Leica 1.25x Viewfinder Magnifier for a RD1

Great service, I've received the magnifier only three days after my order.
Whereas a Nocti was extremely difficult to focus, with the magnifier it becomes very easy.
Definitely to be recommended.
Dirk Van der Herten.
 
I also had a great experience w/Megaperls & the magnifier. Shipping took longer than 3 days (was over a weekend), but no big deal.

Per Bob Parsons's post, the main downside of the magnifier for me is its lack of a rubber ring to prevent scratching my glasses. Speaking of which, does anyone sell a replacement eyepiece ring for the R-D1/Bessa's? Occurred to me that I could easily lose the ring if I were to remove it to install the magnifier in the field while shooting.

Imrulqays said:
Great service, I've received the magnifier only three days after my order.
Whereas a Nocti was extremely difficult to focus, with the magnifier it becomes very easy.
Definitely to be recommended.
Dirk Van der Herten.
Click to expand...
 
furcafe said:
Occurred to me that I could easily lose the ring if I were to remove it to install the magnifier in the field while shooting.
Click to expand...

I've lost THREE of these from 2 R D1s and an R2a.
You can get reaplacement from Robert White [listed as voigtlander replacement GBP 10 +vat] or B&H [listed as Nikon Finder Eyepiece for FM, FE & FA Series Cameras (Replacement) Mfr# 2925 • B&H# NIEPFM2 USD 16.95]

I've ordered four and am going to glue them in when they come!

Clive
 
Thanks for the information. If the eyepieces are coming unscrewed too easily, you might want to try using low-strength Loctite or a similar product (not as permanent as glue).

anglophone1 said:
I've lost THREE of these from 2 R D1s and an R2a.
You can get reaplacement from Robert White [listed as voigtlander replacement GBP 10 +vat] or B&H [listed as Nikon Finder Eyepiece for FM, FE & FA Series Cameras (Replacement) Mfr# 2925 • B&H# NIEPFM2 USD 16.95]

I've ordered four and am going to glue them in when they come!

Clive
Click to expand...
 
For storage of my diopter lens for the R-D1 eyepiece, I use a CF card case, which I then keep in the camera bag with the other cards. Haven't lost one yet (touch wood) ;)
 
I hope this isn't a foolish question, but it probably is. Could someone explain the benefits of the magnifier over let's say a Voightlander replacement diopter lens. It sounds as though it would not be very beneficial to someone like me who mostly uses a 28mm lens.

Respectfully,
 
JeffGreene said:
I hope this isn't a foolish question, but it probably is. Could someone explain the benefits of the magnifier over let's say a Voightlander replacement diopter lens. It sounds as though it would not be very beneficial to someone like me who mostly uses a 28mm lens.

Respectfully,
Click to expand...
Hi Jeff... the magnifier does not change the focus distance for the eye - ie if you're short sighted you will still be short sighted with the magnifier. It just makes the viewfinder image larger, so it's easier to see when it's in focus.

On the other hand, a diopter lens changes the focal length of the eyepiece to suit your vision (in other words, to replace your specs!) but does not change the size of the viewfinder image.

The magnifier is only going to be useful for the longer lenses, where the framelines are small, or to make the rangefinder patch easier to see. It would be exactly the wrong thing to use for the 28mm, as the framelines will end up even more difficult to see than they already are.

cheers
Phil
 
I guess there's not a 0.xx de-magnifier avavilable too (I see Megaperls do a 0.85 de-magnifier for Leica M bodies)? I wear glasses and the 28mm frameline on my R-D1 is unusable. If a de-magnifier were available, I'd buy one immediately.
 
This may be a stupid question, but can we just multiply the calculated base length of the R-D1 by this magnifier scale to get the new equivelant base length?

Mine came today.. not got the camera to test with right now but will do later.

If the above question is right what lenses does this magnifier bring into the R-D1s capabilities by base length, obviously it will help other lenses over not being magnified but it'd be nice to know if say a nokton 1.4 40mm becomes completely within the specs of the R-D1 (not sure if it isn't already but you get the idea.. what about the nokton 1,2 35mm perhaps instead)

Cheers
 
Oh and as you can see in the manual scanned earlier in the article and on the box of the lens when it arrives it says

MAG x1.3N

the website where you buy it calls it 1.35x magnifier ... does the N represent 0.5 ? Obviously when calculating the base length it'd be good to know if its 1.3 or 1.35x
 
nf3996 said:
I guess there's not a 0.xx de-magnifier avavilable too (I see Megaperls do a 0.85 de-magnifier for Leica M bodies)? I wear glasses and the 28mm frameline on my R-D1 is unusable. If a de-magnifier were available, I'd buy one immediately.
Click to expand...

I'd also buy a demagnifier immediately. Even a 1:1 version. Since the distance between the lenses is adjustable it allows you to use the device like a variable diopter correction lens. I find that feature very useful when taking close-ups.

The magnification/demagnification factor is given by the ratio of the focal lengths of the positive and negative lenses, it's a Galilean type telescope. I've been looking for alternative lenses so as to be able to make a demagnifier from one. I wouldn't think it would be too difficult for Megapearls supplier to do this.

You multiply the rangefinder base length by the magnification factor to get the effective base length.

Bob.
 
Looking through the lens not on the camera the wrong way shrinks the image.. can't you just swop the lenses around to achieve this demagnifier effect?

I guess i'll need to email the guy to ask if it is 0.3x or 0.35x .. that 0.05 matters ;)

Anyone managed to fit a protective jacket around the eye side of the lens so your glasses dont get scratched?

Hoping i can get the dioptre adjustment working so i wont need them.. contact lenses will be happening soon i think :)
 
nf3996 said:
I guess there's not a 0.xx de-magnifier avavilable too (I see Megaperls do a 0.85 de-magnifier for Leica M bodies)? I wear glasses and the 28mm frameline on my R-D1 is unusable. If a de-magnifier were available, I'd buy one immediately.
Click to expand...

I think the problem with making this would be that not only would the view have to be "de-magnified," but the angle of view would have to be made wider than that of the unaided eye, in order to make the 28mm lines more visible. I'm not sure it would be physically possible to get the optics close enough to the eyepiece lens to make that work.

However, since viewing through the magnifier backwards should result in an 0.76x de-magnifier, I think I'll try holding it up against the eyepiece backwards and see what happens.
 
jlw said:
However, since viewing through the magnifier backwards should result in an 0.76x de-magnifier, I think I'll try holding it up against the eyepiece backwards and see what happens.
Click to expand...

I tried this with the Leica 1.25x magnifier. Backwards, it does indeed shrink the image. I didn't check the angle of view with glasses. The rear lens is quite steeply curved, and sticks out a bit, and I was afraid of scratching it with my glasses.

--Peter
 
Hello, the correct designation should be 1.3N as you say, without the 5. It was a typo as I copied the specs of the Leica 1.35 magnifier.

I talked to the manufacturer and confirmed that there will not be a minifier equivalent, like he has for the Leicas. Sorry.

Dirk
 
New life for an old thread, I guess.
Does anybody know if the MS-MAG x1.3N sold by megaperls can fit the Zeiss ZI rangefinder camera? Do all rangefinder cameras have an appropriately sized eyepiece to use with this eyepiece magnifier (i.e. Voigtlander Bessas, classic Nikon or Contax)?
Thanks,
LJS
 
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