M9 Focusing help

[drewflorida]

I'm looking for a solution to assist with mid-range focusing on the M9. There is nothing wrong with the camera, it's working perfectly, the problem is with my eyes/glasses and not being able to see far enough using 28mm lens or even 50mm to nail the focus every time like I know the camera/lens combo can do. Is there anything out there that anyone knows of that's sort of like the Leica Universal Viewfinder for the wide angle stuff but that can maybe give some magnification to check focus a little easier for us old guys? Any suggestions/techniques to assist with this specifically for the M-series other than "hang it up"?
:bang:

 

[Rotad]

You can try using a Leica diopter. I think they go from -3.0 to +3.0. They're excellent for when you don't want to use your glasses. You can push your eye into the piece and see everything clearly. They are kind of expensive, but if you have enough money for a M9, the price shouldn't be too much. You really need to try them out for yourself so you can decide which one suits you best.

http://www.amazon.com/Leica-Diopter-Correction-Cameras-14359/dp/B0000AGAT3

....also,,,have you considered wearing contacts?

 

[drewflorida]

Thanks!

Thanks!

You can try using a Leica diopter. I think they go from -3.0 to +3.0. They're excellent for when you don't want to use your glasses. You can push your eye into the piece and see everything clearly. They are kind of expensive, but if you have enough money for a M9, the price shouldn't be too much. You really need to try them out for yourself so you can decide which one suits you best.

http://www.amazon.com/Leica-Diopter-Correction-Cameras-14359/dp/B0000AGAT3

....also,,,have you considered wearing contacts?

Yeah, contacts don't work well for me but the diopter sounds like a perfect solution! Nobody in the Tampa Bay area seems to stock new Leica stuff, so I guess I need to plan a stop at a Leica dealer who has a few of them on the shelf and give 'em a try to figure out which one works best. Thanks for the tip! Nothing more frustrating that having the equipment and not being able to use it to it's full potential and even worse, missing shots!

 

[drewflorida]

Yup, the more I read online about the diopters, looks like exactly what I need. Again, thank you!

 

[drewflorida]

As you can see......the camera itself is working great when I can hit focus!

 

[Rotad]

Please let us know how the diopter works out for you and keep posting your M9 photos! As I cannot afford one myself, I always appreciate seeing M9 examples on forums such as this.

 

[payasam]

There is another possible solution, much less expensive though not so convenient. Before I had cataract surgery, I discovered that the difference between my near vision prescription and the power of the spectacle lens I needed for an SLR was 1.5 dioptres: +3.0 minus 1.5 equalled +1.5. You might use this relationship to have a spectacle frame fitted with a lens only in the focussing eye. Use it to focus, remove it if you cannot see the frame lines in the finder to compose. Only the frame lines for the widest lenses will give trouble.

 

[drewflorida]

Talked to my Leica dealer in New York and they are going to help me with this today. Thank everyone for their input, got me asking the right questions. Looks like the solution is the 1.25 or 1.4 magnifier most likely. We'll see when they arrive! Appreciate the suggestions, sincerely.

 

[Rotad]

Talked to my Leica dealer in New York and they are going to help me with this today. Thank everyone for their input, got me asking the right questions. Looks like the solution is the 1.25 or 1.4 magnifier most likely. We'll see when they arrive! Appreciate the suggestions, sincerely.

The 1.25x or 1.4x are good for bringing the image in the viewfinder closer, but you may not be able to see the frame-lines with glasses on. Be careful, for your dealer may be trying to push the mags if he doesn't have any diopters in stock. Personally, I would go with the diopter because it helps you see everything in the VF clearly as intended.

Heck, come to think of it....

you could also just plunk down and get both! Diopters screw on the back of Leica Mags. The mag is useful if you're trying to focus something finicky like a Nocti, or perhaps even the 90mm.

If you don't like the mag you could easily sell it to someone on the forum for just a little under what you paid for. The diopter on the other hand will come in handy for any situation because of the reason I've stated above.

So in short, I suggest definitely going for the diopter first, then getting the 1.25/1.4 if you need the extra mag.

 

[hiromu]

When critical focusing is needed, I use 1.25x magnifier and external finder (for wide angle).