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Archive 2024I just bought the greatest Leica accessory ever made

  
 
James Markus
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p.3 #1I just bought the greatest Leica accessory ever made
When I got a Nikon FM recently - I added these two 19mm screw-on focusing aids. Not only do they magnify 2x for my old eyes, but they also have a diopter correction. Pretty slick for old school. However, I use to collect Exa, and Exakta (the company that first mass produced a 35mm SLR in the mid 1930s) - They had interchangeable viewfinders, eye level, waist level, and later with the light meter added into the eye level. Their waist level finders were beautifully engineered with skirts, a pop out magnifier, and over sized ground glass with full frame lines etched. I suppose I could pull the DR-1 up to my eye.

Nikon DG-1
http://www.photomatter.com/2024/Edit_Nikon-DG-1_D800_w-Nikkor_55mm-f3.5-ai_FM-Eyepieces-8007162-Edit.jpg

Nikon DR-1
http://www.photomatter.com/2024/Edit_Nikon-DR-1_D800_w-Nikkor_55mm-f3.5-ai_FM-Eyepieces-8007108-Edit.jpg
May 06, 2024 at 08:50 PM
Desmolicious
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p.3 #2I just bought the greatest Leica accessory ever made
lefteye wrote:
Very cool. Do you find the image on the Leica AUFSU blows out in daylight? Or is reasonably visible? At least the Nikon WLF and TLR’s have side panels that shade the light…


It is very visible and very sharp. No issues using it in bright daylight.
May 06, 2024 at 11:09 PM
Desmolicious
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p.3 #3I just bought the greatest Leica accessory ever made
James Markus wrote:
When I got a Nikon FM recently - I added these two 19mm screw-on focusing aids. Not only do they magnify 2x for my old eyes, but they also have a diopter correction. Pretty slick for old school. However, I use to collect Exa, and Exakta (the company that first mass produced a 35mm SLR in the mid 1930s) - They had interchangeable viewfinders, eye level, waist level, and later with the light meter added into the eye level. Their waist level finders were beautifully engineered with skirts, a pop out magnifier, and over sized ground glass with full
...Show more →

The Nikon WLFs that I use on the F2 and F3 are very nicely made with ‘skirts’, flip out magnifiers etc. It’s like using a mini Rolleiflex.
May 06, 2024 at 11:11 PM
Desmolicious
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p.3 #4I just bought the greatest Leica accessory ever made
Ok, so I think I got the hang of it. Ignore, I repeat ignore, the circle and cross hair that is meant to help with the composition. Just use the bubble level - so much easier, quicker and easier to see.

Et voila - M10r with Rollei 40mm 2.8 Sonnar and AUFSU

May 06, 2024 at 11:58 PM
James Markus
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p.3 #5I just bought the greatest Leica accessory ever made
Perfect example of the low perspective a waist level finder allows. Hope you played ball with your dog after this shot.

Desmolicious wrote:
Ok, so I think I got the hang of it. Ignore, I repeat ignore, the circle and cross hair that is meant to help with the composition. Just use the bubble level - so much easier, quicker and easier to see.

Et voila - M10r with Rollei 40mm 2.8 Sonnar and AUFSU

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53704440551_a5143154a0_b.jpg

May 07, 2024 at 05:35 AM
grantgoodes
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p.3 #6I just bought the greatest Leica accessory ever made
James Markus wrote:
When I got a Nikon FM recently - I added these two 19mm screw-on focusing aids. Not only do they magnify 2x for my old eyes, but they also have a diopter correction. Pretty slick for old school. However, I use to collect Exa, and Exakta (the company that first mass produced a 35mm SLR in the mid 1930s) - They had interchangeable viewfinders, eye level, waist level, and later with the light meter added into the eye level. Their waist level finders were beautifully engineered with skirts, a pop out magnifier, and over sized ground glass with full
...Show more →

