Opinions on the 0.85 finder...

[Bob_McBob]

I have the opportunity to pick up an M6 TTL with 0.85 finder for quite a reasonable price. I tried doing a search on here, but I assume the search tool doesn't like the term (either that or nobody has ever mentioned finder magnification in the history of RFF...).

I have thought about it in the past, and I can't say I'd ever consider the 0.85 over the standard 0.72, mainly because I also like to use a 35mm lens (same reason I wouldn't buy an M3). I did some reading around online, and a lot of people seem to think the 0.85 isn't TERRIBLE with 35mm lenses, as long as you don't wear glasses. The 35mm framelines are actually slightly smaller than the 28mm ones in the 0.72 finder, aren't they? Would it be fair to say that I could get along okay using the 35mm framelines on a 0.85 M6 TTL?

I think I would probably pass if I were primarily a 35mm shooter, but my standard lens on film cameras is a 50. My 35 (a UC-Hexanon) was purchased primarily for use on my R-D1S. where it's like a 50 with the sensor crop. I would probably pick up a 50mm Nokton or something like that to go with the M6.

 

[peter_n]

I did some reading around online, and a lot of people seem to think the 0.85 isn't TERRIBLE with 35mm lenses, as long as you don't wear glasses. The 35mm framelines are actually slightly smaller than the 28mm ones in the 0.72 finder, aren't they? Would it be fair to say that I could get along okay using the 35mm framelines on a 0.85 M6 TTL?

A 35mm is definitely usable on a 0.85x cam. If you like to see a fair amount of space on the outside of the frame you won't get that but you will be able to compose & focus without any trouble.

 

[Mark J]

I wear glasses and own both 0.72 and 0.85. The 35 frame line is useable on the 0.85 with glasses, but at a price. I can not see the entire frame at one time with glasees, but I am used to the field of view of a 35 lens and can approximate what is covered just by looking at the scene. The 35 is much more useable on the 0.72.

Mark J.

 

[hlockwood]

A 35mm is definitely usable on a 0.85x cam. If you like to see a fair amount of space on the outside of the frame you won't get that but you will be able to compose & focus without any trouble.

My experience, exactly.

Harry

 

[BillP]

I wear spectacles and have happily used a 35 - and a 28 - on my M7 .85. The 28 is a stretch, but do-able. My favourites on this body, though, are the 40mm Nokton and the VC 75.

Regards,

Bill

 

[RichardB]

I started with an M3, still have an M3 and my M6 and M7 both have .85 finders.
Since I use 135, 90, 75 and 35 exclusively at this time, no problem. My next lens will be a 21mm ASPH, so will need an external finder anyway.
Frankly I have no use for the .72 and certainly don't need the 0.58.
I usually don't shoot with glasses.-Dick

 

[Santafecino]

You could get a camera with an 0.72 finder and add a 1.25x magnifier when you use the 50mm or longer lens, and take it off when you use a wide angle.

Check whether this option allows you to use any correction lens that you may need.
--Lindsay

 

[mfogiel]

Bob_McBob
Here's the opinion of a Leica indifferent shooter:
The 0.85 VF on a Leica (I use the M7) is good primarily for the 50mm lens, although for who does not use glasses, it can also be used quite effectively with the 35mm. The 75mm frame is also quite usable, the rest (90mm and 135mm) is ridiculous without a magnifier. With the 1.35 megaperls magnifier, you don't see the 35mm frames any more, the 50mm frames become really big, the 75mm frames become ideal, the 90 mm become useable, and the 135mm are always a useless PITA as before. The problem I see in my M7, is that Leica didn't choose the frame coupling correct, They should have coupled the 35mm and 90mm, 75mm and 135mm, and left the 50mm alone, instead they have left the 90mm alone (only Leica can be so arrogant to make a blunder like this) and coupled the 50 and 75mm ( a total idiocy). Therefore, either you use this camera primarily for a 90mm lens (???), or you are faced with the frame confusion. All in all, I think this camera together with the magnifier can serve well for the 75 and 90mm, and without for the 35 and 50 mm. If you have another 0.52 0r 0.58 VF RF, then the combo makes sense, otherwise the choice is to get the ZI and have a decent piece of equipment for the 28-50mm range, extendable to 90mm with the magnifier.

 

[toyfel]

I wear glasses and would not recommend using a 35 mm lens with a 0.85 body. Hard to see all framelines without having to move your eye. But that´s just me, others seem to manage.

 

[RichardB]

Forgot to mention that my 135mm is the f2.8RF and I don't need a magnifier. -Dick

 

[Bob_McBob]

Looks like I will be using an M6 TTL for my upcoming holiday in England, then 🙂 There goes a nice chunk of my paycheque...

Any thoughts on what lens I should get to complement the 35/2? I'm debating between something like the 50/1.5 Nokton or 75/2.5 Heliar.

 

[peter_n]

Get the 75. Perfect with a 35. 🙂

 

[cmogi10]

And focusing a 75 is a dream with a .85 viewfinder.

 

[iridium7777]

i don't wear glasses. a .85 m6ttl is my only camera and a 35mm is my only lens.

the lines are pretty much on the outer edge and you can safely assume what you see is what you get; it was never a problem for me.

 

[Bob_McBob]

Okay, I am officially the new owner of an M6 TTL 0.85. Should be here at the end of the week 🙂

 

[dreamsandart]

The .85 finder is great if you don't ware glasses for 35mm; bigger view, larger rangefinder patch. The negatives are a slight dimmer view, and the rangefinder whites-out more than the .72 finder unless you get the MP finder up-grade.

 

[BigSteveG]

If your usual lens is a 50mm, 0.85 is the right choice. The 35mm FL is still quite usable.