which view finder is for me? 0.72 or 0.85

[iridium7777]

coming from dslr world, i'd really like to give a rf a try.

never having used one before (played around with an m3 in a store for a couple minutes once) i have a question.

considering i'm going to go with a 50mm lens and possibly trade it/add a 35mm later on if it doesn't meet my expectations which range finder model of m6 should i be getting? 0.72 or 0.85?

essentially which viewfinder has the most clear, logical lines for 35/50 combo? these are my only considerations. i don't forsee going any higher or lower than that any time soon.

thanks.

 

[peter_n]

The 0.72 mag for 35 & 50. I use both mags and I prefer the 0.85 for >=50mm and use the 0.72 for <=35mm. With one body and those two lenses though the 0.72 mag is your best bet. One of the major differences between an SLR and a RF is being able to see outside the framelines and you can't do that with the 35mm frameline on a 0.85 mag body. The 35mm is usable on the 0.85 mag but you don't see the context because the 35mm frameline is too close to the edge of the VF.

Welcome to the forum BTW. 🙂

 

[x-ray]

I have both also and love the .85 because i shoot faster lenses at max aperture and like the more accurate focus particularly with my 75 at 1.4. For general shooting the .72 is great. If you wear glasses the 35mm frame could be a problem on the .85.

 

[John Bragg]

There really is not a great deal of difference in use. I have the 0.72 M6 and chose it over the 0.85 largely because it needed no add-on viewfinder for the 28mm. If you really have no intention of going wider than the 35mm then either would do. 0.85 is supposedly better for 90mm or 135mm lenses. I also chose 0.72 because it was the original spec for M6, and I am somewhat of a traditionalist in these things.

 

[35mmdelux]

you'll need a 72 mag VF.

I used to own a .85 and they're best for 50/75/90. You can barely make out the 35mm framelines, way out at the edges, not alot of fun.

 

[Avotius]

I think you should pick up a .72 viewfinder then if you feel you would like to try the .85 then get a magnifier eye piece thing that screws right onto the viewfinder and you have the best of both worlds

 

[iridium7777]

thanks for all the replies

thanks for all the replies

guess i'm going with a .72.

good thing, because .72 viewfinder seems to be cheaper also. 😀

 

[JNewell]

I would vote differently. I have and use a .72 and a .85 side by side and I think the .85 is fine with a 35mm and strongly preferred with 50mm and up because I find it focuses faster and more accurately. The 35mm frames are, for me, prefectly visible without glasses.

 

[JohnM]

I have the 0.85x and have no problems with the 35mm framelines either. They're out towards the edges, but not far enough to where I have any difficulty seeing them.

If you're certain that you aren't going wider than 35, the .85 is fine. I basically only use a 35 and a 50 and I like the roomier framelines.

 

[dreamsandart]

In general I've liked the .72 just fine since I'm most of the time I'm using 35mm. Tried the 1.25x magnifier and didn't like how it extended out from the body. But then I got a .85 body and really liked the larger view AND the larger rangefinder patch. If you are not wearing glasses the 35mm isn't as good as the .72 to take in at a glance but works fine.

In fact I got to like the larger view so much that I tried the 1.25x magnifier again and have come to like it. With 50/90 its really great, and 35 works, if I really want to make 35 easy or using a 28 I just take it off. So maybe the most versatile is still the .72 with a add-on 1.25x.

 

[Berliner]

I've got a .72 and a .85, and find the .85 in my hand more often--it's easier focusing, and no problems with the 35mm frames for me--I have a 35/75 combo that I use 95% of the time, and the easier focusing for the 75 gets more weight than the 'streched out' 35mm frames. For a first RF, a.72 may be more flexible, even if it is eventual...

 

[JNewell]

For clarification, you're using the 1.25x magnifier on the .85x body?

In fact I got to like the larger view so much that I tried the 1.25x magnifier again and have come to like it. With 50/90 its really great, and 35 works, if I really want to make 35 easy or using a 28 I just take it off. So maybe the most versatile is still the .72 with a add-on 1.25x.

 

[peter_n]

For clarification, you're using the 1.25x magnifier on the .85x body?

Actually I've done this. I've found it helps with focusing a 90mm Summicron wide-open. 😉

 

[dreamsandart]

Yes, I was talking about the .72 + 1.25x combination for versatility.