21mm Viewfinder

dweekie · 07-21-2012

After 2 years of being on the fence, I finally snagged a Contax G21 lens. I didn't get a viewfinder though

.

I guess I'm taking this as an opportunity to explore other options since G users only seem to use the G finder, whereas other lens users never seem to use the G finder.

Is the G21 viewfinder worth searching for? Or is it a relic for the system with better options available elsewhere?

kbg32 · 07-21-2012

You can use any 21mm finder. It doesn't matter. The 21 G originally was sold with the finder as a set.

kdemas · 07-21-2012

The Contax 21mm finder is excellent but you can certainly use another brand. The Zeiss is the nicest I've ever seen.

Robert Lai · 07-21-2012

Try the Cosina Voigtlander 21mm finder. Metal, has 25mm frame marks in it also, and not expensive. Stephen Gandy sells them.

gshybrid · 07-21-2012

I have a VC viewfinder I don't need... I sent you a PM.

axiom · 07-21-2012

I have both the G21 finder and VC metal 21mm finder.
The VC one offers bigger and brighter image IMO.
But the G21 feels more contrasty

sepiareverb · 07-21-2012

I use the Leica Frankenfinder with all extra-wides on all my RF cameras. Stunning finder with a very visible and useful bubble, as well as adjustable framelines as one gets closer to the subject. Impeccably built. Bubble not absolutley necessary for a 21 I suppose, but helpful at times. Just out the other day with the G2/21/Frankenfinder. Perhaps overkill if the 21 is your only very wide lens. Probably costs more than the 21 did...

awilder · 07-21-2012

The ZM 21 finder is by FAR the best 21 finder ever made and I suspect even better than the Contax G version. The CV finder is OK but has more distortion with less brightness, something you'd appreciate in framing a poorly lit subject.

kzphoto · 07-21-2012

I picked p a G21 about a week ago that came with the viewfinder. The view isn't as bright as the ZM finder and it has a cross hair in the middle of the finder. It may be distracting for some, but I use it on my Ricoh GRD IV with the little accessory lens and it makes a good looking kit. If you can find a cheap G21 finder, buy it. The Leica and ZM equivalents are only very slightly better and you would need to have them side by side to notice.

kdemas · 07-21-2012

Nice! I hope the VF you got was in decent shape

Great idea using it on the GRD!

KD

Quote:

Originally Posted by kzphoto

I picked p a G21 about a week ago that came with the viewfinder. The view isn't as bright as the ZM finder and it has a cross hair in the middle of the finder. It may be distracting for some, but I use it on my Ricoh GRD IV with the little accessory lens and it makes a good looking kit. If you can find a cheap G21 finder, buy it. The Leica and ZM equivalents are only very slightly better and you would need to have them side by side to notice.

john_s · 07-21-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert Lai

Try the Cosina Voigtlander 21mm finder. Metal, has 25mm frame marks in it also, and not expensive. Stephen Gandy sells them.

While the 25mm frames could be a handy addition to the current VC 21mm viewfinder, I prefer the older one because I find the extra framelines clutter the view.

Bob Michaels · 07-21-2012

I find finders to be very non critical. Any one will serve the purpose.

I used the ContaxG 21mm finder with that system and 21mm Biogon for years. I now use the CV finder with a CV 21mm lens. Either finder is more than adequate. Buy based on price because it will make no difference in your photos.

raid · 07-21-2012

I also find the finders not to be a critical factor in photography. I use a 20mm finder with a 19m lens and also a 21mm lens. I use what I get my hands on.

dweekie · 07-22-2012

Wow, I didn't realize viewfinders were so personal, even compared to lenses!

Thank you for all the responses. It seems the consensus is that the G21 viewfinder does not bring anything to the table (other than matching color) compared to other options. gshybrid offered a plastic voigtlander at a good price. If that falls through, I think the metal voigtlander 21/25 is perfect for me since I have a ZM25 as well (though only on the GXR for now).

The Zeiss is extremely appealing, but I just can't justify the price for my own use.

thegman · 07-22-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by dweekie

After 2 years of being on the fence, I finally snagged a Contax G21 lens. I didn't get a viewfinder though

.

