Leica 1.25 magnifier for 90mm lens ?

[alexz]

I'm going to enterntain an offer for a minty Elmarit-M 90mm/2.8 current version, looking to use one as a portrait lens mainly and a long one for other occasional all-around use.
I find the frame for 90mm in M6 may benefit from some enlargement for easier focusing with 90mm lens so thought about the magnifier.
Never used one so far, never saw one. I'd like to know what it is exactly, how it gets used on M6, its merits and drawbacks in real use. Does it indeed helps noticeably focusing with 90mm lens ?

Thanks, Alex

 

[ferider]

I'm going to enterntain an offer for a minty Elmarit-M 90mm/2.8 current version, looking to use one as a portrait lens mainly and a long one for other occasional all-around use.
I find the frame for 90mm in M6 may benefit from some enlargement for easier focusing with 90mm lens so thought about the magnifier.
Never used one so far, never saw one. I'd like to know what it is exactly, how it gets used on M6, its merits and drawbacks in real use. Does it indeed helps noticeably focusing with 90mm lens ?

Thanks, Alex

Yes. It screws on the M6 eyepiece and enlarges the view 1.25x. With the eyepiece you will not see the 28mm lines (.72 finder), and only barely the 35mm lines. You will see the light meter. It makes the viewfinder just a bit darker, but I never found this to be a problem. I even use it on my M3 sometimes.

Good product. Also very usable with fast 50s.

Roland.

 

[alexz]

Thanks Roland.
BTW, I was just toying with the idea of an M3 since they are 0.91 - to serve as long lens solution and double as the second body. I keep hearing though M3 film loading is quite combersome comparative to M6, is that true ? What is so different in this respect between them ?

 

[ferider]

Thanks Roland.
BTW, I was just toying with the idea of an M3 since they are 0.91 - to serve as long lens solution and double as the second body. I keep hearing though M3 film loading is quite combersome comparative to M6, is that true ? What is so different in this respect between them ?

It is a great camera for 90mm, you will be amazed how large the 90mm framelines can be. Even using 135mm on an M3 is easy.

The loading of the default M3 system is a bit more difficult than the M6: with the M3 you have to remove the spool, attach the film to the spool and put it back, while, with the M6 you can just push the film between the 3 fingers. I find the M3 not difficult to load at all - and believe many people who complain have never tried. Plus you can make it easier by either using a Quickload system (which I do) or a second spool. With the Quickload system you don't have to remove the spool, just lift it a little to reset the counter, then push the film in.

Best,

Roland.

 

[alexz]

Ok, thanks Roland, sounds indeed reassuring...
Not sure what to do, perhaps will first get the lens and start shooting as it is on my M6, then will have better understanding of whether investing into the magnifier or about twice+ as much into a user M3...

 

[borismach]

Ok, thanks Roland, sounds indeed reassuring...
Not sure what to do, perhaps will first get the lens and start shooting as it is on my M6, then will have better understanding of whether investing into the magnifier or about twice+ as much into a user M3...

Are you sure you can get a user m3 at the price of 2 magnifiers? If so, don't bother to consider the magnifier and get the m3! I'd be surprise if you would be regret. Here in HK I think the price we pay for a user m3 would be able to settle bills for 4 new leica maginfiers.
🙂 bm

 

[Rico]

I find the .72x finder is fine for Elmarit 90 focussing, especially you're stopped down a bit (f/5.6 for a nice head-and-shoulders portrait). Of greater interest comfort-wise is an enlarged frameline, which I achieve with an external VF. I have the classic Leitz SGVOO, but Cosina makes a good-looking metal replica. You will enjoy brightlines, parallax correction, 1x scale view, and the brightest view possible. You can also shoot with both eyes open - a great experience!

 

[Ken Ford]

I found I was never using my 90mm after I got an M6 - until I found a 1.25x magnifier. What a difference! IMO the 90mm framelines are barely usable on a .72, but the magnifier makes them more than acceptable. It makes a 75mm a real joy to use, too.

