Which external viewfinders work best for 21mm Leica lenses?

Question

Hey everyone! I finally pulled the trigger on a 21mm Super-Angulon for my M6, and man, I am absolutely loving the perspective this lens offers. However, as many of you know, the built-in framelines on the M6 only go out to 28mm, so I’ve been basically "guestimating" my compositions. It’s been okay for landscapes, but I’m missing the mark on closer subjects and losing the precision I love about the Leica system.

I’ve been doing some research, but I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed by the options. The vintage Leica 12002 metal finders look amazing and match the camera perfectly, but they are getting pretty expensive. On the other hand, I’ve heard the Voigtländer 21mm metal finders are actually brighter and more compact, which is tempting. I also came across some mentions of the Zeiss 21mm finder, which people claim has less distortion, but it looks a bit bulky on the top plate.

I’m really looking for something that is bright, easy to see in low light, and has clear marks for parallax correction. I’m worried about some of the plastic versions feeling flimsy or being prone to scratching. For those of you who shoot wide on a regular basis, which 21mm external finder do you think offers the best balance of build quality and optical clarity?

MidnightPrism · Accepted Answer

Sooo when I first started, I tried guestimating and totally RUINED a whole roll of travel shots haha!! I learned fast that a finder is basically mandatory. Here's what I recommend: • Ricoh GV-1 External Viewfinder - Super bright and surprisingly cheap!!
• Voigtlander 21mm Plastic Viewfinder - Honestly, is the metal version really worth the extra cash? Maybe I'm just lucky, but the plastic ones seem fine? Just get something bright!! peace

EtherealVortex · Answer

Sooo, for your situation, i think you should compare these for reliability: 1. Leica 21mm Viewfinder 12002: Metal and indestructible but expensive. Best for pure durability.
2. Zeiss 21mm ZM Viewfinder: Better optics and sits more securely in the shoe so you wont lose it. The Zeiss is probably the best choice for low light safety. Those plastic finders mentioned earlier just dont last as long. gl!

pnwxflylgl · Answer

oh man, congrats on the Super-Angulon! seriously, thats such a cool lens. i've been shooting wide on M mounts for a few years now, and honestly, i totally get the struggle with those M6 framelines. i tried to guestimate for a while too but it basically never worked for me when subjects were close lol. so basically, i've tried a few options. i started with a cheap plastic one but it felt so flimsy. in my experience, the Voigtlander 21mm Metal Viewfinder is probably ur best bet. its super bright and actually really compact compared to the others. plus, the metal build feels much better on an M6. idk if u mind the size, but the Zeiss 21mm ZM Viewfinder has the best glass imo. its reallyyy clear in low light, tho it sits pretty high on the plate. honestly? i would just grab the Voigtlander and spend the extra cash on film. do u think the bulk of the Zeiss would bother u? anyway... hope that helps! gl!