Speed Finder

[CMoore]

Not just for Canon, but any brand of 35mm SLR.
These things.......

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Under what circumstance were these designed for...when Do/Would you use one.?
Thank You

 

[Mackinaw]

Nikon had their version first, called the Sportfinder. It didn't rotate, but allowed you to see the full image with the viewfinder held a few inches from your face. Very handy when things got busy, or if you were wearing goggles, etc. Canon brought out their version, called the Speedfinder, when they introduced the original F-1. It was like the Nikon, you could see the full viewfinder when held a few inches from your face, plus the Canon version rotated so it could be used as a waist-level finder. Unlike the Nikon F/F2, you could meter with the Canon Speedfinder, because the meter of the F-1 is built inside the camera.

I have the Speedfinder, and use it mostly as a waist-level finder.

 

[Paul Howell]

Because when in use you did not keep your eye right on the viewfinder it was It was good for folks who wore glasses or need to wear goggles of some sort, sports and rock band shooters liked them as it provided a larger view.

 

[AgX]

Nikon had their version first, called the Sportfinder.

"Sportsfinder" also is a generic term for a wire-frame finder.

 

[GRHazelton]

Pentax had one for the LX. It attached to the finder base - FB-1 - and rotated 180 degrees. Here's a link describing this aspect of the LX's various interchangeable viewfinders: http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/classics/pentaxlx/viewfinders/viewfinders.htm I have one, it works very well. Since the LX meter shows approximate exposure in the viewfinder and then meters the actual exposure from light reflected off the first shutter curtain or for long exposures off the film light entering the finder has no influence on the exposure.

 

[MattKing]

If you hold most cameras up to your eye to see what you are photographing, you can't see what is outside the viewfinder. That isn't so great if you are photographing fast action or subjects that come quickly into the scene (like race cars). These finders allow you to keep watching what is outside the frame while remaining aware of what is in the frame.
Strangely enough, they can also be useful when shooting portraits.

 

[CMoore]

Hey Matt -
It just dawns on me, as often as not, i have also heard these referred to as "Sports Finders".

 

[mshchem]

I have one. I used to have 3 or 4. Sure would be nice for times where you need long eye relief .

Neat accessory

 

[MattKing]

Hey Matt -
It just dawns on me, as often as not, i have also heard these referred to as "Sports Finders".

You probably could call them Sports Finders, but I tend to think of the wire frame and similar finders when you use the term.
Here is an interesting version of one of those: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/801068399-USE/hasselblad_sports_finder_cat_43028.html

 

[narsuitus]

Under what circumstance were these designed for...when Do/Would you use one.?

I used a "speed finder" (also called a sports finder or an action finder) on my Nikon F2 slr. I tended to use it when I was shooting sports, macro, copying slides, wearing protective eyewear on a gun range, wearing protective goggles in a laboratory, or wearing a helmet with protective eye shield.


Nikon Slide Copy by Narsuitus, on Flickr

 

[AgX]

I used a "speed finder" on my Nikon F2 slr. I tended to use it when I was shooting ..., macro, copying slides, ... .

Though for these two applications a much cheaper right-angle finder would suffice too.

 

[narsuitus]

Though for these two applications a much cheaper right-angle finder would suffice too.

The Nikon DG-2 2X Eyepiece Magnifier (left) and the Nikon DR-3 Right-Angle Eyepiece Viewer (right) may be a less expensive alternative to a sports finder on a Nikon camera for macro and slide copy but I prefer looking at the large image of the Nikon DA-1 Prism Reflex Sportsfinder.


Nikon Eyepiece Accessories by Narsuitus, on Flickr

 

[benjiboy]

Not just for Canon, but any brand of 35mm SLR.
These things.......

Dead Link Removed


Under what circumstance were these designed for...when Do/Would you use one.?
Thank You

Please note Chip if you are thinking of buying this it's the Canon Speedfinder F which is intended for the original F1 and the F1n, not the New F1 and will not fit the Canon New F1 which used the Canon Speedfinder FN.

 

[Marco Gilardetti]

This is the first time in my life that I see the action finders named "sport finders". Is there any official Nikon period document/catalogue that calls them so perhaps?

 

[Jim Jones]

The New Nikon Compendium uses action finder, not sport finder. However, this is not an official Nikon publication,

 

[CMoore]

Please note Chip if you are thinking of buying this it's the Canon Speedfinder F which is intended for the original F1 and the F1n, not the New F1 and will not fit the Canon New F1 which used the Canon Speedfinder FN.

Right.....i was kind of curious (and i have the New F-1), but when i saw the Pricing, i realized i would probably not use it very often.
My "camera heroes" never had a Sports/Action/Speed Finder on their 35mm bodies.

 

[AgX]

Shouldn't it be sports in any case?

 

[ic-racer]

One of the most expensive and difficult to obtain...

 

[MattKing]

And one of the strangest...

 

[Paul Howell]

Similar to the wire finder on a Speed or Crown Grpahic, used for sports and news when shooting at infinity. Works rather well.

 

[AgX]

And one of the strangest...

By principle a a wire frame finder, in a FL-adjustable version.

 

[benjiboy]

Right.....i was kind of curious (and i have the New F-1), but when i saw the Pricing, i realized i would probably not use it very often.
My "camera heroes" never had a Sports/Action/Speed Finder on their 35mm bodies.

I know a company in the U.K who bought a warehouse full of brand new Canon FD stuff in Glasgow from the estate of an old wholesaler who died, they have a new old stock speedfinder FN new in the original box but I could never envisage any circumstances when I need one.

 

[MattKing]

And one of the strangest...

Similar to the wire finder on a Speed or Crown Grpahic, used for sports and news when shooting at infinity. Works rather well.

By principle a a wire frame finder, in a FL-adjustable version.

The "strangeness" flows from the cameras it fits on, not the finder itself.
Even a Speed or Crown Graphic seems more appropriate for sports use than an RB/RZ/67.

 

[Les Sarile]

Though for these two applications a much cheaper right-angle finder would suffice too.

Of course with right angle finders, you have to put your eye right up to it while the action finders are intended to have your eye much farther away.

 

[Les Sarile]

This is the first time in my life that I see the action finders named "sport finders". Is there any official Nikon period document/catalogue that calls them so perhaps?

The manuals lists their "official" description - Canon New F-1 lists it as "Speed" finder, Nikon F3 has it as "Action" finder and Pentax has it as "Action" finder. Obviously the word speed, action or sports all imply the same thing.