I just purchased a 28 elmarit and need to also purchase a external viewfinder. Is the Leica one worth the extra money v. the one made by cosina? What is the difference between the two? Any user comments would be appreciated. Thank you in advance, Geri

-- Geri Brandimarte (gbrandimarte@hotmail.com), May 07, 2002

Answers

Geri,

I have the old metal Leitz 28mm finder and the 2nd version of the 28 Elmarit. If I had to go out and replace that finder it would be with the VC 28 mm finder... I have the CV 21 and that finder is just great. wbill

-- wbill (wbill@bellatlantic.net), May 07, 2002.

The 28mm viewfinder is Leica's best and I have two thinking it might be discontinued. I have most of the VC finders and they are also good. For the price difference I like the Leica for the low profile.

-- ray tai (razerx@netvigator.com), May 07, 2002.

I have a 28 plastic leica finder, and a 21 metal leica finder, meteal is very compact and strong, at the same time weak if cement foor knocks, because of element glass is rigth after the metal, I breake one just droping from my waist into a cement floor, finder meteal box was OK but glass broken,

plastic can be stronger in those cases, bot shoe is never as strong as metal, a new mix design would be great.

I have never try other brands, but VC´s look good.

-- r watson (al1231234@hotmail.com), May 07, 2002.

No practical difference, but expense. I have a metal SBOOI ($250) bought before Cosina came out with their line, and it got dented badly when I dropped the camera. Now the finder is worth much less. The leica finders are basically collectors items, so you pay a premium...

-- Mani Sitaraman (bindumani@pacific.net.sg), May 07, 2002.

I have the Leica 35mm finder (for the screwmount Asph), which I found preferable to the Voigtlander for two reasons. Lower profile plus much better eye relief (for eyeglass wearers).

-- Bob Todrick (bobtodrick@yahoo.com), May 08, 2002.

I just bought the 28mm VC finder. The frame lines in the top right corner are dimmer than the rest of the finder. Does anyone know if this specific to the brand or maybe to this one finder, i.e. should I return it or get used to it?

-- Steve Wiley (wiley@accesshub.net), May 09, 2002.