Viewfinder Lens - Hasselblad & Rolleiflex

Jock Bell

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Hi, while watching a documentary on landscape photographer Fay Godwin, I noticed that she was using a hand held viewfinder lens for composing scenes, instead of constantly moving her Hasselblad on it's heavy tripod. I can really see the benefit of this. Does anyone have any idea who produces such equipment? I shoot film on both a Hasselblad 500cm with an CF 80mm and my trusty Rolleiflex 3.5 Automat. Could the same viewfinder be used for both cameras (square format) or does the viewfinder lens have to match the exact camera lens?

Thanks in advance!
 

DWThomas

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Bring your checkbook ....
Some of those apparently mount the actual camera lens to be used.

I would think we mere mortals could use something more simple and generic like a homemade wireframe viewfinder. One would want a rectangular front frame or mask with aspect ratio to match the camera, and a peep sight aperture at the back to position the eye. The spacing between the two might ideally be adjustable with calibrated markings for specific angles of view to match ones lenses. Probably there is such a beast made by somebody out there (3-D printers and all that!) Apparently I don't need one, as this is the first time the idea has crossed what's left of my mind. I guess arguably, some of the under $300 items out there qualify but seem rather $$$.
 

MattKing

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k.hendrik said:
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Blow this up really, really big, attach a suitably confusing and opaque title, and see if your local gallery will put it on the wall and try to sell it for $1,000,000.00
 

jgoody

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A Director's Finder is standard in filmmaking. You'll need to convert for FOV as standard 35mm movie film is shot essentially 1/2 frame. I just noticed that there's an iPhone app: "Cadrage Director's Viewfinder" that could be fun for $20.
 

k.hendrik

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MattKing said:
Blow this up really, really big, attach a suitably confusing and opaque title, and see if your local gallery will put it on the wall and try to sell it for $1,000,000.00
Click to expand...
Strange advise for such a simple answer to the question: " I would think we mere mortals could use something more simple and generic like a homemade wireframe viewfinder" .....
 

Paul Howell

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When AA taught his zone workshop he gave the students a cardboard cutout to learn to compose. Zone VI workshop sold a more durable version, came with a dark filter to get a glimpse of the scene in black and white. The advantage of using a TLR is you would get the same view as the WLF on the Hassy.
 

Arthurwg

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A pair of Zone VI viewing filters can be found on Ebay at the moment. Asking $80 +.
 

Sirius Glass

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Cut out a viewer out of mat board to use. That would be inexpensive and give you something to keep you busy instead of posting.
 

MattKing

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k.hendrik said:
Strange advise for such a simple answer to the question: " I would think we mere mortals could use something more simple and generic like a homemade wireframe viewfinder" .....
Click to expand...
Yes, but I really liked the photo/illustration you posted!
The rest was intended to be entirely tongue in cheek.
 

Paul Howell

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The Zone VI viewing filters are sized for 4X5, well, don't know if 35mm, 6X6 or 6X7 were available.
 

freecitizen

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I use an empty slide mount as a viewer in the field. It works as a zoom too, if you move it nearer and further from the eye.
 

grain elevator

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Doesn't a quick release plate sort of fulfill the purpose? You move the camera around the find your composition, then you put it on the tripod.
 

BrianShaw

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Paul Howell said:
The Zone VI viewing filters are sized for 4X5, well, don't know if 35mm, 6X6 or 6X7 were available.
Click to expand...
A 6x6 was available (I still have one). Don’t recall if 35mm or 6x7 was available.
 
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