Brightest Viewfinder in M42 body?

[syscrusher]

I know there are lots of threads about M42 bodies, but one specific aspect I'm interested in is the viewfinder.

My Praktica, while a competent, functional unit, has a pretty dark viewfinder to my eyes.

Which bodies have notably bright (big also good) viewfinders?

Also I'd like to know what people experiences are on getting bodies that have completely clear viewfinders - ie no dust specs etc. I know it doesn't affect the picture if dust gets between the focusing screen and viewfinder, but I tend to get a bit distracted by it.

[themoleman342]

To my knowledge, the bessaflex is the brightest. But if your not willing to spend that sort of money, the fujica st801 is supposed to be the next in line.

[Minolfan]

Pentaxes are better than Praktica viewfinders, but I vote for the Fujica too.

[syscrusher]

Would love a Bessaflex, but the $500 they seem to be going for on fleabay isn't palatable.

[scsambrook]

From memory, I think the brightest of the "old ones" was the Olympus FTL - but it's a very subjective thing.

Having answered the question (after a fashion) I've then got to say that the FTL probably isn't the best choice, even if you can find one! The body has a meter-follower which might - I'm not 100% certain - interfere with other lenses.

The most important thing in any case is to find a viewfinder which has a good bright fresnel outer area and a centre part that works well with relatively slow lenses - I've no wish to upset Praktica fans but the v/f brightness and focusing screens are both relatively poor in many respects. And at the risk of starting a fight, for sheer ease of focus with long slow lenses the old Zenith B and E take a lot of beating - dull, yes - but oh-so easy to judge when that 300mm gets to the focus point! Maybe not everyone's choice ...

[peterqd]

I haven't tried the Fujica ST801, I hear the viewfinder is one of its strongest points. I can vouch for the Chinon CE-3 (M42 mount) which has an excellent bright VF, better than the Spotmatic probably, and it has a split image screen.

[Attila]

If this very important to you you can think about other more modern cameras like Pentax MX, Canon or Olympus best ones. For all of them M42 adapter available.

[Esox lucius]

I can vouch for the Bessaflex TM viewfinder. It is just outstanding, makes those M42 lenses come alive with original field of view, really worth the money they sell for.

[hexi]

Its true that Prakticas viewfinders aren't the brightest, however i like them cause its a pentaprism focusing and i find it easier instead of a split image. Never got problems to focus correct.

But the Olympus FTL seems a very good alternative.

[estudleon]

It's not very common, but I have a Fujica AZ1 and the viewfinder is very clear and very easy to focus. More clear than the ST 801 (that have too) and the praktica's ones. With the AZ1, can focus at F/5,6 without any problems.

I read in shutterbug, in 1991/1992, that the finders of the prakticas were jena made, who knows (I don't).

Rino.

[Xpres]

I'm with the Fujica as brightest choice, but it's not what I mostly grab when I need an M42 body. I have a soft spot for the penatx - S1a.
If I want a bright view I also use an adapter to Contax for the RTS.

[hexi]

[martinsmith99]

Another vote for the Chinon CE 3, which has split image screen and is much bigger and brighter than the Praktica and the Pentax.

[Orio]

I have the Bessaflex TM and it has the brightest viewfinder of all M42 cameras that I have tried.

http://www.cameraquest.com/voigtFlexTM.htm

-

[Katastrofo]

Yeah, I've been lusting for the Bessaflex, but they do come dear! I really
like my Vivitar XC-3 for M42, I think it's Cosina-made and has real brass
in the body. I can see it through the fading paint!

[djmike]

+1, Fujica ST-801.

[koji]

This camera

has a very bright view finder, but Minolta's X-series cameras (300~700), even X-9

has the same bright finder (all share Minolta's "accumat" screen).

So I recommend Minolta X-350 ~~ X-700 and any model between them.

[syscrusher]

Thanks for all the comments! I picked up an ST801 on ebay. Hoping when it arrives it fits the bill.

[spiralcity]