best framelines for...

[ARI_1969]

Hi

thinking about an M6, I was asking myself, what magnification (framelines go with this I think) would suit best. I have am using a Biogon 2.8/21 (not that much as I expected), like to have a 35mm lens (still curious what baut dont want to start this issue), using a 1.5/50 Notkon and a pre ASPH SUMMICRON 2.0/90. Comparing 0.58. 0.72 and 0.85, what would you recommend?

Ah, forgot to mention, that I am using a HEXAR RF...but I do feel, that something is missing (... or to much)

Thanks for all the answers in advance.

Achim

 

[former member]

I've used the 90/2 with my M2 which has a 0.72x finder. It's easier to use on the M3 with the 0.92x finder. The 50/1.5 lenses focus easily on the M2 and its 0.72x finder.

SO: if you plan on using the 90/2 a lot, and wide-open, I'd suggest the 0.85x finder. if you use it on occasion, the 0.72 is a good compromise. Use an external finder for the 21/2.8. Focussing is not as critical with it.

 

[ARI_1969]

hi brian

thanks for the reply. do you know wheather the 0.85 has a 28 frameline? I think I would prefer to have the 35 as the "biggest" frame. Until now, I did not have any problems to focus the 90 with the HEXAR... and well, I do use it (like most other lenses) fully open...

With the 21, I am using the "full window" of the RF... it's quite close...

As I found out, a M6 TTL (I would prefer the TTL version) is hard to find with 0.85

thanks

achim

 

[Doug]

Hi Achim -- Your Hexar RF has a finder magnification of 0.6x, and I find this excellent for using lenses 50mm and wider. I particularly like the clear 28mm frames with a bit of "air" around the outside to make it fast and easy to compose.

In contrast, I find the 35mm frames in my M2 (with 0.72 finder) hard to see all at once, but one must remember Leica made these frames smaller in later models, thus easier to see entirely.

If you're going to be using 50mm and longer most of the time, then the 0.85x finder is an advantage, though even 90mm frames are entirely useful in 0.72x also.

Any of these viewfinders will be equally inconvenient with your 21mm Biogon, as the external finder is needed in any case. One unique exception to this is the Voigtländer Bessa R4M and R4A, which has a 0.52x finder magnification, and features parallax-corrected framelines for 21mm, 25mm, 28mm, 35mm, and 50mm lenses. Why didn't anyone do this before? 🙂

 

[former member]

I believe that the 0.85x finder goes to 35mm lines, not 28. It is much less common than the 0.72x. The 90mm framelines in a 0.72x finder are perfectly useable. The lines in the higher mag finders tend to "spoil you". A little quicker to focus, and to frame.

 

[wilonstott]

None of the Leica magnifications have wider than 28mm--the .85 only goes to 35. The .58 just has more room around the 28 lines. If you want to get a better idea, go to the Leica homepage and do the a la carte configurator--it shows the approx. view of each magnification. As for myself, I have a M2 and was having a bit of an issue with close focusing wide open with the Nokton 50/1.5. The M2 is .72 with 35/50/90 lines. I got a x1.25 magnifier attachment on the Bay from somewhere in the far east-- a lot cheaper than the Leica one. I'll tell you, that thing is awesome, and I think you can get even greater magnification than x1.25. Some guys on the threads tell you that it will dim the viewfinder/rangefinder image, and if it does, it is very slight--I wouldn't have noticed unless I had already read about it. Thus, perhaps the .58 (for the wides, and approx. 21mm) and a magnifier for the 50mm and 90mm--it widens the baselength of the rangefinder for more accurate focusing, and it seriously works. After using the x1.25 magnifier, I wouldn't do anything without it.

 

[maddoc]

I had the M6TTL 0.85x, M3, Hexar RF and a couple of other Leicas with the 0.72x VF. The M3 was the best for the 90/2.0 and the Noctilux but not practicable for 35mm (for me). The M6 TTL 0.85x comes close (and the 50mm frame lines are easier to see wearing glasses) but this model has the worst flaring VF of all Leicas.

With the Hexar, I could focus the Noctilux wide open but not easily and 90mm is no fun either.

My solution now is the 0.72x VF Leicas (just OK down to 35mm frame lines wearing glasses) and srew in a 1.25x magnifier for my 90mm and sometimes for the Noctilux.

 

[kywong]

I have a M6 with the 0.85x. When I bought it I had perfect vision and I envisioned that I will shoot 50/90. 6 years on I wear glasses and I shoot 35/50, the 35 framelines are very hard to see with glasses, so now I wish I had bought one with a 0.72x VF.

Long story short, you can buy a magnifier, but you can't buy a de-magnifier.

Oh and no 0.85x doesn't have 28 framelines.

 

[maddoc]

Long story short, you can buy a magnifier, but you can't buy a de-magnifier.

There is a de-magnifier available from HKsupplies (0.85x) but from my experience (I had one for a short time) it is much better to use a 0.72x VF with 1.25x magnifier than to use a 0.85x VF with 0.85x de-magnifier.

 

[ARI_1969]

well, I think it will be a 0.72. Thanks to all contriutors... now I have to tell my wife...

greez

achim