Using M8 r/f patch as frameline

[corkflor]

Hi there, and greetings from Cork, Ireland. New to this forum, but using Leicas for over 50 years.

I've just acquired a very nice example of a 135/3.5 LTM Nikkor Q.C., as used by DDD back in the '50s.

Obviously on my full-frame film Ms it's a 135, but not so on my M8, where it's equivalent to roughly a 180, taking the 1.33 crop factor into account.

Faced with the problem of what to use as a v/f, I experimented with using the r/f patch itself as a frame. It appears to be around the 200mm mark, and works fine, leaving a fair margin for error round the edges.

I just wondered whether anyone could tell me more precisely what the M8 r/f patch would be equivalent to framewise.

This problem will go away when I receive a TEWE 35-200 zoom finder, currently on its way from California.

Best.

Alex

 

[presspass]

I've used the rangefinder patch for an impromptu 135 frame with a 135 Elmar and it works. Rangefinder framing is an inexact science at best, so a little more around the edges doesn't hurt. The Tewe will work; if you wear glasses, be careful about scratches. Best of luck and welcome.

 

[corkflor]

NIce to know someone else had the same brilliant idea 🙂

Thanks for the heads-up on the TEWE. I don't use glasses, but I am left-eyed, which means my M8 chimping screen gets a lot of nose impressions....

Best.

Alex

 

[Tom Niblick]

If I remember correctly, a 135 field of view is about 1/3 larger than the rangefinder focus patch of a M8. Effective focal length of the 135 on the M8 is 180 mm. I ended up with a 135 Elmarit, which uses the 90 mm frame lines because of the magnifying goggles. A much easier lens to use with the M8. I added a 1.33 eyepiece magnifier for an even bigger view but couldn't use the rig because all that glass fogged up too often.
I still pull the 135 out every now and then but really prefer to use a 90.