p.1 #1 · TTArtisan released a new 35mm optical viewfinder
From TTArtisan:
External Optical Viewfinder
"In the digital era, we bring back the essence of a pure optical viewfinder. Inspired by classic rangefinder design, it delivers a clear, precise framing experience."
p.1 #2 · TTArtisan released a new 35mm optical viewfinder
I picked one up for my Leica M3, but I'll also be using it with my Sony RX1R II. I also have the Light Lens Lab 35mm viewfinder (WEISU), which is much smaller, though it lacks framelines.
p.1 #3 · TTArtisan released a new 35mm optical viewfinder
Well, I was eyeing the Voigtlander Mini Viewfinder for ages (for my M3), but it is priced at about 500 USD/EUR on the used market (and it's a 28/35mm viewfinder, in fact). I like its size, but not the price.
But this TTA viewfinder is too big, judging from the pictures, it would transform an M body into a (D)SLR style camera size-wise. And the LLL Weisu is out-of-stock.
Then again, I rarely shoot anything other than 50mm (and, maybe, 40mm M-Rokkor).
p.1 #4 · TTArtisan released a new 35mm optical viewfinder
catacore wrote:
Well, I was eyeing the Voigtlander Mini Viewfinder for ages (for my M3), but it is priced at about 500 USD/EUR on the used market (and it's a 28/35mm viewfinder, in fact). I like its size, but not the price.
But this TTA viewfinder is too big, judging from the pictures, it would transform an M body into a (D)SLR style camera size-wise. And the LLL Weisu is out-of-stock.
Then again, I rarely shoot anything other than 50mm (and, maybe, 40mm M-Rokkor).
The WEISU is the smallest of the group, even smaller than the Voigtlander 28/35 that I also own. The Voigtlander is excellent but a little cramped for 35mm lenses since 35mm uses the inner frameline. I love using it on the GR because it works perfectly at both native 28mm and 35mm crop, and it also pairs nicely with the M3 being silver.
The Voigtlander is only slightly larger than the WEISU, but with the WEISU you really have to push your eye to the edges to frame at 35mm since it lacks framelines. You can't see the full 35mm view when looking straight through, and that's what I meant. (some folks mistakenly say it's narrower than 35mm for this reason)
The new TTA 35mm viewfinder is definitely larger than both, but it seems to be a great alternative compared to the Zeiss 35mm finder (FDA-V1K) that was originally released with the RX1 series. It's lighter (25g vs 40g), and much cheaper. From the specs, it may share great IQ as well. (Although the Zeiss has 6 elements vs 4 elements)
p.1 #5 · TTArtisan released a new 35mm optical viewfinder
I ordered one when announced as I can't resist a good, classic optical finder (which hopefully this one is) - particularly at this price. It seems like it should offer good eye relief if the below from the TTArtisan website is accurate:
"Designed to accommodate various eye positions, it provides comfort for both direct viewing and glasses wearers."
p.1 #7 · TTArtisan released a new 35mm optical viewfinder
Tariq Gibran wrote:
I ordered one when announced as I can't resist a good, classic optical finder (which hopefully this one is) - particularly at this price. It seems like it should offer good eye relief if the below from the TTArtisan website is accurate:
"Designed to accommodate various eye positions, it provides comfort for both direct viewing and glasses wearers."
Same here, especially since TTArtisan tends to stop making these special items. They previously released 21mm and 28mm versions without framelines, but both were discontinued after a while. https://www.ttartisan.com/?viewfinder%2F86.html
p.1 #8 · TTArtisan released a new 35mm optical viewfinder
Fred Miranda wrote:
Same here, especially since TTArtisan tends to stop making these special items. They previously released 21mm and 28mm versions without framelines, but both were discontinued after a while. https://www.ttartisan.com/?viewfinder%2F86.html
If the 35mm finder proves popular, perhaps they will re-release an improved version of the 21 and 28 with framelines.
I recently sold a rare metal Voigtlander 40mm finder which I was using with my Bessa II. I'm hoping the 35mm finder can take it's place to some degree, though I also have an old - and unique - Voigtlander Kontur 6x9 finder for the Bessa.
p.1 #9 · TTArtisan released a new 35mm optical viewfinder
Tariq Gibran wrote:
If the 35mm finder proves popular, perhaps they will re-release an improved version of the 21 and 28 with framelines.
I recently sold a rare metal Voigtlander 40mm finder which I was using with my Bessa II. I'm hoping the 35mm finder can take it's place to some degree, though I also have an old - and unique - Voigtlander Kontur 6x9 finder for the Bessa.
Try to track down a WEISU if you enjoy shooting 40mm. It is the smallest finder yet still very bright, though the framelines are basically the very edges of your view when looking straight to it.
