35 framelines on M2 for those wearing glasses

[briandaly]

Anyone wearing glasses experience problems seeing 35 frame lines on M2?
Currently, I only have a 50 on my M2 but when I toggle the 35 framelines, I need to press the viewfinder right up against my glasses to see the edges. Also, leaves very little space outside the framelines.
Any M2 users wearing glasses and using a 35 regularly? How do you get around this problem?

 

[funkaoshi]

You just need to look around the frame. The 35mm lines are so close to the edge that if you wear glasses you're kind of out of luck.

 

[Tom A]

After a while you learn how to do a "scan" across the 35 frame and get the coverage. It is also very much a matter of experience with this focal length and you will soon learn how to see "35" and the frame lines are just guide lines. My primary bodies are M2's and the 35 account for about 75% of everything I shoot - and I have been doing it for close to 50 years, so it comes naturally to me.
The problem with rangefinders is that you have an approximation of what you get - it is not an exact science. For that you need a SLR and apart from Nikon F's and Leicaflexes even they are not that precise.
The trick is not to fret about and just shoot.

 

[Rogrund]

I use a 35 regularly on my M2 and I think it works fine. Yes, it is a bit tight but not really a problem. Maybe it also depends on what kind of glasses you wear, I don't know. However, I can recommend an eyeglass protector (donut) of the kind Aki-Asahi sells. They are cheap and you don't have to worry about scratching your glasses!

 

[Fangergoodgame]

Re:

Re:

Yup, I have trouble seeing them as well. I made a little foam donut that fits around the viewfinder. That helps, since I'm able to press my glasses against the foam, without worrying about scratching them. I'd be curious to hear if there's a solution that fits better though - my little bit of foam tends to fall off in my camera's case.

Even with that though, they're right at the edge of my vision. It works out that everything I can see in the viewfinder ends up in the picture, plus a bit more (but that's almost always the case anyhow).

Aaron

 

[briandaly]

Thanks. I'll look into making one of those foam rings.

 

[furcafe]

Yes, & that's 1 of the reasons why I never took to the M2 as an overall body: the 35mm frame is too close to the edge & the 50mm frame is too small. I realize that the M2's 35mm frame is larger & more accurate w/regard to coverage than those of a 0.72 M6/M7/MP, but it was still annoying. Another factor w/the M2 is that it has a stupid rectangular mask on the eyepiece that exacerbates the frame problem for eyeglass wearers. When I had an M2, I had DAG remove/replace the mask to make the opening larger & like that of an M3 & every other M body; this helped a modest amount.

Anyone wearing glasses experience problems seeing 35 frame lines on M2?
Currently, I only have a 50 on my M2 but when I toggle the 35 framelines, I need to press the viewfinder right up against my glasses to see the edges. Also, leaves very little space outside the framelines.
Any M2 users wearing glasses and using a 35 regularly? How do you get around this problem?

 

[Fangergoodgame]

When I had an M2, I had DAG remove/replace the mask to make the opening larger & like that of an M3 & every other M body; this helped a modest amount.

How much is "modest"? The M2 is my only rangefinder. I enjoy using it quite a bit, and would love to be able to see the 35mm lines better. Is it enough of an improvement that it's worth sending it away, in your opinion?

Is that something that'd be easy to do at home?

 

[furcafe]

It was noticeable, but didn't eliminate the need to scan around the edges. However, I think YMMV because we all have different facial shapes & eyeglass prescriptions. I don't remember how much it cost but I did have it done @ the same time as a CLA & some other repairs/modifications.

I have no idea whether it's something that could easily be done @ home.

How much is "modest"? The M2 is my only rangefinder. I enjoy using it quite a bit, and would love to be able to see the 35mm lines better. Is it enough of an improvement that it's worth sending it away, in your opinion?

Is that something that'd be easy to do at home?

 

[mr_phillip]

I'll second the idea that individual prescriptions and eyeglasses are a factor. Currently I don't have any issues with seeing the 35mm frames, but I'm due a new pair of specs soon so I might take my M2 with me - try out a few sets of frames and make sure I don't land myself with a pair that make things worse.

