In my experience, dont waste time with bulky VIOOH torpedoes.

• Voigtlander 35mm Metal Bright Line Viewfinder
• Canon 35mm Brightline Finder The Voigtlander glass is way brighter for fast street framing.

Honestly, welcome to the Summaron club! That lens is absolutely amazing and the rendering you get is just fantastic... it's got such a specific character that modern glass misses. I remember when I first slapped one on my IIIa years back and felt like a total pro until I realized I was basically blind without a finder lol. Since you're looking to save some cash for your Chicago trip, I really have to mention the TTArtisan 35mm Optical Viewfinder. I picked one up last summer when I was shooting a festival because I was terrified of losing an expensive one in the crowds. For like 50 bucks, the clarity is honestly shocking and it feels way sturdier than it has any right to. Another fantastic little secret is hunting for a Walz 35mm Wide Angle Finder on the auction sites. I found one for 30 bucks a while back and while it's not as bright as the modern stuff, it has that cool vintage aesthetic that matches the Summaron perfectly. I used that setup for a whole month while backpacking and it held up through everything. It's so much better than squinting through the built-in one! You're gonna have such a blast in Chicago... the light hitting those skyscrapers is a dream for 35mm street work. Definitely save that extra money for more film or some decent pizza while you're there! If you need any more tips on where to look for deals, just let me know.

Just found this thread. I once used the Olympus VF-1 35mm Optical Viewfinder for a street project. It is technically a digital accessory but fits the IIIc and costs maybe 50 bucks. It has 0.5x magnification and multi-coated glass, tho no parallax lines for close focus. Do you wear glasses? Eye relief on these small units is usually pretty tight and might make framing a pain.

This is exactly what I needed to hear. Youre a lifesaver honestly.

I totally agree about the Summaron, that lens has such a unique look that makes all the fiddling around totally worth it. Tbh your Chicago trip reminds me of this time my cousin tried to get into rangefinders before a big vacation. He found this old finder at a flea market that he was super proud of because it looked like it belonged on a tank or something. We were walking through a crowded market in Seattle and he was so focused on getting the perfect shot that he didnt notice the finder was literally vibrating out of the cold shoe. Next thing I know, there is this loud clink-clink-clink sound and the glass goes rolling right into a storm drain. He spent like twenty minutes trying to fish it out with a wire hanger he borrowed from a nearby dry cleaner while everyone stared at us like we were crazy lol. He never did get it back and spent the rest of the trip just guessing his framing. Its funny how these little pieces of gear can turn a normal walk into a whole ordeal if they aren't sitting tight... definitely makes you appreciate when things actually stay put.

This thread is gold. Bookmarking for future reference 🔖