907x optical viewfinder

[mristuccia]

I’m curious if this viewfinder actually serves any practical purpose beyond enhancing the steam-punk aesthetic of the 907x.
Specifically, I’m puzzled about how one can use it without any indication of the focus point’s position or confirmation of focus.
Has anyone had any real-world experience with this? Is it worth investing in?

 

[glaiben]

I bought it when I had the 907X-50, but could never find a use case. Sold it when I switched to the 100c.

 

[Pieter 12]

I’m curious if this viewfinder actually serves any practical purpose beyond enhancing the steam-punk aesthetic of the 907x.
Specifically, I’m puzzled about how one can use it without any indication of the focus point’s position or confirmation of focus.
Has anyone had any real-world experience with this? Is it worth investing in?

I would think that it would be useful for street photography, relying on the AF face-recognition. Or old-school zone focusing.

 

[jotloob]

I got this device for my 907x 50c . I must admit , it looks very nice . Very much like my 905SWC .
But it is an absolutely useless device .
The image frames for the 21 , 30 and 45 mm lens can hardly be seen , and as MARCO says : " I’m puzzled about how one can use it without any indication of the focus point’s position or confirmation of focus."
Therefore I do say : it is a waste of money .

 

[anyone]

I was thinking about that item before as a 100% swc replacement. It does have still a certain appeal to not use any display, but the lack of a distance scale on the lenses makes it somewhat impossible to properly zone focus. If I happen to see one really cheap I might go for it, but otherwise not.

 

[wattsy]

I haven't got the optical viewfinder but I imagine it would help using the camera handheld with the focus point set to the centre of the frame (like you have with a rangefinder). You can then AF focus and recompose (with all the inherent inaccuracy that entails – depending upon the focal length and aperture set) much like most people do with a rangefinder camera or the whole host of cameras that existed before the advent of multi-focus points and/or mirrorless zoom-to-focus aids, etc.

 

[mristuccia]

Thank you for your feedbacks, which confirmed what I was thinking.

Since it is in any case a very inaccurate way to take photographs, I'm considering trying the experience by getting one of this first:



This is much cheaper, and still stylish enough to fit the 907x without ruining the whole aesthetics I believe (the eye wants its share ).
It has an FOV of a 35mm in FF, which should correspond more or less to the FOV of my XCD 45p, although in 3:2 rather than 4:3, but as far as I see in the ads there is a bit of room beyond the marked 35mm frame that I can use to better figure out the 4:3 FOV.

 

[anyone]

One thing to consider is that the hot shoe in the CFV100c 907x combination is on the digital back side, while the viewfinder seems to sit on the 907x.

 

[mristuccia]

One thing to consider is that the hot shoe in the CFV100c 907x combination is on the digital back side, while the viewfinder seems to sit on the 907x.

True. But I don’t believe it will have any practical impact since there is no electrical communication in any case. Will let you know in case I try.

 

[anyone]

For me it was just a bit annoying to take the hot shoe off from the digital back, that’s why I noted the difference.

 

[mristuccia]

For me it was just a bit annoying to take the hot shoe off from the digital back, that’s why I noted the difference.

I hear you, but I always use to keep my 907x separated from any camera and stored in the techical-camera bag.
So, it is easier for me to insert the flash barcket + viewfinder on it before attaching the 907x.

 

[Godfrey]

I have the 21/30/45 finder for the 907x/CFVII 50c as well as the Hasselblad smart grip. I use them both primarily with the XCD 21mm f/4 lens, in much the same way that I use my SWC ... I set the lens to manual focus, set the distance on the LCD for the zone I want to work with for the aperture I'm going to use, shut the LCD off, and go shooting. The biggest difference is that the XCD lenses have no DOF markings the way the SWC/M's Biogon 38/4.5 does, so you have to create a cheat sheet to guide you in choosing the correct aperture for your intended focus zone.

