Russian Doodad

[donald_miller5]

<p>Found this in a box of items that someone gave me. Showing my ignorance I am not sure what it is. It fits on shoe on top of camera, made in USSR. I think it presents expected image from various focal lengths. Is that the case?</p><div></div>

[michael_darnton2]

<p>Yes. That's a viewfinder for various different lenses on old Leica-type cameras that aren't SLR, where the camera finder works only for one single lens but the camera takes different ones. That particular finder is for Feds, and the screw-mount Leica copies. There's another for Russian Contax copies that is very slightly different.</p>

[SCL]

<p>Yes - it is a viewfinder for various focal length lenses, and fits on the accessory shoe atop rangefinder bodies.</p>

[donald_miller5]

<p>Thanks, just never saw one before.</p>

 

[JDMvW]

<p>Ironically, the Soviet rangefinder of this type often sells for more than the genuine Leica/Leitz versions.</p>

[winfried_buechsenschuetz1]

<p>"Ironically, the Soviet rangefinder of this type often sells for more than the genuine Leica/Leitz versions."<br>

Too sad that this is NOT a copy of a Leica viewfinder...<br>

A similar device was orignally made for the Contax, and copied later for the soviet Kiev Contax clones. But on the Contax/Kiev viewfinders, the body extended to the right (seen from the rear/eyepiece) and would cover the speed dial of the soviet Leica copies. So they mirrored the design to the "left handed" version and it could be used for the Leica copies as well.<br>

The "right handed" version (of which only a few thousands were made) is not easy to find, but due to the low number of Kiev users (users of a genuine Contax probably will not buy russian accessories) I don't think that it is very expensive. I have seen one or two in camera swaps over the years but the sellers even did not know that it was a rare item. </p>

 

[Andrew in Austin]

<p>I haven't kept up with prices - but in the realm of universal viewfinders for an old-school Barnack 35mm rangefinder camera - I prefer the KMZ turret finder shown above to the Leitz/Leica Imarect . </p>

<p>The two are very different. The image in the Imarect with its static lens is cleaner - but unlike the turret design in the above photo, which uses multiple lenses - there is no magnification of the image as one increases the focal length, which is why I prefer the KMZ finder. </p>

<p>The KMZ turret finder:<br>

<a href="http://cameras.alfredklomp.com/universal/">http://cameras.alfredklomp.com/universal/</a></p>

<p>The Leitz Imarect, VIOOH:<br>

<a href="http://cameras.alfredklomp.com/viooh/1.htm">http://cameras.alfredklomp.com/viooh/1.htm</a></p>

<p> </p>

[Andrew in Austin]

<p>Here's a better description of the KMZ turret finder:<br>

<a href="http://www.erikfiss.com/foto/cams/turretfinder/e.html">http://www.erikfiss.com/foto/cams/turretfinder/e.html</a></p>

[JDMvW]

<p>My comment on the cost of these was based on my personal experience a few years ago when I wanted a Soviet finder to use on my FEDs and Kievs.<br>

I ended up getting the more common Leitz finder for a cost of US$15 on eBay. None of the Soviet ones were anywhere close to that cheap.</p><div></div>

[Robin Smith]

<p>I think the Russian ones are often younger and in better condition that the Leica or Contax ones and this is why they may be more costly.</p>

[winfried_buechsenschuetz1]

<p>I think you had very good luck to find a Leitz viewfinder for USD 15. At least over here in Germany, even the most common Leitz lens caps are more expensive...</p>

[gib]

<p>used one, very handy</p>

 

[chuck_foreman1]

My god I better go look at mine. It came from my father-in-law.. who had inherited a Contax RF (?? maybe

pre-war) sold it (Grrrr ) and then one day his grandson took a shine to this tidbit laying around Grandpas

tidbits and brought it home. Eureka!! I had only a Kiev then. Now I have a pre- and a post-war Contax both

in working but shabby condition. BRB

 

 

Ok.. I put it on my Fed and it doesn't block the shutter. So mine is the usual later version. MMhh par I

guess being sold with Contax camera as a "bargain" viewer I guess.<div></div>

[User_4525289]

<p>This is "universal viewfinder" универсальный видоискатель it is really good stuff. Help to find views in all occasions. </p>

[donald_miller5]

<p>Ah, "you can not embrace unembraceble"</p>