After running this post with the question about a 35mm lens for m mount i had a great disappointment. I borrowed an m6 for 1 week to test the waters and i cant see the framelines of the 35mm with my glasses on well. I also started thinking that maybe sometime i will want 28mm( you know how these things change). What will i do then ? I am very sceptical to throw 2k for a camera and a lens that doesnt make me happy 100%. Is there any film slr with a good viewfinder for glasses and easy focusing too ? I had the nikon f3hp 3 years ago, great camera great viewfinder but i couldnt focus 100% accurate, maybe more 70-80% most of the time and the camera with lens were for sure heavy. I wouldnt mind the weight if the viewfinder was very good for my needs( be able to see whole frame without moving eyes around, be able to get tack sharp focus easy). What would you suggest ?
Anyone with glasses has this issue. But if you stick with it, persevere, you'll likely find the benefits of a Leica M w/ 0.72 viewfinder a 35mm lens, far outweigh the hassle. You'll learn to roll your eye to see the frame line, and if you use the 35mm lens enough, you'll start to see in that vision. With that lens, the vertical distance to the subject, equals the horizontal distance of the negative. I've had a few epiphany moments in photography and one of them was when I committed to using the 35mm lens on a Leica M -- exclusively -- for a long period, and after 6 months I came to the conclusion it was an ideal set up. Indeed the only lens you really need. For a 28mm, just realize it will be the entire viewfinder. Another thing, you'll learn not to be so hyper focused on frame lines; you can always crop a bit later.
Having said that, my individual journey was back and forth. Started with a Leica M6 in 1998, used mostly 50mm lenses because I wore glasses and found using the 35mm focal length a struggle. After 10 years or so, gravitated to SLR, used them for 7-8 years, using a 35mm lenses, and then back Leica M's for variety of reasons. Then I did the aforementioned test, exclusively using a 35mm lens. Became habituated to it, found out it is a perfect for a Leica M with 0.72 viewfinder, even for someone who wears glasses.
Sure, go to an SLR, but don't give on an M. It has a lot of advantages, and using the 35mm focal length, or even a 28mm lens, just takes time to become habituated.
Now as to your question, the SLR I found with great relief and ease of focus was the Leicaflex SL. It uses a micro prism focusing screen, and things just pop into focus in a dramatic way. Viewfinder mag is something like .9 (I think). Good cameras with low shutter vibration (for an SLR).
Problem with an F3HP is the viewfinder mag is only .75, though great eye relief. Try to find something with great eye relief and high viewfinder magnification.
Nikon F too would be an option. Get it in a plain. prism and learn Sunny 16.