I guess I'm taking this as an opportunity to explore other options since G users only seem to use the G finder, whereas other lens users never seem to use the G finder.

Is the G21 viewfinder worth searching for? Or is it a relic for the system with better options available elsewhere?

If you're interested, I have a Leica 21mm finder for sale, not put it in the classifieds yet, but PM me if interested.

Crazy Fedya · 07-22-2012

I have picked up 21mm f/4.5 Biogon for my Contax RF's, and am thinking about getting either Zeiss 440 turret finder, or original 21mm finder,that came with said Biogon. Any opinions on these two?
Normally, I use KMZ turret finder, Nikon and Leitz 35-135, and find them adequate, so dimness of them don't really bother me, since they are for reference, for the most part. I am just wondering about the difference between said two finders at 21mm.

Crazy Fedya · 07-22-2012

Also, have anyone tried this one?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/21mm-viewfin...item2a1d277a70

dogbunny · 07-22-2012

Regardless of quality, which is the most compact? I didn't mind by Avenon at first, a little annoyed with it atm.

kzphoto · 07-27-2012

I think the CV finders are definitely the most compact. The G21 finder is huge in comparison to the ZM and Leica equivalents.

@Kent: The finder is superb! I use it on my GRD IV with the little accessory lens. It makes a pretty match!

kbg32 · 07-27-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crazy Fedya

Also, have anyone tried this one?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/21mm-viewfin...item2a1d277a70

I have no idea what that is. It looks like some "cobbled" viewfinder. I especially like the electrical tape mask on the front element.

Phil_F_NM · 07-27-2012

The ZM finders, whatever focal length they cover, are brighter than normal human vision. They are simply amazing. The 21mm finder has just a fraction more distortion than a Super Angulon, which is to say almost none. The ZM finders are optical wonders and I think they are better than many lenses these days. If only they had helicoids and apertures. I digress.
I've owned 2 ZM finders and a Leica 21mm finder (later plastic version) and the ZM finders blew the Leica unit away.
I've had to scale down my "collection" of cameras and due to cost and a friendly deal with a fellow RFF member, I have the Leica 21mm finder that I used to own and my friend has the ZM 21mm that he used to own. I sold the 25/28 finder, also back to the guy who used to own it.
The old plastic Leica finder is better than the CV, on-par with the Kobalux/Avenon, inferior to the new variable Leica version and all pale in comparison to the new ZM finders. if i didn't need the cash, I'd still have two of them.

Phil Forrest

ChipShorter · 07-27-2012

I tried it. I wanted a cheap viewfinder for a pinhole camera and thought I'd take a shot on this.

Absolute, utter, trash.

The image is tiny and very distorted. You have to mash your eye into it to see anything. Avoid avoid avoid.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crazy Fedya

Also, have anyone tried this one?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/21mm-viewfin...item2a1d277a70

zauhar · 07-27-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Michaels

I find finders to be very non critical. Any one will serve the purpose.

I used the ContaxG 21mm finder with that system and 21mm Biogon for years. I now use the CV finder with a CV 21mm lens. Either finder is more than adequate. Buy based on price because it will make no difference in your photos.

Bob, if the VF has a problem that affects framing, then it becomes critical. I struggled with a problematic 21mm VF for a while, now have one that I can trust.

I think it is a mistake to skimp on the VF.

Randy

ChrisN · 07-27-2012

Question for those that have the Zeiss viewfinder: does it have a rubber or plastic ring around the eyepice (so as not to scratch my glasses)?

Randy - which VF have you ended up with?

crispy12 · 07-27-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crazy Fedya

Also, have anyone tried this one?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/21mm-viewfin...item2a1d277a70

As a previous poster mentioned, it's really very small. I think it's originally a 28mm finder that the seller taped some electrical tape around.

It does work in the crudest sense. The viewing window is tiny (1.5 x 1 cm?) but it does get the job done. I'd recommend you buy the CV finder if you can afford it. My 15mm finder is an absolute joy to use... only wish they sold the 21/25 in plastic so they'd be more affordable.