Waist Level Finder

Dinis Figueira · Dec 11, 2016

Hi guy's,

Considering I'm loving by each day using this type of finder with this format, I wonder, if you guy's could choose a camera that can switch between eye prism to a bright usable WLF with ease for everyday until the last day's of your life, which one would be?

Good luck!

BrianShaw · Dec 11, 2016

F3 Nikon.

Vilk · Dec 11, 2016

http://camerapedia.wikia.com/wiki/Ricoh_TLS_401

rare as hen's teeth played with one at a camera show once, looked totally usable and great fun

more realistically, add F2 to brian's suggestion; indestructible in its simplicity

AgX · Dec 11, 2016

I guess the majority here would say that a 35mm camera WLF would yield a too small image.

albada · Dec 11, 2016

We can add Miranda Sensorex and Sensomat to the list. I like Miranda, as the Sensorex was my first real camera at 15 years old (a gift). Bolsey C is a 35mm TLR that's fun, although its lens isn't the sharpest.

Les Sarile · Dec 11, 2016

The Pentax LX has the most viewfinder options and will cover all your viewfinder needs with most having a built-in diopter adjustments. With it's OTF metering, light coming through the viewfinder - even when it is removed, does not affect it.

Of course the LX itself has an TTL flash, unequaled meter, most weatherproofing, hybrid shutter mechanism (works from sync speed and up without batteries), MLU, forward and backward multiexposure all in a compact designed professionally rugged body.

BrianShaw · Dec 11, 2016

AgX said:
I guess the majority here would say that a 35mm camera WLF would yield a too small image.

Yup.

summicron1 · Dec 11, 2016

Exakta. The exa is also super quiet and cute.

anfenglin · Dec 12, 2016

Also, exa shutters almost always work, even after decades of being stored badly. That can only be said though, about those with the flap shutter (for lack of a better word), not the ones with a cloth shutter (II and 500).
The lenses are Zeiss Jena and Meyer Görlitz, also with an obsolete bayonet, so they are cheap.
There is however the Exa 1C with M42 if you already have lenses for that.
There also is the Praktica FX and FX2 with WLF, also with M42.
The finders are useable but not really bright, then again, a wlf in 35mm is not that great IMHO.

AgX · Dec 12, 2016

summicron1 said:
Exakta. The exa is also super quiet and cute.

I bought an Exa just for the sound of its primitive shutter. I guess you mix up Exakta and Exa.

anfenglin · Dec 12, 2016

Nope, Exaktas also have interchangeable finders, Exas are simplified Exaktas, simple as that.
I forgot to mention Praktinas and the Exakta RTL 1000, also the Praktica VLC 1, 2, 3 were available with WLF.
All from East Germany.

AgX · Dec 12, 2016

Problem with the VLCs is that the groundglass makes part of the exchangable parts. Thus one needs the WLF and cannot just take off the prism and do it with that.

MontanaJay · Dec 12, 2016

When I wanted one, I'd just pop the prism off my Nikon F.

locutus · Dec 12, 2016

Another one to chip in, 35mm WLF's are to small. if you want WLF experience step up to 6x6.

Paul Howell · Dec 12, 2016

I had a waist level finder for my F, did not have much use for it, when I upgraded to F2 and F4 did not bother to replace it. Maybe if I had done more macro work with a bellows would have used it. I also have Miranda with a waist level and critical focus finders, I do use the critical focus finders with long lens, the 300 and 400.

rubbernglue · Dec 12, 2016

I really like my Nikon F5 which I flip of the finder and still gets its purks, like AF and so on if I want it. I pretty much only uses WLF on my cameras but if I want a prism on one of the medium format ones I'll chose a Mamiya 645 or Bronica S (the S is good because it has the focus-knob on the side rather on the front).

The Edixa was nice to handle but terrible in the end since the shutter rarely works anymore on either I got my hands on.

ic-racer · Dec 12, 2016

I use this when I want waist level viewing.

mrosenlof · Dec 12, 2016

The Nikon F2 has a magnified "WLF" that you view by looking down, but you'll need to hold it to your eye for viewing. I have one and like it. Even with 6x6 I don't often hold the camera at waist level, I flip up the magnifier and hold it to my eye.

narsuitus · Dec 12, 2016

Since I need to attach my cameras to microscopes and telescopes, a waist level finder has been an important feature for me for a very long time. My first SLR, a Miranda Sensorex, had an interchangeable view finder. Since the Sensorex, I have used the Nikon F, F2, F3, and F4 which all had interchangeable view finders which included a waist level finder.

Here is my Nikon F4 with a DW-20 waist-level finder that replaces the eye-level finder.

Nikon F4 with waist-level finder by Narsuitus, on Flickr

Peltigera · Dec 12, 2016

I like using the wlf with my Exas. You bring it up to eye-level for focusing but compose at waist-level. I find it improves my compositions.

Ap507b · Dec 12, 2016

Am another one to say I doubt their usefulness with a 35mm body. I have a DW-3 for my F3 & don't find it that useful. The focus magnifier is handy but it is such a small image that far away. Just find it slow to use. Wouldn't even recommend a waist level finder for macro, at least not with an F3 as the DW-4 is a much better option. Echo what others have said about a WLF being easier with medium format

wiltw · Dec 12, 2016

AgX said:
I guess the majority here would say that a 35mm camera WLF would yield a too small image.

With simple waist level finder, yes "too small"...but with a magnifier eyepiece, size not an issue...like this 6.5x finder in photo 4

AgX · Dec 12, 2016

But how close must you get to the eyepiece to see the complete screen?

If you have to bring your eye to it, a right-angle finder attached to any p-finder should do the same and even be more versatile.

narsuitus · Dec 12, 2016

AgX said:
If you have to bring your eye to it, a right-angle finder attached to any p-finder should do the same and even be more versatile.

For close-ups, macrophotography, astrophotography, I have tried the right-angle finder and the Nikon DW-2 6x magnifier finder and have had better fine focusing success with the magnifier finder.

Nikon F2 by Narsuitus, on Flickr

Sirius Glass · Dec 12, 2016

I use WLFs for years and never liked the left-right reversal. I will not use a WLF and I stick to prisms.

Waist Level Finder

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