Variable value diopter for Leica M9?

[Steven-T]

Hi all,

I am nearsighted. Leica, as far as I know, sells fixed value +- diopters (correction lenses, +3, ..., -3 ). Any third party variable value diopter in the market for Leica M, e.g. -4 to 0? This way I can turn the diopter to -4 when not using my glasses, and turn the value to 0 when using my glasses.

I posted the same question on DPR. A fellow forumer (who bought one himself) points me to this website: http://www.japanexposures.com/shop/product_info.php?products_id=110

This is EXACTLY what I am looking for. BUT, ooops, there is a note on the website: "ATTENTION: due to Leica patent restrictions, this product is not available to customers for rangefinder camera use in Germany and the United States of America!"

Any other source I can get a similar product to ship to/buy in USA? I don't mind whether it has a magnifier or not. All I need is the adjustable diopter to screw into the Leica M VF.

Thanks in advance.

-Steve

 

[john_s]

The stuff about patents and restrictions is ineffective. If you order it you will get it.

I have one and it works superbly. The x1.15 magnification works fine for me but obviously restricts the angle of view in the viewfinder. So the frame for your body's widest angle lens frame probably won't be visible. (I'm not familiar with the M9 frames).

BUT, adjusting the diopter is slow. It seems designed to set and forget. The rotation on the optical element that varies the diopter is heavily dampened to make it hard to accidentally move. I could imagine changing it from 0 to something for a day's shooting, but it would be a pain to be changing it back and forth frequently. It would be easier to remove it. (But that might wear out the threads eventually)

One of the reasons I like it is that the diopter value can be set to be exactly what you need instead of the discrete values of normal diopters. (This can become important as one ages, since the eye loses the ability to adjust for small discrepancies in focus: in fact I have almost none left)

I have the impression that the diopter range is a bit less than the range stated. I could check that if you're at the end of the claimed range (-3.0).

 

[Steven-T]

Variable value diopter for Leica M9?

Thanks John. That's what I think too. It is currently out of stock.

With my 5D II, I use a -2 diopter. The 5D II has a built in adjustable diopter -3 to +1. Usually, I turn it to about -2 without using my glasses. Thus I would need an effective "-4". The M9 VF comes with -0.5. So the -3 to +1 range would work for me, barely (a -4 would be better, so I can use -3.5!!!).

Does it have a thread to hold a small Leica diopter?

-Steve

The stuff about patents and restrictions is ineffective. If you order it you will get it.

I have one and it works superbly. The x1.15 magnification works fine for me but obviously restricts the angle of view in the viewfinder. So the frame for your body's widest angle lens frame probably won't be visible. (I'm not familiar with the M9 frames).

BUT, adjusting the diopter is slow. It seems designed to set and forget. The rotation on the optical element that varies the diopter is heavily dampened to make it hard to accidentally move. I could imagine changing it from 0 to something for a day's shooting, but it would be a pain to be changing it back and forth frequently. It would be easier to remove it. (But that might wear out the threads eventually)

One of the reasons I like it is that the diopter value can be set to be exactly what you need instead of the discrete values of normal diopters. (This can become important as one ages, since the eye loses the ability to adjust for small discrepancies in focus: in fact I have almost none left)

I have the impression that the diopter range is a bit less than the range stated. I could check that if you're at the end of the claimed range (-3.0).