Cambo Viewfinders

[Vivseries1]

I own a Cambo WRS 1600 and while I most often use live view on my digital back to compose and focus, I would occasionally like to use an optical viewfinder. I know there are other options, like using an phone app, but I prefer optical viewfinders. I also know the WRS-1080 is discontinued but it is possible to find them used. I have not been able to find any reviews of the WRS-1080 other than one post on another forum by someone who said he had a WDS-580, which he said was probably the same optically as the WRS-1080, and that he thought the WDS-580 was the worst viewfinder he had ever used. Does anyone have any experience with the Cambo viewfinders? Thanks

 

[f8orbust]

Yup, I'll second that - the WRS-1080 WRS-580 made my eye water (literally) when I used it, it was that bad - IIWY I'd try and find a Linhof or Alpa viewfinder and adapt it to mount on your Cambo.

 

[Vivseries1]

Thanks for your response and I now see that you had provided the the earlier opinion I had seen about the WDS-580 (and actually it was on this forum). Is there anyone who has used the WRS-1080 viewfinder and could share thoughts on it?

 

[Jacob Buchowski]

I use mine from time to time with various masks depending on the lens I’m using. It works. It’s not perfect, but it’s straight forward. I haven’t used any other optical viewfinders for this application (ie, Alpa or Linhof) so I can’t compare the quality to those others. I’ve been eyeing the Linhof version to try something different and more high-tech.

 

[f8orbust]

Thanks for your response and I now see that you had provided the the earlier opinion I had seen about the WDS-580 (and actually it was on this forum). Is there anyone who has used the WRS-1080 viewfinder and could share thoughts on it?

Oh yes, my bad - I meant the 580 - didn't know there was a second viewfinder so take my comment with a pinch of salt, the 1080 may well be a different beast altogether.

 

[Jonathan S.]

I use the 1080. It works fine I guess. I also use the iphone holder and it works well too. After using Cambo for a while now I mostly use the 1080 as it is faster. I am thinking to buy this Arca viewfinder if I can find a way to mount it on my Cambo— https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/980654-REG/arca_swiss_161008_vario_finder_2_for.html
The 1080 is discontinued now. I saw this one for sale last week, maybe it is still available... https://forum.luminous-landscape.com/index.php?topic=138161.0
In any case the 1080 is fine, it works but if I can find a way to use the Arca Swiss Vario finder I will. It looks fantastic.

 

[f8orbust]

I've never used the A/S finder but always thought that it looked like a great solution to the viewfinder problem, and optically it's reputed to be top notch. Another great design by the late Martin Vogt I suspect.