Heliar 75: I Need Advice

[sonwolf]

I am interested in a Heliar 75mm for my R-D1. My first question regards purchasing a magnifier in the US. There seems to be general agreement that the Megaperls 1.35 magnifier is very helpful. Unfortunately, they do not ship to the US. Does anyone sell this magnifier grey market in the US?

I have seen references to using the Nikon DG-2 2.00 magnifier. Does anyone use this eyepiece and how do they like it? Does anyone use the 1.25 Leica magnifier from HK Supplies in Hong Kong? I have been unable to confirm if this eyepiece works on the R-D1.

My second question is the frameline conundrum of using a 75 on an R-D1. Using the 50mm framelines in the viewfinder, how do you accurately judge framing? The 50mm frameline, as we all know, is tighter than 50mm. I know it is wider than 75mm but not sure if it is just slightly wider.

Does anyone use the Voigtlander 90mm Viewfinder with adjustable parallax correction? Does it provide easier framing than just estimating with the 50mm framelines? I apologize for all the questions but the R-D1 is my first rangefinder camera. Coming from the world of SLRs, I suffer from frameline anxiety.

 

[Terao]

I've got used to using the 50mm framelines, just centre your subject and you'll be fine. Might be a bit trickier for close-up stuff but I have no problem with long-distance work. The beauty of the R-D1 is of course that you can quickly review the shot and you soon get good at estimating the edge of the frame.

 

[mwooten]

I am interested in a Heliar 75mm for my R-D1. My first question regards purchasing a magnifier in the US. There seems to be general agreement that the Megaperls 1.35 magnifier is very helpful. Unfortunately, they do not ship to the US. Does anyone sell this magnifier grey market in the US? ....

Well, you don't have to buy it for your rangefinder. You can buy it for your non-rangefinder camera that just happens to use the same eye-piece as an RD1.

The Megaperls site (LINK) states; "ATTENTION: due to Leica patent restrictions, this product is not available to customers for rangefinder use in Germany and the United States of America! Please contact us for DSLR use." I would contact them. Then you could get it for your Nikon FM or FE.

Take care,
Michael

 

[sonwolf]

Actually, I do own a Nikon FE and a magnifier could be handy.

Thank you for the idea. I will report back, when I have a response from Megaperls.

 

[sonwolf]

Megaperls Magnifier

Megaperls Magnifier

After the excellent advice from this forum, I purchased the Megaperls Magnifier for my camera. Works great for focusing a 75mm lens without overly restricting the field of view in the viewfinder.