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Voigtlander System Accessories ORDER HERE
Viewfinders, Right Angle Finder, Camera Grips, Cases: Cosina/Voigtlander is quickly turning out new innovative, quality accessories for not only their own cameras, but for rangefinders in general. Compared to the stagnation in rangefinder design over the last 30 years, their innovation is breathtaking.
12, 15, 21, 25, 28, 35, 40, 50, 75, 90 Viewfinders
Left to Right: Top Row 40, 50 Silver, 50 Black, 75 Black, 75 Silver, 90 Black, 90 Silver -- Bottom Row 12, 15, 21, 25, 28 Metal Chrome, 28 Plastic, 28 Metal Black, 35 Metal Chrome, 35 Plastic, 35 Metal Black.
Generally all Voigtlander finders offer bright clear views at a fraction of the price of Leica M accessory finders. The special order Metal 12mm finder is $199. I am not alone in believing that for all practical purposes, the Voigtlander finders are just as good as their more expensive Leica M counterparts, and they are sometimes better. Six finders use the same outer plastic housing: 15, 21, 25, 28, 35, 40. Likewise the 28 and 35 metal brightline finders also share the same outer housing, while the 50 and 75 brightlines also share an outer housing. The 50, 75, and 90 are all have 1x magnification, or life size finders. The 28, 35, 50, 75, and 90 finders are of a retro style with beautiful fit and finish. They are a perfect match to many classic rangefinders.
12mm Aspherical Finder $219 Order HERE
The 12 finder is larger and better built than the other Voigtlander wide angle finders. It's all metal with a black crinkle finish with a bright sharp image but no brightline frameline. It contains aspherical elements and is difficult to manufacture, so difficult that so far Cosina has not cataloged its sale separately because they don't have spare ones. This is unfortunately, because some people have had their heavy 12mm finder fall off the camera, killing itself on concrete or rocks. So be careful with it. Like most wide angle finders, it has no manual parallax compensation. 12 VF Tech Specs: 4 elements in 4 groups, .36 magnification, -1 diopter, weight 68 grams.
15 Finder $135 Order HERE
The 15 finder has a clear, wide, bright views, but no brightline. The 15 and 25 finders are the same size, but clearly labeled, available in black only. It has glass optics and a hard to scuff outer plastic casing. Like most wide angle finders, it has no manual parallax compensation. 15 VF Tech Specs: 93% of view at 3 meters, no brightline, 4 elements in 4 groups, .38 magnification, -1 Diopter, weight 33 grams.
21 Brightline Finder $135 Order HERE
The 21 brightline finder was introduced in May 2001 with the 21/4. It has glass optics and a hard to scuff outer plastic casing. The Voigtlander 21 finder is especially interesting as an inexpensive alternative to the expensive Leica 21 brightline, Contax 21 finder, or Nikon 21 finders. Many shooters find they prefer the Voigtlander 21 finder to the Leica. Like most wide angle finders, it has no manual parallax compensation -- but it does have parallax compensation marks in the finder. The lower dotted brightlines indicate the approximate view at about 3 feet. The upper solid brightlines indicate the approximate view at infinity. 21 VF Tech Specs: .42 magnification, 5 elements in 4 groups, -1 Diopter, weight 31 grams.
25 Finder -- Two Versions $135 Order HERE
The original 25 Voigtlander finder introduced in January 1999 did not have brightlines. In January 2001 a new 25 brightline finder was introduced with the SC 25 lens for Nikon and Contax rangefinders. Over the next few months the new brightline began shipping with the 25 Leica screw mount lens. If your 25 Voigtlander finder has no brightlines, it is the older version. Both versions use glass optics and a hard to scuff outer plastic casing. Like most wide angle finders, it has no manual parallax compensation -- but it does have parallax compensation marks in the finder. The lower dotted brightlines indicate the approximate view at about 3 feet. The upper solid brightlines indicate the approximate view at infinity. 25 VF Tech Specs: 92% of view at 3 meters, no brightline, 4 elements in 4 groups, .49 magnification, -1 Diopter, weight 30 grams.
