Strange Leica M7 .85 VF

[srtiwari]

Just acquired a mint M7 as I was looking for a .85 finder body. Its in great shape but the frame lever (or lenses) bring up only the 35mm and 5omm frames. 😱
I thought it was a malfunction, but the condition of the body, and the absence of 75/90/135 lines suggests this was a deliberate modification. The last owner "only used 35 and 50mm lenses", so has no explanation. I always thought people switched different VFs, but no M body has this combo originally.
Any ideas ? What would it cost to add the 90 and/or 135 frames ?
Any comments ?

 

[mwooten]

I think I would love to have such a finder on my m4-p.

 

[dogberryjr]

I think I'd find a 90mm auxiliary finder and keep the camera's finder uncluttered. It sounds like someone had the finder lines masked, which shouldn't be too costly to reverse.

 

[Freakscene]

Yes, the other framelines have been masked. Heaven knows why you'd want to use a 0.85 camera for a 35 mm lens, even with my eyeball almost touching the VF glass I can only just see the framelines on my 0.85 M7, but that's almost irrelevant.

I just always wished i could uncouple the 50 and 75 mm framelines.

Marty

 

[fbf]

The 35mm frameline on .85 body is perfect (IMHO) for folks who dont' wear glasses.
I would however add the 75mm frameline. That would be a sweet combo

 

[35mmdelux]

It takes about $50 (USD) to remove framlines.

 

[srtiwari]

I think I'd find a 90mm auxiliary finder and keep the camera's finder uncluttered. It sounds like someone had the finder lines masked, which shouldn't be to costly to reverse.

Reversing the 90mm mask should not clutter the VF, as it will be the only frameline visible
when a 90 is mounted.

 

[LeicaTom]

I would love to the 0.85 VF in my M6 Wetzlar classic!!!!

Tom

 

[Nugard]

I have MP a la carte, and 0.85 VF without 75mm frame... And I like it A LOT.

However, now I'm thinking of how the hack I will use 35mm lenses (glasses wearer)?..

 

[mfogiel]

I have made remove the 75mm frame from my 0.85x M7, because I use it 99% of the time with a 50mm lens. As suggested above, you could ask how much it would cost to unmask the 90mm frame. Further option would be to keep this camera as is, and buy a second M7 0.58x for the 28 and 35mm lenses - I wear glasses and for me the 35mm frame on the 0.85x body is unusable. Perhaps what all this means, is that you should try the "one camera one (50mm) lens" paradigm for some time...

 

[bennyng]

Perhaps it's one of those ala carte models where the previous owner choose the have the classic 3 framelines option.

Cheers,

 

[srtiwari]

Perhaps it's one of those ala carte models where the previous owner choose the have the classic 3 framelines option.

Cheers,

That would suit me fine, except it is a "2 framelines" option.
I will check to see what the unmasking of the 90 frame line will cost. Then it will be perfect ! 🙂