maarten_van_viegen Posted April 30, 2004 Share Posted April 30, 2004 hey, I use a hasselblad with the wlf. But when using the wlf I find you really have to bend over to look at the bottom part of the image (1-2mm is blocked by the wlf system). Is this the same when using a prism finder? or will this give me a better view? btw. is the groundglass showing a 100% image? thanks, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnmarkpainter Posted April 30, 2004 Share Posted April 30, 2004 All of the prisms have slightly different views. For SOME reason, I find that I like to shoot Hasselblad with Eye Level and Rolleiflex with Waist Level. jmp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed_Ingold Posted April 30, 2004 Share Posted April 30, 2004 A prism finder is a lot easier to use in most circumstances. I prefer a 45 degree finder, as it is suitable for both high and low angle shots, and has higher magnification than the 90 degree prism. The WLF give a 100% view. A prism gives between 92 and 96% of the true field, per the Wildi handbook. Unlike a WLF, a prism is bright from corner to corner, and magnifies 2-3x. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derek_stanton2 Posted April 30, 2004 Share Posted April 30, 2004 Prisms are probably never 100% views. I'm sure just how much you'll get will depend on the prism/camera. Prisms are also dimmer than waistlevel views. How much dimmer also depends on the prism. Newer prisms should be brighter, but in the case of Hasselblad, the newer prisms may also offer slightly less magnification. I believe the newstyle 45-degree prism is 2.5x, while the older is 3x.... "Better view" is a matter of choice, and usually compromise. Also, even though you may favor one over the other with a brief test/experience, you may find yourself changing your mind later with increased use. I had convinced myself i needed a 45- degree prism on a 203FE. After a while, though, i found i was using the waistlevel most often. The brigher view made focusing easier, and i just got used to the diminshed weight. What's odd about waistlevel finders is that i LIKE the reversed view. I think it helps my composition to NOT see things the way they are. Sort of like how some people like the upside-down view on Large Format cameras... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jay_. Posted May 1, 2004 Share Posted May 1, 2004 Being equipped with a normal human neurological makeup I can't comfortable follow moving subjects with a WLF, and lying and saying I can't won't make it so, so in those cases I use a prism. For most of what I use MF for, landscapes, the WLF is fine, takes up less room and weighs less. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daniel_janssen Posted May 1, 2004 Share Posted May 1, 2004 Hi Maarten, You are probably Dutch (like me) but I'll answer you in English anyway. The prism do give me a better view and the wlf drove me crazy with that reverse image. The prism really helps me a lot when shooting portraits f.i. Yes, it does cover the complete 100% of the image. And hey, you can always take it of if you need to shoot a landscape from a very low viewpoint. Daniel Janssen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
q.g._de_bakker Posted May 1, 2004 Share Posted May 1, 2004 Maarten,<br><br>Are you using the older type waist level finder which tapers towards the top? The newer type is considerably better when it comes to providing a full view of the screen.<br><br>Following moving subjects using a waist level finder is not hard at all. You just need to get used to the reversed image, which only takes a little practice.<br><br>As Edward answered, prism finders do not show the full screen. However, not even the waist level finder shows the full picture. Yes, they do provide a 100% view of the focussing screen, edge to edge, but then the focussing screen does not show the full 100% (only 98%) of what will appear on film.<br><br>A (or at least my) good reason to use prism finders instead of the waist level finder (apart from the non-revesed image) is that they make you hold the camera higher, avoiding the belly-button/i-get-a-perfect-view-of-your-nasal-passage-from-down-here perspective.<br> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill_dewberry Posted May 2, 2004 Share Posted May 2, 2004 Neither the WLF or the prism give 100 %, they each give 96 %. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
q.g._de_bakker Posted May 2, 2004 Share Posted May 2, 2004 Bill,<br><br>That's not correct.<br>The waist level finder will show 100% of the focussing screen (which in turn does not show the entire image as recorded on film), but prism finders all show less. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maarten_van_viegen Posted May 2, 2004 Author Share Posted May 2, 2004 ok, thanks for the answers, so i can conclude that the wlf gives me more view on the groundglass. that´s all i needed to know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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