Beautiful M3 - too much magnification (for glasses wearers)?

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markbrennan

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Hey All -

I keep obsessing over the M3!

Spent some time this afternoon looking at a nice M3 at one of the good NYC Leica dealers. User body, but mechanically very good. (I may post another thread w/ some additional questions...)

Viewfinder was VERY bright.

What a beautiful finder (using a 50mm)! Wow, what magnification! What framelines (50)!

Only thing is, I usually wear glasses and found the framelines hard to see.

Taking off the glasses the finder couldn't have been better - just amazing.

I'm used to the .72 finder in my MP, where I get considerable relief wearing glasses, as well has having considerable space around the framelines.

But the M3 finder is super bright and big. Wondering what other glasses wearers do and how they find it? I'm concerned that I will get annoyed by the vague framelines when I'm wearing glasses, but the large size and brightness may out-weigh that.

(It's also clear I will need some rubber on the eyepiece in case I brush my glasses against it.)

Thanks.

Regards,
-Mark
 
I also wear glasses, but figured the frames in my M3 are, albeit at the far edges are still conveniently observed without the need to huting for them by eyeball. Perhaps my glasses are somewhat thinner then yours though...
I concur that M3 finder, if in good condition is just a pelasure to use. My M6's one is a bit more contrasty a more neutral (M3's one appears to be deliberately slightly bluish), but the focusing patch is just a wonder in M3. Large, clear, gold-yellow (makes it looking very discernable in bluish finder window). Focusing is just a snap - noticeably faster then with M6.
However, is a dynamic activity is anticipated, I can imagine the cases where the extra viewing area besides the frame is a great asset (watching the subject as it enters the frame), in such case M6 would probaly be preferrable for 50mm. If only it would have larger focusing patch...
 
Mark, I recently discovered the wonderful world of diopters on my M3's. I don't know how I lived without them. I keep my glasses on one of those string things and when I want to take a shot I just drop them off and then use the viewfinder. I love to see all of the frame lines. Stu
 
Diopters, now there's a great idea! I'm okay with my glasses and the 50mm framelines on my M3, but have some difficulty seeing the meter display in my M5. Where does one find these diopters?
 
I second Frank's question. I get along OK with glasses and the M3 viewfinder, though I suppose it might be nice to have more of a feeling of the 50mm framelines suspended in space. I guess I don't think about it much.

In terms of avoiding scratching your glasses, DAG has these very nifty plastic rings that snap snugly onto the eyepiece. Last I knew they were $15, which seems like a lot of money, but 1) it's cheaper than new glasses by a whole lot, and 2) it's for a Leica -- different pricing applies!
 
Although I currently do not own an M3, it is my favorite shooting camera. With your glasses on you can't comfortably see the entire finder, but you do get used to it and you'll ultimately get a sense of where the framelines are.

The problem with diopters (for those of us who are nearsighted) is that you need to remove your glasses when you shoot - not a problem for some, but it drives me nuts.

But if you really want a thrill-ride, start shooing right-eyed (or left-eyed vertically) with both eyes open; you will see the frame lines and everything else too. This works best with the M3's .91 finder.
 
I acquired the glass protector ring from DAG for my M3 - works wonders indeed. It snug on M3 metal eyepiece and makes no harmful contact to the glasses.
 
Thanks, everyone.

Thanks, Bill for your consistently good replies - really appreciated!

My flirtation w/ the M3 continues. Shall let everyone know!

regards,
-Mark
 
I use a diopter that I got at Kurland photo. You just have to take your glasses off when using the viewfinder.

Sometimes I leave my glasses on, and can still focus OK w/out removing them.
 
I'm a M3 owner and I wear glasses too, but I don't have a problem seeing the frame lines in the M3 viewfinder. However, I sometimes have a problem seeing the 35mm framlines in the viewfinder of my M6TTL (0.72)
 
I, too, wear specs and have an M3; and while I have no problem seeing the 50mm frameline, I am very grateful that my lenses have such hard coatings.
 
I can see the framelines with my glasses on. But, this is a highly individual thing. If you can't see the 50mm frame well enough, are you sure you wouldn't rather have an M6 with .85 finder? It should make the difference between not seeing and seeing. And you get a built-in meter! You can get one in chrome, to have a more classic look.
 
FrankS said:
Diopters, now there's a great idea! I'm okay with my glasses and the 50mm framelines on my M3, but have some difficulty seeing the meter display in my M5. Where does one find these diopters?
Click to expand...

There's a dealer on eBay, Etefore, from whom you can buy those little things for $30. As a matter of fact, I followed Stu's advice and bought one from Etefore yesterday!
 
Thanks for the info Marc. I've never bought or sold on ebay - not registered, and not going to either.
 
Just to check - my optician tells me my prescription is -0.75. This means I want to get a -1 diopter correction lens to counter for it, yes?
 
jamiewakeham said:
Just to check - my optician tells me my prescription is -0.75. This means I want to get a -1 diopter correction lens to counter for it, yes?
Click to expand...

Yes, but -0.75 is nothing ... you're lucky. -1 diopter lens might be too strong, but I think it's usable. My sight is -2.25 (right eye) & -2.75 (left); I opted for a -2 diopter lens not -3.
As Ronald said, I have to wait until I'm 55 ;)
 
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