HCB's viewfinder magnification

[boarini2003]

Hey guys, just joined RFF and posting for the first time. I tried looking for this info but couldn't find anything related. Does anybody know what HCB's viewfinder magnification was on his Leica, considering he was partial to the 50mm lens? Thanks, Jonathan.

 

[ray_g]

Welcome, Jonathan. HCB used an M3, so that would be .91

 

[VinceC]

Much of his most well-known stuff was shot with Barnack Leicas before the introduction of the M3. For example, the book "The Decisive Moment" was published before the M3 was introduced.

 

[Alec]

Welcome Jonathan.

When Cartier Bresson picked his first Leica, supposedly in 1932, the built-in finder only showed the 50mm field. I can't tell you the magnification.

But still he apparently liked to use other focal lengths, unless the iconic Hoyningen-Huene portrait looking through a multi-finder ("vidom") is a fake:
http://www.8weekly.nl/index.php?art=3423

He certainly used a M3 (VF mag 0.91) later :
http://www.magnumphotos.com/c/htm/TreePf_MAG.aspx?Stat=Photographers_Portfolio&E=29YL53IQ1W7

Next? 😉

 

[Alec]

Whoops, I took too long to type... so I'm the one who's next!

 

[boarini2003]

Wow guys, thanks for the info. It was very interesting to know. I one day want to buy a Leica MP (who doesn't) and am debating which viewfinder to choose, since I am a fan of the 50mm. I'm leaning towards .85...

 

[Flyfisher Tom]

The .85 / 50mm will suit you just fine, even with glasses on 🙂

 

[markbrennan]

According to the Pierre Assouline bio of HCB, he preferred the IIIg and M4 (w/ black tape over the chrome), and of course he mostly used a 50, and mostly the Elmar (again, according to Assouline). I'm sure he would have used the M3, too. And as Vince notes, HCB was shooting well before the intro the M, and even the III.
BTW, for what it's worth, I use a .72 MP w/ a 50 and find its mag sufficient enough. I too thought I would use the .85 but like the .72.
Regards,
-Mark

 

[BudGreen]

BTW, for what it's worth, I use a .72 MP w/ a 50 and find its mag sufficient enough. I too thought I would use the .85 but like the .72.
Regards,
-Mark

I agree. I also prefer a .72 viewfinder with a 50. It will let you use 35 and nominally a 28 wirhout resorting to an external viewfinder. And you can always add a 1.25x magnifier which effectively turns a .72 into a .85 when you need it.

 

[Flyfisher Tom]

Mark, is the Assouline bio worth getting in your estimation?

 

[markbrennan]

Hi Tom -

Well, I enjoyed it and got a lot out of it. I've heard a lot of people criticize it, though. Sure, it glosses over a lot, and the writing, maybe partly due to the translation, isn't always the most riveting or cogent, but I learned a lot about HCB's life and got a real flavor of it. Clearly, there could have been a more critical, or even psychological component to the bio (Assouline had a personal relationship w/ HCB and did the bio w/ his blessing, so there's a strong aspect of hero worship about the bio).

When all's said and done, HCB had an amazing life, intersecting w/ some major events of the last century, so the telling of the story is worth it, to me. This is not a deep, art-historical bio, nor a psychological portrait of HCB's private life, but it's good for what it is.

regards,
-Mark

 

[Flyfisher Tom]

Mark,

Thanks so much for the capsule review. There is so little good information on HCB out there, I think I may just have to get it.

By the way, if you haven't seen it already, may I recommend : The Impassioned Eye (DVD). I found it to be a candid enlightening measure of HCB's thoughts on some of this favorite photos. It too has been criticized by some for not having enough car chases and gratuitous violence interspersed with his thoughts .... just kidding ;-) It's a good documentary piece ala Charlie Rose, but mellower.

Best,

Tom

 

[Magus]

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