M7 .85 viewfinder or .72 with magnifier?

[parasko]

Hi all,

I currently have an M7 (.72 version) with a 35mm Summicron. I am going to purchase a second M7 with a 75mm Summicron.

Which is the best body option:
1. Buy a .85 version
2. Buy another .72 version with magnifier.

Is option 1 better for focusing the 75mm lens? How effective is the magnifier for M cameras? Does it darken the patch?

With Option 1, the two bodies become specialist bodies with fixed lenses, as I would not be able to see the 35mm framelines on the .85 version (I wear glasses).

Option 2 does allow me to interchange my 35mm lens with either body so I could use different film speeds with the one lens. But is that at the expense of slow focusing the 75mm lens?

Any opinions welcome.

 

[sepiareverb]

I don't think the 75 requires the extra magnification, 90 is a real yes for me. The add-on magnifier does stick out a bit, I found it (the HK version anyway) kept getting caught on my shirt placket (?? where the buttons are). That said, I'm going for a .85 VF on my next body for the 75 & 90 lenses.

 

[raid]

I chose the M6 with 0.85 finder. I have no regrets at all.

 

[pphuang]

The magnifier works well, but after a while, I found it a pain taking it on and off, and it does tend to catch on things. I personally prefer using a 0.85 finder instead. The magifiers from HK supplies are not very expensive - why not just buy one and live with it for a while before making a final decision? If you don't like it, you could probably sell it without too much loss...

 

[BillP]

I had 2 M6 .72s. Today I have a M7 .85 and an M2. I had a magnifier for a while and sold it on. Go with the .85. I would also point out that I am a left-eyed, glasses wearing shooter and I can see the framelines. I think a lot actually depends on the design of your spectacles.

Regards,

Bill

 

[Vin Vermier]

No sense in having two bodies with the same magnification. I have two M6 bodies - one with .72 and the other with .85 VF. You'll find you'll favour one over the other for different lenses.
And I also wear glasses and have no difficulty seeing the frame lines with my 35 mm lens. In fact I prefer to use the .85 body with the 35 mm lens.


Vin

 

[foto_fool]

I like the magnifiers - cheaper than a second body by a couple orders of magnitude. And my 0.72 M6 mag goes to 0.90; the Hexar RF goes to 0.75 with the same unit. With a different unit the Zeiss Ikon achieves a mag of 0.96 to complement that immense 75mm physical baselength.

 

[Mean Panda]

Buy one with IMPROVED MP VIEWFINDER.

 

[Alex Krasotkin]

Since I am working only with 35 and 50 mm lenses, I truly enjoy my 0.85 M7!

 

[Austerby]

I use a 75/2 on my 0.58 MP without any difficulty.

 

[bobbyrab]

Does anyone know at what ratio the .58 sells against the .85, it seems the .85 is a far more popular choice. Myself, I went for a .72, and a .58, my thinking was, with a .58 I have a perfect VF for my 35mm, I can use my 25 without an external viewfinder, the .72 for a 50 and a 90. With your magnifier you can make the .72 into a .85, you can't change a .85. Just a thought.

 

[BigSteveG]

You can use a 35 w/ 0.85 framelines if you're not using glasses. I say get the 0.85 and the magnifier for your 75. As long as you're not constantly changing lenses you'll do fine.

 

[Andrew Sowerby]

Since I am working only with 35 and 50 mm lenses, I truly enjoy my 0.85 M7!

I'm in a similar situation: I only have two lenses (35mm and a 50mm) and I love using either on my .85 M6. I use the 50mm the majority of the time, but the lack of space around the 35mm framelines doesn't really bother me.

 

[parasko]

Looks like I will be buying an M7 with .85 viewfinder...(when will I stop being in debt!).

Thanks everyone for your comments.

 

[pfoto]

With your magnifier you can make the .72 into a .85, you can't change a .85.

Use the same magnifier and the 0.85x becomes a 1.0x.

 

[Austerby]

Myself, I went for a .72, and a .58, my thinking was, with a .58 I have a perfect VF for my 35mm, I can use my 25 without an external viewfinder, the .72 for a 50 and a 90. With your magnifier you can make the .72 into a .85.

Exactly my own thought process - so I have a 0.72 M7 and a 0.58 MP which is a great combination and seems to cover all the bases. I also have the 1.25 magnifier to change them to a 0.85 and a 0.72 respectively.

 

[joebt]

I just recently purchased a 2nd M6TTL, with the 0.85 magnification, and I prefer it over the 0.72 M6.

I also have the 75mm Slux, which I tried with the 0.72 M6, wide open, and it was hit and miss for me. I also tried to shoot the 75mm Slux on a Ziess Ikon wide open, and the results were not good. I mounted the 75mm Slux on my M3 DS and it was dead on every time.

Once I received the 0.85 M6, I tried the 75mm Slux wide open, and it was dead on every time, and I can still see the 35mm frame-lines too. I still use a VC 75mm external viewfinder though.

I do have the 1.25 magnifier and I don't use it because I seem to lose contrast in the viewfinder when it's mounted.

I recommend the 0.85 viewfinder.

 

[parasko]

Thanks to everyone. I just received my M7 with the .85 viewfinder.

One question though..I've noticed that the .85 patch seems to whiteout/ disappear sometimes when your eye is not directly in the middle. So although the .72 is less magnified, overall the patch area is somewhat sharper.
The store where I purrchased specified that the camera had the updated MP viewfinder (my .72 definitely has it!).

Have I been juped or is the .85 viewfinder prone to this type of behaviour in comparison to the .72, even with the updated viewfinder?

 

[pfoto]

What are the first four numbers in the s/n of the 0.85x?

 

[hlockwood]

What are the first four numbers in the s/n of the 0.85x?

The s/n is not a reliable indicator. My M7 is 28847xx and was supposed to have the MP vf; it didn't. It is on its way back from Solms with the MP vf installed, under Passport warranty. If the OP bought his M7 new, he can get the upgrade at no cost, along with the optical DX reader.