Framefinder lines M9 <-> 90mm

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flyalf

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Hi,

When using 90mm (LEICA MACRO-ELMAR-M 90mm f/4) on M9 the framefinder lines seems highly inaccurate. The photo will display much more than the indicated lines. In fact it seems that the 75mm (inside 50mm) are more accurate.

Anyone with similar observations or input?

Thanks, and have a merry new year!
 
flyalf said:
Hi,

When using 90mm (LEICA MACRO-ELMAR-M 90mm f/4) on M9 the framefinder lines seems highly inaccurate. The photo will display much more than the indicated lines. In fact it seems that the 75mm (inside 50mm) are more accurate.

Anyone with similar observations or input?
Click to expand...

Yes, same with all M bodies going back to the M4P at least. At 1m, the 90 frame lines are more accurate, and the 75 frame lines would cut things off. A lens' field of view decreases as it is extended for close focus. The Leica frame lines are a fixed area (they do move for parallax, but as a unit only). As the subject distance increases, the photographer must rely on his experience to judge how far beyond the frame lines the actual capture will be. It is true for all focal lengths, although wider lenses have less of a variance between close and far.
 
The instruction manual notes that there is a fairly wide margin of error in the 90mm framelines. Can't remember off the top of my head what they are, though it's spelled out there.

Use my 90 to shoot live concert stuff. I've learned, when shooting vertical, to have the frameline just clip off the top of the performer's head. This gives me a shot without too much empty space at the top, or an uncomfortably shortened performer at the bottom...

Just one of the challenges of using a Leica. No one ever said it would be easy...but it is fun...:)
 
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