Understanding the 1.25x magnifier (i'm wearing spectacles)

[Marco Peereboom]

Hello everybody,

I'm spending money to buy an Leica M7 (0,72). And i've got 3 question's about the 1.25x magnifier:

1-.Am i right?, when i say 'With the 1.25x magnifier on the camera, the howle viewfinder will be enlarged with 125%'.
2-.And if it works like this, will i still see the finder-led's (under-, overexposure)?
3-.Is the 1.25x magnifier comfortable to use, with spectacles, like i do?

Allready thanks for your answer.

Greetz from Holland,

Marco

 

[awilder]

It will be enlarged by 25%, not 125% if I understand you properly. To put it in context, it will be about the magnification of an M3. The led's are visible and like you I wear glasses and have no problem. HOWEVER, if you're in your late 40's or older, the magnifier is slightly blurry when focused at close distances such as 0.7 m. This is due to the exaggeration by the magnifier of the viewfinder's built-in minus 0.6 diopter focus. I strongly advise a plus 0.5 diopter accessory lens to screw into the magnifier to give sharp focus at all distances, even infinity.

 

[Marco Peereboom]

Thanks for your answer. That's clear to me.

And no, my age is 37.

Other question: The ring at the back of the viewfinder, and also the 1.25x magnifier, do they have an good protection against scratches at spectacles? From an so expensive camera, i may expect so...

But i'm curious. Because at the Nikon FM2 (also an professional camera) i'm still using, the protection is bad: The rubber ring did get dammaged. And now the metal finder-ring can easly make scratches on my spectacles.

 

[awilder]

Unless you wear polycarbonate lenses (thin, lightweight but soft plastic), most plastic lenses are now fairly scratch resistant and the rubber ring should provide good protection.

 

[Marco Peereboom]

Allright, that's good information.

Greetz from Holland, Marco

 

[jaapv]

If you ever are near Rotterdam your can try mine and see if you like it.

 

[Fred]

I have one of the 1.25 magnifiers and use it on an M7. I only really use it when using a 90 cron but otherwise it lives in the little leather case fastenned to the strap.

With the magnifier attached I can 'just' see the 35mm lines if I look about but the 50 lines are clear to view. No problems seeing the exposure LED information.

Using it with glasses is fine, no scratches.

 

[Hektor]

I use mine on an M4P with 75f1.4, it's very useful for focussing accuracy.

I wear specs and would say with a standard .72 viewfinder, then restrict the use of the magnifier to 50mm and longer, 90-135 is ideal.

 

[hoot]

Will this magnifier fit an M2? Will it make it possible to use an M2 with both eyes open, like the M3?

 

[jaapv]

Yes you can use it on any leica M camera

 

[Hektor]

Hoot, 0.72 x 1.25 = 0.9 magnification, same as an M3

0.85 x 1.25 = 1.06,..... Life-size ?.............take your pick.

 

[Marco Peereboom]

I have one of the 1.25 magnifiers and use it on an M7. I only really use it when using a 90 cron but otherwise it lives in the little leather case fastenned to the strap.

With the magnifier attached I can 'just' see the 35mm lines if I look about but the 50 lines are clear to view. No problems seeing the exposure LED information.

Using it with glasses is fine, no scratches.

Hey Fred,

I guess you have the .72 vieuwfinder?

 

[Fred]

I have the .72 mag viewfinder. I'm thinking of getting a 75mm which would also benefit from the magnifier. I doubt if it'll be as fast as F1.4 though, the new F2 would be ideal but very expensive. More saving needed unless I try the CV and see how I get on.

 

[hoot]

Is it feasible to use this magnifier if you're planning to use the M2's 35mm framelines extensively? I know the point of this finder is to enlarge the telephoto framelines, but I like the idea of shooting wideangle with both eyes open.

 

[Hektor]

Dunno, I'd have to try it, but I'm a spectacle wearer, so I think no good for me. Ask someone who doesn't waer specs.

Unless you do too, Hoot.

 

[skimmel]

Take a look at this: has a lot of good info on the effects of the magnifier on visibility of framelines with and without eyeglasses.

http://www.leica-camera.com/imperia/md/content/pdf/msystem/30.pdf

 

[jaapv]

Is it feasible to use this magnifier if you're planning to use the M2's 35mm framelines extensively? I know the point of this finder is to enlarge the telephoto framelines, but I like the idea of shooting wideangle with both eyes open.

I tried it with my M3 and I really had to struggle to see the 50 mm lines. I guess it would not be comfortable to use on the M2 for the 35 mm, but would do fine for the shorter lenghts.