New M6 owner: should I return a 0.58 for a 0.72?

[gmacgregor]

I recently got my first M camera -- a used M6 TTL in great condition. I'm pairing it with a 35mm f/2 Zeiss Biogon.

Here's the thing: the finder in my M6 is 0.58 despite the fact that I ordered a 0.72 from the dealer that I purchased it from -- so they messed up my order and sent me the wrong thing! I've already paid the equivalent of $300 in Fedex shipping + taxes, duties and brokerage fees to get it to me (ordered from the US and I'm in Canada) and I certainly don't like the idea of spending more money to get the camera back to the dealer and then potentially waiting a few more weeks (or months) for a 0.72 to be in stock and then having to pay the same duty, brokerage fees, taxes all over again…

I have no plans to shoot with any other lens in the near-ish future but I could possibly see myself using a 50mm for portrait work and perhaps a 28mm eventually. I will never be using a 75mm or 90mm lens as these do not fit my shooting style. I'm aware that the base length on the 0.58 is shorter and thus theoretically "less accurate" than the 0.72 but if all I'm doing for the foreseeable future is shooting with the 35mm does this really matter? As an aside, I'm not much of a wide open kind of guy: generally I sit at f/4 - f/11.

I'm assuming that with a 0.72 the 35mm framelines would be like the 28mm lines on my 0.58. Can anyone validate that? To be honest, I quite like the 0.58 with a 35mm lens as it allows me to really see well beyond the frame and to clearly compose my image. And because I am using the Zeiss lens there is less intrusion of the lens into the finder than there probably would be with a 0.72.

I wear glasses but not when I shoot with the Leica (I have a -2.0 diopter on the M6 to compensate) so that's not a concern.

So what do you think? Should I pack up the 0.58 for a 0.72 instead? I'm leaning towards keeping it mainly because I like having all of that extra room around the framelines but I am just a little concerned about focussing accuracy. Am I being overly paranoid?

 

[f16sunshine]

If you are satisfied with the view and the 35mm frame lines of the .58 that is what matters most.
For me personally a .58 takes me too far away from subjects. I don't feel as engaged with the scene.
Also I primarily shoot 50mm on film so that may have something to do with it.
Each to his own right?
Go to a shop and make a side by side comparison and ask yourself which you prefer.

 

[Tzelet]

This might help:

For the record, my first Leica was an M6 TTL with 0.58 finder, and I quickly sold it on due to wanting to use 50mm lenses - which really didn't work all that good with 0.58x.

 

[rlouzan]

Hi,

Keep the 0.58 - you can always get a Leica or Megaperls magnifier for the rare occasions you use a fast lens or telephoto.

Regaards,
Robert
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[gmacgregor]

Thanks for the input everyone.

I met up with a friend this afternoon who has a 0.72 M6. Compared to the 0.58, I found my eye jogging around the viewfinder a little to make sure that everything was in the frame. I appreciate the higher magnification but I much prefer the 35mm framelines offered by the 0.58: I really find it aids in my composition and at smaller apertures accurate focus should not be a problem.

I think I will stick the 0.58 and, as suggested, potentially get a magnifier if I decide to pick up a longer lens in the future …

 

[umcelinho]

i think you are doing the best thing, especially since you'll be shooting with a 35mm lens. it's much more comfortable, also for glass wearers it's way better to have some relief around the framelines.

 

[Steve Bellayr]

IMHO the .58 is preferable for the 28mm. The .85 is best for the 50mm. The .72 for the 35mm. For the 75mm and above the .85 is better.

 

[ChrisN]

Good decision. The 0.58 finders are less common - if you eventually decide to move it on you'll have no difficulty finding a buyer.

 

[Rob-F]

I'd say you got a lucky break. The .58 generally commands a premium price. Apparently you got it for the price of a .72. Like you, I tend toward wide angle, and most of my Leicas are 0.58. I'd say you are in good shape!

 

[raytoei@gmail.com]

+1 , had the same issue previously. Since I shoot 35 and 50, i decided to go straight to .85x on the TTL model. KEH at that time offered no price increase on the 0.85x version, so i took it.

 

[jbielikowski]

I like those middle framelines best, on M3 90mm was perfect, now on M5 50mm seems better than 35mm (and I was about to use 35mm lens with it).

 

[bobbyrab]

This might help:

For the record, my first Leica was an M6 TTL with 0.58 finder, and I quickly sold it on due to wanting to use 50mm lenses - which really didn't work all that good with 0.58x.

I have no doubt these are accurate and I think they may even be Leica samples, but in reality, even when I wear contacts the viewpoint never quite looks like this. With your eye against the finder all these frame lines seem bigger than shown here. I'm a big fan of the .58, much more comfortable with a 35 and wider, it's focus paranoia that drives folk to the .85.

 

[alan davus]

I have a .58 body and keep a Megaperls 1.15x magnifier permanently attached. Works great plus the magnifier has built in dioptre adjustment.

 

[jordanstarr]

If you like the .58, great. I can't see myself liking it too much. All my VF are 0.72 and I mainly shoot 28mm, then my 35mm and rarely my 50mm. I can see what comes in and out of the frame with both eyes open and it's easier for me to visualize the parallax on a 0.72 with my 28mm moreso than the .58. It's personal preference really. I didn't want to chime in to rain on your parade, but if you got the wrong camera and it worked out that you paid a lesser price for a more expensive camera that you like more...awesome!