M6 Classic viewfinder magnification question

J

jbrough

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Hi all,

I have what I assume is a factory standard M6 classic, but I wear glasses and I have trouble seeing the 28mm framelines. I know viewfinder magnification can fairly simply be increased, but can the reverse be done? Like I say, I am assuming mine is a .72, so I would need to go to a wider field of view to see the 28mm frame properly. Is it as simple as some form of diopter, or is more serious surgery required?

Cheers,

Jonathan.
 
A viewfinder is only so wide, so a diopter screwed in behind it wouldn't work. You could magnify (essentially crop part out) but you can't add more than what's there. Sounds like you might need a .58 finder.
 
I don't wear glasses, but I do find the 28mm framelines a bit hard to see on my 0.72 M6 (I'm left-eyed and have a big nose). I sometimes use an external 28mm Voigtlander viewfinder for quick and accurate framing. I like that it can let you see what lies outside of the framelines too.

2691601756_9f68ebc374.jpg
 
The .58 is the way to go if you can swing it, and you don't shoot a 90. 28 framelines are more like the 35 in your .72- not quite that small, but there is a lot more edge around them. Downside is that the 90 is pretty near impossible to use (for me)
 
Might be easier to sell the M6 and buy another model with a 0.58 finder (the M6 Classic only ever came in 0.72 and 0.85 versions so you'd be looking for an M6TTL, M7 or MP).

Personally I either do the same as sockeyed (same CV finder too), or I just take a zen-like attitude and accept that the framing isn't going to be that precise. For what it's worth I find it both easier and faster to shoot using the external finder, just set the lens to the hyperfocal distance and point'n'shoot away.
 
An external VF is a very viable option, depending on how much 28 shooting you do. If it is your main lens the .58 will be much appreciated, if you shoot a 28 occasionally the external VF would be a better choice. I've no experience with the screw-in piece, but have used the 1.25 type (which does the opposite)- It did what it was supposed to, but I found it somewhat annoying as it protruded a lot from the back of the camera.
 
Shac said:
I believe that there is the equivalent of the screw-in magnifier that does the opposite and might meet your needs. Have a look at
http://cgi.ebay.com/0-85-x-0-85x-fo...photoQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742.m153.l1262
Click to expand...


Forget about that thing. I got one and considered it the ultimate waste of money right after screwing it in. Everything just seems more small, but the wide angle framelines still stay out of sight.
I did not even dare to put it up in the classifieds, since I didn't want to make someone else regret the purchase as I did.
 
In some past I acquired a set of HK magnifiers x1.25 and x0.85 intending to use the first one with 50mm and 90mm lenses and the latter one for 28mm that I considered then to pick as well.
x1.25 did the job pretty well except of the issue mentioned by sepiareverb above (and also hard metal edges of one threatened to scratch up my spectacles), but couldn't cope with x0.85. Still, the frame was way out of my sight and the rest has been mentioned by yoyo22.
Since I was mostly concerned about longer FL rather then shorter, I figured there probably will no better way then going M3 route while leaving M6 0.72 as mainly 35mm FL tool for which its frames are nearly perfect (in terms of visibility, dunno about actual coverage).
Would wide angle be my primarily concern - I'd certainly consider x0.58 body (albeit usually priced at premium)
 
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