Hacking a 35mm viewfinder out of a Canon AF7 – Guest post by Frank Lehnen

Terry B replied:

Comment posted: 30/07/2016

Frank, I know that they won't be as cheap, but have you ever thought of, or tried, a Voigtlander Kontur finder? I use one on my IIIf with 50mm Summicron. I like the 1:1 viewing with both eyes open, and no flare that can occur with a full optical v/f. The unit for 35mm cameras is fixed for 50mm lenses, but the inscription on it can be misleading. They made models for 6x9, 6x6 and 35mm cameras. When acquiring mine I thought I was getting an equivalent 35mm v/f as the inscription says 24x36 35mm. However, this is for the 35mm format (with 50mm) to distinguish it from the same aspect ration, 6x9 unit, intended for roll film cameras. After my initial disappointment in finding that it didn't have a 35mm FoV, I came to love it.

Frank Lehnen replied:

Comment posted: 30/07/2016

Seen them and I must say it'a an interesting concept. Never was able to test one though. But there's one on eBay up for grabs, ending soon with a moderate entry price. I might try it though it looks a bit battered. On the pictures, the framelines etched into the front look bright on the upper quarter and a bit faded for the lower part. Do you think that might make it unusable?

Terry B replied:

Comment posted: 30/07/2016

Frank, if there is still time, can you copy and paste the ebay URL here and I'll have a look.

Frank Lehnen replied:

Comment posted: 30/07/2016

Hi Terry, I got my Kontur today and a s you said though the casing is in a bad shape, the 'optics' are clear. BUT it's going to take some time for me to adapt to this system. Got to kill some instincts such as to close my left eye when photographing, Then rewiring my brain to accept that the magic framelines are really there.... Apart from that, I understand that the system is great... if you can adapt to it. That remains to be seen. Anyways, I'm preparing a post on my site... or here at 35mmc comparing different finders for my IIIa.

Terry B replied:

Comment posted: 30/07/2016

Hi, Frank. Good to learn that you were successful in your bidding, and that despite the cosmetic condition, the finder is fine optically. As you say, in use it is somewhat counter-intuitive to keep both eyes open. Compared the the finder on a Leica III series the Kontur must seem enormous, but persevere. It won't take long to get used to it. One advantage that isn't mentioned is how suitable it is for users, like me, who have slightly differing prescriptions for each eye. One can easily swap over, especially useful for any camera with a dioptre adjustment. I've added another Kontur, this time for 6x6. This came yesterday and will be a great addition to use with some 6x6 folders that have either frame finders or tiny optical finders.

Frank Lehnen replied:

Comment posted: 30/07/2016

One thing is that the Kontur does not sit firmly in the flash shoe. It slides out when I tilt the camera. Got to ad some rubber pad on the base I think. I'll persevere with it and keep you posted...

Frank Lehnen replied:

Comment posted: 30/07/2016

Saw that one too. Here's the one I told you about: http://www.ebay.de/itm/351788150377?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

Terry B replied:

Comment posted: 30/07/2016

Frank, much better cosmetically. ebay UK didn't list this from international sellers, although they did have some. I do use ebay.de so this is a good lesson that I should go into ebay.de as well. Since you asked, I've gone and got mine to check on the frame lines question. I think this German listing is fine. The seller has posted two frontal images and you will note that the brighter part of the upper frame line moves from left to right. This is caused by light entering the rear eyepiece and the different position of the Kontur relative to the incoming light. The diameter of the eyepiece is huge relative to normal v/f's being 21mm in diameter. I can replicate the effect by simply moving my Kontur and angling it relative to a window and viewing the change in the highlighted part of the frames from the front. Good luck with your bidding.

Frank Lehnen replied:

Comment posted: 30/07/2016

Yep, thanks for reassuring me here... I'll try my hand at this one tomorrow night.

Frank Lehnen replied:

Comment posted: 30/07/2016

Yeah, I hesitated to kill it at first, but then again, I couldn't have sold it (too much hassle for some measly €€). Could have donated it... sure. But the finder tempted me, so off to the chopping block. I am generally averse to noisy cameras... anything with a motor kills the fun for me. Even the rather loud 'click' of my Lomo offends me. The nice solid 'clack' of the Leica is OK.

Frank Lehnen replied:

Comment posted: 30/07/2016

Nice idea, gotta think about the 3D printer...

Frank Lehnen replied:

Comment posted: 30/07/2016

Watch the flash condenser! The force is strong in him!

Frank Lehnen replied:

Comment posted: 30/07/2016

I'm not specially in love with electricians tape (I like duct tape a lot better), but that Goossens shoe would be a nice idea, though more expensive than the Canon AF7 AND the electricians tape ;-)

Frank Lehnen replied:

Comment posted: 30/07/2016

A peephole finder! GREAT!! Well as for accuracy, first it's a 35mm finder and I have only fifties.... so I'll have to guesstimate 'a bit'. Then again, as I don't have a definite way of mounting it yet, missing a hotshot and some precise measurements, I just stuck it down with tape.... so much for accuracy. and we'll not even talk about parallax. But photography is not about accuracy, it's about creativity... yes, please say yes!!!!

Frank Lehnen replied:

Comment posted: 31/07/2016

Hey, that's a great offer. I'll send you the dimensions! Photographers are great people!?

Frank Lehnen replied:

Comment posted: 31/07/2016

Ahem, Raymond, the mail address you gave is rejected..... here are the measurements: Width - 27mm Height - 21mm Length - 28mm I measured at the lens side, the eyepiece side being a bit smaller but this can be adapted with the putty I guess. I can always refine a bit by sanding down the small remaining protrusions. Thanks a lot and let me know how it’s working out!

yeer31 replied:

Comment posted: 31/07/2016

No problems. Let me have your email address, I'll need to get your home address to send it on and I'd rather you did not post it on a public forum. Cheers.

Mike B replied:

Comment posted: 31/07/2016

If you do cook up a 3D printed housing for the finder, would you mind sharing your file? I have access to a 3D printer and would love to print one for myself!

yeer31 replied:

Comment posted: 31/07/2016

Hi Mike, I'll be putting it on my site - www.lostlenscaps.com as always. Small plug - my site is to do with 3D Printing and Photography. Have a look, I aggregate photography related 3D models from the various sites along with the stuff I do myself. I'm sure there will be stuff you would like to print once you get your printer. Cheers.

Frank Lehnen replied:

Comment posted: 31/07/2016

Hey, yours looks great! What I wanted was a finder that's easy to use with glasses! Hence the 'monstrous' size

Hamish Gill replied:

Comment posted: 31/07/2016

You're going to have to do me a write up about the process of making that now... Shot yourself in the foot posting that link didn't you ;) ;)

Eddy replied:

Comment posted: 31/07/2016

:) will do Hamish.

Frank Lehnen replied:

Comment posted: 02/08/2016

You're very welcome!!

Frank Lehnen replied:

Comment posted: 18/08/2016

I guess we can soon found a viewfinder-hacker-collective! I didn't know about the Canon B adapter. That's interresting as I have a bunch of FD glass!