1.25x magnifier with 0.85x VF

[Rafael]

I am considering buying a 1.25x magnifier to use on my 0.85x VF for focusing a 75/1.4 and I am wondering whether anyone has experience using a magnifier on an 0.85x VF for focusing this or a similar lens. In general, I can focus the 75/1.4 quite accurately. However, this is not an easy lens to focus and I am interested in improving my hit rate. So, although I am obviously asking for a subjective judgment here, I am interested to read people's experience of how much difference the magnifier made to the accuracy of their focusing when using a VF with a magnification that is already quite high. I should add that my eyesight is very good and I don't wear glasses.

I realise that the easy solution would be to buy one of the cheaper HK magnifiers and try it out for myself. However, though I know that many here use and like the HK magnifiers, I once had one and did not like it. I found that my eye tired quickly when using it. So, if I do opt for a magnifier, it will be the Leica model. Before spending the money, I thought I'd seek out some opinions here first.

 

[Bill Blackwell]

A 1.25x mag adapter will produce a .85 finder larger and brighter than that of an M3 and should work like a charm for the 75mm Summilux and the 50mm Noctilux.

 

[Andrew Sowerby]

1.25 x 0.85 = 1.0625

That's mighty big magnification! Sorry, no personal experience though.

 

[grainhound]

Just for laughs, I put my Megaperls 1.35 magnifier on my M3, but didn't shoot with it. The 50 frame lines were a little tough to see, but I think a fast lens would be easier to focus. If, in the future, I take the M3 out to use my 85 or 135 Nikkors, the Megaperls magnifier will go along. Last winter, I left it on my M4-2 for a month, & experienced no eyestrain. The 35 frame lines took some searching, but I shot a dark interior with a pre-aspheric 35 Summilux wide open, and the magnifier definitely helped. I had the impression it would help on the M3 as well. My hit rate with fast lenses 50mm & up, wide open, isn't what I'd like. I only wear reading glasses. The Megaperls magnifier is priced between the Leica & HK magnifiers, but as always, you should try one out. Hard to do, but at least you're able to buy one since you live in Canada.

 

[peter_n]

I used the 1.25x magnifier with a 0.85x mag MP and a Noctilux at f1.0 and closest focus. I focused on the eyes and they are perfect. The subject of the portrait says that the people who've seen the pic say its the best one of her they've ever seen.

 

[JohnTF]

What other brand cameras does this thread fit?

Regards, John

 

[vol72]

I will use the 1.25x magnifier /.85 viewfinder body combination in conjunction with the 75Summilux or longer lens when shooting in the near range with wide apertures. Seems to help.

 

[sepiareverb]

I too use the 1.25x on a .85 M7 with 75 and 90 lenses. Works well. I much prefer the less space around the framelines I get.

 

[Andrew Sowerby]

I used the 1.25x magnifier with a 0.85x mag MP and a Noctilux at f1.0 and closest focus. I focused on the eyes and they are perfect. The subject of the portrait says that the people who've seen the pic say its the best one of her they've ever seen.

Let's see the pic, Peter!

 

[marke]

Hey, how about someone get the new Leica 1.40x magnifier and use it on a 0.85x VF!!!

 

[vol72]

This is a photo made with the 1.25x magnifier and 90 Elmarit version 1:

http://flickr.com/photos/79269941@N00/2883728138/

This is one with the 75 Summilux wide open:

http://flickr.com/photos/79269941@N00/364216272/

 

[sepiareverb]

Hey, how about someone get the new Leica 1.40x magnifier and use it on a 0.85x VF!!!

My plan for the 90 exactly.

 

[peter_n]

Let's see the pic, Peter!

I actually wondered as I wrote this if some one would ask. I do not have a scan and I can't find the neg. 😱 I've been looking for it since she told me about the comments. If I can find I will scan & post.

 

[Rafael]

Thanks for the input guys.

 

[mr roberts]

I use the 1.25 with my .85 TTL for the 75 Lux and 90 Cron. It makes the 75 lines approximate the 50 lines which the .85 is ideal for.

 

[RichardB]

I have M3, M6 Classic and two M7's. The M6 and M7's all have 0.85 finders.
I seem to be in the minority because I don't use any magnifier for my 75mm and 90mm ASPH lenses. Bigger F stop does not make a rangefinder easier to focus and the lens has no efffect on your focusing. The difficulty stems from the movement between the camera and the subject, so if you focus on eyes and the subject or you move with a large aperature, your focus changes and no amount of added magnification will help. If you have the camera on a tripod and a static subject, then the magnifier could help but the Leica rangefinder is usually accurate enough with the 0.85 mag.-Dick