Best Way to Protect Eyeglasses From M2's Eyepiece?

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wgerrard

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My new-to-me M2 arrived today from Youxin. Now, I'm looking for something to protect my eyeglasses from the ravages of the Leica eyepiece. In the past, I've used a hard plastic ring that fits over the existing eyepiece. Good, but not great. I've also used the little adhesive-backed felt thingies from Japan (forget the vender's name at the moment). The adhesive seems to lose its grip in warm weather and the ring slips out of place.

Is there a better way? What's the best approach to this problem?
 
I don't have the M2 now, but found something suitable in a little box of assorted neoprene 'O' rings that I had (from motor parts store).
Dave.
 
I went through this routine myself. Bought tick ons (mine from cameraquest when they were available), then found Dag's (which are like hard rubber doughnuts) and installed those. They worked, and work, fine -- the one drawback was operator error; I screwed in a diopter w/o removing the doughnut and the doughnut cracked. Others (like Dave) have used o-rings; yet others report using liquid electrical tape.

I considered getting glasses which allowed you to flip up one lens (called make-up glasses in optician's catalogs). I also checked out the .8X (de)magnifier (not good for me).I finally ponied up for a diopter, either Leica or HK Supplies (one each, both work), and flipping up my glasses to focus and shoot.

This may be exactly what you want to avoid, but in addition to protecting glasses VERY, VERY well, I got the bonus of seeing more of the VF frame since I did not have the extra distance. YMMV
 
the cameraquest "donut" protector worked well for me.

bill, i'd offer to dig thru my loose stash - if i find a spare or a soft plastic ring i used to use, i could send it along gratis.

mike
 
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I've ordered one of DAG's plastic eyepiece guards. The eyecups were interesting, but I wonder about the eye relief with glasses. And about the prospect of the eyecup smearing eyeglass lenses.

I wish someone would make a rubber version of DAG's eyepiece.
 
I use the guard that DAG sells. It has worked well on my camera, but I sometimes think about gluing some cork gasket material to it.

--michael
 
Hi Bill

Possible solutions:

1. Shoot with only 50 & 90mm lenses so you can back away from the finder a bit.

2. Try the DAG device.

3. I coated the metal with Liquid Electrical Tape. Great stuff. It also fills in where the vulcanite is missing.

4. Sometime I use contact lenses.

5. I've also done this: just go ahead and use it, and let your glasses get scratched. The scratch occurs just above my line of vision, so it doesn't affect my view of anything. When it gets too bad, it's time for a new prescription anyhow.

I've had my M2 for 50 years. It has scratched more than one pair of glasses! I hope you use your M2 for 50 years! Good luck and good shooting!
 
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I have tried a few things, including making a thin leather (black goatskin) donut with double stick tape. But the plastic ring from DAG stays put, whereas the leather can get pushed around while it is in the bag. As OP noted, the tape can get soft in warm weather.

3m spray adhesive to adhere the leather works better.

But the best I think is to have an M6 eyepiece fitted. I am not sure, but I don't think this will fit the M3. I did have one fitted to an M5. It might fit the M2.

The rubber surface is really the best as far as glasses are concerned.
 
Rayt said:
You can get an M diopter and just knock out the lens. Cheap and easy solution.
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Or you can get an M diopter and use it instead of the glasses. For all the M finder's being toted as the best thing since the invention of the photographic plate, its eye relief is bad enough as it is if you compare it to the Bessas and especially the ZI.
 
I used those felt donuts before, but glued them on w/ contact cement, the same stuff I use to hold down peeling camera covering. It doesn't let go, but if you want it off later just use some lighter fluid and scrape it off. Woks fine and costs essentially nothing.
 
I have the DAG protectors, too. They work well, but I can only see the 50 frameline with glasses so have to use a diopter for wider lenses. It surprises me that some people can see the 35 frameline with glasses. There must be a wide variance in eyeball to lens distance.
 
I don't have an M2, but the Canon L1 has a metal eyepiece retainer that is guaranteed to destroy your eyeglass lens in one outing. My solution was a flat rubber faucet washer sold here for 5 cents glued on. It works great!
 
rxmd said:
Or you can get an M diopter and use it instead of the glasses. For all the M finder's being toted as the best thing since the invention of the photographic plate, its eye relief is bad enough as it is if you compare it to the Bessas and especially the ZI.
Click to expand...

That's what I do; I use -1.5 diopters but if your vision is bad then you can't walk around with one eye peering out of the Leica to see what you are walking into! And alternating between glasses and camera is a pain.
 
Rayt said:
That's what I do; I use -1.5 diopters but if your vision is bad then you can't walk around with one eye peering out of the Leica to see what you are walking into! And alternating between glasses and camera is a pain.
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Pain possibly, but I've found that for me the level of pain depends on the kind of photography you do, whether you flip them up but keep them on your head or take them off, and the kind of movement you're engaged in -- slow walking, running, riding a horse, etc.
 
I have an M2 with the DAG plastic eyepiece. It snaps on great, but the eye relief is bad for the 35mm frameline. Funny this post came up, as I was just thinking about this today while shooting on the street. so yes, I can't make out the whole frame looking directly on. I will resort to wearing contacts again I suppose...
 
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