28 Plastic Brightline Finder $135 Order HERE
The 28 plastic brightline finder has glass optics and a hard to scuff outer plastic casing. Parallax correction marks are in the finder. Image is bright and clear. For all practical purposes the image is the same as the chrome Leitz brightline. The much lower cost of the Voigtlander finder makes it a best buy. Like most wide angle finders, it has no manual parallax compensation -- but it does have parallax compensation marks in the finder. The lower dotted brightlines indicate the approximate view at about 3 feet. The upper solid brightlines indicate the approximate view at infinity. 28 Plastic VF Tech Specs: 5 elements in 4 groups, .5 magnification, -1 Diopter, weight 28 grams.
28 Metal Brightline Finder -- Best Ever 28mm VF? $145 Order HERE
January 2003 saw the introduction of a new all metal 28 brightline High Point brightline finder. It is the best 28 brightline I have ever used, bar none. With its High Point design, all the corners are easily seen by a person wearing glasses. The fit and finish of the metal finder is quite high. Like most wide angle finders, it has no manual parallax compensation -- but it does have parallax compensation marks in the finder. The lower dotted brightlines indicate the approximate view at about 3 feet. The upper solid brightlines indicate the approximate view at infinity. I expect the metal 28 brightline finder to become quite popular. Not only is it the best 28 brightline in my opinion, it also looks right at home on classic cameras such as the screw mount Leicas, screw mount Leica copies, Leica M3, classic Contax, and Nikon S2. 28 Metal VF Tech Specs: 3 elements in 3 groups, .43 magnification, -1 Diopter, weight 51 grams.
35 Plastic Brightline Finder $135 Order HERE
The 35 plastic brightline finder has glass optics and a hard to scuff outer plastic casing. Parallax correction marks are in the finder. Image is bright and clear. For all practical purposes the image is the same as the chrome Leitz brightline. The much lower cost of the Voigtlander finder makes it a best buy. Like most wide angle finders, it has no manual parallax compensation -- but it does have parallax compensation marks in the finder. The lower dotted brightlines indicate the approximate view at about 3 feet. The upper solid brightlines indicate the approximate view at infinity. 35 Plastic VF Tech Specs: 4 elements in 4 groups, .68 magnification, -1 Diopter, weight 24 grams.
35 Metal Brightline Finder -- Best Ever 35mm VF? $145 Order HERE
March 2003 saw the introduction of a new all metal 35mm brightline finder with the 35/1.2. It became available June 2003. In my opinion it is the best 35mm brightline finder I have ever seen. With its High Point design, all the corners are easily seen by a person wearing glasses. The fit and finish of the metal finder is quite high. Like most wide angle finders, it has no manual parallax compensation -- but it does have parallax compensation marks in the finder. The lower dotted brightlines indicate the approximate view at about 3 feet. The upper solid brightlines indicate the approximate view at infinity. I expect the metal 35 brightline finder to become quite popular. Not only is it the best 35 brightline in my opinion, it also looks right at home on classic cameras such as the screw mount Leicas, screw mount Leica copies, Leica M3, classic Contax, and Nikon S2.
In the center is the classic chrome Leitz 35 brightline, compared to the smaller Voigtlander metal 35 brightline.
40 Brightline Finder -- unique finder $135 Order HERE
March 2002 saw the introduction of a new 40mm brightline finder. It has glass optics and a hard to scuff outer plastic casing. What is unusual about it is that Cosina makes no 40mm Leica mount lens and apparently has no plans to under the Voigtlander name. Also unusual is that this is apparently the ONLY 40mm brightline finder ever sold to the public. WHY? Simple. Mr. Kobayashi is a big fan of the 40/2 M mount lenses made for the long discontinued Leica CL and Minolta CLE. He wanted a 40mm brightline for his own use, so he put it in production! Ah yes, every kid's fantasy, to be in charge of the toy store. Like most wide angle finders, it has no manual parallax compensation -- but it does have parallax compensation marks in the finder. The lower dotted brightlines indicate the approximate view at about 3 feet. The upper solid brightlines indicate the approximate view at infinity. If you want to shoot your 40/2 M mount from your Leica CL, Minolta CL, or Minolta CLE on another M body, this is the finder for you. There is also a Rollei 40/2.8 Sonnar for the Rollei 35 RF, a Leica priced re-badged silver Bessa R2. Cosina apparently manufactures the lens barrels for the new Rollei 40/2.8 Sonnar. Doesn't everyone want to spend $1900 for a Rollei badged R2 with a 40/2.8?
