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syscrusher
Joined: 18 Jun 2009 Posts: 21
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Posted: Sun Aug 02, 2009 12:48 pm Post subject: Brightest Viewfinder in M42 body? |
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syscrusher wrote:
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. |
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themoleman342
Joined: 21 Oct 2007 Posts: 2190 Location: East Coast (CT), U.S.A.
Expire: 2013-01-24
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Posted: Sun Aug 02, 2009 2:45 pm Post subject: |
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themoleman342 wrote:
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. |
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Minolfan
Joined: 30 Dec 2008 Posts: 3439 Location: Netherlands
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Posted: Sun Aug 02, 2009 3:17 pm Post subject: |
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Minolfan wrote:
Pentaxes are better than Praktica viewfinders, but I vote for the Fujica too. |
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syscrusher
Joined: 18 Jun 2009 Posts: 21
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Posted: Sun Aug 02, 2009 4:56 pm Post subject: |
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syscrusher wrote:
Would love a Bessaflex, but the $500 they seem to be going for on fleabay isn't palatable. |
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scsambrook
Joined: 29 Mar 2009 Posts: 2167 Location: Glasgow Scotland
Expire: 2011-11-18
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Posted: Sun Aug 02, 2009 5:10 pm Post subject: M42 viewfinders |
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scsambrook wrote:
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 ... _________________ Stephen
Equipment: Pentax DSLR for casual shooting, Lumix G1 and Fuji XE-1 for playing with old lenses, and Leica M8 because I still like the optical rangefinder system. |
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peterqd
Joined: 28 Feb 2007 Posts: 7448 Location: near High Wycombe, UK
Expire: 2014-01-04
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Posted: Sun Aug 02, 2009 8:31 pm Post subject: |
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peterqd wrote:
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. _________________ Peter - Moderator |
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Attila
Joined: 24 Feb 2007 Posts: 57865 Location: Hungary
Expire: 2025-11-18
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Posted: Sun Aug 02, 2009 8:38 pm Post subject: |
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Attila wrote:
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. _________________ -------------------------------
Items on sale on Ebay
Sony NEX-7 Carl Zeiss Planar 85mm f1.4, Minolta MD 35mm f1.8, Konica 135mm f2.5, Minolta MD 50mm f1.2, Minolta MD 250mm f5.6, Carl Zeiss Sonnar 180mm f2.8
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Esox lucius
Joined: 26 Aug 2008 Posts: 2441 Location: Helsinki, Finland
Expire: 2011-11-18
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Posted: Sun Aug 02, 2009 9:53 pm Post subject: |
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Esox lucius wrote:
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. _________________ Vilhelm
Nikon DSLR: D4, D800, Nikon D3, D70
Nikon SLR: Nikon F100, Nikon FM2n