Re the eyeglass protector donuts. I was surprised (but happy) when I got my M2 back from a CLA at CRR so see that Peter had added a neat felt donut to the eyepiece as a standard part of the service.

 

[mayfly]

Hi John
This problem on the M2 used to drive me nuts, so much so I shot mainly with 50's. Until one day on location in the 70's I needed a wider view and borrowed a 35/2 M3 Summicron with the goggles from another shooter. When you put the the goggled lens on the M2 it reduces the size of the frameline in the viewfinder and you can without hunting your eye around the finder see the 35mm frameline and the area around as well with your glaases on. Interestingly I found using the camera with goggles on gave it a more solid feel as as a left eye viewer it gave me a better grip as well as finally being able to see the whole frame. Needless to say I bought the goggled 35/2 Summicron and the 35/2.8 Summaron the latter of which I found best for colour work. Both these lenses work well on the M8.

The other option is to screw a diopter correction lens into the M2 viewfinder and negate the need for you glasses when shooting.

Failing these take Tom A's advice

Interested to hear how you get on

 

[kipkeston]

I don't wear glasses but I'm lazy when it comes to bringing the camera to my eye. Which means something like the ZI is out of the question from what I understand. The M2 is a little tight for me even without glasses, but it's no big deal really. Love the simple little M.

 

[Ronald M]

35 mm Summicron or any lens with the eyes for an M3. it will bring up the 50 lines, but the 35 mm area will be inside the 50 lines, therefore it is smaller than if it were spread over the 35 lines. Works and focus is fine.

Correction diopters? Contacts? Lasik not recommended.

 

[Rob-F]

I pretty much agree with everything that has been said. With my eye centered, I don't see the corners of the 35mm frame with glasses on; but it only takes a split-second to scan around in the finder to see the edges and corners. Even if I don't do that, I still know, in my mind's eye, where the corners are placed in the scene-- pretty much like Tom said.

BTW, when speed is not important, I sometimes remove my glasses after focusing. Even though I'm pretty nearsighted (-4 spherical, -2 cylinder) I can still make out the major outlines in order to compose. In fact, seeing only large masses, rather than details, can help me to balance a composition.

 

[slad]

I use two M6's, one is .72 and the other .85. The .72 has a 35 Summ on it most of the time, and thought I do press the eyepiece to my glasses I can just make out the 35 lines. I find when I'm focusing/composing and not conscience of the lines, I see them. Does that make any sense??
BTW, my .72 M6 is an early Leitz and the eyepiece is metal (very bad on glasses) so on my last job I managed to turn on a lathe a plastic cover take snaps on. After several tries (I'm not a good machinist) I managed to get on that fits. I was on DAG'S site just now and noticed they sell plastic covers that fit all M cameras with metal eyepieces. You might want to have a look.
http://www.dagcamera.com/leica_m.htm

 

[Tom A]

The scratching of eyeglasses I regard as a standard! My left lens is usually scratched up within a week or two. When the patch goes too big or "fuzzy" I replace the glass (which unfortunatel costs as much as a Leica lens, -10 diopters and multifocal lenses in glass are not cheap!. It usually takes a year to aquire a nice opaque spot on glasses! The various "pads" are good, but I find that they a/ moves the eye "back" a bit and b/fall off or disintigrate from UV light or simply age!
I have tried the scratch proof lenses and they just delayed the inevitable by a week or two. Plastic lenses are useless as they cant match the prescription without making them "coke-bottle' thick - and they scratch even worse.

 

[Doug]

Agree with much of the above... I've had my M2 for 40 years, used only with a 35 'cron and (rarely) a 90 TE, until recently with a 50 Heliar Classic. Wow, now I can actually see the whole framelines at once! Even without glasses I can't quite see the whole 35 frame left/right ends except in peripheral vision. But that sure didn't stop me using that Summicron all those years, and it's true one simply gets used to what's going to be within the lens field of view.

The ZI's 35 frames are easier to see, and even the CLE's 28mm frames have a little "air" around them.