21-24-28 Viewfinder...

[Vince Lupo]

I'm thinking of replacing my Voigtlander 21mm viewfinder with the Leica 21-24-28 viewfinder, primarily because it also offers the 28mm view (as a glasses-wearer, I have difficulty seeing the 28mm frame in the camera viewfinder). Any glasses wearers out there who have this viewfinder? Any thoughts you can offer about the view?

Many thanks!

[jippiejee]

I wear glasses and use this viewfinder on some of my cameras. It does not have real framelines unfortunately and with glasses I can just see the edges of the frame. Without my glasses they're much easier to spot. But I like the build quality of it and it saves me from carrying several different viewfinders.


viewfinder-21-24-28 by aad_b, on Flickr

[sleepyhead]

The view is okay, but I found it much too large for my taste.

[maddoc]

I bought it together with my Super-Angulon-M, soon bought the CV21 and sold 21-24-28... Way to large for my taste and distorted image at 21mm setting.

[sanmich]

Vince,
I never had this finder, but for me the lack of brightlines is a definite no-go.
OTOH, I have a leica with a 0.58x finder, and boy.. what a treat with 35mm and 28mm lenses. and yes, I wear glasses too, and find using a 35 on my M2 not too nice.

about finders: I find the metal VC ones to be just great.
I have the Zeiss 25/28 too but I'll probably sell it some day. Too big for my taste, and the double frame confuses me. Admittedly, its image is just great.

[Vince Lupo]

Thanks for the replies guys. I decided that I'm going to give it a try, and if I don't like it I can always send it back (KEH).

I was shooting with my M9 today with my 28mm/1.9 Voigtlander, and I figured out why I don't like the view through the camera with the 28: The lens blocks the right side of the camera's viewfinder, so you can't see what's going on over there! Plus the fact that I'm shifting my eye left-right to see both corners, so for the 28 it doesn't work for me. 35 is fine, as is 50, so we'll give this 21-24-28 finder a try (should be here Thursday), and I'll let you know how it goes. Still may not solve my problem, but at least this way I can give it a try, and all I'll be out is the shipping charge if it doesn't work out.

I'll keep you posted!

[Vince Lupo]

My viewfinder just arrived, and it's actually pretty good in terms of what I'm looking for. At the 28mm setting, the view seems to be more accurate than the camera's viewfinder (at least to me!). It's not as big as a Kobalux, but yeah, it's a fair size. Still, I think I'll keep it and see how it works out. Should be fine though.

[MCTuomey]

I like the locking wheel, since I seem to suffer from unexpected camera rejection of external VF syndrome. Am interested to hear how you find it in use, especially its size and lack of brightlines.

[Vince Lupo]

So far (in the few test photos I've done around the house) it seems pretty good. It's actually fairly accurate - both in the 21 and 28 settings (I don't have a 24). The only thing I don't like is that because of its heavier weight and the fact that it extends beyond the back of the camera body, it pokes me in an uncomfortable spot in my gut (just below my chestbone), so we'll see how long I'll be willing to put up with that. Either that, or I use a shorter or longer camera strap!

[MCTuomey]

well, it sounds like it presents plenty of "nose relief" with that rear extension

good post, thanks vince

[Vince Lupo]

Just a quick update on the 'in the field' test of the viewfinder.....

Worked very well overall -- the only real issue (if I could call it that) is that depending upon the angle at which I look through the viewfinder, certain parts of the scene on the edges (either left or right) are seen but not necessarily included in the actual shot. Not of huge importance, and this viewfinder seems to be a much better way for me to frame the 28mm view. I didn't try out the 21mm view yesterday, but the 28 fits the ticket for my needs. Yes, it is a big thing on top of my M9, but after a while I'm sure I won't even think about it. All in all, a good choice.

Now, is it worth over $700 if I were to have purchased it new? Likely not. I paid about 1/2 that (including the case and shipping), so that seemed worth it to me.