Description
The rigid optical sports viewfinder, also called “cradle type” viewfinder appears for the first time in 1943 in the German sales lists of Leitz/Leica. Available for lenses with the focal lengths 7,3cm, 9cm and 13,5cm at the beginning the viewfinders usually had a built-in prarallax compensation and were no longer foldable compared to the previous models. Models for the focal lengths 5cm and 8,5cm followed later. The “brightline” viewfinders supplied from 1951 replaced the rigid optical sports finder and had by the closed body an increased practicability.
Since, on the one hand, it can be assumed that the quantity produced is not particularly large, and on the other hand, because of their construction, the viewfinders have a relatively high risk with regard to damage, explains why all five models of the “cradle type” viewfinder are rarely found today. If one of the viewfinders show up, it usually shows clear signs of use. A mint or almost mint condition is the absolute exception!
Offered is a “cradle type” viewfinder SOOUT for use with 9cm lenses. Both technically and cosmetically the viewfinder is classified as mint!
This immaculate preserved viewfinder is a perfect addition to a lens from the same production period and, for example, a Leica IIIb or Leica IIIc.
total production: not known
Rarity: R7
Rarity forecast: R7
