Bright Line Finders, (3.5cm & 5cm), on "M" Models???

[LeicaVirgin1]

Dear Sir-

Recently, I invested in your book, "The Leica Compendium". I find it most useful.

In one of the chapters, you stae that by investing in a "Bright-Line-Finder" such as a 3.5cm & "possibly" a 5cm, (Old Weztlar style/Chrome) that it is more advantageous when street shooting when in a hurry; when things are happening rapidly.

Could you please elaborate on this matter? I went ahead and invested in a Leitz 3.5cm & 5cm BFL, (Soooo Nice! I must say.) I am just trying to use the tools for which they were designed.

Thank you in adavance for reading my post/question.

Respectfully,

DMB

[Solinar]

Well I'm not Erwin Puts, but I use mine as one would a sports finder - This allows me to have both eyes open and see a broad area outside of the selected frame. Both the SBLOO for 3.5cm and SBOOI are 1:1 finders.

Hope this helps.

[Ajax]

heyup and thank you..LeicaVirgin

A) for purchasing the book and B) for the kind comments...always appreciated.

Using an M (or an older L) body with 1:1 finders is a real joy. The effect of seeing the target through one of these is about as close to shooting in your head - i.e. seeing and recording the moment in your mind's eye - as one can get. Of course, a rangefinder camera can be used in the more measured way, stuck on a tripod, levelled etc., but for me, it has always been a tool best used to record life as it unfolds before me, and usually, while on the hoof. Success rates are geared to how well the owner knows his/her camera. 2nd nature operation is best; you should be able to feel your way around a lens so f/stops and distance can be set in a blink. There are ways to master this technique, like playing a guitar and everyone has their own special method. I will not tell you what mine are, they took years to develop, but it's pretty simple with lots and lots of practice. I often get caught fiddling and then accused of being 'obsessed' - take no notice, it's what keeps you primed...and what do they know! Mastering a 50mm is possibly the most difficult when distance judgement is critical to obtaining effective unsharp to sharp to unsharp planes.


As an aside, and just to rub home the fact that not all pros use the digital M, Jeff Widener and self spent a day in the City of Birmingham at the weekend banging off film on M7s and M6ttls. Jeff used an f/2 Summitar (1950s). I was reviewing the new Zeiss f/3.5 18mm ZF (on the M6 with adapter) and my favourite 35 f/2 Summicron (Vers.IV). We had heaps of fun.

enjoy your finders.
regards
Jonathan
www.ajaxnetphoto.com

[LeicaVirgin1]

Dear Sir-

Thank you for your response. I do love too look through the 35 & 50 BLF's, (older ones). Man, those things, (especially), the Leitz 35mm BLF, cost a bundle, but well worth it! Bam & it is DONE!!!!

Your book is great!!!!

Best & Respect,

DMB/LeicaVirgin1

[newspaperguy]

Slightly off topic, but in a similar vein - I had occasion this past weekend to attach a venerable Voigtlander KONTUR finder to my Rooski Barnack and shoot some night shots at our annual county fair. I was amazed to find that with even the teenyest (is that a word?) bit of light, the white lines functioned perfectly. Yes, both eyes open