Re: [Leica] 21 mm 2.8 aspherical

[dmorton@journalist.co.uk (David Morton)]

Emanuel-Temp Lowi wrote:

> IMHO, the separate Leica finders that fit in the shoe are problematic,
> most
> notably because you can't focus (but only view) through them. They're
> also
> not extremely clear, don't really compensate for parallax, prevent you
> using a small shoe-mount flash, look odd, feel cheap, cost dearly.
> The 21 and 24 mm finders  are optically identical, to boot.
> The old metal 35mm finders, also the 50s, were a dream in comparison.
> The folks at Leica will hate me for this, I know, but here goes.
> Check out what Reinhold Mueller of Toronto does: he'll machine your lens
> and then fit on a modified 35mm goggles finder (as for an M3 RF lens).
> This
> gives you very close to an accurate 21mm view through your regular
> finder,
> so you can view/focus/meter through one window.
> Sure, it adds bulk to the lens in your bag, also looks a bit odd, and
> changes the lens for ever - BUT IT WORKS VERY NICELY! The price is
> somewhat
> more than the separate leica finder, but Ibelieve it's worth it.. I'm
> saving my pennies now for the conversion.
> Ask Tom Abrahamson. He knows all about this stuff.

Gosh, now that *is* interesting. Does anyone have Mr Mueller's contact
details to hand?

Would a lens modified in this way work correctly on all finder
magnifications, or does the design of the goggles depend on the finder
magnification (I feel I ought to be able to answer this myself, but my
brain seems to have gone on strike this week)?

Are any UK LUGers able to suggest how to get a lens to and from Canada
without tax/VAT/customs hassles?


            David Morton  |  Please don't tell my mother I'm a journalist,
dmorton@journalist.co.uk  |  She thinks I have a respectable job playing
     (+44) 171 272 8908   |  the piano in a brothel.