560&cat=0&page=1

[dragonx]

just won a universal turret finder with an auction for a canter beauty rangefinder. does anyone know if i can use it with other cameras and lenses? it sure is a cute little thing.
i use finders for my 25mm biogon and my 15mm heliar on my leica, but have yet to try the various finders on other cameras, especially the universal ones.
great thread.

[rbiemer]

If it is one of the Russian(FSU) finders, then it will have individual lenses for five different lenses: 28, 35, 50, 85, and 135. So you will still need the finders for your 25 and 15. It should fit most any camera with a standard flash/accessory/cold/hot shoe.
The biggest concern will likely be if the shoe is centered over the lens or off set.
And the FSU finder has, umm, very basic parallax correction. If you're shooting at "infinity" there is one setting. And there is a second setting for 1 meter. And that's pretty much it.
Still, I like mine.
And, Welcome aboard!
Rob

[ruben]

just won a universal turret finder with an auction for a canter beauty rangefinder. does anyone know if i can use it with other cameras and lenses? it sure is a cute little thing.
i use finders for my 25mm biogon and my 15mm heliar on my leica, but have yet to try the various finders on other cameras, especially the universal ones.
great thread.


Hi Dragon,
Congratulations for havind made a very intelligent purchase. Compared to a single finder, the Universal is biggy. But compared to five single finders, the Universal is quite smaller.

Compared to other competing multi finders, the parallax compensation of the Universal is rather crude. But get one of those high priced multi-finders with fine grain parallax compensation, and you will go crazy for each shot.

With some forgiveness claimed by any rangefinder camera against an SLR, the Soviet Universal Turret Finder is one of the most usefull items for a person with many lenses. Originally designed by the German Zeiss Ikon, in this case the Soviets improved the original version by eliminating the German dark surrounding of the Turret image, and making instead a kind of web around the actual image, not interfering and yet allowing to see the surroundings.

In case you want dead on accuracy, you will have to study what each focal length produces at short distances starting with 10ft for the 135mm, and closer, comparing the image at the Turret against the image in your camera, whithout film but some creamy paper or ground glass where the film is supposed to be. But this is close to madness and in any case you will end acceptably close to the real image.

Another use of the Turret by people carrying lenses either for RF cameras or SLR, is as the quickest way to learn the different compositions they can do with the lenses they carry, before mounting them to the camera.

Just beware the Turret will not fall from your cameras or hand, via preventive measures of your own creativity. At the third time the prisms inside the Turret will start to break.

And now that you have the Turret, and you seem to lack cameras, it's time to start collecting FSU stuff, both cameras and lenses. They are so cheap that it is a pitty to leave them at the shelf.

Cheers,
Ruben

[ErnestoJL]

I´m using a FOCA (french made) turret finder for 28/35/50/85/135 in the Contax. This finder is centered on the acc. shoe, and was designed during the ´50s for the FOCA cameras. This cameras had the VF in line with the lens so parallax correction is very easy. No frame lines, just as a Contax / Kiev VF.

The other VF I´m using in the Kiev came from a novelty camera and is a home made version of the Tele-Wide finders: 35 mm in normal position, and reversed, very close to 135 with apropriate masking. This is OK when you have just two lenses (35&135) other than the normal. Besides, it was cheap, and bright.

Ernesto

[oscroft]

I have an FSU turret finder, but I prefer the Helios finder - it has frames for 35mm and 85mm (and 135mm) which are the only two focal lengths I have apart from 50, and for 50 I just use the camera viewfinder.

MrCad has had the Helios finder advertised as "Last few, special price" for £6 for the best part of a year now - whenever the "number remaining" gets down very low they miraculously seem to find some more. (I can't navigate the MrCad site now - all I get is lots of SQL errors).

[oscroft]

I can't navigate the MrCad site now - all I get is lots of SQL errors
Ah yes, it's ok now. Several months ago they had about 6 left in their "Last few special low price" deal - now they've only got 57 left :)

[mike goldberg]

I enjoy a Rostow 35.
Check with alex_photo ... a reliable eBay Seller of FSU gear.

Cheers, mike

[wolves3012]

I recently got one of the FSU turret finders - mainly since I "won" (on the bay) a FED3 which came inclusive of a Jupiter 12 for a ridiculously low price (and turned out that camera and lens are both excellent). I've since got a Jupiter 11 too, so the finder was needed. It does the job quite well. The parallax correction may be a bit crude but it's good enough - I'd use an SLR if the shot demanded more accuracy! I was quite impressed by the optical elements in the finder, now I see why they aren't so very cheap!