Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/05/12

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Subject: [Leica] Re: Separate non-wideangle viewfinders
From: phong@doan-ltd.com (phong)
Date: Tue, 12 May 1998 17:29:29 +0000

Hello Martin,

   My guess is that these viewfinders were meant for the special cameras
   made for industrial/scientific applications, and built without 
   rangefinders/viewfinders; Eastland's book mentions the Leica MD's 
   for example.  Just a guess, as I am no Leica cognoscente.

   - Phong


>>Martin  Howard wrote:
>>There are a number of separate viewfinders for Leica cameras, which are
>>not for wide angle lenses.  I'm thinking of the 50mm, 90mm and 135mm
>>VFs that sit in the acessory shoe and have quirky names, such as
>>SGVOO.
>>
>>Are these of any use to the normal photographer?  I've read Eastland's
>>book "Leica M Compendium", where he talks about their virtues, but I
>>think I fail to see the point.
>>
>>They're not coupled to the lens, right?  So refocusing will not show
>>up in the viewfinder, right?  Seems like a disadvantage to me.
>>
>>Since the framelines for 50mm, 90mm and 135mm exist in the normal RF/VF,
>>why the need for the separate VF?  (OK, 135mm not in M2...)
>>
>>Since it sits in the acessory shoe, it can get knocked off, lost and
>>trampled upon, right?
>>
>>Help me out here: I just don't "geddit".  Are they just quirky pieces
>>of Leica history, or is there a practical use to the practising Leica
>>photographer for these devices?
>>
>>
>>M.