The provision for interchangeable finders are one of the main attractions of the professional Nikon bodies, from my perspective. I have an F3/T with a complete set of all the finders ever made (well, aside from the useless-to-me DX-1 AF finder). The DW-3 is very nicely made, but I guess I'm not a waist-level shooter, and I never used it much, preferring the DA-2 "action finder" which made low-light/action shooting a pleasure. I'd probably never have invested in the F3/T and stuck with my FE2 were it not for these amazing interchangeable finders.
May 07, 2024 at 06:10 AM
Taperwing
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p.3 #7I just bought the greatest Leica accessory ever made
Since we are speaking of Nikons and finders, might try a DW-4 on an F3. Doesn't make for a bad slide loupe either. For what it is, they are not too dear on the used market.
May 07, 2024 at 06:21 AM
Desmolicious
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p.3 #8I just bought the greatest Leica accessory ever made
And on film, a little candid 'street' stuff at the Pasadena City College flea market.
The lower angle of the AUFSU makes for a very pleasing perspective.

M6, 35 FLE, 35 yr old TriX 400 @ 50, AUFSU finder

May 07, 2024 at 09:46 AM
Fred Miranda
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p.3 #9I just bought the greatest Leica accessory ever made
Desmolicious wrote:
Ok, so I think I got the hang of it. Ignore, I repeat ignore, the circle and cross hair that is meant to help with the composition. Just use the bubble level - so much easier, quicker and easier to see.

Et voila - M10r with Rollei 40mm 2.8 Sonnar and AUFSU

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53704440551_a5143154a0_b.jpg


You dog has a lot of patience with you.
May 07, 2024 at 09:50 AM
Desmolicious
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p.3 #10I just bought the greatest Leica accessory ever made
Fred Miranda wrote:
Desmolicious wroteOk, so I think I got the hang of it. Ignore, I repeat ignore, the circle and cross hair that is meant to help with the composition. Just use the bubble level - so much easier, quicker and easier to see.

Et voila - M10r with Rollei 40mm 2.8 Sonnar and AUFSU

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53704440551_a5143154a0_b.jpg
You dog has a lot of patience with you.


He knows mayhem will ensue after I take the shot.
May 07, 2024 at 10:50 AM
dvoss
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p.3 #11I just bought the greatest Leica accessory ever made

I've got to stop reading this forum. Every time I come here, I want to buy something. $)

May 11, 2024 at 09:26 AM
Desmolicious
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p.3 #12I just bought the greatest Leica accessory ever made
dvoss wrote:
I've got to stop reading this forum. Every time I come here, I want to buy something. $)



Wait until I get the cheap version. It should show up in a couple of days. I’ll let you know if it is better and then maybe save you some money…
May 11, 2024 at 11:17 AM
Danner
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p.3 #13I just bought the greatest Leica accessory ever made
Desmolicious wrote:
Fred Miranda wroteI bought one too to try it out. Hahaha!


Of course I found this brand - being made new - after I ordered mine and it shipped...

https://reflxlab.com/products/waist-level-viewfinder

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53697481339_6b2977de87_c.jpg

It looks very nice - the one big advantage of the Leica AUFSU (why does their stuff sound like Ikea named it?) is that the view is correct. This reflxlab version is reversed. I'm telling that to make myself feel better because I know I would get used to the reversed view super quick as it is just like using my Rolleiflex.

I may still get one of these...


To the OP, the is pretty darn cool, never saw one before. But, this new unit, with the bubble level, I guess I have no choice but to buy one. , I'm a sucker for new gadgets...
May 11, 2024 at 12:22 PM
Desmolicious
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p.3 #14I just bought the greatest Leica accessory ever made
Danner wrote:
Desmolicious wrote
Fred Miranda wroteI bought one too to try it out. Hahaha!


