Mamiya Press finder on Bessa T

[Kloppervok]

I'm very interested in obtaining a Bessa T. Since I own a 65mm finder, I was thinking of using it with the aforementioned body.

The 65mm finder is very large, and very nice, and when using the full frame, it offers a field of view equivalent to 28mm in 35mm. At least, horizontally.

However, If i wish to get a 35mm lens for the bessa, is using the 6x7 frame lines on this finder acceptable?

I know calculating coverage is not as easy as just converting equivalent FOV from one format to another, but I'd rather not have to go for over money again for another finder when i have one that I already like.

Any advice?

 

[John Koehrer]

If the horizontal angle is the same, you could make a mask to crop to the more rectangular shape of 35mm film. Just use tape.

 

[2F/2F]

The aspect ratio of the Bessa and the 6x9 frame lines on the Mamiya are the same, so it offers a similar angle of view to a 28mm lens in small format both horizontally and vertically.

I would simply mask the 65mm finder if you want to use it on the Bessa with a 35mm lens. Black construction paper will do fine. Keep the mask's dimensions in a 1.5:1 ratio.

You should not use the 6x7 frame lines to shoot 35mm in any case, as the aspect ratio is different than the Bessa's.

You might also want to try tracking down the 75mm Mamiya Press finder.

 

[InTokyo]

Actually, there are no brightlines in the 65 finder. None at all. There's a small metal frame overlaid over the front glass which indicates the framing for 6x7 though. Parallax correction is a bit crude as well. If the accessory shoe on the Bessa is dead centre, get the black 65 finder (the old gray one has an offset shoe).

The 75 finder otoh, is rather nice, if a little bulky.

 

[2F/2F]

Actually, there are no brightlines in the 65 finder. None at all.

There are frame "indicators" on the 65mm finder that go as far into the image as the internal frame hash marks in the cameras' built-in viewfinder, so they are no worse than that finder. On the finder, there are no marked frame lines for 6x7, though there certainly are imaginary frame lines, the ends of which are indicated by the 6x7 frame line indicators. So, the use of the term "frame lines" seems to make sense to me. Even if they are not actually marked lines, you are still picturing frame lines to compose the shot.

Indeed, to avoid parallax error in framing, you must manually move the eyepiece as your distance changes. This is the case for most external viewfinders. I do not find it especially problematic on this finder...though it certainly ain't a Linhof finder!

...and yes, I do have the finder, so I know how it works...and so does the OP, for that matter.