Pentax Q viewfinder

Just seen that the Pentax O-VF1 External Viewfinder is currently £99.95 at Jessops.

That's getting a bit more of a reasonable price

Matt

Forgive me but I had another camera that used an external VF very much like the Pentax one and I found that while it was a 'good idea' and allowed me to shoot in a more familiar way it made the camera awkward to carry and a lot bigger. I was always a little aware that the VF got biffed and bumped and given the cost this was a 'bad idea'. I found a better solution to the problem.

Using the viewfinder might be good for those who long for a traditional rangefinder with external viewfinder.

That is indeed a good price, thanks Matt.

Problem is, it only matches the fov of the 8.5mm lens.

I looked at these at SRS at their Open Day. Even the Pentax guy looked embarrassed when I asked him about it given limited usage and price.

This could be the best.

http://flic.kr/ps/X3MRk

If you already own a saw the price is really competetive!!!

Pat

I am trying the finder from first camera, a Corefield Periflex. It was designed for film with a 50mm lens and so far seems to work with the 8.5mm prime.

[IMG]http://i679.photobucket.com/albums/vv154/bforbes/IMGP0487.jpg[/IMG]

That looks great Barrie. Nice bit of bling for your Q!

That's very much like a traditional Leica street photographer's camera now. It could be used in the same way, with the added bonus of auto exposure and auto focusing.

And so I talked muyself into the Pentax viewfinder, from Jessops in York yesterday and under £50.00
[IMG]http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff250/johnriley1uk/027QViewfinder.jpg[/IMG]
What a beautiful gem of engineering it is, a lovely 3 element Albada viewfinder with suspended bright lines. This is absolutely as good as the best Voigtlander finder, and in the past they have made some superb viewfinders.

It turns the Q, as expected, into a very viable eye-level camera.

I went for the Jessops deal as well. It's amazing the difference between my old viewfinder and the new one, which is so bright and clear.

Barrie, I thought I remember you saying a couple of months ago you couldn't see a reason to buy a Q. Have you buckled?

I blame it on Tesco Clubcard and Jessops

Is it right that the O-VF1 viewfinder only works with the 8.5mm prime lens? It wouldn't be any good for the 5-15mm then if I got the twin lens kit?

Correct

It's just a fixed viewfinder.