50 Brightline Finder -- standard production $145 Order HERE
The 50mm Voigtlander brightline finder is beautifully made a metal body and glass optics. It shows an obvious similarity to the classic and long discontinued Leica 50mm brightline finder. With a 1x life size magnification, the 50 Voigtlander finder can be shot with both eyes open, a very convenient feature. The image is very bright and clear. It has no manual parallax compensation -- but it does have parallax compensation marks in the finder. The lower dotted brightlines indicate the approximate view at about 3 feet. The upper solid brightlines indicate the approximate view at infinity. with parallax correction marks. Metal body with glass optics, weight just over 1 oz. Brightline compensation marks in finder. 50 VF Tech Specs: 3 elements in 1 group, 1x. magnification, -0 Diopter, weight 32 grams.
50 Brightline Finder -- 101 Heliar Set version
A new style 50mm brightline finder was made just for the Bessa T 101 Heliar Anniversary set, shaped much like the 90mm brightline. It has no manual parallax compensation -- but it does have parallax compensation marks in the finder. The lower dotted brightlines indicate the approximate view at about 3 feet. The upper solid brightlines indicate the approximate view at infinity. with parallax correction marks. Unfortunately the 101 50mm finder does not have the ample eye relief of the standard production 50mm brightline. Many shooters prefer the standard production Voigtlander 50mm brightline to this finder.
75 Brightline Finder $135 Order HERE
The metal 75 Voigtlander brightline is available in either black or chrome. It is the same size as the standard 50 brightline, they share the same outer housing. With a 1x life size magnification, the 75 Voigtlander finder can be shot with both eyes open, a very convenient feature. It is of metal construction with excellent fit and finish. The 75 finder has no manual parallax compensation -- but it does have parallax compensation marks in the finder. The lower dotted brightlines indicate the approximate view at about 3 feet. The upper solid brightlines indicate the approximate view at infinity. with parallax correction marks. 75 VF Tech Specs: 3 elements in 1 group, 1x. magnification, -0 Diopter, weight 32 grams.
90 Brightline Finder $145 Order HERE
The 90 brightline was introduced in Feb 2001 with the 90/3.5 APO Lanthar. With a 1x life size magnification, the 90 Voigtlander finder can be shot with both eyes open, a very convenient feature. Available in either black or chrome, the 90 is the 1st Cosina Voigtlander brightline to have dial in parallax compensation. Predictably the image is very bright and clear. It is of metal construction with excellent fit and finish. 90 VF Tech Specs: 3 elements in 1 group, 1x. magnification, -0 Diopter, weight 60 grams, manually adjustable parallax compensation from 1 meter to infinity.
Double Accessory Shoe $45 Order HERE
Like many of the Voigtlander accessories, these are quite unusual. There are 3 different shoes, Types A, B, or C (right to left above). They do NOT have hot shoes. These allow you to double up on the accessories of your choice, such as a finder and a VC meter, a VC meter and the angle finder, a VC meter and a flash, a regular finder and an angle finder (shown below), a wide finder and the low angle finder, or a wide finder and the bubble spirit finder. The double accessory shoe is not quite wide enough to mount two wide angle finders side by side, but it is wide enough to mount a wide angle finder alongside the 50, 75, or 90 finders. NOT suggested is using the double accessory shoe to mount a flash. #1 the Flash will likely be too wide to allow you to mount anything else in the other accessory shoe. #2 mounting a flash in the outermost accessory shoe will likely put too much leveraged strain on ANY flash shoe. #3 this is NOT a hot shoe -- it is NOT intended to take a flash !
All three accessory shoe adapters have the same length and width -- the only difference is the height of the mounting shoe. The bottom of the mounted shoes are coated in plastic, so they won't scratch the top of your camera. IF you have a mixture of cameras and want to save a few bucks on Double Accessory shoes, the Type C will fit on practically all 35mm cameras. The disadvantage of this solution is that the higher finder height will also in increased parallax at closer focus distances.
