1.25 magnifier review

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nikon_junkie

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Finally purchased a HK model for around $60 and can say it seems to help nicely. Short version... worth the purchase.

50mm frame lines... I definatly notice the magnification, but the thing that I find annoying when matched to my M3, is that it pushed the 50mm frame lines to the edges of normal viewing. You can't see outside the framelines to anticipate action. Reminds me of the M6 .85 magnification and 35mm frame lines...

This will take getting used to.

I would think that with a .72 viewfinder of a m6 or possibly the VF of the m2 it would be a nice aid to the 50mm frame lines allowing to see outside the framelines.

With the 90mm Elmarit it's a nice addition.

It came with a neat little box that clips to the neck strap and was out of the way and didn't seem to get in the way.
 
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Thanks for the review.

One question I have for you: Does the HK 1.25x have a dioptic corrector thread?
 
I just got one as well and I'm not sure if I understand you correctly.....the 50mm framelines are magnified on my .72 M6, but they are still smaller that the 50mm FL's on my M3, as they should be, since .72 x 1.25= .90, slightly smaller than the M3's .91 VF.
 
I was just going by memory and guesstimating on the .72 viewfinder and being able to see the framelines (and outside the framelines). Since you have the .72,perhaps you can better describe the 50mm/.72 frameline as to whether it cramps the VF.

I'm not seeing any additional thread for a diopter.
 
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I also have the 1.25 magnifier that I was using on my .72 M6. I'm still able to see outside of the framelines, and I wear glasses.

The magnification is still greater on my M3 than the combination of the m6+1.25

In addition, the combination of the M6 with the magnifier does not have the same contrast in the rangefinder patch that you get when using the M3.

Nothing beats the M3 when using a 50mm lens, absolutely nothing!

I now use my M6 for the 35mm King of Bokeh only. The M3 sports the 50mm Lux.
 
Does it just screw on, or do you need to remove something from the M's eyepiece before attaching it?
 
It screws right on Ray, and I was concerned about light loss since it's only $60 and the Leica one goes for 4X that amount, but I was pleasantly surprised. It's really just for a 50mm and 90mm on a .72 M6 AFAIC....but I agree wholeheartedly with joebt's statement above.
 
I've purchased one as well ( from HK ) and it just screws on my MP.. I use a 50mm so the things is permantly screwed on my camera.. it really helps with the focusing ( bigger focusing dot, therefore more precise ) and the framelines are nicer ( bigger that is ) ..

I was too a bit worried about the price difference and light loss ( heck, the leica one costs 4/5x as much ) but I had a pleasent surprise - hardly noticable ( the light loss ) , so far so good. Ok, the leica one might be better and the glass much be nicer and sharper but heck, 4 times the price difference ? This one does the job very very nicely.At least for me.
 
After using the Leica one for a while and liking it (except the outrageous price) I just received the HK magnifier last night (got it as a kit with some other equipment) so had the opportunity for a direct comparison on an 0.72 M7.

The HK is about the same size, the optics are a little smaller in diameter. The HK magnifier would not screw all the way into my M7 eyepiece, giving the impression that it was more likely to fall off during use than the Leica (which actually has fallen off once or twice despite screwing in perfectly). The view of the framelines is exactly the same, I can almost see the 35 framelines and the 50 lines are easy to see with space around (I don't wear glasses). The HK view is a tiny bit dimmer and a tiny bit less sharp. If it would screw in all the way the sharpness difference might disappear, I don't know.

The Leica came with a little chain to keep you from losing it when it comes unscrewed, but I found it annoying and immediately took it off. The little cases for keeping the magnifier clipped onto your camera strap are exactly the same, except the HK comes with a little pull tab that lets you get it out of the case without touching the lens surfaces (helpful).

Bottom line, my example of the HK won't screw all the way in and seems less well made, but the view is practically the same between the two.
 
My HK magnifier adds a lot to my M5. I was concernied that it would push the meter scale out of view. It doesn't. And I wear glasses. I probably won't use the magnifier with the 35mm lens, though. But with a 50mm and 90mm it's just right, and it makes the 135mm a practical lens again. Now I'm thinking of another M5 body, since the magnifier helps so much.

Why can't they make one for a CL? It would give a real boost to the short-based CL rangefinder, which is its weak point.
 
I have both versions of the HK magnifiers.

I liked them initially, but after some time, noticed that they actually made the view a wee bit darker. Finally, I got used to the Leicas without them, and I don't use them anymore.

It still is clearer and sharper without these magnifiers. And I don't have super excellent eyesight, I wear glasses too. So a clearer and sharper view is better for me, albeit smaller.

I also tried the one from Japan, with adjustable diopters. This was hopeless, a slight nudge will move the dipoter and becomes pretty useless for shooting on the move.
 
No diopter, but I don't think it would be helpful (see previous response). It is an awesome add on to using longer lenses. Can not beat the price and mine screws all the way in. Or at least far enough that I've never lost mine. The snap on case is really nice and unobtrusive. Get one, you'll like it.
Steve
 
Hmm. Am I right in saying that, for all practical purposes, M2 + 1.25x = M3?

Not that I can afford either right now, but I can dream...
 
How does it work?
It magnifies the image and thus making it easier to compose the picture, but does it increase the focusing accuracy also?

/Erik
 
I have used the Leica magnifier for some while now with a diopter lens screwed into it. I have lost one of these lenses before so I screwed it in tight.

BEWARE!

When I came to unscrew the diopter lens from the magnifier the whole thing came apart. Fortunately I have found the bits and can put it back together.

I'm rather disappointed by this, looks like a bit of engineering that was not really thought through as well as one would have expected.


Michael
 
I've used both Leica's and the HK magnifier, and the Leica one seems to look better, but the HK is no slouch although it doesn't have a rubberized rim.

Be very careful not to touch the HK magnifier, it gets dirty very easily and you must clean it often, otherwise there is a perceived loss of crisp/sharp/brightness

Once you're aware of all the caveats, either does the job well. The Leica magnifier is worth it, but the HK magnifier is an excellent value and doesn't disappoint (eventually)
 
I use my HK 1.25 w/ an MP .85 finder w/ 50mm and 75mm. The 50mm is a bit too close to the edges, but no where near as bad as 35mm framelines on the .85. It improves focusing with the 75 by leaps and bounds. Only real issue is the case for the finder is a bit cheaply made.
 
May I know is it a waste if I were to use the magnifier on an M6 0.58? Because i have 0.58 M6 & I have not heard of any of these finder that uses it. Does it helps?

Pls advise, thanks
 
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