Does Leica convert viewfinders?

baxna

baxna

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Hi everyone,

Do you know if Leica will convert your viewfinder (for an astronomical fee, of course)? I am looking to buy a black MP 0.72x finder. It's because I wear glasses and cannot afford a-la-carte that I ask. Could I buy a 0.72x finder MP and have them convert it to a 0.58x? Has anyone ever done this and what's the process like? Thanks,

Mike Sweeney
http://photography.sweeneystyle.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikesweeney/
 
baxna said:
Hi everyone,

Do you know if Leica will convert your viewfinder (for an astronomical fee, of course)? I am looking to buy a black MP 0.72x finder. It's because I wear glasses and cannot afford a-la-carte that I ask. Could I buy a 0.72x finder MP and have them convert it to a 0.58x? Has anyone ever done this and what's the process like? Thanks,

Mike Sweeney
http://photography.sweeneystyle.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikesweeney/
Click to expand...

i called about having a .85 M6 converted to .58 a few months ago. i was quoted $1400. makes more sense to wait until you find the right one...

bob
 
I agree! But in a LONG time of searching, I've yet to see a black MP 0.58x for sale. Anyone want to sell one? Hehehe.
 
We are all looking for a used black 0.58x MP... ;) Another strategy is to get a quality 3rd party indie tech, like DAG, to do the job for you. Much less expensive than Leica.
 
Viewfinder

Viewfinder

You might consider using a viewfinder magnifier. I have an eclipse 1.25X that has worked well for me. Bought it from Tony Rose.

I believe this same company makes a 1.4 magnifier. It's worth consideration.

Good luck.
 
Viewfinder

Viewfinder

Wait a minute, I suddenly realized my reply to your post is going the wrong way for you. Please disregard.
 
...or live with a chrome one. These days most people won't even realize that it's a camera that you're pointing at them. Or learn to live with a 0.72 finder like everybody did before the 0.58 came along. Learn to live within your means.

One of my M2 bodies has the M4-P frame lines I had installed during a CLA years ago, but it's still 0.72 magification.
 
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Leica NJ converted a BP MP from .72 to .58 for me. Not inexpensive, but still a good deal cheaper than a la carte and within my means. The guy in NJ who worked on MP's retired immediately afterwards, I do not know if they have anyone to replace him yet.
 
sepiareverb said:
Leica NJ converted a BP MP from .72 to .58 for me. Not inexpensive, but still a good deal cheaper than a la carte and within my means. The guy in NJ who worked on MP's retired immediately afterwards, I do not know if they have anyone to replace him yet.
Click to expand...

i sent my M7 in a couple of weeks ago for a new DX reader and the MP upgrade. New Jersey told me that they were 'training new people' and my camera would be assessed by them before going to Germany. i had to insist they not touch my camera in New Jersey and ship it directly to Solms. they weren't too happy with my pushiness, but i don't really want my stuff tinkered with for the sake of training.

bob
 
I would imagine that would be a hard position to fill.

Everyone I've dealt with in NJ has been wonderful (Leica NJ that is ;) )- helpful, attentive and pleasant. They may not always be the fastest, but I've never had any complaints about quality. I'm surprised they're not sending folks to Solms for training.

I sent off my 75 today which has developed a rattle, wonder if there are veterans in that part of the service dept.?


To better answer the OP- the process was easy. I sent in the camera and about 6 weeks later I had it back. These days it would likely go to Solms, which adds at least two weeks from what I recall NJ telling me. That same camera went to Solms for a metering activation switch, that one was 8 weeks.
 
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Changing the "VF mag" actually requires changing the rangefinder gizmo. The job can be had for $650-750 IF the tech keeps the original rangefinder gizmo in return. Otherwise its about $1300-1400.

.58 mags are hard to come by on the right camera body. Id like a .58 MP in black paint. However I snagged a .58 mag M7. I'm tellin ya, it changed the way I shoot pictures wit my 35 Summilux and 50mm Summilux.
 
baxna, I emailed Leitz awhile ago about changing my M7 .72 to .58. It'll run $900 for the viewfinder plus whatever labor is involved.
 
When I first decided to swap the VF I contacted Gerry Smith and Sherry, they both said that getting a .58 VF from Leica was not like ordering other parts, and both sent me to Leica NJ. Sherry had put a new .72 VF in my M5 a few years back after my framelines separated, this seems like something else for some reason.
 
I have a chrome 0.58 MP and what a finder! However, a few Afghans have complimented me on my expensive camera and I wish it had been black. Nobody has ever commented on my black bodies - even a Scottish friend of mine told me the silver one looked 'much more expensive' than the black. There is another option if you are buying a camera for field use: repaints. I know this is heresy, but at least you end up with a black 0.58 for far less than a finder replacement. if you found a marked chrome 0.58 you could prob have it repainted for the same total cost of mint chrome 0.58.

I have seen BP 0.58 MPs at a rate of about one a year, often priced up in the stratosphere. Another option is a late model M6 classic for conversion, prob working out a lot cheaper than the MP option, but then again if the dials went the same way I would just get a black M6 TTL.... they dont, so its not an option
 
Reviving this thread for future reference:

I recently contacted Leica NJ with an inquiry of converting my 0.72 MP into the 0.58, and was quoted $1,500-2,000 - the labour involved is said to be $100 per hour.

Guess as a glass wearer, BP lover and 28mm shooter, I have to make do...
 
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