This is a follow-up to "My Next Lens" (2001-06-27). Thanks to all who responded to that original question. Leica users and devotees are gracious and generous with their advice, and serve eloquently those, like myself, who are benighted about photography in general, and Leica in particular; yet, are striving to be better and better in this appealing medium. I especially appreciate the guidance of Jack Flesher. Jack's approach to my original quiry has led me to consider the 24mm f/2.8 Elmarit-M ASPH as my next lens. I use an M-6 TTl/0.72. I understand from my reading that the 0.72 shows more image than the Elmarit-M 24mm. I realize that distance and exposure are controlled by my M6's rangefinder, but in order to better compose the image I will require an external viewfinder for the 24mm. I understand this to be true of the 21mm and the 28mm as well. First Q: Am I correct in these assumptions? Second Q: If so, would I be better served by purchasing the individual 24mm viewfinder, or the variable viewfinder, that can be used for 21, 24, 28mm, all in one configuration? Final Q: If the variable viewfinder is the most pragmatic (in the event I decide later to expand to one or more of these wider lenses), would I relinquish quality in glass with it vs. the individual 24 viewfinder?

Until next time, I remain your grateful colleague. Max Wall

-- Max Wall (mtwall@earthlink.net), June 30, 2001

Answers

Yes, you should use an external finder for the 21 and 24. I still have not run into anyone who felt an external finder for the 28mm was necessary, though the frameline on the .72 is definitely "pushing it" in terms of usability. On the .58 body the 28mm frameline is very usable, and using the entire viewng area to frame a 24mm shot is possible, but again "pushing it" in terms of usability.

I have not had a chance to handle or use the new variable finder, but from what I've read I would not hsitate to consider that my first option. I understand the build is better than that of the older plastic dedicated finders. And having the 28mm capability would relieve me from straining with the 28mm Elmarit on my .72, and would give me the option of using the 28mm even on my .85 or M3 body. Since I use all of these lenses I intend to get my hands on the variable finder in the near future.

-- Ken Shipman (kennyshipman@aol.com), June 30, 2001.

The new LEICA VIEWFINDER for 21/24/28 mm lenses is very nice but it's big, much bigger than the plastic finder.

-- Lucien (lucien_vd@yahoo.fr), June 30, 2001.

Only the M6TTL 0,58 can be used without separate finder. The easiest way is to put a piece of black tape on the central window in order to make all the frames disappear.

-- lucien (lucien_vd@yahoo.fr), June 30, 2001.

Lucien, Thanks for putting up the graphic illustrating the 0.58, 0.72 and 0.85 frames. A few people I know who have bought the 0.58 are not happy with the much smaller magnification and are planning on selling and replacing it with the 0.72. People should think twice before buying a 0.58 just because they do not want to use a external finder.

-- Steve LeHuray (icommag@toad.net), June 30, 2001.

I found that while the outer edges of the .72 finder just barely matches the 24's angle of view, you have to smash your eye against the eyepiece to make it work -- hence the auxilary finder is a good idea. I found that the .58 finder is a bit wider than the 24 when you smash your eye against the eyepiece, however when used normally by me (I don't wear glasses yet) the outer edges are just about a perfect match for the 24. However, the finder is much easier to use, and as such I feel it is a worthwhile accessory. As for which one to get, again I've tried both and the standard plastic finder more compact, but optically inferior to the vari-finder. The metal vari-finder is a peiece of optical and mechanical joy to use and sits precisely over the center of the lens, but it is bigger. I now find myself using the vari-finder with my 24 fairly regularly.

-- Jack Flesher (jbflesher@msn.com), July 01, 2001.

I agree that "the metal vari-finder is a piece of optical and mechanical joy to use", but it lack the frames of the plastic finder.

It's less the "Leica M way of seing" in my opinion.

You don't see outside of the picture like you do with a M camera or with the plastic finders.

-- Lucien (lucien_vd@ubi.edu), July 02, 2001.

I had the opportunity to have a go with the 24mm lens and both viewfinders at a Leica day here in Sunny England last weekend, and here are my thoughts for what they are worth.... The 24mm standard viewfinder is small sleek and err a bit plastiky, also whilst it has a bright line view frame it is annoyingly rounded at the edges and for me [20/20 vision no glasses]a bit difficult to 'light up' in compariosn to the standard viewfinder. Also the view at the bottom centre is obscured by the lense, and this makes the view a bit like one of those movies that lokks at the world through the eyes of a dog..once you have thisnotion it is kinda difficult to loose grrrrrr [apologies to all existing users] The variable on the other hand exudes quality and shows the whole picture, which is different from a frame but not inferior for such a wide angle view in my opinion. I can imagine this being more of an issue with a long lense. The other thing to note with this finder is that early samples are not that secure from relativemovement from the finder to the boss which means they can get a bit misaligned....THIS IS NOT GOOD. Finally the height of the finder makes it kind of bulky which is bad. Has anyone tried the voightlander 25? or 21 with a home spun frame premanent marker style or acid etch if you are brave. One last point i have heard of a voightlander accessory that shifts the finder to the right above the standard viewfinder, which is supposed to make lifemuch easier and leave room for a flash[yuk] or the voightlander lightmeter for M3 owners etc.

I also had chance to compare 35/2 with 35/2 ASPH for bokeh, but this is the subject of another post.

-- Richard (richard@designblue.co.uk), July 02, 2001.

In my 28 I always have the external finder on, some times I use it sometimes I donīt, if I have the oportunity to shoot twice, I first focus on the camera finder and take a picture and after I go to the external finder, if acction is too fast I prefocus and go to the external finder, only when I must focus through the finder is when use it, my two cents, or pesos.

-- r watson (al1231234@hotmail.com), July 02, 2001.