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

It allows me to simply screw on another lens and then use the lever to get the appropriate frame when I (again!) forgot to bring the correct adapter for it.

my M2 has it, my M3 not. Most of the time I carry both so I get off the hook when forgetting to pack the adapter.
 
I always use it before deciding to change lens. The only times I carry more than one lens is when I'm traveling, so it's not important for my daily use. But I'm glad it's there. And an M3 without it would be a big minus for me. Personally I wouldn't care about the absence of self timer on the camera or the infinity lock on the lens.

The preview lever on my M6 has also dissuaded me from purchasing a 28mm lens. So it's a money saver.
 
It is handy, if you have some LTM-lens with different focal lengths and only one LTM to M adapter. Simply tape the preview lever into place.
 
I use the preview lever as a learning tool to see how a shot might look with another lens. A nice to have feature over the years.
 
Quite useful, but I actually prefer the Bessa idea of actually choosing the frames, rather than the automatic system of the Leicas and my ZI. For me it would make it easy to just buy M adaptors without worrying whether it's a 28mm/90mm or whatever. Also for lenses like the 40mm Nokton (will this bring up 35mm or 50mm? Is it the one you prefer?).

It would also allow them to invent new focal lengths without having the M mount support it, like wides etc.
 
thegman said:
Quite useful, but I actually prefer the Bessa idea of actually choosing the frames, rather than the automatic system of the Leicas and my ZI. For me it would make it easy to just buy M adaptors without worrying whether it's a 28mm/90mm or whatever. Also for lenses like the 40mm Nokton (will this bring up 35mm or 50mm? Is it the one you prefer?).

It would also allow them to invent new focal lengths without having the M mount support it, like wides etc.
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No, no, no, a thousand times no. To save a modest amount on adapters, you're willing to have the wrong frame? You can forget to change frames; the frame selector can get knocked.

Also, how will it "It would also allow them to invent new focal lengths without having the M mount support it, like wides etc"? There have been M-mount (or screw, M-adaptable) lenses in 12, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 24, 25, 28, 35, 40, 50, 60, 73, 75, 80, 85, 90, 100, 105, 127, 135, and (I think) 150, 180, 200.

Cheers,

R
 
I don't use mine on my M6TTL, I use to when I first bought it.
Would anybody think I'm nuts if I said the framelines seem to be imprinted on my minds-eye view of a scene? :eek:

Steve.
 
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On the M5 it's also the battery tester, so I'm glad it's there. I also like having it on the M2. It's a nice feature, even if it gets little practical use.
 
Now Gabriel has a good point here! If you'd just taken a photo of a scene with your 50mm lens but had switched to a 35mm and then needed to refresh your memory of what that scene looked like with the 50mm ... you could use your postview lever!
 
Roger Hicks said:
No, no, no, a thousand times no. To save a modest amount on adapters, you're willing to have the wrong frame? You can forget to change frames; the frame selector can get knocked.
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1000x agreed. I KNOW I'd never remember. How many times have I forgotten to tell the M9 I've switched non-coded lenses??

Roger Hicks said:
Also, how will it "It would also allow them to invent new focal lengths without having the M mount support it, like wides etc"? There have been M-mount (or screw, M-adaptable) lenses in 12, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 24, 25, 28, 35, 40, 50, 60, 73, 75, 80, 85, 90, 100, 105, 127, 135, and (I think) 150, 180, 200.
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You've forgotten 45 Roger.:D (the Contax G 45)
 
Gabriel M.A. said:
I must have a different definition of "preview".

Does the frame counter "postview" and "preview" the frames that aren't on at the moment?
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In my M2 manual it is called the frame selector lever, and in my M6 manual it is called the frame preselector lever. I don't see why you are quibbling over the widespread use of the term preview lever. You can't select frames for use, you can only preview what they might give you if you were to change lenses.
 
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The frame pre-selector lever gets a lot more use than the self-timer lever on the other side of the lens on my m3, and that one is twice as big. I in fact used the lever on my m6 just this afternoon to help me determine which lens to stick on my 4x5 before I haul that up onto the roof of my building.
 
I was thinking of having the Preview Lever on the M2 and the Self Timer Lever on the M3 taken off. I don't really use them and I think it would look nice just smooth. That's why I ask.
 
You won't get that nice smooth look unless you take off the rewind lever too...:p
 
I bought a Hexar RF very cheaply here from another member partly because it had no preview lever ... just a piece of black tape over the protruding shaft. I always intended to track down a lever and fit it but never did and when I eventually sold it I don't think the new owner was too concerned either.
 
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