Amazon has the VF-11 external optical viewfinder for the Sigma DP1 in stock at a price of $87.61 with free shipping. That's nearly 40% cheaper than other reputable dealers like B&H ($150 plus shipping) or Adorama ($140 plus shipping).
I just ordered mine. You can help support this site by using the link below to purchase yours.
Update: I received my VF-11 viewfinder yesterday. Like the CV minifinder, this is nice and small, appropriately so for the DP1. Having heard the knocks on VF-11 (plastic build, marked barrel distortion, difficult to view brightlines, and lack of parallax correction), I have been pleasantly suprised. The build seems very solid, and the view is large and bright. I can simultaneously make out all brightlines while wearing my glasses, which is something I had more difficulty with using the CV minifinder. Barrel distortion is moderate and I don't anticipate it being a problem for my intended use of the viewfinder. The VF-11 seats snugly in the DP1 hot shoe; I don't think it will dislodge easily by accident. I had been waiting for a good deal on the VF-11, and I can certainly recommend it at this price.
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From the GetDPI forums:
Good to see Leica taking a system approach to the D-LUX 4, but I'm wondering how many small sensor compact camera users will be willing to pay that much for a 24mm opsteekzoeker.
In case anyone has forgotten, a "street ready" LX3 is also quite attractive:
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All images used with permission, courtesy of CameraQuest.
The Cosina Voigtlander 28/35 Mini-Finder was introduced at PMA in 2004, came in chrome or black, and contains brightlines for 28 and 35mm which are visible at all times. From what I can tell, this model has been discontinued, and only the larger viewfinders are being made. However, one can still purchase this viewfinder here from CameraQuest. I bought mine a few days ago and received it yesterday. For my purposes, this viewfinder makes an excellent companion for the Ricoh GX100. It's far more compact than the Ricoh EVF and avoids the lag associated with the image reaching an EVF. It is very bright for its size, and the image seen is sharp. Eye relief is just acceptable. Wearing eyeglasses, I can make out the entire 28mm brightlines just barely. Framing via the Voigt Mini-Finder is in 3x2 aspect ratio, so in practice the vertical FOV is greater than that included within the brightlines, whereas the horizontal FOV is accurate. It hasn't taken me long to adjust for this issue. The major limitation, of course, is that the VF has guides only for 28 and 35mm, not 24, 50, or 72mm (the other focal length equivalents supported by the GX100 step zoom). However, 90% of my photos are at 28 or 35mm, so this works well for me. For the other focal lengths, I will either compose with the LCD or simply estimate using the OVF. One final consideration is that this finder blocks the GX100 popup flash. I hardly ever use this flash, so it won't bother me. However, since the the viewfinder has to be physically removed to use the on-board flash, it is certainly something to consider.
I did consider buying the Ricoh GV-1 OVF, which is made for the GRD. However, as the GV-1 is offset to match the location of the GRD lens, it won't match the midline position of the GX100 hot shoe relative to the lens. Furthermore, the GV-1 is rather large and lacks a brightline for 35mm.
Here are a couple more views of the CV 28/35 Mini-Finder, again used with permission from Stephen Gandy from CameraQuest.
If I get a chance, I'll update this post later with some images of the CV 28/35 Mini-Finder mounted on the GX100.
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