Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2006/02/03
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Thanks Henning for this in-depth thoughts about superwide finders. I understand an undistorted finder would be designed like the lens. It's very likely that the german made 15mm Zeiss finder will cost as much as a used M6 body and be bigger than the Voigtlander Heliar lens. The reason why I would like a undistorted finder is for better horizontal and vertical alignment, which is crucial with such a lens. I had tried the Voigtlander spirit level, but found it not very useful for me, as it's optical center is higher than the finder and you need to move the head. Additionally the double accossory adapter is rising the the finder for 10mm (on the Bessa L). Ted suggests to use it on a M camera and to use the M's finder for aligning. But this is as cumbersome as the spirit level. The best solution IMO would be to have a fine hairline cross in the middle of the finder, like in the russian turret finder. Didier >I'm just guessing, but considering that the Zeiss 21 and 25/28 lenses and >finders are made by Cosina and that the 15 lens and finder are made by >Zeiss Germany, you can probably count on multiples of $350. Going by past >experience, it is also likely to be sized in proportion to the 15mm Zeiss >lens. > >When you get that wide, making a finder without distortion costs as much as >a lens, and it still isn't nearly as accurate as an SLR. Making it good >also generally means making it big. My 15 on an SLR is a lot more accurate >than my 15's for the M, even if it is bulky. My Hologon finder is better >than the Cosina finder, but it is also very bulky and cost more in 1974 >dollars than the Cosina finder costs in 2006 dollars. > >So... When I shoot with the 15 Heliar or the 15 Hologon, I use the Cosina >finder, and will continue to do so. Having gone through maybe 6 or so 21mm >and 28mm Leitz and Leica finders, I know that the Cosina finder will suffer >the same fate at some point. I won't hurt that much to replace it, and it >is fairly discreet. The 15 Zeiss finder will likely be _much_ more >expensive and a lot bigger, so I'll pass on it as well as on the lens. A >15/2.8 is appealing, but not at that size. > >Henning J. Wulff