[Leica] viewfinders

[firkin@netconnect.com.au (Alastair Firkin)]

> 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?

Martin,

This is an interesting topic which I think should and will be expanded.
Like you, I could see no reason for having an external viewfinder sitting
on the accessory shoe [its for flashes on rare occasions, and the light
meter on my M3 right ;-) ] , but then as I delved into the history of this
camera, and its use, I found that HCB seemed to prefer its use over the
normal finder. [witness the photo of HCB in the current Leica Fotographie,
where he is focusing an 85 summarex with the finder on top] - Now I know
there is no 85mm frame, but he also expressed a preference for the 50
finders.

I have read some explanations, mostly about the view clarity, and
brightness, but none of them made complete sense. When I got the 21 apsh, I
had to have the finder. I was all set to get an old metal or Contax one
when there was a discussion on the pros and cons of the plastic finder, the
pros won me, and I am very happy with the Leica plastic 21 viewfinder. And
using the finder, I've also begun to find some of the pleasures HCB may
have been talking about.

The view is certainly brighter than even the M6 finder. Put the camera up
against a piece of paper and look at the transmitted light through the
accessory V the usual on board finders, and there is twice the light. How
do they do this? Next the finder is not at all cluttered, and you do
concentrate more on the "view". So would I use a 50 finder - if I had one
as bright as this 21 version, I'd be very tempted to use it with the
Noctilux and if I had a 35 finder the same with the 35 asph, both lenses
used in low light conditions often for "decisive moment" type photos. I
suspect that the odd ball look may also put subjects at ease. "He's playing
with some funny toy, not actually taking or composing a photo".

So lets hear from LUGnuts who use the accessory finders. How do you use
them, why do you find them helpful, and which focal lengths "need" external
finders? Can anyone expand on HCB's thoughts on these quirky accessories?

cheers

Alastair Firkin,

http://users.netconnect.com.au/~firkin/AGFhmpg.html