Disapointment with the M ?

[totifoto]

Ever since I strated shooting in 2001 I have had my eys on the Leica M
, today I handled one for the first time. First I handled the M8, without a lense though, then they handled me the MP with a 50mm f2 lens and a .72 viewfinder. Its a lovely feel to hold it and the shuttersound is beatiful. When I looked in the viewfinder I said WOW, it is so clear! I have a Yashica Minister D and a Zorki 4 and the are far from being this clear. Then came the but, the focusing patch is so small 😕 I had a problem focusing with it 🙁 Focusing on my Yashica is not easy either but on the Zorki it is no problem, much larger focus patch and a 1:1 viewfinder.

Does any other Leica camera have a larger focusing patch than the MP ?
The Leicas I have been looking at is the M3, but that one does not have a 35mm frameline and I like the 35mm the most.
The M6 TTL
The M5 cause they say it has the best metering system

But now I´m down to looking at who has the largest focusing patch.

I have been shooting mostly slr and MF so maybe thats why I have problems focusing with a rangefinder 🙄

 

[FrankS]

You could try a .85 viewfinder magnification M6.

 

[Ronald M]

M3 models have the best focusing, but you will get a host of other age related problems.

 

[ferider]

Try a Canon P. Built like an M3, with 1:1 finder and 35mm framelines.

If you get a .85 MP with 1.25 viewfinder magnifier you will have a 1:1 finder.

 

[Michiel Fokkema]

Hi,

I always found the M rf patch to be one of the biggest around.
Apart from the size you will be amazed in low light. when other brands blank out the M's still go strong.
For 1:1 vf you should look at a Canon P three framelines in the vf including 35, M3, no 35 frame or a Besse R3A, widest frame is 40.
In leica the 0.85 finder might be a slotuoin for you also.
There is also 1.25 vf mgnifier for the leica M.

Cheers,

Michiel Fokkema

 

[shadowfox]

I don't know if you're wearing glasses or not. That may be one factor.

But to me, the .72 viewfinder on the Leica is plenty sufficient for good composing and framing. Besides, the mirror-like rangefinder patch is amazing in low-light. I've had a Zorki 4 briefly, it just doesn't compare even with the 1:1 magnification.

Perhaps you just need to get used to the RF focusing. I also use SLR and I don't have a mental block when switching from the SLR to the RF, it's just a matter of using them enough to get comfortable.

 

[mfogiel]

totifoto,
If you want a Leica, I see nothing wrong with it, it feels great in the hand, and the shutter is damned silent, but apart from this, this camera is plainly obsolete. Before you commit some serious money to an obsolete camera in an environment where film is dying out, look at the Zeiss Ikon. I have both the ZI and the M7 0.85, and for me the M7 is a specialist camera: for stealth shooting indoors with a 50 mm lens. For the main camera the ZI is simply much more versatile and easier to use, especially in low light.

 

[MikeCassidy]

I've always owned a M3 so take everything I say with a grain of salt because it part of me now.

For a 35mm on an M3 use the whole viewer/window not the frame lines,

 

[peterm1]

I think they all have the same sized patch which is reputed to be the largest in the business. With my crappy eyes I find a rangefinder camera - especially Leicas much much easier to use than Manual Focus SLRs because of the way the patch makes it obvious if a subject is in focus or not. However I will say that the trick is to try to pick a subject to focus on where there is good contrast between it and the surrounding area so the edge is well defined. Then compose and shoot.

 

[Michiel Fokkema]

totifoto,
If you want a Leica, I see nothing wrong with it, it feels great in the hand, and the shutter is damned silent, but apart from this, this camera is plainly obsolete. Before you commit some serious money to an obsolete camera in an environment where film is dying out, look at the Zeiss Ikon. I have both the ZI and the M7 0.85, and for me the M7 is a specialist camera: for stealth shooting indoors with a 50 mm lens. For the main camera the ZI is simply much more versatile and easier to use, especially in low light.

Why?

Cheers,

Michiel Fokkema

 

[hlockwood]

I have the M7 with the 0.85 VF and I wear glasses. I have had no issues with the size of the RF patch. But when I use the 90mm cron, I'd be more comfortable with higher mag. for more confident focussing. So, I have the 1.25 magnifier on order. As someone else noted this gives a total mag > 1. Can't do better than that.

As for the M being obsolete because film is dying out, that's a logical inconsistency. If film is dying out, then all film cameras are, or will be, obsolete. And I don't buy that.

On the other hand, I will support the argument that Leica should have broken the mold with the M7 and designed something closer to the Hexar RF than the earlier Ms.

Harry

 

[mike goldberg]

The only M-series I have ever known is the M2. Tho' I enjoy the Fed-2c with its
dim finder 🙄 ... also a Bessa R, QL-17 and Oly 35 RC, I have found the M2 patch easier to focus than ALL the others.

 

[mfogiel]

@Michiel Fokkema
The reason is simple - because in the ZI viewfinder you can actually see something... and you get just one frameline and the focusing patch is bigger, as well as the RF is more accurate, believe it or not, even if ZI is only 0.74 against 0.85.
@hlockwood
M7 is obsolete, full stop, and the film is dying out, full stop, at this point I find it wiser to throw out 1/3rd of the money to get twice the performance on a ZI rather than on an M7.

 

[bessasebastian]

M7 is obsolete, full stop, and the film is dying out, full stop, at this point I find it wiser to throw out 1/3rd of the money to get twice the performance on a ZI rather than on an M7.

Twice the performance? Whats your formula for that? 😀

 

[pachuco]

@Michiel Fokkema
The reason is simple - because in the ZI viewfinder you can actually see something... and you get just one frameline and the focusing patch is bigger, as well as the RF is more accurate, believe it or not, even if ZI is only 0.74 against 0.85.
@hlockwood
M7 is obsolete, full stop, and the film is dying out, full stop, at this point I find it wiser to throw out 1/3rd of the money to get twice the performance on a ZI rather than on an M7.

Um, by that logic would not the ZI be obsolete as well....?😛

 

[mfogiel]

@ pachuco
For me the ZI will become obsolete as soon as I will be able to buy a digital ZI or equivalent camera (without compromising on size, weight and responsiveness of the trigger), which will give me a full frame B&W image of the same or better quality that film gives, without the hassle of dealing with film. I don't know how long it will take, but I don't think more than 5 years.

 

[totifoto]

Thanx for all the answers.

I dont wear glasess, yet at least 🙄

I have also looked into the ZI but the thing that is keeping me away from them is that I live in Iceland and there is no dealer with them here so there is no repairshop either. But we have a Leica dealer.

The only camera they have at the shop at the momment is the MP I tried and the M8. I´m going to Boston on friday and hopefully I will find a Leica dealer there and can try out th .85 viewfinder there.

What about the 1.25 magnifier? I only have framlines 50 and up with that dont I?

 

[pachuco]

Thanks for the explination Mfogiel, I can dig that 🙂

 

[chikne]

I am disappointed that I can't afford another one =)

 

[JNewell]

I´m going to Boston on friday and hopefully I will find a Leica dealer there and can try out th .85 viewfinder there.

Cameras with .85x finders are probably not that easy to find outside of big cities or the occasional well-stocked dealer. Are you going to be _in_ Boston on Friday? It might be possible for me to let you look at an M6/.85 of mine, depending on scheduling. Email me (do not pm me) if you are interested and we can see if something would work. Email is newellj at gmail dot com.