Type A is for relatively flat topped cameras like the Bessa R, R2, R2S, R2C, Leica screw mounts and the Leica M's, having a mount height of 4 mm.
Type B has a mount height of 7 mm, works with the Bessa T, Nikon SP, Contax II or IIa.
Type C has a mount height of 10 mm and fits the Bessa L.
Which double shoe fits your camera? Measure your camera and find out. Each double acc shoe is 51 mm long by 20 mm wide. The A shoe raises the accessory shoe 3mm, the B shoe 7 mm, the C shoe 10 mm. You want to make sure the double acc shoe will extend over rewind controls, while not covering the advance and shutter release.
If you were the kid who liked to build the biggest Tonka Toy set, you might be tempted to combine double accessory shoes piggy back style -- but I don't suggest it. Eventually the weight of 300 finders and flash units will tear the top off your camera.
Cases: Lens and camera cases: Cases are NOT included with Cosina Voigtlander lenses, or cameras. Wide angle lens cases have two foam lined compartments. The top section is for the finder, the bottom section for the lens. The VL-1 case will fit the 15/4.5, 21/4, 25/4, 28/3.5, 35/2.5C, 50/3.5, and 50/2.5. The larger VL-2 case will fit the 12/5.6 and the SC wides for Nikon and Contax rangefinders. You can choose any color case you want, so long as it is black. They are made of a plastic leatherette. Custom leather cases can be found, often for more than you paid for the camera. In my opinion the cases work best with the tops detached to allow easy access to picture taking, with only the bottom of the case left on to protect the camera.
The bottom half of the Bessa cases are identical, and interchangeable between the various models. The camera case attaches to the camera with clasps which fit over the camera's lug straps. The case itself has neither a tripod socket or carrying straps. None of the present Bessa camera cases fit over the various grips, or the winder.
Who Would Have Believed It?
Strangely enough, the Bessa L cases will just barely accommodate the Leica M6, at a fraction of the cost of a new M6 case !!! It is a tight fit, and the slightly larger M6 buckles the case a bit, but some shooters may find that easy to tolerate considering the ample difference in case prices.
Low Angle Finder
Low Angle Body $135, 12mm Attachment $65, 15, 21, 25mm Attachments $55, Order HERE
The Low Angle Finder is the first of its kind in 35mm Rangefinder history. It allows either low angle horizontal sighting of super wides, has interchangeable lenses for 15, 21, and 25 lenses, AND rotates for low level verticals ! While made for the Bessa, it should be adaptable to practically any 35mm rangefinder camera, even those coming from Germany with a name starting with L and ending in A !! Once again, Voigtlander has beat Leica at its own game, introducing an innovative product that Leica should have made decades ago. While the 35mm Low Angle Finder is readily available, the Hasselblad SWC version is discontinued and very hard to find. The Low Angle Finder was introduced in March 2000 at the Tokyo Camera Show.
Cosina's innovation continues to amaze me. This is a new product, the likes of which no other rangefinder manufacturer has EVER produced. In essence, it's a waist level finder for low level rangefinder shots, with attachments for the 15, 21, and 25 lenses. The new 12 has a low angle attachment announced for it, but as of 6/1/01 it has not yet been released. The rear eyepiece has a built in diopter for clear viewing, and ROTATES for even more versatility. The view is NOT reversed left to right. It's a VERY bright clear view, without brightline, with parallax compensation marks. Amazingly, either way you turn the finder to the right or left, the parallax compensation marks flip to the proper orientation. With a dual setup like the one shown above, you can either have each finder for the same focal length, or have them different focal lengths, to switch back and forth between lenses without having to change finders each time.
Yikes, talk about a multi-use finder ! Swung to the side as on the far left, your body can face one direction while you take a photograph in another direction -- it's also good to use around corners in the proverbial fire fight documentary. With the finder swung upward, you can get either VERY low angles like you never got before with composed rangefinder shots, or turn it over your head to get a little bit higher than the crown. With the finder swung to the side and the camera vertical, you get low angle verticals or above the crowd verticals !
the low angle finder with 15, 21, and 25 lens attachments, and a 25 brightline finder for size comparison
Bottom Line ? if you are a serious rangefinder photog, you owe it to yourself to get the low angle finder, providing you shoot the wide angle lenses it is designed for. You will find yourself getting new shots that before were difficult if not impossible. Some will complain about the cost, but look again. You can get the angle finder and all three attachments for about the same price as a single wide angle Leica finder, or three separate focal length Voigtlander finders.
