kik Posted June 24, 2006 Share Posted June 24, 2006 Do you fell the need for a viewfinder with the 21mm (or with the 24mm) from Leica or Voiglander or do you think it's confortable to guess the framing with BOTH eyes opened? Thank you.<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dan flanders Posted June 24, 2006 Share Posted June 24, 2006 Admittedly I had the advantage of learning to visualize lens acceptance limits before accessory finders became ubiquitous, and formed the habit of composing the imiage in my mind before even mounting the camera. Also I must admit that availability of dedicated finders has somewhat spoiled me and I sometimes find myself relying on the finder instead of my eyes and brain. However, when I do find myself without a particular finder there is no reason for my composition to suffer. I learned early to allow a margin for cropping and it has proven to my advantage over many years. It has enabled me to enjoy using my cameras without the encumbrance of a preponderance of gadjets interfering with the excellent ertonomics of Barnack's invention. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john_graham3 Posted June 24, 2006 Share Posted June 24, 2006 I have no doubt there are people who will lay claim to being able to frame without a viewfinder, especially on internet forums where it's another chance to metaphoricly assert theirs is bigger. I always use the viewfinder. I know that blind guys can shave themselves, and yet I've never seen any reason for me to prove something by turning the lights off when I shave. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
piotr_panne Posted June 24, 2006 Share Posted June 24, 2006 <<<...any reason for me to prove something by turning the lights off when I shave.>>> You wouldn\'t want to nick a shin over vanity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john_graham3 Posted June 24, 2006 Share Posted June 24, 2006 The shins are a piece of cake, it's the damn bikinni line, I hate it if it's not straight :*) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve-walton Posted June 24, 2006 Share Posted June 24, 2006 Francisco, I use a Leica 21mm lens on my RD-1 and have never felt that I need the 21D v/f. The field of view within the RD-1 viewfinder window is close enough if you allow just a little space around your subject. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rex_vaubel Posted June 24, 2006 Share Posted June 24, 2006 I leave a CV28-35 compact viewfinder on RD all the time. This works for both 21mm and 28mm lenses. I wear glasses so the RD-1's own viewfinder is pretty tight for wide angle work. However, I have learned to visualize the FOV without using any viewfinder at all. A little bit of chimping goes a long way in developing this skill. Another advantage of digital. Rex Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob F. Posted June 24, 2006 Share Posted June 24, 2006 Rex, did you mean to say that the 35mm frameline is good for a 24mm lens, rather than 28mm? I ask because 24mm x 1.5 = 36mm, very close to 35mm field of view. But the 28mm is equivalent to a 42mm frame. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rex_vaubel Posted June 25, 2006 Share Posted June 25, 2006 Rob The 35mm framelines on the VC finder work perfectly with my 21mm Kobalux. Maybe not in theory but theory doesnt frame pictures. Rex Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dan flanders Posted June 25, 2006 Share Posted June 25, 2006 If you learn to frame your image with your brain and and eyes you will become independentof VF's except for aiming. Before SLR's became common it was common practice among the more skilled photographers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrew robertson Posted June 25, 2006 Share Posted June 25, 2006 I just use the 35mm framelines as a 'rule of thirds' finder, with the actual frame borders about 1/3 or so farther out. Why not take a few shots and see? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uk Posted June 26, 2006 Share Posted June 26, 2006 In 1991, I knocked the 21mm off my M6 and snpped the support bracket. Since then I have hated the things with a vengeance and never used once since except for comparing the viw thru the finder with my estimated view along with an image taken at the exact same spot. I find the brain is quite capable of remebering an approximate field of view and with som viewfinders the brain can be more accurate. Brain wins hands down versus the 43mm viewfinder on a Mamiya 7. For my Leica M3 with 35mm, I cut a piece of opaque plastic and placed in the film gate to get the exact framing in comparison to the VF. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael s. Posted June 26, 2006 Share Posted June 26, 2006 Gary - I'd be interested to see what that looks like if you have a photo available. thanks - Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uk Posted June 27, 2006 Share Posted June 27, 2006 Michael, I'm currently without a digicam and awaiting the launch of the M8 with interest, so I'm unable to photograph it. The source was the plastic cover plate from the Nikon D70 battery trimmed into an L- shape, 2"x1.25" with just one of the 3/8" sides left in place. Lift the back plate, hold the 3/8" side, insert in the film gate, lock the shutter open and use it just like a view camera. You get the precise view the film see when the shutter opens. Compare it with what you see through the viewfinder. It's not equal to a ground glass, but it works. Suggest you start with a subject with good contrast. I framed the patio doors looking onto the garden so there was a clear differentiation between the interior walls and the bright exterior to define the edges. Specialist knowledge comes from years spent under a dark cloth. :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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