Do we really need a Preview Lever on an M body?

[Pirate]

I don't see a need for a Preview Lever on my M2. Is there really a need for it? I don't have it on my M3 and I don't have a need for it.

What are you thoughts on this lever?

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

You mean the frame selector for the viewfinder? That's not a preview lever.

 

[loquax ludens]

I don't have an M2 and the M3 I just bought hasn't arrived yet, but from reading the Leica M2 manual on the butkus site, the M2 automatically brings up the right frame lines when you attach a lens (35mm, 50mm, or 90mm). The finder frame selector switch to the right side of the lens mount (if you are facing the front of the camera) can be moved to bring up the frame lines for the other two focal lengths. While I would not regard it as essential, it seems like it would be useful occasionally.

Some M3 have this lever. Some don't. I think that it is referred to generally as a preview lever.

 

[HuubL]

You need the frames, not the lever. I must say I don't use the lever much to check what I would get with a lens change.

 

[loquax ludens]

Here is another recent short thread on M3 preview lever that I found informative.

Leica M3 Preview Lever?

 

[Rip Tragle]

Preview Lever

Preview Lever

I find it quite handy on the M-9 to get a quick look at the framing
of another lens I my want to use in the given situation.

 

[taskoni]

I like it.

 

[leica M2 fan]

I love it! I can quickly see what perspective would be best for the shot.

 

[kdemas]

I don't mind it being there but I never use it.

 

[Darshan]

I don't mind it being there but I never use it.

+1.

OTOH, I just hate the ST lever, I might have it taken out if & when I send the camera for repair...for now, it's going strong. 😀

 

[MartinP]

It can be handy on the M3. The 90mm frame matches the metering area of the Leicameter on the camera, so I sometimes use it to confirm that I'm metering what I think I'm metering. Also it can be convenient to confirm if it's worth breaking out the 90mm for in-between shots.

 

[Rob-F]

It can be handy on the M3. The 90mm frame matches the metering area of the Leicameter on the camera, so I sometimes use it to confirm that I'm metering what I think I'm metering. Also it can be convenient to confirm if it's worth breaking out the 90mm for in-between shots.

And the same is true of the M2 and M4.

It seems a bit late to bring this up. About 50 years too late.

 

[Richard G]

You mean the frame selector for the viewfinder? That's not a preview lever.

It is indeed a preview lever, a preview of what you would see if you mounted a different lens. I also have never needed it, and if there weren't one on my M5 I might not be troubled by the regular glimpse of the left edge of the 90 frame line when a 50 is mounted, owing to a broken spring in the preview mechanism. The self-timer gets little use, but great to have.

 

[Hilm3]

My preview lever on my M6 fell off somewhere. I did not replace it for a few years, but finally did. I was always afraid dust or moisture would get in through the uncovered opening. I don't actually know that it is not sealed without the lever, but I did not want to worry about it any longer.

Don't use it much and I did not miss it when it was gone.

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

I must have a different definition of "preview".

Does the frame counter "postview" and "preview" the frames that aren't on at the moment?

 

[Roger Hicks]

Need? Not really.

Find useful (very) occasionally? Yes. I doubt I use it three times a year, but when I do, it's a small, moderately handy feature.

I doubt they'd dare drop it now, because too many people would immediately whinge that they were cheapening the camera. It's a fairly simple mechanical lever, after all, originally put in (I suspect) to emphasize the usefulness of the new 3-frame finder on the M3.

Cheers,

R.

 

[Roger Hicks]

I must have a different definition of "preview".

Does the frame counter "postview" and "preview" the frames that aren't on at the moment?

I'm with Richard. If you changed lenses, you'd see a different frame. Pushing the lever allows you to see (view) what would happen if you changed lenses, before (pre) you do so. In my book, that justifies calling it a preview.

Cheers,

R.

 

[Glenn2]

Very useful, it lets you preview framing without going to the bother of digging out the other lens and mounting it. Why worry about such a small thing, take a look at any of the higher end digital boxes. More buttons, levers, wheels, and gizmos than you can shake a stick at. If you change something and don't remember doing it next time you shoot, watch out. At least the Leica lever springs back to match what's mounted.

I wonder if Leica will ever go to digital framing like the X-100? It would enable them to just project the frame for a mounted lens rather than a clutter. I think it's for this reason that the M2 finder is so popular. Once you've gone digital it opens up the possibility of using a zoom lens on a rangefinder, if the lens communicates with the body. Perhaps it will be a feature released with the M11.... ;-)

Glenn

 

[sepiareverb]

I use it to see what changing to a longer lens could have done when looking at prints from time to time.

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

I'm with Richard. If you changed lenses, you'd see a different frame. Pushing the lever allows you to see (view) what would happen if you changed lenses, before (pre) you do so. In my book, that justifies calling it a preview.

It's a matter of perception. Which is why I wonder if the frame counter is a "preview counter" of the frames that are coming; or remaining. If somebody had that perception, they'd be also justified in calling it that.

To me it's a frameline selector, which allows you to select a different frameline.