Differences between Zeiss and CV external finders?

[fstop]

I will be buying either a Zeiss 21mm or 25mm lens soon, but am unsure whether to get a Zeiss or a much cheaper CV finder. Are the Zeiss finders significantly better than their CV counterparts?

I have the CV 21/4 and 21mm finder, and the only complaint I have about the finder is the tendency for its framelines to occasionally disappear.

[Huck Finn]

Fstop, have you read Tom Abrahammson's review of the Zeiss Ikon system? He is the only one I know of who has specifically addressed the quality of the finders. If you already have a 21 finder & are happy with it, I don't see why you would add the expense of a new finder no matter how good it is- especially at the price that Zeiss is charging for these. If you haven't seen it, you can find it on the link below. His discussion of the finders is at the bottom of the page, toward the end of the article.

www.cameraquest.com/zeiss_ikon_m.TA.htm

Huck

[tom_f77]

I have the Z 25/28 finder. It is extremely good - magnification is a little lower than the CV finder, which makes it easier to take in the view, and there is less barrel distortion. Virtually none.

But I only bought it because I wanted to sell 25 and 28 lenses with finders, so it replaced two for me. It is very expensive just for a nice finder.

Tom

[StuartR]

They are absolutely superb. They are way ahead of the CV in terms of brightness, lack of distortion, eye-relief and, contrast and ability to see the framelines. They really make it a nicer experience to use an external finder. I bought both of mine in Japan for a pretty cheap price with the lenses, but if I were in the US, I would buy from Tony Rose. He probably has around the best price.

[fstop]

Thanks for all the responses, guys.

After much thought, I've decided to go with a CV finder as I just can't justify paying so much more for the Zeiss finder. I could buy a LOT of film with the money saved.