p.5 #1I just bought the greatest Leica accessory ever made
Desmolicious wrote:
Ok, it came in. Finally. Long version and short version below..
I'l start with the short version - it's awesome just get it.
Long version - it's awesome just get it because (not in any particular order):
1. Really nicely made, black chrome finish matches perfectly to my black chrome Ms.
2. VF is very bright.
3. A fraction of the cost of a beat up Leica AUFSU
4. Built in level is perfectly implemented
5. Does NOT jut out like the AUFSU, so very comfortable to carry - does not stab you in the ribs.
6. Looks way cooler on the camera than the AUFSU
In comparison to the AUFSU, the reflxlab version has a more neutral colour view vs the warmer view of the AUFSU. Most probably because 50+ years aged it!
The AUFSU has a slightly bigger VF, but with slightly less magnification. Both are meant to represent a 50mm lens' POV. You are pretty much guesstimating with these anyway, so after a little use you'll figure out how to adjust.
The AUFSU does not fully seat on my M6, M10r, M7. I have yet to try it on the other Ms I have. It almost slides all the way on, but stops about 2mm short. This is because there is a little screw sticking out on the hotshoe of the cameras, and the AUFSU's foot is straight edged. BUT! - the reflxlab version has a tiny notch cut out so it slides in all the way! Very sweet.
The optics on the AUFSU seems to be a little sharper - but it may be from extra contrast due to the warmer colour vs cooler on the reflxlab, and me checking it in my kitchen under artificial light. It doesn't matter in actual use, because you are not focusing with these things, just composing. And you can only notice the very slight difference if you have both and really look for it.
Honestly, if these were the same money I would still pick the reflxlab version just because it is integrated so much better. But to anyone who wants to buy my AUFSU - the AUFSU is so much better it is an insult for me to have even written up this comparison piece.
Bottom line - get one of these. Maybe two so you have a chrome one and a black one. Will still be 1/3 of the price of an AUFSU!
A few days ago, I saw your initial post and it lingered in my mind because I loved the waist level finder on my Yashica T5 when I had it, and use the one on my T3. I looked the internet to discover the price of the Leica finder and quickly searched for an alternative, found the reflx lab one and ordered one.
I wanted to mention it here but you already bought one.
Looking at the photos I feel it was a good purchase. It is superb!
p.5 #2I just bought the greatest Leica accessory ever made
I leave it on all the time. It's really nice having the option of two VFs on the camera, and this never gets in the way. It also looks really cool, but I am not superficial like that.
p.5 #4I just bought the greatest Leica accessory ever made
The purpose of this image is to show how well the level works on the reflxlab WLF. Full uncropped image as you can see from the borders.
M7, CV 35 1.4 II, Acros II
Today I experienced reflections on the reflxlab finder - it happened when the sun was literally directly overhead, with no shielding of the finder. A now you know thing.
p.5 #5I just bought the greatest Leica accessory ever made
Continuing the pet perspective
First waist level shots in a long time using the new WLF addon. Cats weren't sure what I was doing. First is hung from my neck while sitting in a chair, and second is with the camera on the ground. D800, 35mm f1.4 ais, modified tc-16a, and WLF.
p.5 #6I just bought the greatest Leica accessory ever made
James Markus wrote:
Continuing the pet perspective
First waist level shots in a long time using the new WLF addon. Cats weren't sure what I was doing. First is hung from my neck while sitting in a chair, and second is with the camera on the ground. D800, 35mm f1.4 ais, modified tc-16a, and WLF.
Excellent! And of course this can be used on any camera w a hot/cold shoe. I’m thinking it would be amazing on my F6 or N80 as AF will take care of the focusing.
p.5 #7I just bought the greatest Leica accessory ever made
That's what the modified tc-16a was for - to AF my MF lens. It will work on any camera - even if you don't have a hot shoe. I have an old tripod mount threaded hot shoe about half an inch high. screw it into the tripod socket and flip the camera upside down. Or, just put a small square of alien tape topside and Bob's your uncle.
Desmolicious wrote: James Markus wroteContinuing the pet perspective
First waist level shots in a long time using the new WLF addon. Cats weren't sure what I was doing. First is hung from my neck while sitting in a chair, and second is with the camera on the ground. D800, 35mm f1.4 ais, modified tc-16a, and WLF.
p.5 #13I just bought the greatest Leica accessory ever made
madNbad wrote:
Are you going to keep the Leica finder or offer to trade it for a dozen P&S?
I think I am going to sell it. It is in much better shape than any I see out there but the reflxlab version is just so nicely done. And does not stab you in the ribs. if I keep it I will forget I have it...
Speaking of, I have that Yashica TwinTec AF showing up today - with a built in WLF. Replacing my dead-ish Canon Sure Shot Ace
p.5 #14I just bought the greatest Leica accessory ever made
You would be shocked to see how many people
don't know their correct address
use their email address in place of street address...
don't know how to address an envelope or package...
move, then expect their mail to follow without doing a change of address...
That was one that I used for my research before I picked it up. I highly recommend ignoring the cross hair/circle and just using the bubble level. I have found it to be much more accurate, quicker and easier to use.
p.5 #20I just bought the greatest Leica accessory ever made
Desmolicious wrote:
Ok, it came in. Finally. Long version and short version below..
I'l start with the short version - it's awesome just get it.
Long version - it's awesome just get it because (not in any particular order):
1. Really nicely made, black chrome finish matches perfectly to my black chrome Ms.
2. VF is very bright.
3. A fraction of the cost of a beat up Leica AUFSU
4. Built in level is perfectly implemented
5. Does NOT jut out like the AUFSU, so very comfortable to carry - does not stab you in the ribs.
6. Looks way cooler on the camera than the AUFSU
In comparison to the AUFSU, the reflxlab version has a more neutral colour view vs the warmer view of the AUFSU. Most probably because 50+ years aged it!
The AUFSU has a slightly bigger VF, but with slightly less magnification. Both are meant to represent a 50mm lens' POV. You are pretty much guesstimating with these anyway, so after a little use you'll figure out how to adjust.
The AUFSU does not fully seat on my M6, M10r, M7. I have yet to try it on the other Ms I have. It almost slides all the way on, but stops about 2mm short. This is because there is a little screw sticking out on the hotshoe of the cameras, and the AUFSU's foot is straight edged. BUT! - the reflxlab version has a tiny notch cut out so it slides in all the way! Very sweet.
The optics on the AUFSU seems to be a little sharper - but it may be from extra contrast due to the warmer colour vs cooler on the reflxlab, and me checking it in my kitchen under artificial light. It doesn't matter in actual use, because you are not focusing with these things, just composing. And you can only notice the very slight difference if you have both and really look for it.
Honestly, if these were the same money I would still pick the reflxlab version just because it is integrated so much better. But to anyone who wants to buy my AUFSU - the AUFSU is so much better it is an insult for me to have even written up this comparison piece.
Bottom line - get one of these. Maybe two so you have a chrome one and a black one. Will still be 1/3 of the price of an AUFSU!
I just got mine today, and it's everything you described. I really appreciate your suggestion. It's now very easy to compose from the hip!
Regarding composition, why do these waist-level viewfinders have a cross-shaped view instead of a rectangular one? At first, I thought it was for composing images in different orientations, but when using the viewfinder and framing with the part of the cross that gives a landscape orientation, the captured image includes sections of the frame in the portrait orientation as well (all the way to the very top) This is using a standard 50mm lens. Perhaps it's really made for 40mm lenses?