Of course I found this brand - being made new - after I ordered mine and it shipped...

https://reflxlab.com/products/waist-level-viewfinder

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53697481339_6b2977de87_c.jpg

It looks very nice - the one big advantage of the Leica AUFSU (why does their stuff sound like Ikea named it?) is that the view is correct. This reflxlab version is reversed. I'm telling that to make myself feel better because I know I would get used to the reversed view super quick as it is just like using my Rolleiflex.

I may still get one of these...
To the OP, the is pretty darn cool, never saw one before. But, this new unit, with the bubble level, I guess I have no choice but to buy one. , I'm a sucker for new gadgets...


I just shot a roll with my F3P and the WLF - which is the reversed view. I'm totally used to that so this finder will be ok in that respect. The one huge thing for me is the placing - it is forward from the hot shoe. The Leica juts out behind. This makes the Leica AUFSU frankly uncomfortable to carry if you use a neckstrap on the camera as it pokes you in the ribs. The cheapo design looks like that cannot happen - as well as having the really nice touch of the built in level.

But I'll see how the optics compare - the Leica is great, a really bright, clear view. Will see how the reflxlab one compares.
May 11, 2024 at 12:27 PM
Fred Miranda
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p.3 #15I just bought the greatest Leica accessory ever made
Desmolicious wrote:
Danner wrote
Desmolicious wrote
Fred Miranda wroteI bought one too to try it out. Hahaha!


Of course I found this brand - being made new - after I ordered mine and it shipped...

https://reflxlab.com/products/waist-level-viewfinder

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53697481339_6b2977de87_c.jpg

It looks very nice - the one big advantage of the Leica AUFSU (why does their stuff sound like Ikea named it?) is that the view is correct. This reflxlab version is reversed. I'm telling that to make myself feel better because I know I would get used to the reversed view super quick as it is just like using my Rolleiflex.

I may still get one of these...
To the OP, the is pretty darn cool, never saw one before. But, this new unit, with the bubble level, I guess I have no choice but to buy one. , I'm a sucker for new gadgets...
I just shot a roll with my F3P and the WLF - which is the reversed view. I'm totally used to that so this finder will be ok in that respect. The one huge thing for me is the placing - it is forward from the hot shoe. The Leica juts out behind. This makes the Leica AUFSU frankly uncomfortable to carry if you use a neckstrap on the camera as it pokes you in the ribs. The cheapo design looks like that cannot happen - as well as having the really nice touch of the built in level.

But I'll
...Show more →

Did you get the reflxlab? Very curious if I should try one.
May 15, 2024 at 10:43 AM
Desmolicious
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p.3 #16I just bought the greatest Leica accessory ever made
Fred Miranda wrote:
Desmolicious wrote
Danner wrote
Desmolicious wrote
Fred Miranda wroteI bought one too to try it out. Hahaha!


Of course I found this brand - being made new - after I ordered mine and it shipped...

https://reflxlab.com/products/waist-level-viewfinder

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53697481339_6b2977de87_c.jpg

It looks very nice - the one big advantage of the Leica AUFSU (why does their stuff sound like Ikea named it?) is that the view is correct. This reflxlab version is reversed. I'm telling that to make myself feel better because I know I would get used to the reversed view super quick as it is just like using my Rolleiflex.

I may still get one of these...
To the OP, the is pretty darn cool, never saw one before. But, this new unit, with the bubble level, I guess I have no choice but to buy one. , I'm a sucker for new gadgets...
I just shot a roll with my F3P and the WLF - which is the reversed view. I'm totally used to that so this finder will be ok in that respect. The one huge thing for me is the placing - it is forward from the hot shoe. The Leica juts out behind. This makes the Leica AUFSU frankly uncomfortable to carry if you use a neckstrap on the camera as it pokes you in the ribs. The cheapo design looks like that cannot happen - as well as having the really nice touch of the built in level.

But I'll see how the optics compare - the Leica is great, a really bright, clear view. Will see how the reflxlab one compares.
Did you get the reflxlab? Very curious if I should try one.


