28mm viewfinder for Leica iiif

stam6882

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Hi,

I am looking for advices on purchasing a 28mm viewfinder for my IIIf. I am planning to add the Voigtlander 28mm f3.5 to my collection and thinking about which 28mm viewfinder to be added. I have seen crazy prices for the Voigtlander 28/35 mini viewfinder which looks good sitting small and low to the small IIIf body. I am not sure if the view is sufficiently bright comparing to the Leica SLOOZ or the Voigtlander 28mm metal viewfinder. Personally I do prefer a smaller VF for the IIIf but checking if someone has opinions on alternatives e.g. Canon, Nikon 28mm VF in the mean time.
Thanks in advance with experience on this to share.
 
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stam6882

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Just to add above, I do have a 35mm Summaron as well so the Voigtlander 28/35 mini VF will save me additional investment however it is the most expensive of all available ones.
 

Arthurwg

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I use the Voigtlander metal 28mm with my 111F and 1c. Works fine although not inexpensive.
 
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stam6882

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Yes the Voigtlander metal 28mm VF is on my short list. You’re right that it’s not cheap but is bright and durable. I find it hard to justify the 28/35 mini finder from price alone but want to seek comments from others how bright and usable it is before making purchase decision.
 

JerseyDoug

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A year or two ago I bought a mint Canon LTM 28/3.5 lens with Canon 28mm viewfinder for substantially less than the price of a Voigtlãnder 28/35 viewfinder at the time. Just sayin'...
 

Sirius Glass

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I have inexpensive 20mm, 24mm, 28mm and 35mm Chinese viewfinders for several view finder 35mm cameras. The inexpensive viewfinders have be accurate enough to be very serviceable and they come in designer colors for for those who have an over driving drive to color code them.
 

neilt3

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mshchem

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I have Voigtlander vf beautiful, not as beautiful as vintage Leica.
 

beemermark

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The Letiz is the best but a little pricey. The VC is a second closes. You will never give up photography and you have many film and digital cameras but the VF will remain with you forever.
 

eli griggs

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I had the Voigtlander F2.8 28mm Colour Skopar, the silver metal one with the matching silver metal viewfinder and it was very good, but I still have and use the multi-format FSU turret viewfinder, which is more convenient to wear on a LTM body, first I had it on a Leica IIIC, and now a film Leica CL, plus a FED 3B and Fed 5, all of which are good with this one viewfinder.

It can be squinty, but I suggest it's a good, multi lens viewfinder for these Barnak and FSU cameras and likely an "M".

Good luck.
 

250swb

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I've got a Leica and a Voigtlander 28mm viewfinder both from the plastic era and the Voigtlander wins by a mile. It's brighter and with more eye relief so much better for seeing what's just out of frame or for people with glasses. Do not think just because a Leica finder is more expensive it's going to be better. Also beware of Light Lens Lab finders which are copies of Leica finders, they have the same vintage faults of the originals in having no eye relief and are a bit dull.
 

guangong

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I’ve owned both the Leitz 28 finder since early 1970s, and the Voitlander 28/35 when first on market (quite reasonable price when new). I prefer the smaller Voitlander with my LTM Leicas and Canons…makes a compact package that is bright and easy to use. Because my preference is always for smaller, if buying now I would spring for the Voitlander.
I also have multifinders by Leitz, Zeiss, and Nikon, but don’t use them that often.
I dropped my Leitz 28 on sidewalk the day I bought it, resulting in a crack that luckily never intruded into frame. In over 60 yrs crack has remained stable and finder stlll bright and useable. Very expensive when bought, but amortized my cost is about $0.50/yr.
 

GregY

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I've had a number of them...several of the mini 28/35 finders. Although trim in size and suits the the LTM, i was not happy with them. I had one fall off my iii, and the rubber eyepiece came out. Also the tiny size doesn't translate into ease of use. For me it was too squinty to have to centre the eye precisely. I really like the larger Voigtlander metal finders...both the 28mm & 35mm. I've also used the metal Leitz accessory finders and find them to be top-notch.
 
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stam6882

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T
They all looking beautiful. The Voigtlander looks best in my opinion.
 

Arthurwg

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250swb said:
I've got a Leica and a Voigtlander 28mm viewfinder both from the plastic era and the Voigtlander wins by a mile.
Click to expand...


I had a plastic Leica finder at one time but it soon fell apart. Very disconcerting.
 

GregY

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Arthurwg said:
I had a plastic Leica finder at one time but it soon fell apart. Very disconcerting.
Click to expand...

I've also seen Voigtlander plastic finders where the base broke off. I'm not a fan of the plastic housed finders.
 
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