Then SolaresLarrave went and put his M3 into my hands... but that's another story.

 

[Santafecino]

Folks--About the 1.25x magnifier--has anyone tried the low-priced version offered on *Bay by HK Supplies?

 

[Artorius]

I do.

I do.

Folks--About the 1.25x magnifier--has anyone tried the low-priced version offered on *Bay by HK Supplies?

I use it with my M3. I haven't noticed any darkening of the viewfinder. I use it with the 90, and the 135. When I have the time and need critical focus I also use it with my CV 40. On the 'bay, they now sell the .85x and the 1.25x for what a used Leica version cost.

As a side note, I use the DK-17m on my Nikon DSLR's. As an older guy, it really helps, as I hope my comments have helped you.

 

[jcr]

I also do. It's perfect, I have both versions of the ones sold on eBay. I use it on M4, M6, M4-P.

I also have one from Japan's Megaperls (Megaperls), with diopter adjustments. I don't use this anymore, though, as the diopter adjustment easily moves out of adjustment like when putting in bag or slung around my neck.

 

[alexz]

Are you sure you can get a user m3 at the price of 2 magnifiers? If so, don't bother to consider the magnifier and get the m3! I'd be surprise if you would be regret. Here in HK I think the price we pay for a user m3 would be able to settle bills for 4 new leica maginfiers.
🙂 bm

Well, a quick heck of Ebay and few other common places hints the brand new Leica x1.25 usually goes for around 250$ which sound a bti more then a sane logic can accept. A ncie looking M3 SS (though in BGN condition) from KEH is 465$ and it may actualy be clsoe to Excellent by Ebay measures...
So that chances are either used magnifier for, say up to 150$ or a user M3. Right, often, for a user M3 a CLA shall be factored in (another 250-300$), but sometimes a nice one (no urgent CLA is necessary) can come up to about 500$...
go figure...
Perhaps it's time to post a WTB for a used magnifier to see for how much it can be get...

 

[Bailey]

Anybody know if there's anything similar for a CL? Sounds like it would be handy when using the 90 elmar.

 

[borismach]

Well, a quick heck of Ebay and few other common places hints the brand new Leica x1.25 usually goes for around 250$ which sound a bti more then a sane logic can accept. A ncie looking M3 SS (though in BGN condition) from KEH is 465$ and it may actualy be clsoe to Excellent by Ebay measures...
So that chances are either used magnifier for, say up to 150$ or a user M3. Right, often, for a user M3 a CLA shall be factored in (another 250-300$), but sometimes a nice one (no urgent CLA is necessary) can come up to about 500$...
go figure...
Perhaps it's time to post a WTB for a used magnifier to see for how much it can be get...

Here in HK, a user m3 cost more than US$750. Maybe I need to adjust myself to accept e-bay auction and bit one from there...but upto this moment I'm still not confident on items selling on e-bay. BTW is KEH reliable? I've never tried buying any camera things without actually seeing, touching and inspecting.

🙂 bm

 

[peter_n]

Well, a quick heck of Ebay and few other common places hints the brand new Leica x1.25 usually goes for around 250$ which sound a bti more then a sane logic can accept.

They are FS regularly in places like photo.net. It seems a lot of people buy them and don't like them (or don't give them a chance) and turn them over. The going price for an excellent (i.e. LN) one is $200, which is marginally more sane. I have one and really like it and use it on both my 0.72 and 0.85 M bodies. Crucial for accurately focusing something like a 90 AA close-up at f2.

 

[Ken Ford]

Be patient. I found a used one with no chain or case for $100, and then bought a replacement chain for $20. I couldn't see spending $150, $200 or more for one, either!

 

[ferider]

Like Peter and Ken said. US 150-200 is reasonable if you are a bit patient.

Try to get the case that comes with it as well. It is very useful. I don't use
the chain.

The viewfinder darkening is a simple optical effect, like loosing an f-stop
with a 1.4x teleconverter.

Of course, if the option is to get an M3, I would definitely get the M3 🙂

Roland.