Changing VF Magnification?

[boomguy57]

Does anyone know if it is possible to change the magnification of the viewfinder in a Leica M (in my case an M6TTL 085)?

I enjoyed the 0.85x initially, but wear glasses and want to see the 35mm framelines more easily. I sent Leica an email and they said it would cost around $1,500 😱 so I emailed DAG and he said it was not possible since Leica doesn't send out enough of the viewfinders as spare parts, since they want you to buy more cameras, not change the one you have. I'd like to move to a 0.72x or maybe even a 0.58x.

Has anyone done this? Does anyone know if it's possible, or if I am S.O.L.? I haven't ever used anyone else to service my M's other than DAG in the past.

Any advice or help is appreciated!

 

[f16sunshine]

You're not SOL exactly. It's pretty easy to trade a .85 for a .72. I personally would love to trade one of my .72's for a .85. The other option is to purchase a thread in .85 piece for your VF. It will turn your .85 into a .72. It protrudes out the back a bit but, actually they work just fine.

 

[boomguy57]

Has anyone actually used these things?

 

[f16sunshine]

I use the 1.25x from the supplier above as well. It works and looks as good as the Leica version (which I lost two of.... ouch! ).
Have never tried the .85. What Maddoc says in another thread makes sense. It will not be as nice as a .72.

 

[mfogiel]

I think you will be better off buying a SECOND body 0.58x... This is what I have done at least. This way, the 0.58 body covers 28 and 35mm while the .85 body covers anything from 50mm. A more economical alternative, would be to sell the Leica, and buy a ZI, which with a bit of pressing against the vf will give you coverage from 28mm to 85mm, and the 35mm frames are a real treat.

 

[guoshuo]

My m2's vf is .85 mag with 35 50 and 90 frame Lines, s/n starts with 11. Could anyone hel

 

[boomguy57]

I think you will be better off buying a SECOND body 0.58x... This is what I have done at least. This way, the 0.58 body covers 28 and 35mm while the .85 body covers anything from 50mm. A more economical alternative, would be to sell the Leica, and buy a ZI, which with a bit of pressing against the vf will give you coverage from 28mm to 85mm, and the 35mm frames are a real treat.

Funny, since I have a ZI already 🙂

I like the 0.85 for >50mm (use the 50 & 90 regularly), but 35 is my most-used. I don't like to have to carry two bodies around and go back and forth whilst shooting.

I thought maybe I could just swap my 0.85 for a 0.58 or 0.72, and use a +1.25 magnifier when I need it--much smaller than a second body!

 

[dogberryjr]

How about using an auxiliary finder for 35?