Non-Leica eyepiece magnifiers

[payasam]

I've been having some trouble with my M2, because a good part of my film work is with 50 and 90 lenses close to minimum focus and full open aperture. I considered exchanging the M2 for an M3, having happily used one of those for 17 years: but that would involve perhaps $70 shipping two ways, the cost of a 35mm finder, and almost certainly more money to cover the battered appearance of the M2, which belies its excellent performance.

Another member suggested a 1.25X eyepiece magnifier. The Leica ones cost around $300, and if I had that kind of money I'd rather buy a IIIc. A seller in Hong Kong advertises copies for $55 including shipping on eBay, item 170302111490 being an example. Does anyone have experience of one of these? Specific questions:

1. Will one of them work with an M2? The ad does not speak of M3/M2/M4, and I do not know if the M6 and later fitting is the same.
2. Are the 35mm frame lines visible with the adapter fitted?
3. Are optical and build quality acceptable?

 

[Film dino]

Mukul,
If you're referring to the HK supplies 1.25x magnifier, it screws into M2/M3 eyepieces & works well. There will be a slight dimming of the VF. On an M2, the 35 frame will not be easily visible (i.e. you'll need to scan around the edges for it)
David

 

[jmkelly]

Build quality of the HK Supplies magnifier is more than acceptable, though it does not have the catch chain or diopter correction of the Leica magnifier.

 

[Calzone]

The slight dimming mentioned above is not apparent on my Leica 1.40x magnifier. There is no dimming effect that I can notice, but the cost is likely to be a huge premium to pay for a sutle improvement.

I'm not sure if its worth it to you.

Calzone

 

[payasam]

David and John, your answers are just what I wanted. Thank you. I now know that I can expect reasonable quality from HK Supplies. Usability, though, remains in doubt. I do a fair bit of work with a 35 and don't fancy attaching and detaching the magnifier constantly.

My M2's R/F was off when I got it. I have adjusted it as best I could and can say that it is a good deal better now: but I cannot honestly say that it is spot on, because all results are not OK. Maybe I should wait a few weeks until an experienced camera repair friend from Calcutta/Kolkata visits me and sets it right. If I still have variable results, I shall add a magnifier.

Calzone, the Leica magnifiers are much too expensive for me, as I said.

 

[ferider]

They are OK, Mukul. the M2 35mm frameline is not easily visible with the magnifier.

Just like with a Tele Converter you loose about half stop in transmission. And, since they stick out, you get more "tunnel vision".

But, like with an M3, you can keep your second eye open when using the magnifier.

Best,

Roland.

 

[payasam]

Roland, thank you. It is the exact meaning of "not easily visible" that troubles me.

Second eye open? Maybe I should ask my ophthalmic surgeon if 35mm frame lines can be drawn on the cornea of that eye. With automatic adjustment for parallax.

 

[ferider]

Roland, thank you. It is the exact meaning of "not easily visible" that troubles me.

Second eye open? Maybe I should ask my ophthalmic surgeon if 35mm frame lines can be drawn on the cornea of that eye. With automatic adjustment for parallax.

Let me explain like this, maybe it helps: I don't wear glasses. On the M6, I can see the 35mm framelines, looking straight through the magnifier, on the M2, I can not. The M6 35mm framelines are about 5% or so smaller than on the M2. So it's very close ....

On-Cornea, parallax adjusted framelines. Now that would be RF dedication ! 🙂

But then, the brain does magic with the second eye open ... A software solution, obviously 🙂

Roland.

 

[payasam]

It's clear now, Roland. Not perfect, but close. Shouldn't be too difficult to get used to.

Maybe approach the cornea from the rear for an Albada?

 

[marke]

I have the Leica 1.25x magnifier. Despite others who have said there is a slight dimming effect when using magnifiers, I have never been able to see that with mine, not the slightest, as hard as I try. Now I'm wondering if this is only an issue with the non-Leica brand.

The slight dimming mentioned above is not apparent on my Leica 1.40x magnifier. There is no dimming effect that I can notice, but the cost is likely to be a huge premium to pay for a sutle improvement.

I'm not sure if its worth it to you.

Calzone

 

[payasam]

marke, what was said was there is no dimming with Leica magnifiers and some dimming with non-Leica ones. To me it seems that there has to be dimming even with the Leica products: for the reason that glass is introduced into the optical path. It may not be enough to be perceptible to the eye, but I suspect that a check with a spot meter will show a difference.

 

[ferider]

There is light-loss independent of the brand, due to simple physics. Think about a tele converter, same principle.

Half (1.25x) or full stop (1.4x) however is barely noticable if the contrast stays the same, and the eye concentrates on the patch.

Roland.

 

[Calzone]

There is light-loss independent of the brand, due to simple physics. Think about a tele converter, same principle.

Half (1.25x) or full stop (1.4x) however is barely noticable if the contrast stays the same, and the eye concentrates on the patch.

Roland.

I agree there has to be losses, but I was not able to see them with my eyes. (I only know my Leica 1.40X)

I was carefull and used a controled enviornment to test my 1.40X when I first got it. I sat at my desk and utilized a post card that had a black boarder on white cardstock. The artificial lighting was constant, and the card stood about an inch proud of a white wall casting a shadow. On purpose I did not allow color to taint my perception.

I was not able to percieve any dimming. I spent a lot of time trying to see any noticable change repeating with and without the magnifier.

I wonder how others percieved the dimming mentioned in other posts.

Calzone

 

[payasam]

The mammalian eye -- and, for all I know, birds and fishes also -- have what is called accommodation. Roland speaks of the laws of physics, which are not, er, accommodating. Those who see no difference with magnifiers are fortunate.

 

[Shac]

Mukul - one advantage of the non-Leica 1.25 finder from HK is that it accepts Leica eyepiece corrections diopters.

 

[payasam]

Yes, Shac, I understand that the current version takes correction lenses. Not that I shall need one, as my built-in eye accepted an implanted lens a couple of years ago.

 

[rickp]

hello mukul,
have you seen this magnifier with dioptre adjustment? i have the 1.35x model and find it very useful with 50 and 75mm on the leica m8.

http://www.japanexposures.com/shop/...d=109&osCsid=b7c6d4e755b4079c1191478b105d0132

good luck with your search

rick

 

[payasam]

Thank you, Rick. I did not know of this product. I see two problems with it, though. First, the 1.35X magnification will render the 35mm frame lines invisible. Second, it costs the equivalent of $180. So far, the HK Supplies magnifier is the only one I have found which is within my reach.

 

[marke]

Yes, I understand that there must be some dimming taking place. As you said, whenever you introduce additional glass, there should be some light loss. But as I said, I could not detect anything with m,y 1.25x, not matter how much I try. So maybe the Leica versions do have an advantage in this area.

Or maybe I'm just one of those fortunate individuals with exceptional mammalian eyes. 😀

marke, what was said was there is no dimming with Leica magnifiers and some dimming with non-Leica ones. To me it seems that there has to be dimming even with the Leica products: for the reason that glass is introduced into the optical path. It may not be enough to be perceptible to the eye, but I suspect that a check with a spot meter will show a difference.

 

[Jim Evidon]

I was not aware of the image dimming on my HK magnifier, so I suspect the difference is very very slight.

As for the HK magnifier + a diopter eyepiece, I needed a (-4) for my prescription, but the strongest was (-3). I then read that the standard M8 viewfinder is already a (-1). So I bought the magnifier with the (-3) diopter and I use them together without my glasses.
The ability to focus accurately is much enhanced and I recommend this combination for all you fellow "Leicanuts" who, like me are blind as a bat, regardless whether you purchase HK, Megaperls or Leica.