Leica REDUCER / REDUCIFIER experience

[Flyfisher Tom]

Any members using the generic Leica Reducer/Reducifier 0.85 x on their .85mag or .72mag cameras to bring it down to 0.60mag (for wide angle lenses)?

I've seen this item referred to online. I am interested in your impressions on build quality and ergonomics if you've used one. And where you purchased yours if you have a recommendation.

Thanks in advance.

 

[sleepyhead]

Hi, I tried an MS-MAG 0.85x on a 0.72 (M4). I got it because I hoped that I could keep my glasses on and still see the full 35mm frame. It didn't help at all because with my glasses on the distance between my eye and the viewfinder eyepiece was simply too long. So all I saw was part of the frame, but a bit smaller. There also seemed to be a bit of barrel distortion in the viewfinder. Another problem was that the metal of the "mini-fier" was kinda sharp and would scratch my glasses if I used them together.

As for build quality: excellent, with diopter adjustment if you want to use it without glasses. The glass is coated - it got smudged easily and was VERY difficult to clean and keep clean.

The bottom line for me was that I could only use it without glasses on and that wasn't very practical for me out in the street, so I sold mine. Glasses suck for photography. I wish I could wear contact lenses but my eyes are too sensitive.

Anyway, hope this helps. Yaron

 

[JohanV]

Have you considered a Lasik laser operation?
I had it five years ago, and it is amazing...

 

[StuartR]

When I was in Japan, I bought one for another person, but I tried it out. I think it was fairly close to useless. Any reducing benefit it has is lost as you cannot get your eye as close. The problem is exactly as Yaron describes. And if your eye is not dead center, the whole finder becomes very distorted. I believe it also makes the finder a tiny bit dimmer as well. I was not impressed with the build quality either...I mean it is just a piece of metal with a glass element. The Leica magnifier is completely different, so if you are expecting the same thing, only in reverse, you are going to be very disappointed. In any case, this is not an accessory that I would recommend to anyone under any circumstances.

 

[hoot]

I've been wondering if one of those things could be used on a Leica IIIg to turn the 50mm framelines into 35mm framelines.

 

[Flyfisher Tom]

Hi, I tried an MS-MAG 0.85x on a 0.72 (M4). I got it because I hoped that I could keep my glasses on and still see the full 35mm frame. It didn't help at all because with my glasses on the distance between my eye and the viewfinder eyepiece was simply too long. So all I saw was part of the frame, but a bit smaller. There also seemed to be a bit of barrel distortion in the viewfinder. Another problem was that the metal of the "mini-fier" was kinda sharp and would scratch my glasses if I used them together.

As for build quality: excellent, with diopter adjustment if you want to use it without glasses. The glass is coated - it got smudged easily and was VERY difficult to clean and keep clean.

The bottom line for me was that I could only use it without glasses on and that wasn't very practical for me out in the street, so I sold mine. Glasses suck for photography. I wish I could wear contact lenses but my eyes are too sensitive.

Anyway, hope this helps. Yaron

Yaron, Stuart:

Thank you both for the info, exactly what I was looking for. Doesn't sound like it will work for me, as I wear glasses all the time and already feel the distance is inhibiting. Appreciate the advice, you've saved me some money. cheers 😛

 

[sleepyhead]

glad to be of some help!