[LargeFormat] Linhof Universal viewfinders

[Clive Warren]

At 4:24 pm +0000 7/12/01, LargeFormat@davidmorton.org wrote:
>I want to put a viewfinder on my Wista VX, and from their descriptions the
>Linhof universal finders look promising.
>
>However I was wondering if they have an adjustment to switch between
>portrait and lanscape mode (to go with a rotating back)?
>
>I understand they use interchangeable masks to set the field of view, are
>these readily available (or alternatively easy to make or have made)?

They are very useful devices when you have the luxury of a number of 
lenses and want to quickly check for composition from your particular 
vantage point.

The adjustment is very easy - you simply rotate the front bezel to 
give portrait/landscape formats.

The interchangeable masks are intended for use with film formats 
other than say 5x7 or 4x5 for which some of the viewfinders are 
marked up as focal lengths along the sides of the extending part. The 
masks slot over the front business end of the viewfinder.The 
viewfinders changed a little during the years they were being 
manufactured so you will find that some masks will fit only certain 
models.

There is also a rather nifty adjusting knob at the eyepiece end for 
parallax correction that has a marked distance scale.

When scouting locations I often carry one of these viewfinders around 
with me to determine appropriate vantage points and which lens will 
work.

As it happens I have several of these Linhof Universal gizmos and 
could probably be persuaded to part with one either for some fiscal 
consideration or an exchange for a piece of kit.  Contact me off the 
list if you are interested.

If I get really keen later on some photos of viewfinders may appear 
on the f32.net Discussion Forum. Encouragement always helps ;-)

Hope this answers some of your questions.

Cheers,
        Clive


-- 
All the best,

               Clive     http://www.f32.net