25/28 zeiss finder

back alley · 05-29-2007

wow!!!

just got my zeiss 25 finder in the mail today and just like the camera's finder it's like looking through a large picture window.

from a brief look through it appears that using the entire camera finder is a good approximation of what i see through the external finder but with the finder it is so much easier to see the complete view without nearly the eye acrobatics involved.

joe

sepiareverb · 05-29-2007

Ah, I have one shipping tomorrow! Can't wait to see brightlines.

back alley · 05-29-2007

lines are very bright.

kinda odd, i buy the r4 to have access to wides w/o finders and then buy the 25 finder for the zm 25 lens and i just bought a used cv 75 finder (very good deal), in case i get a good deal on a cv 75 lens cause i want to see how it might work on the r4.
sometimes i shake my head at me...

joe

sepiareverb · 05-29-2007

Don't we all?
(shake our heads at ourselves, not you- well you too, well all of us)

pvdhaar · 05-29-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by back alley

wow!!!

just got my zeiss 25 finder in the mail today and just like the camera's finder it's like looking through a large picture window.

from a brief look through it appears that using the entire camera finder is a good approximation of what i see through the external finder but with the finder it is so much easier to see the complete view without nearly the eye acrobatics involved.

joe

So, how's the colour impression (warm/cool) of the Zeiss VF?

I had the CV25 finder mounted on the M4 the other day, and compared views of both. Hadn't done that before on this combination. The M4 finder is very blue, and the CV25 finder is almost amber. Almost to the point where the difference is distracting.. Never noticed that with the CV25 on the Hexar and Bessa..

back alley · 05-30-2007

didn't notice but will check after work today.

MISH · 05-30-2007

from pictures i have seen a great looking finder, that Zeiss nameplate would look great sitting on top of my IIA but not sure how to justify a finder that costs more than the lens i am using (or the camera for that matter) but am glad for you and glad that sepiareverb got the one off the classifieds before i could be tempted

visiondr · 05-30-2007

This is one spectacular piece of glass. Warning, to anyone using this finder with a Leica; you will be forever spoiled. The Zeiss external finder is so much brighter and clearer than even the storied Leica built-in viewfinder you may never want to have to look thought the camera's viewfinder to focus again!

back alley · 05-30-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by pvdhaar

So, how's the colour impression (warm/cool) of the Zeiss VF?

I had the CV25 finder mounted on the M4 the other day, and compared views of both. Hadn't done that before on this combination. The M4 finder is very blue, and the CV25 finder is almost amber. Almost to the point where the difference is distracting.. Never noticed that with the CV25 on the Hexar and Bessa..

looking through the zi camera's finder, the view is slightly warm.
looking through the 25 finder the view is more neutral to very slightly cool.

joe

pvdhaar · 05-30-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by back alley

looking through the zi camera's finder, the view is slightly warm.
looking through the 25 finder the view is more neutral to very slightly cool.

joe

Thanks for checking!

sepiareverb · 05-31-2007

Still waiting. I'm still waiting.

(patiently I'll have you know)

back alley · 06-30-2007

well, it's been a month or so but today i finally went out with the zi/25 combo and the zeiss finder attached.
as part of the shoot i also had the r4m/cv25 combo w/o a finder.

i don't normally have a problem using external finders but i do like using the r4 w/o the need for external finders but i have to say that the zeiss finder is a joy to use.
using ae on the zi and setting hyperfocal distance and just a quick look thru the finder is a rapid fire experience. man that thing is bright.

joe

troym · 06-30-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by back alley

using ae on the zi and setting hyperfocal distance and just a quick look thru the finder is a rapid fire experience. man that thing is bright.

joe

Agreed. I find that the ZM 25 and 25/28 external finder on a ZI make a fantastic streetshooting rig. Against my expectations, with AE and a hyperfocal setting I think that using the external finder is actually faster than using the camera's viewfinder.

mfogiel · 07-01-2007

Can anyone of you lucky owners of this viewfinder tell me if you can see without any problem the 25mm frames if you have your glasses on?
Thanks

back alley · 07-01-2007

it's easier without my glasses but not a major problem with them on.

joe

troym · 07-01-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by mfogiel

Can anyone of you lucky owners of this viewfinder tell me if you can see without any problem the 25mm frames if you have your glasses on?
Thanks

I wear glasses and don't have a problem. The framelines are close to the edge of the viewfinder window, but I don't have to hunt and squirm to see them.

mfogiel · 07-01-2007

Thanks a lot. My 25 Biogon should arrive this week, and I think the R4 25mm frameline is a little tight for me, so it's good to know the external viewfinder is a viable option.

Krosya · 07-03-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by back alley

well, it's been a month or so but today i finally went out with the zi/25 combo and the zeiss finder attached.
as part of the shoot i also had the r4m/cv25 combo w/o a finder.

i don't normally have a problem using external finders but i do like using the r4 w/o the need for external finders but i have to say that the zeiss finder is a joy to use.
using ae on the zi and setting hyperfocal distance and just a quick look thru the finder is a rapid fire experience. man that thing is bright.

joe

Sorry to bother you once again, Joe, but I am (and some others here are) waiting on your report of ZM 25 vs CV 25p. Hows image quality - much different? How about handling of one vs the other? Since you are the lucky one to own both pls keep us posted, as I can't wait to jump into 25mm FL, just can't make up my mind which.

back alley · 07-03-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Krosya

Sorry to bother you once again, Joe, but I am (and some others here are) waiting on your report of ZM 25 vs CV 25p. Hows image quality - much different? How about handling of one vs the other? Since you are the lucky one to own both pls keep us posted, as I can't wait to jump into 25mm FL, just can't make up my mind which.

i took some shots with each lens on it's natural mate but have not processed them yet.

handling is comfortable with both yet very different. i think this is mostly due to size, the zm 25/zi combo is bigger than the cv set up. the zm lens is easy to grab and focus and it's smooth as silk. the cv 25 is so tiny it can elude the quick focus sometimes. the cv 25 is smooth to focus but a touch more firm. i don't care for the leica like focus tab.
if you will be using a 25 on an r4 then i would recommend the cv as it fits perfectly.
having both kits is a treat for sure but i have to admit that i would be satisfied with either.
pics to follow...

joe

sepiareverb · 07-03-2007

I seem to be getting much more on film than the zm25 finder indicates- I haven't had a chance to set up a real test as I'm on the road, but will try to do so this weekend.

mervynyan · 07-03-2007

i used a viewfinder for mamiya 7ii 43mm lens, however i found the usage of external viewfinder is troublesome, at least on large format, you have time to think. therefore i am a bit hesitate to go beyond the build-in frame line on 35mm.

i am very tempted for zm25 from waves of praises, now tony drop the price, i can't make a decision....

Krosya · 07-03-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by back alley

i took some shots with each lens on it's natural mate but have not processed them yet.

handling is comfortable with both yet very different. i think this is mostly due to size, the zm 25/zi combo is bigger than the cv set up. the zm lens is easy to grab and focus and it's smooth as silk. the cv 25 is so tiny it can elude the quick focus sometimes. the cv 25 is smooth to focus but a touch more firm. i don't care for the leica like focus tab.
if you will be using a 25 on an r4 then i would recommend the cv as it fits perfectly.
having both kits is a treat for sure but i have to admit that i would be satisfied with either.
pics to follow...

joe

Thank you for your comments, Joe. Very helpful. Now I'll be waiting for your comments on optics of these two lenses.