Dood, it has been held up in customs since 5/12. Message on the tracking system is 'US, Transport Delay'. I will give it a couple more days to see if it clears.

May 15, 2024 at 10:50 AM
coralnut
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p.3 #17I just bought the greatest Leica accessory ever made
Hung up in customs? Well it is a suspicious device and they probably can't figure out what it is. Is it a weep on site?
Maybe they're holding up delivery because they have to check the files on you to make sure you're not a tear or wrist.

All kidding aside, when I was purchasing parts for my film digitization system I ran into problems with the domestic shipment of multiple items for the project getting flagged as suspicious and delayed for a week. The package contained a large metal tube with suspicious embedded electronics control circuits (an autofocus macro lens), radio remote controllers (a camera remote transmitter/receiver to remotely trigger the camera on the copystand), spare batteries and two sets of funny looking wires coming out of an empty plastic box (an AC/DC battery eliminator for the camera that would be semi-permanently mounted on the copy stand).

That package sped through FedEx until it got to one of the regional x-ray stations where it fell off of tracking for a week. The package likely caused several boxes to be checked on the suspicious item checklist, presumably because they thought it contained components to make some forbidden item. It had to spend a week off of the tracking system, presumably being delayed for physical inspection by a specialist, to assure that there was nothing improper in the box. After being lost for a week it came back into tracking and was finally delivered later than promised.

The level of surveillance of packages in transit is so high that even garden variety camera gear gets delayed sometimes.
May 15, 2024 at 12:14 PM
Andrew CD
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p.3 #18I just bought the greatest Leica accessory ever made
Desmolicious wrote:
Ok, so I think I got the hang of it. Ignore, I repeat ignore, the circle and cross hair that is meant to help with the composition. Just use the bubble level - so much easier, quicker and easier to see.

Et voila - M10r with Rollei 40mm 2.8 Sonnar and AUFSU

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53704440551_a5143154a0_b.jpg


Great dog!

I hope you don’t mind if I ask what breed? Is he at least partly Border Collie (or whatever the US equivalent is)? The photo from above on the first page looks not unlike our old dog, who was Collie - Pointer cross (but mainly Collie).

(With apologies for going completely off-topic.)
May 15, 2024 at 03:30 PM
Desmolicious
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p.3 #19I just bought the greatest Leica accessory ever made
Andrew CD wrote:
Desmolicious wroteOk, so I think I got the hang of it. Ignore, I repeat ignore, the circle and cross hair that is meant to help with the composition. Just use the bubble level - so much easier, quicker and easier to see.

Et voila - M10r with Rollei 40mm 2.8 Sonnar and AUFSU

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53704440551_a5143154a0_b.jpg
Great dog!

I hope you don’t mind if I ask what breed? Is he at least partly Border Collie (or whatever the US equivalent is)? The photo from above on the first page looks not unlike our old dog, who was Collie - Pointer cross (but mainly Collie).

(With apologies for going completely off-topic.)


No way EVER is talking about Riley off topic! He is a collie pit bull mix. I adopted him 12/26/23 and he had 72 hours left before they were going to euthanize him (LA city shelter). Riley has been nothing but a heaven sent delight.
May 15, 2024 at 04:13 PM
geekcop
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p.3 #20I just bought the greatest Leica accessory ever made
Thanks for adopting and saving a rescue! As I mentioned before, my daughter worked with the street dog project in Dallas, TX and adopted Lucy from there. I've adopted one as well a long time ago and I used to be a K9 handler. Retirement is the first time I've ever not had a dog living in my household. I enjoy seeing pictures of both of your dogs as well as watching Bruce grow up on the board as well. Bruce belongs to @lukemeup.

Here is a link to Lucy's story when she was on the streets of Dallas:
https://share.icloud.com/photos/0feovnGbzPLDUN5xVXnhvpfPw

Sorry, but we got talking about dogs and off I go...







Lucy is a goofball

May 15, 2024 at 05:30 PM
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