M frameline illuminator?

[rxmd]

Now I don't have my M5 with me here in Uzbekistan, but I was wondering that one thing I disliked in comparison with the Bessa was that I couldn't read the meter readout very well in dark conditions because it's illuminated from the top. (Now if there's enough light, it's a much better readout than on the Bessa, giving the same information and much more, so the bottom line is that it's still the better meter.)

I was wondering if anyone has ever seen something like a frameline illuminator for the M Leicas - some small gadget with a battery and a couple of yellowish LEDs that shine into the frosted window and, on the M5, into the narrow extra window above the viewfinder. It could attach to the M's flash shoe. There could even be rudimentary electronics with a monoflop and a button that switches the thing on for a minute and then off again. Is there such a thing, or do I have to build one when I'm back in Europe?

 

[ferider]

I cann't find it now but I remember there was a small light bar accessory
that you can put on an M shoe. Mostly to read the lens scales in
the dark, but it should be usable for your purpose.

I'll look later again.

Roland.

 

[cpborello]

Philipp -- I have had the same issue and thoughts.

Someone pointed out that leicagoodies has what is called a "shine" for such purposes (see link below). It is a little larger than what I wanted (as it is designed to be able to see the lens makings as well). Eventually I plan to make something myself with an LED. Note that you wouldn't put in in front of the "frameline" illumination window, but on top of the long thin window just above the viewfinder (the "illumination window for internal meter readout").

http://www.leicagoodies.com/

Regards,
Chris

 

[ferider]

Yes, Shine is what I saw.

Roland.

 

[rxmd]

Ah, looks interesting, though a bit overkill for the purpose. 🙂

I know that the meter is illuminated by the narrow frosted window right above the viewfinder. I guess shining a LED right into the frameline illumination window will lead to a badly glaring rangefinder patch, which might be counterproductive... So I'd still have to experiment a little. Maybe something with two relatively dim LEDs, one illuminating the meter illumiantion window, the other shining on the lens' DOF scale?