Question about external finders

rxmd · 10-06-2006

Hi,

I'm currently using an external finder for a 35mm lens; it's a Braun finder, probably from a Paxette, and while small, it's squinty and dark. I know that you can buy a good Voigtländer finder new, but that's way out of my budget now. I'm more interested in older finders.

Now I'm interested in what finders you use. What focal lengths do you use an external finder for? Do they have brightlines? What magnification do they use? How large are they?

Philipp

varjag · 10-06-2006

If you have umiparied binocular vision, old Voigtlander Kontur for 35mm might be the best. It is 1:1 but you can use it only with both eyes open. I have one for 50 and love it, but on 35 it would be even more useful since you can skip the focusing part more often.

mc_vancouver · 10-06-2006

See my ad for a Voigtlander 35 finder in mint shape. Mike

oscroft · 10-06-2006

Hi Philipp,

I mostly use a Helios finder, which has brightlines for 35mm, 85mm and 135mm (I only use 35mm and 85mm). It's cheap and cheerful, but it's quite bright and not at all squinty. The 35mm lines seem a bit tight - more like 40mm - but I'm used to that now and have no problem with it. Also, at 85mm it has parallax problems close up, but after a bit of practice I can now estimate the parallax quite well.

rxmd · 10-06-2006

Hi Eugene (is that actually Eugene or Yevgeni, incidentally?),

Quote:

Originally Posted by varjag

If you have umiparied binocular vision, old Voigtlander Kontur for 35mm might be the best. It is 1:1 but you can use it only with both eyes open. I have one for 50 and love it, but on 35 it would be even more useful since you can skip the focusing part more often.

is there a Kontur finder for 35mm? I know that there are some that are labeled "35mm", but that apparantly refers to the film format and has led to much confusion among users.

Philipp

ray_g · 10-06-2006

I use finders with my iiif. The CV 50mm is great. I also have an old Petri 1:1 finder with combined wide and tele framelines which approximate 35mm and 90mm. You can find them for $10-15.

varjag · 10-06-2006

Philipp,

Quote:

Originally Posted by rxmd

Hi Eugene (is that actually Eugene or Yevgeni, incidentally?)

Yevgeni, but since so many people have enough troubles spelling my name I gave up and use the easiest Western equivalent

Quote:

is there a Kontur finder for 35mm? I know that there are some that are labeled "35mm", but that apparantly refers to the film format and has led to much confusion among users.

There indeed is and I even bid on it

The real thing is marked with "f=35mm" as opposed to "35m/m" on more common 50mm finders, and is also a bit larger.

OldNick · 10-06-2006

I use a CV 35mm finder and a Leitz 50mm brightline finder on my Leica IIIf because I wear glasses and have difficulty using the built-in finder on the IIIf. There are often some inexpensive plastic FSU finders available on the auction site, but I have not tried them.

Jim N.

kbg32 · 10-06-2006

I use 12, 15, 16 without brightlines, and 21, 28 with brightlines.

payasam · 10-06-2006

For 17 years i used a Leitz SBLOO finder with a Summaron 35/3.5. Exceptional image, bright lines (a second, inner one at the top for near distances), use with spectacles no problem. It's old, which satisfies one of your conditions, but frightfully expensive. The Petri (mentioned above) and Yashica finders are good, if you can get one. The Helios, also mentioned, is inexpensive and probably accurate enough for a wide angle lens. The new Voigtlander finders are said to be good -- but they are new. I doubt that you will easily find a Kontur, which was always something of a rare bird. You might consider fabricating a folding sports type finder, without optics but, if you wish, with parallax compensation.

3js · 10-06-2006

Zeiss Ikon finders, two of them, the 35 and the 28.

rxmd · 10-06-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by ray_g

I also have an old Petri 1:1 finder with combined wide and tele framelines which approximate 35mm and 90mm. You can find them for $10-15.

Is this the finder for use with their add-on wide and tele converters? I didn't know it was 1:1, which would be a huge bonus for me. Is it identical with the Yashica add-on finder?

Philipp

lubitel · 10-06-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by rxmd

Hi Eugene (is that actually Eugene or Yevgeni, incidentally?),

is there a Kontur finder for 35mm? I know that there are some that are labeled "35mm", but that apparantly refers to the film format and has led to much confusion among users.

Philipp

I have an old voigtländer kontur 35mm. Its quite big and squarish. When I had it on my Fed 5, I couldn change the shutter speed, cause it was touching the selection wheel. It is a very interesting experience shooting with such a finder, since both eyes are open and the frame just seem to be "flying". I think its not very accurate, though, when it comes to objects that are a bit closer.

lubitel · 10-06-2006

just like this one

http://cgi.ebay.de/VOIGTLANDER-KONTU...QQcmdZViewItem

rxmd · 10-06-2006

Hi lubitel,

Quote:

Originally Posted by lubitel

just like this one

http://cgi.ebay.de/VOIGTLANDER-KONTU...QQcmdZViewItem

that's the version labeled "35 m/m" that is actually for a 50mm lens, isn't it?

Philipp

varjag · 10-06-2006

Yes, that one is for fifty. I have such currently on my Contax.

Stu W · 10-06-2006

I used to have a Tewe. Sold it to somone on the forum. Now I miss it. I've been using cv, but the Tewe is a nice piece of equipment. Stu

ddutchison · 10-06-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by rxmd

Is this the finder for use with their add-on wide and tele converters? I didn't know it was 1:1, which would be a huge bonus for me. Is it identical with the Yashica add-on finder?

Philipp

No, I have the Yashica finder. It's not 1:1, however, the "wide" frame line is a perfect match for the 40mm Rokkor/Nokton/Etceteron (the "tele" lines are about 70mm which is a tad too wide for a 75mm lens, unfortunatly).