Leica diopter

[Firemedic]

A product called an MS-Mag x1.15 magnifier contains an adjustable diopter, which is what I need for my old eyes looking through the viewfinder of my Leica M7. Is there anyone out there who may have such a thing and is willing to part with it? They are difficult to find; no longer manufactured, I believe. I am new to this forum and even after reading the instruction, felt this might be the appropriate place to post this request. I apologize if I was mistaken.

 

[awilder]

With a magnification of only 15%, it seem that the only real benefit is the adjustable diopter. Why not go for a straight diopter accessory lens. If you can find out your distance spectacle Rx I can tell you what diopter to buy. I wear glasses and prefer to use a +0.5 diopter lens to neutralize the finder's built-in -0.5 power. It really helps for seeing the patch sharper at close distances without affecting long distance.

 

[Ron (Netherlands)]

I have a +1 diopter for sale. just pm if you are interested

 

[Firemedic]

Thank you both for your responses. I could pick up a diopter that is set at a fixed strength, I suppose. But I worry about my eyes continuing to fail and then not being able to adjust for this. If only the M7 came equipped with such a device as my Nikon D40 does. After much research, I get the impression that in order to determine what strength is the correct one one should simply attach different ones to your viewfinder, one at a time, and look through it. And then there's the little matter of spending some sales person's time, if you can find one so accommodating, only to ultimately say thank you and walk out the door to search for it at a more reasonable price. It may be that your +1 model is just what I need, Ron. At the moment, I have no way of knowing. I do plan on doing a bit of research some how. There just aren't any adjustable diopters out there made without magnification added, are there? Seems a pity.

 

[tooffy]

Try Japan-Exposure:
http://www.japanexposures.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=43&products_id=109

 

[mwooten]

A few months ago, I took the plunge and bought a M4-P. When I got it I noticed that I was not able to really see too well through the viewfinder. Things just didn't seem clear like they should. I thought the camera might need a tune-up. Then I read a similar thread about diopters, and thought that might be the fix. I saw the price of factory diopters and reckoned some outfit on the _bay might be doing the same thing cheaper. I found a seller, and ordered a +1 diopter. When it arrived I noticed my camera's viewfinder actually already had a diopter screwed on it. It was a -1. Unscrewed it and everything was sharp and fine. I really didn't need the +1 diopter--well not yet anyway.

--michael

 

[awilder]

If you currently wear bifocals or progressive addition lenses and have a copy of the prescription, it's easy to determine the proper diopter without trial and error. If you can post the power of the distance portion of the prescription for your shooting eye, I can tell you what diopter to get or at least try out.

 

[literiter]

My optometrist advised me that my prescription did not change that much in the 12 or so years I've seen him. It may have something to do with aging I think...I hope. Any investment in diopters may be a good one, at a certain age.

My M4-P and M2 have -2 diopters from a seller on Ebay which I purchased for about 30 dollars or so each. It allows me to really get up close to the viewfinder but of course I must take my glasses off. I wear my glasses on a cord so I can drop them to my chest when I wish to look through the viewfinder.

 

[awilder]

Based on what you say, if you are comfortably using a -2 diopter eyepiece lens, your actual spectacle prescription will be about -2.50 D (the camera's finder add another -0.5 D to the system). If you are over 40 and having focusing difficulty for subjects close like 1 meter or less and your actual distance prescription is a bit less than -2.50 D, consider a lower power like a -1.5 D eyepiece diopter. Again, knowing the actual prescription and possibly your age, it's easy for me to calculate.

 

[literiter]

Based on what you say, if you are comfortably using a -2 diopter eyepiece lens, your actual spectacle prescription will be about -2.50 D (the camera's finder add another -0.5 D to the system). If you are over 40 and having focusing difficulty for subjects close like 1 meter or less and your actual distance prescription is a bit less than -2.50 D, consider a lower power like a -1.5 D eyepiece diopter. Again, knowing the actual prescription and possibly your age, it's easy for me to calculate.

You are exactly right. The prescription for my left eye is -2.3. The diopter I received was only available as -2 and is adequate, but perhaps it could be improved. When a -1.5 becomes available I'll grab it. Thank you!

 

[awilder]

I'm not sure how they write prescriptions in Canada but elsewhere there is no such power as -2.3 D, it might be a typo error. Normally, it's written as either -2.25 D or -2.50 D. If we assume it's either -2.25 D or -2.50 D, the exact power needed for the diopter will be -1.75 D or -2.00 D respectively. Since Leica only makes them in 0.50 D steps, your -2 D is the best compromise. A -1.5 works only if your spectacle is -2.00 D.

 

[alan davus]

I bought one of the last Megaperl 1.15 magnifiers a couple of years ago mainly for the adjustable dioptre feature. I love it and it's permanently attached to my M6 .58. For some reason they aren't making them at the moment. Perhaps you could send Dirk an email at Japanexposures and sound him out about it.

 

[Firemedic]

Due to popular demand, the manufacturer of the 1.15x Leica viewfinder magnifier has made another production run of these items. They are once again being sold by Japanexposures.