Nikkor MF: 20/2.8 Ai-S, 24/2 Ai-S, 24/2.8 Ai-S, 28/2 Ai-S, 28/2.8 Ai-S, 35/1.4 AIS, 35/2 Ai-S, 45/2.8 GN, 50/1.2 Ai, 50/1.2 Ai-S, 50/1.4 Ai, 50/1.4 Ai-S, 50/1.8 AI-S "long", 50/1.8 AI-S "short", 55/1.2 Ai, 85/1.4 Ai-S, 85/1.8H, 105/2.5 Ai, 135/2.8Q, 135/3.5 Ai, 180/2.8 Ai-S ED
Nikkor AF/AF-S FX: 14-24/2.8G, 16/2.8D Fisheye, 16-35/4G VR, 17-35/2.8D, 24/1.4G, 24/3.5D PC-E, 24/2.8D, 24-70/2.8G, 28/1.4D, 28/1.8G, 35/1.4G, 35/2D, 50/1.4D, 50/1.4G, 50/1.8G, 60/2.8 Micro, 60/2.8G Micro, 70-200/2.8G VR, 70-200/2.8G VR II, 80-400/4.5-5.6D VR, 85/1.4G, 85/2.8D PC-E Micro, 105/2D DC, 105/2.8G VR Micro, 135/2D DC, 200/2G VR, 200-400/4G VR, 300/2.8G VR, 300/4D ED, 400/2.8G VR, 800/5.6E VR
Nikkor AF/AF-S DX: 10.5/2.8G Fisheye, 12-24/4G, 18-70/3.5-4.5G
Topcor: Auto-Topcor 58/1.4,
Voigtländer SL: 40/2 Ultron, 58/1.4 Nokton, 75/2.5 Color-Heliar, 90/3.5 APO-Lanthar, 125/2.5 APO-Lanthar, 180/4 APO-Lanthar
Zeiss ZF: Planar T* 85/1.4 ZF
M42 SLR: Voigtländer Bessaflex TM
M42: Flektogon 20/4, Flektogon 35/2.4, Tessar 50/2.8 T, Super-Takumar 55/1.8, Biotar 58/2 T, Pentacon 135/2.8, Sonnar 135/3.5
Medium format: several Zeiss Super Ikonta 532/16 Opton-Tessar 80mm f/2.8, Zeiss Ikonta 524/16 Opton-Tessar 75mm f/3.5
Leica: R7, M4, Super-Angulon-R 4/21, Elmarit-R 2.8/28, Summicron-R 2/35, Summicron-M 2/35, Summicron-M 2/50, Elmarit-R 2,8/180 |
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hexi
Joined: 01 Jul 2009 Posts: 1631 Location: France
Expire: 2011-11-18
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Posted: Mon Aug 03, 2009 10:49 am Post subject: |
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hexi wrote:
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. _________________ Happy owner and user of :
SLR's > Contax Aria - RX
DSLR > Canon 5D
Lenses : C/Y Planar 1.4/50 - Distagon 2.8/35 - Planar 1.4/85
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sonnar85 |
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estudleon
Joined: 15 May 2008 Posts: 3754 Location: Argentina
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Posted: Mon Aug 03, 2009 11:53 am Post subject: |
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estudleon wrote:
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. _________________ Konica 2,8/100
CZJ: 4/20, 2,4/35, 1,8/50 aus jena, 3,5/135MC, Pentacon 1,8/50
Pentax S-M-C-1,4/50
Helios 44-3
Mamiya 2,8/135
Misc. : jupiter 9
Stuff used:
A) SRL
Alpa 10 D - kern macro Switar 1,9/50 -black, Kilffit apochromat 2/100.
Asahi pentax spotmatic super takumar 1,4/50
Contaflex super B tessar 2,8/50 Pro-tessar 115
Leica R3 electronic summicron 2/50 elmarit 2,8/35
Konica Autoreflex 3 (2 black and chrome one), TC, T4. 2,8/24, 3,5/28 not MC and MC, 1,8/40, 1,4/50, 1,7/50 MC and not MC, 1,8/85, 3,2/135, 3,5/135, 4/200
Minolta XG9 2,8/35, 2/45, 3,5/135
Nikkormat FTn 1,4/50, 2,8/135
Fujica ST 801, 605, 705n. 3,5/19, 1,4/50, 1,8/55, 4/85, 3,5/135.
Praktica MTL 5 and a lot of M42 lenses.
Voigtlander. Bessamatic m, bessamatix de luxe, bessamatic cs, ultramatic and ultramatic cs.
Skoparex 3,5/35, skopagon 2/40, skopar 2,8/50, skopar X 2,8/50, super lanthar (out of catalogue) 2,8/50, dinarex 3,4/90, dinarex 4,8/100, super dinarex 4/135, super dinarex 4/200, zoomar 2,8/36-83, portrait lens 0, 1 and 2. Curtagon 4/28 and 2,8/35
Canon AV1, 1,8/50
Rolleiflex SL35 and SL35 E. 2,8/35 angulon, 2,8/35 distagon, 1,4/55 rolleinar, 1,8/50 planar, 4/135 tessar, 2,8/135 rolleinar, x2 rollei, M42 to rollei adap.
Etc.
RF
Yashica Minister III
Voightlander Vito, vitomatic I, Vito C, etc.
