What frame-lines will various lenses bring up?

[Frankie]

The ZM only provides 28/35/50/85mm frame-lines.

I know for a fact that the M-mounted CV 40mm/1.4 will bring up the 50mm frame line unless one of the mount claws is modified...which I have done under the kind advisement of TomA.

[I have predicted and later verified that the FOV of the 35mm frame-line (~85%) is closer to 40mm —35 mm x 1.15 (100+15%) = 40.25mm— by placing a Nikon F/F2 ground glass (matte film also works) at film plane with shutter set at B, camera tripod mounted, and checking FOV at infinity and close, through large to small apertures…]

What else do we know?

I have set up a blank table below hoping RFF members with actual experience may contribute. Perhaps the Moderators could set this thread up as a Sticky…

Lenses /Frame-line /If modifiable
21mm /50mm /?
25mm /35mm /?
28mm /28mm /NA
35mm /35mm /NA
40mm /50mm /35mm
50mm /50mm /NA
75mm /35mm /?
85mm /85mm /NA
90mm /85mm /?
135mm /? /?

New data from yzblog for 21mm
New data from Cameraquest for CV 25mm/4P
New data from watchyourbackground for CV 75mm/2.5
New data from jdvf for 90mm M-Hexanon

 

[yzblog]

the 21/2.8 ZM brings up the 50 as i just tried it

 

[watchyourbackgrounds]

The CV 75/2.5 shows the 35.

 

[Tom A]

The CV 75/2.5 shows the 35.

That depends on the adapter you use with it. You can bring up the 85 lines with a 90mm LTM adapter and "shoot inside the lines" and it works.

 

[Roger Hicks]

Dear Frankie,

While it's not a direct answer to your question, you might also care to look at the ZI review here: http://www.rogerandfrances.com/subscription/zeiss.html, where if you scroll down a bit you see that frame lines vary quite widely from camera to camera. In particular the 90 frame on my MP was identical to the 85 frame on the ZI I had for review.

Cheers,

R.

 

[jdvf]

The M-Hexanon 90 brings up the 85 frame line (+28, of course)

Greg

 

[Frankie]

While it's not a direct answer to your question, you might also care to look at the ZI review here: http://www.rogerandfrances.com/subscription/zeiss.html

Search as I have, this is the first time I come across Roger's non-partisan review. Had I been able to do so earlier, I would have purchased the ZM even earlier.

[As a fair comparison, I had recently purchased a good M2. I will have to say the ZM finder is at least 1 f-stop brighter and eye relief far better. The ZM rangefinder has far more reach than Leica's...a few blocks away is not yet infinity, more like across the harbour. Under 2X magnification using the Nikon DG-2 magnifier finder (same thread size) making the EBL a looong 150mm, infinity discrimination is even better.]

I am aware that various cameras would have different latitudes in their viewfinders. Even my trusty Nikon F2's are not exactly 100% as claimed.

I have also studied the ZM frame line lever as TomA had suggested long ago. It soon became obvious that the 35mm lens coupling lever is recessed further up than the 50mm and than the 85mm [where the 28mm just came along for the piggy-back ride].

That means you can file down the lens mount claw for a lens that brings up the 50mm to bring up the 35mm; or file the claw that brings up the 85mm to bring up the 50mm or even 35mm...but not the other way around. [Love to hear TomA's input here.]

Carefully expressing out the actual lens coverage data in a diagram, I realize the 25mm lens might fit within the gross finder coverage...and viewable if you don't wear glasses. If the 28mm frameline does indeed have a 15% latitude, making it really a 32mm frameline, then the real imaging latitude is 28% or 14~15% each side...composition margin.

 

[Al Kaplan]

There is a way to make the bayonet lug (what you call "claw") longer. It involves squaring off the end of the lug with a file, drilling a small diameter hole in the end, and then epoxying a short length of metal in the hole. A section of a common pin or paper clip works fine. It's the salvation of the 28mm Rokkor-CLE if you want it to bring up the 28mm frame line in an M body.

http://thepriceofsilver.bolgspot.com

 

[Frankie]

There is a way to make the bayonet lug (what you call "claw") longer. It involves squaring off the end of the lug with a file, drilling a small diameter hole in the end, and then epoxying a short length of metal in the hole. A section of a common pin or paper clip works fine. It's the salvation of the 28mm Rokkor-CLE if you want it to bring up the 28mm frame line in an M body.

http://thepriceofsilver.bolgspot.com

I had thought of that...but too invasive.

I am working on designing a far simpler device...a plastic or aluminium clamp-like mechanism that simply hold the frameline selection lever at intended lens positions.

[I had tried with a black rubber band...ladies use them for tying their hair, available in any drug store...and it works fine for the ZM. The camera does not care.]

If I did it right, the device will also work on Leica's.😀

Stay tuned.

 

[Frankie]

After much thought, I came to the conclusion that I only need to bring the 28mm frame manually for 25mm or even 21mm lens. In so doing I will also bring up the 85mm frame for 75mm or 90mm lens.

I use a small sheet of 0.5mm thick stainless steel and fashioned a bracket. I have an engineering drawing if anyone is interested.

The work took 2 hours and I am sure a punch-press could make 10,000 pieces per hour.

See pictures attached.

 

[PMCC]

I use a little strip of gaffer's tape to hold the PV lever where I want it for whatever lens that doesn't bring up the framelines I want. The work takes 2 minutes or less, reversible in 2 seconds, no surgery to lens or body required.

 

[sircarl]

If I want to use a 75mm M-mount lens with my ZI, what framelines will it bring up -- without any adjustments to the lens or camera? Does anyone here use a 75 with their ZI?

 

[Roger Hicks]

As it brings up 75/50 on a Leica, it should bring up 50 on the ZI.

Cheers,

R.

 

[rxmd]

That depends on the adapter you use with it. You can bring up the 85 lines with a 90mm LTM adapter and "shoot inside the lines" and it works.

Actually with a 75mm lens and a 85mm frameline, you need to shoot outside the lines.