Non-Leica eyepiece magnifiers

[Shac]

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.

Actually (I just checked with my M2 and the 1.35X) the view of the 35 frames is about the same as the view of the 28 frames in an M6 - i.e. peripheral

 

[Monz]

Hello Mukul,
I've been using a 1.25x HK eyepiece with my M6 for over a year now. I use it with all lenses of focal length 50mm and over. It works extremely well, especially with my 50mm and 75mm lenses shot wide open. I can just about see the 35mm frame lines (I wear glasses) with the magnifier on (but usually take it off for 35mm and 28mm lenses).
All the best.
--
Monzur

 

[payasam]

Well, now we have Jim saying that no light loss is perceptible with the HK Supplies product. I think we should conclude that while there will be light loss, in both brands, it will be so slight that only some users will notice it.

My concern is not light loss but the visibility of the 35mm frame lines with the magnifier fitted. I like to work fast, which means I don't like to fiddle with small things. What Monzur says has been said earlier and is encouraging. However, I cannot understand what Shac says, which implies that there is little or no difference between the 1.25X and 1.35X magnifiers.

 

[payasam]

Woofing up the wrong baobab, I fear. My focussing seems to be all right. It's the M2's R/F that's off. I've pretty consistently -- both in test pictures and in ordinary ones -- been getting objects at 99cm sharp when I focus on things 1m away.

 

[payasam]

A 1.25X HK Supplies magnifier arrived two days back. As I had half known, it does not suit me. The main problem is that I shall have to remove it whenever I use a 35mm lens. Second, while the magnification might help others, it does not do all that much for my focussing accuracy. Third, it looks like a damn wart on the back of my M2. Anyone want it? I am uthappam AT gmail DOT com.

 

[ItsReallyDarren]

That's unfortunate the finder does not suit your needs. Mine just arrived a week or so ago and I'm thoroughly enjoying it. I cannot see the 35mm frame lines with it but the 50mm is just visible without glasses. It works pretty well for me, I attach it when I'm shooting wider apertures.

Maybe the magnifier will come in handy if you decide to use a longer lens?

 

[adavis47]

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.

I don't understand "the diopter correction of the Lecia magnifier." If you add a magnifier then do you automatically need diopter correction? Thanks

 

[ampguy]

I have the HK Supplies 1.25 or 1.3? for M mount, and haven't noticed the dimming (but will now have to check 😉, but the usability is just silly, it hangs off the eyepiece so far, that it needs to be taken on and off for use. Mine isn't being used.

I have the Megaperls 1.25 on the RD1 with built-in diopter, and it is about 1/2 to 1/3rd the depth, so it stays on. However, it is too much mag. for the RD1 with 28, so if I keep the RD1, I will be getting a 1.15x Megaperls.

 

[astroman]

Im getting confused here if a person wants something equal to a 1:1 from a 0.72 finder which magnifier do you use ?

 

[astroman]

Still confused

 

[wpb]

between 1.35 and 1.4 X

I have a .72 and the 1.25X and it makes .90 very close to the .92 in the M3 that I cut my teeth on. I think the magnification is almost perfect on an m3, even with both eyes open.

 

[nico]

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 ....
...
Roland.

Roland,
about the magnifier you mount on the m6, are you talking about the 1.25 or the 1.40 one?
thanks and thans Mukul for starting this thread!
ciao

 

[payasam]

Darren, my problem is what ampguy described. I can see the 50 and 90 frames with the magnifier mounted -- but, as I said, the magnification does not seem to make my focussing any better than it is with the unadorned M2. If I find no takers, I might just use the thing with 85/90 lenses.

 

[dfoo]

So is a .72 Leica (M2/M4, etc) + 1.25 magnifier really the approximately the same effective base length as an M3? Is the field of view the same? I'm finding myself using 50mm and wanting an M3, but if I could get the same thing with my M4-p + magnifier I'd probably go for that.

 

[maddoc]

So is a .72 Leica (M2/M4, etc) + 1.25 magnifier really the approximately the same effective base length as an M3? Is the field of view the same? I'm finding myself using 50mm and wanting an M3, but if I could get the same thing with my M4-p + magnifier I'd probably go for that.

From experience (M3 + Noctilux / M4-P w/o 1.25x Leica magnifier + Noctilux ) it is not the same. The magnification and also field of view of the rangefinder comes close to the M3 when using a 1.25x magnifier however, the contrast (and size !) of the M3 RF patch is still better, especially in dim light. I would say in goes in this order regarding focusing accuracy M3 >> M4-P + 1.25x > M4-P without 1.25x.

I now rarely use the 1.25x for the 50mm lens (Noctilux) but a lot with my 90mm Summicron-M because it makes composition easier seeing the 90mm frame lines magnified.

 

[dfoo]

Thanks for that. M3 it is then.

PS: I'll let my wife know who helped me! 😀

 

[maddoc]

Thanks for that. M3 it is then.

PS: I'll let my wife know who helped me! 😀

😱😱:angel:😀....

 

[payasam]

If you can afford a body just for 50 and longer lenses, an M3 may be the best option: thought I wouldn't reject an M6 or later with 0.85X finder. The 1.25 magnifier brings up the magnification to 0.90, but looking through it is much like looking through a tunnel.

 

[ItsReallyDarren]

With the 1.25 eyepiece I can just make out the 50mm framelines. I haven't noticed a huge difference with the magnifier in focusing but I haven't shot wide open at 1.5 up close very much. It comes in handy when I know I'm going to be shooting in dark or dimly lit conditions where I know I'll be mostly shooting wide open. For that it didn't bother me with the screwing or unscrewng actions. Its either off during daylight or on with low light.

As for size its true that it sticks out from the body, maybe a centemeter or so.

 

[palec]

Speaking of magnifiers, has anyone experience with Match Technical products?
http://matchtechnical.com/EyeCupMag.aspx

I've seen in classifieds the Popflash is selling them. I'm interested in 0.85x to be able to see 28mm framelines easier. But I've read the HK is not good one, maybe this one is rebadged one with rubber eye cups.