prism finder fro RB67???

stradibarrius · Nov 3, 2009

Who uses a prism finder with their RB67? Is it bright and clear as the WL finder?

Steve Smith · Nov 3, 2009

Not me. The joy of the rotating back is that I don't need a prism and can use the waist level finder for horizontal and vertical shots.

Steve.

PeteZ8 · Nov 3, 2009

I do, but only because that's what my camera came with. It's great for shooting on a tripod when I want/need the camera at eye level, or in bright sun where the ground glass could get easily washed out.

Other than that I would MUCH rather compose on the ground glass, and will soon be ordering a waist level finder.

It is very bright and roomy, especially compared to 35mm, or *gasp* a cropped sensor d*****l.

timk · Nov 3, 2009

yes, it is nice and bright, be prepared for a big difference in weight though. it's stupid heavy and in my opinion takes the camera from manageable to unmanageable.

I get disoriented when handholding and trying to line up a horizon with the WL finder (maybe i'm just a bit of a retard but I can't get used to the image being reversed), so I do have a use for it, but I wouldn't take it hiking.

thisismyname09 · Nov 3, 2009

I used to have a metered prism, the newer one with a spotmeter built in. That's really the only reason I bought it, and honestly, the spot it metered from was rather large, about the size of the circle on the standard matte focusing screen. I sold a few weeks ago and I've got a minolta spotmeter arriving in the mail tomorrow or the day after.
The prism is just as bright as the waistlevel, but its heavier, at a little over a pound, iirc. The prism itself has no magnifier, though, so you'll need to buy a separate one if you want to use one, whereas the waistlevel has one built in.

PeteZ8 · Nov 3, 2009

Yes thisismyname09, forgot to mention that. It's quite heavy and makes the camera akward, and difficult if not nearly impossible to handhold.

Ektagraphic · Nov 3, 2009

Is the image the ground glass reversed like the ones on most TLRs?

Darkroom317 · Nov 3, 2009

Ektagraphic said:
Is the image the ground glass reversed like the ones on most TLRs?

Yes with the waist-level-finder it is due to having only the one mirror.

juan · Nov 4, 2009

I like the prism finder for close ups on a tripod. I've also found some instance where, because of having to place the camera close to walls, shelves, etc., that the waist level finder is unusable. For street photography, models, etc. I much prefer the waist level finder.
juan

stradibarrius · Nov 4, 2009

The reason I asked the question is for when I have mine on the tripod and it is high enough that I need a stool to see the WL. I love my WL finder.
I was looking at the spec for the prism and it weighs 2+lbs!!!! Wow! But if it is on a tripod in my little studio I don't really care but I would not try to use it with out a tripod.

CBG · Nov 4, 2009

The prism is great for the studio, and very heavy for more mobile work.

timk · Nov 4, 2009

another point, the WLF is useless when you need the camera up high unless you're a giant. That was probably the first thing I noticed (I'm only 5'5), I set up the tripod looking over a fence, go to compose the shot... wait a minute, not tall enough!

particularly for photographing people on stage or slightly elevated, the WLF will have you shooting up people's dresses, not always the best look...

Jeff Kubach · Nov 4, 2009

I have a prism for my RB67 and dispite being heavy I kinda got used to it.

Jeff

stradibarrius · Nov 4, 2009

Which finder do you like?

EricO · Nov 9, 2009

timk said:
another point, the WLF is useless when you need the camera up high unless you're a giant. That was probably the first thing I noticed (I'm only 5'5), I set up the tripod looking over a fence, go to compose the shot... wait a minute, not tall enough!

particularly for photographing people on stage or slightly elevated, the WLF will have you shooting up people's dresses, not always the best look...

Question about the above. Does anyone rotate the panhead so that you look through the WLF from the side when you need the camera up higher? I did a shoot yesterday and used a stool and/or chair. I forgot about rotating the head.

prism finder fro RB67???

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