[LargeFormat] Linhof Universal viewfinders

[Clive Warren]

At 11:13 am +0000 8/12/01, Amos Peek wrote:
>As a novice to LF  and having a very limited budget, I thought that 
>irespective of format 5X4 5X7 and 10X8 the actual coverage or rather 
>field of view for say a 150mm on 5X4 was the same as a 300mm on a 
>10X8 and jumping back to 35mm, say using a leitz universal finder, 
>cost about =A350, the 35 setting for a 90mm on 5X4 the 50 for 150 ect 
>You will have to mask the long edge of the frame, I have found it 
>works well. The Linhof Universal seems to cost at least =A3200, the 
>cost of my 150mm
>
>Congrats on a most informative news letter, spare a thought for the 
>poor or thoughs whos wives have control of the money.

Yes you're right about the field of view issue - some Linhof 
viewfinders are marked for 5x7 and 4x5 so that you don't have to tax 
your brain too much. Leitz, now there's a good suggestion! Amos, 
those 1950's Leitz viewfinders are an option but I thought that most 
were for individual focal lengths. Does your  Leitz viewfinder have 
have frames in the viewfinder for a few different focal lengths? - 
that's what I seem to remember. If you can find one that can be 
adjusted for different focal lengths for =A350 then please let me know 
as it would be ideal for a 6x17cm project that is sitting in the 
wings. I was thinking about using a 90mm viewfinder and masking the 
front element for use with a 90mm Super Angulon. There is a dial 
around the body of the Leitz for parallax adjustment but that is 
about it as far as I recall.

The Linhof Universals are very expensive, however they are very well 
made and do the job they are intended for extremely well. I guess you 
get what you pay for.....

There is always the option of using a much cheaper frame viewfinder - 
some even have parallax adjustments. The Koni-Omega 6x7 framed 
viewfinder is an option here and the format is closer to 4x5. Somehow 
the magic of glass wins every time for me.

As for the money, it's always a dilemma with LF photography, lenses 
or food ;-) At least in the US the film is about half the price it is 
here in the UK!

Cheers,
        Clive