finder 0.72 with 50mm lens

[equalizer]

Hello
I am a new member and new to the world of rangefinders. I am about to buy a used M6 with 0.72 finder.
I am just worried about the finder, is it comfortable with a 50mm lens or the 50mm frame looks too small with this finder? I like this focal distance and it is also the most affordable lens for me right now 🙂
Thanks for your answers

 

[peter_n]

Welcome to the forum equalizer! 🙂 I don't wear glasses and I've used a 50mm with a 0.72 mag M with no problems and I think the framelines are a good size too. I've read that people who wear glasses sometimes have difficulty seeing the framelines for 35mm on a 0.72 though. Not an issue for you at the moment but it could be in the future...

 

[merciful]

I like this focal distance and it is also the most affordable lens for me right now 🙂

If 50mm is really a speciality for you, consider an M3 with the .91 finder. I have an M2 (.72) as well, and I prefer focusing the 50mm on the M3, even with glasses.

 

[Mackinaw]

I have an MP with the 0.72 viewfinder and have no problem with the 50mm framelines. If you do find the 50mm framelines too small for your tastes, consider buying the screw-in 1.25 finder eyepiece. This will turn your 0.72 into a 0.90 finder.

Jim Bielecki

 

[StuartR]

It will be fine. After using a rangefinder for awhile, you will come to appreciate how useful the area around the framelines can be in terms of anticipating the shot and being able to see exactly what should be in and out of the frame.

 

[Dougg]

I've had my M2 a long time but only recently fitted a 50mm lens to it, and I find I really like the framing. Not at all too small, yet shows a useful area of the rest of the world for reference. A very nice combination IMO. Welcome to RFF!

 

[Simon Larbalestier]

Based on the cameras I have - I too prefer the 0.72 viewfinder with 50mm lenses - I used to have the 0.85 on a M6ttl and even used the 1.25 viewfinder magnifer but eventually went back to the 0.72 magnification when buying an MP. Even simplier are the uncluttered finders of the M4 and M42 (which don't show the 75mm framelines)
For me, i find the 0.72 magnification allows me to see enough outside the frame as inside the frame helping me make a faster choices re compositions - if that makes any sense.

 

[Avotius]

there should be no problems with a .72 and a 50 lens. Later on you might have some problems if you ever decide to get a 35mm but that depends on a few things I guess. I wear glasses and cannot see the 35mm framelines on the 72 but have no problem whatsoever with the 50's so I think you will be fine. Also that extra space around the finder is very usefull for noticing things you might or might not want in your frame.

 

[Magus]

Post deleted by posters request

 

[telenous]

Another nudge for the M3 viewfinder and 50mm lens combo. The M6 will not be a problem either using it with a 50 lens.

 

[Ben Z]

The 50mm framelines in the M6 (at least the .72 and .85) are fine. At subject distances longer than about 10ft you'll get a fair bit more on film than the framelines outline, so I happen to like having some room around them in the finder to guesstimate outside the lines. I had an M3 for a while, loved the camera but (cause I wear glasses) I couldn't see outside the lines and found it a little frustrating to compose at longer distances.

 

[equalizer]

Thanks a lot for your replies!

Unfortunately the guy who wanted to sell the M6 regretted it and I am now searching again...
I have found an M6 classic (not TTL) but I am worried about how old it is... Will the shutter last? How can one find when it was produced? Its serial number is 1682531

 

[StuartR]

The serial numbers by date are listed here: http://www.cameraquest.com/mtype.htm

It looks like that one is from 1985. It might need a CLA (clean lube and adjust) from a technician, but I would not be too worried about its age. There are many people still using Leica M3's from the 50s, not to mention screwmount Leicas from the 30s. As long as they are properly maintained, the cameras should outlive us all.

 

[principe azul]

The 50mm frames on the M6 may well look small, I can't say. What I do know is that the 35mm frame on the 0.72 M6 is smaller than the 35mm frame on the (0.72) M4, so that Leica could fit the 28mm frame in (which the M4 doesn't have). So this may or may not affect the 50mm frame. Someone will know for sure. But even on an M4 there's a margin outside the frame that will get onto the negative.

Certainly, on the M4 the 50mm frame doesn't look too small. One of the big arguments for using an RF is being able to see outside the frame, and you don't get much of this with a 35mm on an M4. With a 50mm on the M4, you get a good amount for anticipation.

One thing to bear in mind is that you're getting 0.72x magnification whatever lens you put on. On an SLR, where figures are given for a 50mm lens at infinity, this isn't an unreasonable magnification. Off the top of my head, the Nikon F3 gives 0.8x, the F3HP 0.75x. So you're not really being shortchanged.

Because finder magnification varies on an SLR acording to the lens, you'll find the 0.72 M6 still gives you 0.72x when you slap a 35mm lens on it, which is better than an SLR, which will give you 0.5x something. With a 90mm, you'll still get 0.72x on the M6 but will be getting something like 1.4x on an SLR.