Eyeglass wearers : M7 vs. ZM

[karmaspapa]

I am considering these two cameras, and someone here must have the answer to my question: Which viewfinder requires less eye movement to see the entire 35mm framelines ? 90% of all my photographs are taken with the 35 Summicron, so I would like to be able to see the entire frame without having to keeo searching the ends of the viewfinder. TIA...karmaspapa

 

[kshapero]

The ZI is superb. I wear glasses. No problems at all.

 

[lns]

The ZI, no question.

(If you are talking about the .72 viewfinder, at least. I am sure an M7 with a .58 viewfinder would be as good as, or better than, the ZI.)

 

[karmaspapa]

M7 vs. ZM (continued)

M7 vs. ZM (continued)

The ZI, no question.

(If you are talking about the .72 viewfinder, at least. I am sure an M7 with a .58 viewfinder would be as good as, or better than, the ZI.)

Laura, I belive that comparing the .58 to the Z1 or the .72 M7 is apples and oranges. My experience with the .58 has been problematic. The reduced magnification and the percieved dimness of the image did not help what is left of my focusing skills. Thanks for the Z1 advice...Bob

 

[x-ray]

The ZI has the best RF/VF of all the 35 RF's. I generally don't wear glasses but when I do the ZI is no problem.

 

[peter_n]

Also take a look at the Bessa R4A by Cosina Voigtlander. The camera is designed for wides and super-wides and is the only RF camera on the market that will correct for parallax down to a 21mm lens in the viewfinder.

 

[mfogiel]

karmaspapa,
There's no contest, for a glass wearer (like me) the 35mm frames in the ZI are perfect - you get just the right amount of relief and a huge bright vision with just the 35 frames active. With the Leica 0.72 the 35mm frames are too tight , and with the 0.58 Leica, or for that matter, with the 0.52 Bessa R4 they are a bit smallish.

 

[PlantedTao]

Havent use a M7, but I wear glasses and the ZI is great. The 35 framelines are easy to see...the viewfinder is why I went from Leica to the Ikon.

 

[harmsr]

ZI without a question.

The ZI viewfinder convinced me to even sell my M5 as the viewfinder is just sooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!! nice if you wear glasses.

I had trouble with the 35 lines in the M7 and could just forget using the 28 lines. (M7 with the .72 finder) On the other hand, the 35 lines are very easy to use on the ZI.

You might also enjoy the cleaner VF with less frame lines. The ZI is a 35, or a 50, or a 28/85. I really hated the 135 paired up with the 35, and even worse the 75 with the 50 on the M7. That was one of the reasons, I preferred the M5 over the M7.

The other big advantage is that you can see the actual shutter speeds when metering manually in the ZI, which you can not see in the M7. In the M7 you only get the arrows and dot.

Best,

Ray

 

[peter_n]

The other big advantage is that you can see the actual shutter speeds when metering manually in the ZI, which you can not see in the M7. In the M7 you only get the arrows and dot.

Only if you manually dial in the film speed. Use DX and you see the shutter speed in the VF on an M7.

 

[karmaspapa]

Thanks all, especially Mfogiel. your description of the difference between the two finders was exactly what I needed to hear. My Z1 will arrive in 3 days. Cheers!
BTW, Your B&Ws of southern France are way cool...Bob

 

[harmsr]

Peter,

I don't understand your comment.

If you shoot the M7 in manual, it does not give you shutter speed in the viewfinder but only the triangles and dots.

The M7 only gives you shutter speed in the finder if you are using AE.

This is regardless of DX or manually setting the ISO.

Best,

Ray

 

[peter_n]

Ray my bad I think you are right. I was posting from out-of-town yesterday and didn't have my cam to check (nor here as I am at work).

AE is the critical setting not DX.

 

[jojomau]

ZI without a question.

The ZI viewfinder convinced me to even sell my M5 as the viewfinder is just sooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!! nice if you wear glasses.

I had trouble with the 35 lines in the M7 and could just forget using the 28 lines. (M7 with the .72 finder) On the other hand, the 35 lines are very easy to use on the ZI.

You might also enjoy the cleaner VF with less frame lines. The ZI is a 35, or a 50, or a 28/85. I really hated the 135 paired up with the 35, and even worse the 75 with the 50 on the M7. That was one of the reasons, I preferred the M5 over the M7.

The other big advantage is that you can see the actual shutter speeds when metering manually in the ZI, which you can not see in the M7. In the M7 you only get the arrows and dot.

Best,

Ray

Pushing a bit to the limit. Will glasses wearers percieve the 28mm framline easily on ZI? Please advise.

 

[aizan]

iwg, and i can only see the top and bottom lines.

 

[Huck Finn]

Pushing a bit to the limit. Will glasses wearers percieve the 28mm framline easily on ZI? Please advise.

It will depend on the shape of your glasses, your nose, & your eye socket. I find th e28 frame lines to be workable - similar in use to using a 28 on my SLR. I can see better with the naked eye, so it's not easy with glasses, but it is workable.

 

[kshapero]

At 28mm it is not that important because 28mm is the whole veiwfinder. IMHO the framelines for 28mm are meaningless.

 

[harmsr]

Ditto what Huck Finn said.

The are "useable" but you have to look around a little with glasses on. The 35 frames lines are no problem at all.

Best,

Ray

 

[Frankie]

Pushing a bit to the limit. Will glasses wearers percieve the 28mm framline easily on ZI? Please advise.

****************

I do not wear glasses viewing at infinity. I happen to have a pair of frames with optical blanks and so I tried it on my ZM. Wearing the glasses, you can still see the 35mm frame-lines easily, but will have to scan around a bit to see the 28mm frame-lines.