Karl Yik , Jan 13, 2004; 12:15 p.m.
Hi folks
Im considering purchasing a used Prism (non metered) (preferrably the
cheaper the better!) and wanted to know if the Kiev copies are any
different to the hassy equivalents in terms of image brightness and
clearness etc.
Also when using a prism, should I expect the image to be darker than
normal (eg when using the magnifier on the collapsible hood)?
Russ Britt , Jan 13, 2004; 01:08 p.m.
I would get the Hassey NC2 finder you can find them used for around $75 or less.
Frank Bunnik , Jan 13, 2004; 01:49 p.m.
The Kiev's are fine and can be bought new for less then 75US$. If you wear glasses however, there is no alternative but the PM45.
Russ Britt , Jan 13, 2004; 06:29 p.m.
You can put corrective eye piece put in the NC2 prism finder, I have one in mine.
Edward Ingold 
, Jan 13, 2004; 06:42 p.m.
I find the prism image to be bright and clear, edge to edge. I have a PM-5, which is a 45 deg prism with 3x magnification. Focusing is a breeze. I've never cared for the waist-level finder, finding it nearly impossible to focus while wearing glasses, and ineffective at composing to the edges of the frame outside of a studio.
I strongly recommend use of an Acute-Matte D screen, with or without a prism. The screen has more impact on clarity and focusing ability than the make of the viewfinder.
Andreas Carl 
, Jan 13, 2004; 10:12 p.m.
I had a Kiev (the metered one, it's cheap enough, so why not?) and it works just fine. Built quality is not as nice as the Hassie of course, but doesn't effect image or viewing.
Audun Sjoeseth , Jan 14, 2004; 03:38 a.m.
I have a Hasselblad PM (an unmetered 45 deg prism). It is the model before the PM5 (the unmetered model in the 94-catalog). I wear glasses, and the finder i great together with the unmetered 503CW/CX(i), 501CM, 500C and 500C/M.
For 203FE/205FCC the PM5(PM51?) or the current PM45 i needed to see the meter info. The corners near the back on the PM are sharp, but on the PM5 they are cut away. The PM doesn't have the two blue stripes. The metered PME51 (42296) can show the meter info in the 203/205, I'm not sure if there is an unmetered PM51? Does anyone know? The drawing of the PM5 (42308) doesn't show the two blue stripes. In the broshures of 203FE and 205FCC an unmetered prisme with the shape of the PM5 with the two blue stripes is shown on the big photos. Perhaps this is a PM51? or is it a PM5? Anyone?
Jay . , Jan 14, 2004; 11:53 a.m.
I've got a Kiev I bought brand-new in the box, and also a PM45. I can see where the prism is glued to together on the Kiev, but it's a lot smaller and cheaper and does the trick just as well for occasional use. For serious use, bite the bullet and get the PM45.
Taras Hnatyshyn , Jan 16, 2004; 05:32 p.m.
For a brighter image, a brighter focusing screen may be the answer. I use a Beattie
Intenscreen, and it adds about a stop and a half to the brightness of the image on the
screen. The Acute Matte-D should also be considered. If you get a metered prism,
make sure you calibrate it to the screen you are using.
I have two Kiev 45 deg. prisms, one old HC-2 clone and a newer metered prism. I
haven't used the Hasselblad prisms, so I can't compare them to the Ukrainian glass,
but I like using the Kiev finders.
In general, the more you magnify an image, and the more surfaces it is reflected off,
the image is darker.
