Viewfinder magnifiers

[Shadow Blaster]

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I plan to buy a 90mm Summicron asph/apo, if I can ever find one, and have read that there are focusing issues. I plan to use it with my M7 and would like to hear from the forum if either the 1.25x or 1.4x viewfinder magnifier is worthwhile and, if so, which one is recommended. I wear glasses as well but don't know if that is relevant.

 

Thanks in advance for any responses.

 

John S.

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[treeplanter]

I have an 0.72 MP and both the 1.25 and 1.4 magnifiers. I use the 1.25 mostly with a 50mm lens and the 1.4 with my 75 Summilux and 90mm Elmarit-M. No doubt, for me, it makes focusing easier and more definite.

 

Jim B.

[pico]

I use the 1.25X with a .72 finder when I shoot the 75mm Summilux. It makes the finder close enough to 1:1 that I can shoot with both eyes open. I should think (but have not tried it) that the 1.4X would be ideal for long lenses.

 

Conerning focus accuracy - indeed, it helps me a lot. (65 year-old myoptic, astigmatic eyes.)

[!Nomad64]

Absolutely so. I bought a 1.25x to aid focusing the Elmarit 2.8 and it was an improvement. And I have 10/10 sight. Now that I have the AASPH I couldn't do without. That lens at f 2.0 can be very unforgiving, but properly focused it gives plenty of satisfaction.

My 2c: if I were you - and especially if you plan to use it at shorter range - I'd run some tests about focus shift.

Mine has a slight one, however less pronounced than the Elmarit. But this is true for MY lenses on MY camera.

 

Cheers,

Bruno

[aymoon]

I use the 1.4x mag with a 0.72 MP + 50-lux... gives me 1-1 view as mentioned above so can shoot with both eyes open. Would definitely recommend the 1.4 for a 90.

[ramosa]

I recently purchased both the Leica 1.25x and 1.4x magnifiers. (My situation varies from yours, as I have an M8 along with 18mm, 28mm, 50mm, and 80mm lenses.) The magnifiers did NOT provide substantial benefits to me on the 50 or 80 (which were their intended lenses for use). The magnifiers may increase the size of the focusing frame on the 50 and 80 and offer some slight improvement in focusing. But there were drawbacks, too, including the cost, the size of the 1.4x (which dims the viewfinder and creates a tunneling effect), and the need to fiddle with the magnifiers when putting them on and taking them off--and when simply trying to slide your gear in and out of your camera bag. I have promptly returned both of them, without a single regret.

 

That said, I think the magnifiers can be beneficial in three ways. First, for photographers with weaker vision. (My vision is pretty good, and I do not wear glasses when shooting.) Second, for photographers who are trying to shoot at F/1.0. (I have a Lux 50 and really didn't see much benefit of using the magnifiers at F/1.4.) Third, for photographers who primarily shoot at focal lengths over 75mm. (28 and 50 are my most used focal lengths.)

 

Thus, for me, the magnifiers didn't make sense--as I'd prefer to streamline my gear unless it poses substantial improvements.

 

My advice: If you plan to get a magnifier, order both of them from a trustworthy company (e.g., B&H). That way, you can compare the finders--and return them if you don't like one or the other--or both (as I did).

[Per P.]

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I just attended a presentation by Peter Karbe, Leica's head of lens design. He made a very convincing case for using magnifiers with longer lenses and open apertures. The core of his argument was that sensor technology and increased demand for close-up viewing significantly increases the demand for lens sharpness (Leica) and spot-on focussing (the customer).

 

He hinted in the direction of the 1.4 magnifier for 75 and 90mm lenses. I had the opportunity to test the 1.4 on a 50mm Summilux and it makes a huge difference.