Bessa Side Grip $40, Grip A or B $35 Order HERE
Left to right: Side Grip, Grip A, Grip B.
A new series of innovative Bessa camera grips were introduced in March 2000. Though they are designed for the Bessa, it is obvious the A and B grip will work with many cameras.
Either A or B grips can be comfortably used easily with most any smaller camera with a center mounted tripod socket. Strangely enough, I tried it with my M6 and it works too, though it take a bit of getting used to. Another option is using Grip B on the Trigger Winder -- Canon used a similar device on their rangefinder trigger winders decades ago.
The side grip is very comfortable, and has hidden benefits.
a more comfortable grip
the grip's extra strap lug changes the balance of the camera, so that a horizontally strapped camera will hang closer to the body, by mounting one end of the strap on the camera, the other end of the strap on the side grip.
protection for the camera's bottom plate
the single strap lug is large enough to use a single anchor point and carry the camera vertically!
the larger base allows the camera to sit upright with most of the 50 and smaller lenses
fits ALL Cosina Voigtlander Bessas
September 2000 saw the introduction of the "Spirit Level" with the ultra wide 12/5.6 Heliar. While introduced with the 12mm, this bubble level can be used with practically any lens, whether mounted in the accessory shoe of your SLR or on your Rangefinder, side by side your wide angle finder on the double accessory shoe as shown in the picture above. Designed with maximum versatility in mind, this ingenious level is usable not only with other 15, 25, 28, and 35 Voigtlander wides, but also with other makes of rangefinder cameras and lenses, such as those popular in Wetzlar and Solms.
12/5.6 mounted on a Leica M3, with the 77mm filter adapter, spirit bubble level, and double accessory shoe.
The "sprit level" is a unique bubble level, marvelously designed to be better than any other 35mm bubble level ever made. It's stoutly made of metal with a black crinkle finish, offering both direct and optical leveling. Notice the bubble is easily visible from all four sides, allowing the photog to level the camera quickly. Amazingly, the best vision of the bubble is though the rear eyepiece, designed so that the shooter can look though the 12mm finder and the bubble level SIMULTANEOUSLY. The fixed mount of the bubble level is angled towards the presumed side by side wide angle finder for the photog's convenience. Geez, it's amazing what can happen when the chief designer (Cosina's President Mr. Kobayashi) is an experienced photog.
Deluxe Voigtlander Camera Strap $25 Order Here
This is a very nice fixed length camera strap, available in either black or olive. Personally, I prefer the look of the olive strap because it is more unusual. The Voigtlander Deluxe Strap is constructed of high strength 3/4" rope fabric. It is has leather reinforcements on the strap ends, and leather inserts to protect camera body from strap rings. "Voigtlander Germany Since 1786" is inscribed on the leather insert. The middle of the strap is also reinforced for your neck. The fixed strap length is 35." I find it an excellent strap for most classic cameras, of any make.
My Favorite Voigtlander Accessories
My own favorite Voigtlander accessories in terms of the most often used, are the side grip, MiniSoftRelease, and the deluxe Voigtlander camera strap. Each of my personal Bessa R2, R2S, and R2C are so equipped. The Voigtlander finders offer great value for the money. The metal 28 and 35 brightlines are the best ever made by any 35mm camera manufacturer as far as I am concerned. The double accessory shoe with a VC meter and the appropriate finder for your lens offer versatility for older non metered cameras that simply has never been available before. The low angle finder is in a class by itself, a unique great finder if low angle RF shots are your cup of tea.
Damn, I love to see intelligently designed accessories that make picture taking easier.
Revised: February 10, 2004 . Copyright © 2003 Stephen Gandy. All rights reserved. This means you may NOT copy and re-use the text or the pictures in ANY other internet or printed publication of ANY kind. Information in this document is subject to change without notice. Other products and companies referred to herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies or mark holders.
