SmallRig’s New Optical Viewfinders
SmallRig has launched a pair of external optical viewfinders for 28mm and 35mm lenses, giving photographers another way to compose without relying on a rear screen or electronic viewfinder. The 28mm External Optical Viewfinder provides a 28mm full-frame equivalent field of view and includes built-in 3:2 frame lines. There are no electronics involved, so there is no autofocus information, exposure preview or communication with the camera. It simply attaches to a standard hot or cold shoe and provides an optical view corresponding roughly to the chosen focal length.
The most obvious match for the 28mm version is probably the Ricoh GR series. Cameras such as the GR III and GR IV use a fixed 28mm-equivalent lens but do not have a built-in viewfinder, so an external finder gives you an alternative to composing everything through the rear screen. Ricoh already makes its own external finders, including the GV-1 and GV-2, but they are considerably more expensive, with the GV-2 currently selling for around $247. SmallRig also lists cameras from Fujifilm, Sony, Nikon, Canon, Ricoh and Leica as compatible, although there is no electronic connection involved, so compatibility mostly comes down to having a suitable accessory shoe and matching the viewfinder to the focal length you are shooting.
There is also a 35mm External Optical Viewfinder, although there are fewer obvious fixed-lens digital cameras that really need one. It could make more sense on interchangeable-lens cameras without an EVF, such as the new Nikon Z5 IIC, when paired with a 35mm lens. Both versions could also be useful with older film cameras that either lack a viewfinder or have one that is damaged or difficult to use. The SmallRig 28mm and 35mm External Optical Viewfinders are available for $46.99 each.
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