Leica M. M2, M3 (d.s.) and M4. Schenider 3,4/21, 2/35 summaron 2,8/35 (with eyes). Summicron 2/35 (8 elements with eyes), 2/35 chrome, 2/35 black, 1,4/35 pre asph and aspheric - old -, 2/40 summicron, 2,8/50 elmar, 2/50 7 elements, 2/50 DR, 2/50 - minolta version, 1,4/50 summilux 1966 version, 1,4/75 summilux, 2/90 large version, 2/90 reduced version of 1987, 2,8/90 elmarit large version, 4/135 elmar. |
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Xpres
Joined: 11 Dec 2007 Posts: 964 Location: UK
Expire: 2014-10-28
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Posted: Mon Aug 03, 2009 11:59 am Post subject: |
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Xpres wrote:
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. _________________ Film... and sometimes SD14, 5D2 and some other suff! |
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hexi
Joined: 01 Jul 2009 Posts: 1631 Location: France
Expire: 2011-11-18
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Posted: Mon Aug 03, 2009 1:53 pm Post subject: |
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hexi wrote:
Xpres wrote: |
If I want a bright view I also use an adapter to Contax for the RTS. |
That's my plan B for 42's _________________ Happy owner and user of :
SLR's > Contax Aria - RX
DSLR > Canon 5D
Lenses : C/Y Planar 1.4/50 - Distagon 2.8/35 - Planar 1.4/85
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sonnar85 |
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martinsmith99
Joined: 31 Aug 2008 Posts: 6950 Location: S Glos, UK
Expire: 2013-11-18
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Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2009 6:15 am Post subject: |
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martinsmith99 wrote:
Another vote for the Chinon CE 3, which has split image screen and is much bigger and brighter than the Praktica and the Pentax. _________________ Casual attendance these days |
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Orio
Joined: 24 Feb 2007 Posts: 29545 Location: West Emilia
Expire: 2012-12-04
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Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2009 7:35 am Post subject: |
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Orio wrote:
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
- _________________ Orio, Administrator
T*
NE CEDE MALIS AUDENTIOR ITO
Ferrania film is reborn! http://www.filmferrania.it/
Support the Ornano film chemicals company and help them survive!
http://forum.mflenses.com/ornano-chemical-products-t55525.html |
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Katastrofo
Joined: 26 Feb 2007 Posts: 10405 Location: USA
Expire: 2013-11-19
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Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2009 7:51 am Post subject: |
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Katastrofo wrote:
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! |
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djmike
Joined: 01 Apr 2009 Posts: 930 Location: Taiwan
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Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2009 2:23 pm Post subject: |
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djmike wrote:
+1, Fujica ST-801. _________________
DSLR: Canon 400D
SLR: Nikon FM2 + Canon A-1 + Canon AE1-P + Praktica MTL-5B + Pentax Spotmatic F + Fujica ST801 + Voigtlander Bassematic + Voigtlander Vito + Rollei 35S + Rolleiflex SL35 ME + Canon QL17 GIII + Olympus Pen EE-3
Lenses
M42: CZJ Flektogon 35/2.4 + CZJ Flektogon Zebra 35/2.8 + CZJ Pancolar 50/1.8 + CZJ Sonnar 135/3.5 + CZJ Tessar 50/2.8 Chrome + Pentacon 135/2.8 + Pentacon 50/1.8 + SMC Takumar 50/1.4 + SMC Takumar 55/2 + SMC Takumar 135/3.5 + Fujinon 55/1.8 + Jupiter-9 85/2 + Jupiter-37A 135/3.5 + Helios 44-6 58/2
Nikor: Nikkor 50/1.4 + Nikkor 28/3.5 + Nikkor 35-105 Zoom + 36-72 Series E Zoom
Canon: Canon FD + 28/2.8 + 50/1.8 + Canon 35-105 Macro Zoom
Other: Rollei Planar HFT 50/1.8
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koji
Joined: 21 Jul 2008 Posts: 2107 Location: Hiroshima, Japan
Expire: 2012-12-27
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Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2009 6:31 pm Post subject: |
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koji wrote:
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. _________________ Our Home Page has 18,200 photos in 575 directories today.
Lenses: https://www.pbase.com/kkawakami/top_level_my_lenses |
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syscrusher
Joined: 18 Jun 2009 Posts: 21
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Posted: Thu Aug 06, 2009 6:50 pm Post subject: |
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syscrusher wrote:
Thanks for all the comments! I picked up an ST801 on ebay. Hoping when it arrives it fits the bill. |
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spiralcity
Joined: 02 Oct 2008 Posts: 1207 Location: Chicago, U.S.A
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Posted: Thu Aug 06, 2009 9:01 pm Post subject: |
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spiralcity wrote:
djmike wrote: |
+1, Fujica ST-801. |
+1
It just dosent get much brighter than this on any 35mm camera I own. _________________ Nikons : F4-EM-FG-FE2-FA-EL-FTN-N2020-N70-F Nikkorex
Fujica: ST605N-ST701-ST705-ST705W-ST801-ST901-AZ1-AX-3
Chinon: CE4s-CM4s-CM5
Pentax: ME-Soptmatic
Ricoh:XR6
Pentax- K10D
Lenses- M42's-Nikon F mount, Pentax PK
FREE PHOTOGRAPHY COURSE |
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