Leitz HENRI Directors Viewfinder for Leica SL Cameras

Camera Accessories

by Jeff LochDecember 11^th, 2020

German lenses manufacturer Leitz has just announced the launch of a new directors viewfinder specifically designed for Leica SL cameras: the Leitz HENRI. This director viewfinder allows the camera to be easily taken on and off and is available in L-PL and L-LPL lens mounts. Let’s take a closer look at it!

The Leica SL2-S came out earlier this week – you can read our entire article here – and Leitz already announced that they’ve been working closely with Leica to develop a directors viewfinder: the Leitz HENRI.

HENRI is not a one-piece device, but rather can be seen as an accessory to existing Leica SL cameras to turn them into a proper directors viewfinder.

Leitz HENRI – Features

If we try to simplify things, the Leitz HENRI directors viewfinder consists of a lens mount adapter – available in either L-PL or L-LPL lens mount -, a set of 15mm carbon fiber rods (19mm version will be available later next year), a lens adapter and lens support, and a handle.

The Leitz HENRI slots between your lens and your camera. The pivoting handle includes integrates a start/stop record button, but you need to plug a cable between the handle and the camera. If you flip the handle, you can attach the system to a tripod/monopod.

The weight of HENRI is 800g, the L-PL mount is 250g, and the Leica SL2-S camera is 800grams. So the complete unit without lens is around 1.8 kg / 4.07lbs.

According to Leitz,

the SL2-S has a great viewfinder and already some basic frame lines. Additional frame lines will become available with future firmware updates, making the SL2-S+HENRI system a very attractive product.

Price and Availability

Directors viewfinder are usually very expensive pieces of kit mainly bought by rental houses and used on feature films, commercials, and big budget projects. We have no information about the price nor availability of the Leitz HENRI at the moment.

For more information, please visit Leitz’s website here.

What do you think about this directors viewfinder for Leica SL cameras? Do you often use a directors viewfinder? Don’t hesitate to let us know in the comments below!