Sep 07, 2025 at 12:53 PM
Steve Spencer Online • • • • • • • Upload & Sell: On
p.1 #10 · TTArtisan released a new 35mm optical viewfinder
Fred Miranda wrote:
Same here, especially since TTArtisan tends to stop making these special items. They previously released 21mm and 28mm versions without framelines, but both were discontinued after a while. https://www.ttartisan.com/?viewfinder%2F86.html
I am a bit confused by what this product is. Am I right that the small box in the middle is the frame lines for 35mm? If so, perhaps this is just the 21mm (seems more likely) or the 28mm with frame lines for 35mm added. Regardless I wonder what field of view the bigger box shown in the images would correspond to. If that bigger box were for say the field of view of a 21mm lens or a 24mm lens, I might be interested in putting it on a small body like the A7Cr with a 21mm or 24mm lens and have a good optical finder for the wider focal length while also having frame lines for cropping to a 35mm perspective.
p.1 #11 · TTArtisan released a new 35mm optical viewfinder
Steve Spencer wrote:
I am a bit confused by what this product is. Am I right that the small box in the middle is the frame lines for 35mm? If so, perhaps this is just the 21mm (seems more likely) or the 28mm with frame lines for 35mm added. Regardless I wonder what field of view the bigger box shown in the images would correspond to. If that bigger box were for say the field of view of a 21mm lens or a 24mm lens, I might be interested in putting it on a small body like the A7Cr with a 21mm or 24mm lens and have a good optical finder for the wider focal length while also having frame lines for cropping to a 35mm perspective....Show more →
The middle box seems to indicate the center of the frame, useful when focusing with the center focus point or area. The outer frame represents the 35mm line.
p.1 #12 · TTArtisan released a new 35mm optical viewfinder
Fred Miranda wrote:
Try to track down a WEISU if you enjoy shooting 40mm. It is the smallest finder yet still very bright, though the framelines are basically the very edges of your view.
Thanks, I will check it out. The nice thing about the large Voigtlander 40mm metal finder I owned was that it offered a large .81x view. The eye relief though was not so great as I recall.
Sep 07, 2025 at 12:57 PM
Steve Spencer Online • • • • • • • Upload & Sell: On
p.1 #13 · TTArtisan released a new 35mm optical viewfinder
Fred Miranda wrote:
The middle box seems to indicate the center of the frame, useful when focusing with the center focus point or area. The outer frame represents the 35mm line.
It still would be nice to know what focal length that inner box corresponds to. If it was 75mm, then I might use it in another way that would allow both a 35mm and an Xmm framing of a crop. It looks to me like it might be 70mm or 75mm framing and if it was you could use the viewfinder with a lens of that focal length or close and you could crop a 35mm lens to get that perspective.
With a Leica M10, for example, I regularly used the 75mm frame line to plan a crop of my 50 f/1.4 Asph to about a 75 f/2 perspective and I found the inner frame lines really useful for that. I wonder if you couldn't do a similar thing with this finder.
p.1 #14 · TTArtisan released a new 35mm optical viewfinder
Steve Spencer wrote:
It still would be nice to know what focal length that inner box corresponds to. If it was 75mm, then I might use it in another way that would allow both a 35mm and an Xmm framing of a crop. It looks to me like it might be 70mm or 75mm framing and if it was you could use the viewfinder with a lens of that focal length or close and you could crop a 35mm lens to get that perspective.
With a Leica M10, for example, I regularly used the 75mm frame line to plan a crop of my 50 f/1.4 Asph to about a 75 f/2 perspective and I found the inner frame lines really useful for that. I wonder if you couldn't do a similar thing with this finder....Show more →
Perhaps it's a 75mm. I don't know and it's not in the specs.
p.1 #16 · TTArtisan released a new 35mm optical viewfinder
So the WEISU finder is 35mm from what I can find? I could see this being useful for framing at 40mm's - possibly with some eye relief? - since the the frame lines are all the way at the very edges. Or, is it a must to have one's eye pressed against the finder with the WEISU?
p.1 #18 · TTArtisan released a new 35mm optical viewfinder
Tariq Gibran wrote:
So the WEISU finder is 35mm from what I can find? I could see this being useful for framing at 40mm's - possibly with some eye relief? - since the the frame lines are all the way at the very edges. Or, is it a must to have one's eye pressed against the finder with the WEISU?
If you wear glasses, skip the WEISU. The image is large and very clear but the view opening is tiny to keep it ultra compact. Looking straight through gives you about 40mm, and you only reach 35mm by pushing your eye to the edges.
I'd definitely try the TTA on your Lumix and the RX1. The price is hard to beat if the image quality holds up, and I'll let you know about that once mine arrives. My favorite is still the Voigtlander 28/35 because it's so clear, ultra-compact and gives you both 28 and 35 framelines, but the cost makes it tough to justify. I was lucky to get one as a gift and mainly use it on my M3 and GR.
I also have the Light Lens Lab 35mm viewfinder (WEISU), which is much smaller, though it lacks framelines.