I personally have no difficulty seeing the frame lines, and I consider them as accurate as the SWC/M's viewfinder (it's only about 85% coverage on 6x6 film) ... I learned the actual framing on film many, many years ago. And learned the 21mm framing on 33x44 format very quickly as well. I do find using the optical finder pretty awkward without the grip as it is hard to hold the tiny, boxy 907x at eye level and release the shutter smoothly without an eye-level oriented grip.*

If you're used to using scale/zone focus cameras (that's what I grew up with), this way of working is very natural. If you're used to always having TTL viewing or a coupled range/viewfinder shooting experience, it makes for less instant comfort and natural confidence.

*Note: for lenses longer than the 21mm, I prefer to use the LCD for focusing and framing, and like holding the camera near waist level. For this reason I constructed a suitable waist-level oriented left-side grip using an L-bracket, a grip, and a couple of other little bits:

​

enjoy, G

 

[jotloob]

Thank you for your feedbacks, which confirmed what I was thinking.

Since it is in any case a very inaccurate way to take photographs, I'm considering trying the experience by getting one of this first:

View attachment 226462

This is much cheaper, and still stylish enough to fit the 907x without ruining the whole aesthetics I believe (the eye wants its share ).
It has an FOV of a 35mm in FF, which should correspond more or less to the FOV of my XCD 45p, although in 3:2 rather than 4:3, but as far as I see in the ads there is a bit of room beyond the marked 35mm frame that I can use to better figure out the 4:3 FOV.

Marco
Do you already have the TTartisan 35mm OVF ???
If so , could you send an image of the 907x with the TTartisan VF mounted ???????

 

[Godfrey]

BTW: I forgot to mention that when using the Hasselblad optical viewfinder, set the AF sensing indicator to the center of the LCD and then the cross-hairs in the center of the optical finder are aligned with that. So you can actually leave the camera in AF mode and target your specific critical focus point. It's not as precise as looking at the LCD, but it's certainly usable.

G

 

[mristuccia]

BTW: I forgot to mention that when using the Hasselblad optical viewfinder, set the AF sensing indicator to the center of the LCD and then the cross-hairs in the center of the optical finder are aligned with that. So you can actually leave the camera in AF mode and target your specific critical focus point. It's not as precise as looking at the LCD, but it's certainly usable.

G

Additionally, I'd select the bigger square focus point in this case.

 

[mristuccia]

Marco
Do you already have the TTartisan 35mm OVF ???
If so , could you send an image of the 907x with the TTartisan VF mounted ???????

I've ordered it, it should arrive tomorrow. I'll post some images here as soon as I receive it.
Unfortunately, it does not have a center cross mark, so focus accuracy is even more compromised, although by selecting the bigger square focus point on the camera one can mentally determine where the center square is.

 

[Godfrey]

Additionally, I'd select the bigger square focus point in this case.

LOL! I've had it set on "Large" for so long I'd forgotten I could change it!

G

 

[mristuccia]

Yesterday the TTArtisan Optical Viewfinder arrived.
I think it fits relative good. The internal 35mm frame marks are not that much visible, they are opaque white.
Will try it in the field and report back.

Some quick iPhone shots, as promised:

 

[jotloob]

Hello Marco
Thank you very much for your images and report .
It looks rather nice . So ….. I will order that finder still today .

 

[mristuccia]

Hello Marco
Thank you very much for your images and report .
It looks rather nice . So ….. I will order that finder still today .

You're welcome.

Yes, it fits well. When using it, my nose goes between it and the CFV-100c body. The cheek/mouth touches the display.

Please be aware that this is intended for FF 3:2 sensors (24x36mm), the frame marks are not that visible and it's a 3:2 frame for a 35mm lens on a FF camera, which more or less corresponds to the 45p's view on the CFV-100c. So, you should imagine the real scene crop to be photographed as extending above and below the marked frame to reach a 4:3 proportion. A bit of imagination when framing is required .

Moreover, it does not have a center cross mark.

Another hint, my one fits very tight. Be careful when extracting the viewfinder from the hot shoe, I have the feeling that the the bracket connecting the foot to the barrel is a bit weak, it could bend and come loose from the barrel. So, just push/pull from the foot or the bracket rather than from the barrel.

It is what it is.