M3 viewfinder brightness

[colinh]

Ummm, how bright is the M3 viewfinder supposed to be - say, in comparison with an M7?

colin

 

[KoNickon]

In case you haven't seen it, here's Mr. Gandy's evaluation of the various finders. http://www.cameraquest.com/leica.htm

 

[LeicaM3]

Ummm, how bright is the M3 viewfinder supposed to be - say, in comparison with an M7?

colin

I see you have both...
My M3 VF is brighter than the MP and M6. So if you have an old M7~M6, if it is new should be ~MP.

Andreas

 

[colinh]

In case you haven't seen it, here's Mr. Gandy's evaluation of the various finders. http://www.cameraquest.com/leica.htm

Hi. Thanks, I'd already read that. However, the ratings are according to

# 1 Focusing Accuracy
# 2 Rangefinder & Viewfinder Brightness
# 3 Framelines

The MP / M7 with flare-fix comes first. The M3 comes second. So, since the M3 has a longer EBL (i.e. higher inherent accuracy) I suppose one can infer that the M7 must be brighter. It's not explicit though.

Also, I suppose that since the M3 is x 0.91 whilst the M7 is x 0.72 and the windows are the same size, then the M3's effective aperture is smaller.

Still, I was wondering whether anyone else has compared the two. My newly acquired M3 is significantly dimmer than the M7. It's clear though, no crackling or anything. Just a bit dimmer.

colin

 

[furcafe]

The M3 should be a little dimmer than any of the modern Ms because the VF is slightly tinted (to increase contrast w/the RF patch, IIRC). If it's a lot dimmer, it probably just needs a cleaning.

Hi. Thanks, I'd already read that. However, the ratings are according to

# 1 Focusing Accuracy
# 2 Rangefinder & Viewfinder Brightness
# 3 Framelines

The MP / M7 with flare-fix comes first. The M3 comes second. So, since the M3 has a longer EBL (i.e. higher inherent accuracy) I suppose one can infer that the M7 must be brighter. It's not explicit though.

Also, I suppose that since the M3 is x 0.91 whilst the M7 is x 0.72 and the windows are the same size, then the M3's effective aperture is smaller.

Still, I was wondering whether anyone else has compared the two. My newly acquired M3 is significantly dimmer than the M7. It's clear though, no crackling or anything. Just a bit dimmer.

colin