Protection of M8 VF

[jplomley]

I'm a new M8 owner and am loving this camera. This forum has been a tremendous source of information and has been instrumental in shortening the learning curve with the M8. I was hoping I might get some help on VF protection. I wear eyeglasses to correct for very minor near sightedness, and was hoping to add a "zero" correction dioptre to the M8 to simply acts as a protective source from dust and moisture. Two questions, will I still be able to see the 35mm framelines with a protector in place, and does leica make a zero dioptre? Out of curiosity, what is the native dioptre correction of the M8.

Cheers,
Jeff

[luigi bertolotti]

The VF attached enlargers have a dioptre adjustment that, simply, can be set to zero adjustment, for their main function is simply to enlarge the VF view for more precise RF focusing.

There are, for what I know, 3 models :

1,25x - Leica original, costly, good
1,15x and 1,35x - from Megaperls, cheap (orderable on the Net, they ship in less than 10 days).

None of them precludes the use of the 35mm frame on M8... not even the 1,35x that is the one I have: but with it is surely better not to wear eyeglasses: if happens I keep my eyeglasses on, using the 1,35x is really someway problematic except for 50-75-90. I'm seriously thinking to buy the 1,15x too... probably this could be the best choice for you, if you plan to have it permanently attached (the Leica, apart the problem of cost, is surely better for occasional use: has a small case, a retaining chain for the strap, is surely better made for an intensive mount-dismount)

[Eoin]

I read this slightly differently to Luigi, in answer to your question I believe the native correction is -0.5. You could I suppose add a +0.5 to get it back to 0 and give the protection you seek. But I would think there is some reason why Leica have the native setting that way.

With regard to dust and moisture, I really don't see any added advantage or protection afforded by adding a screw in diopter, the likely ingress would still occur where the main viewfinder ring attaches to the body and you'd only eliminate where the outer ring seals against the inner viewfinder glass.

When I choose to use a diopter rather than glasses, I have a little difficulty seeing the full 28mm frames, by moving the eye slightly around the VF gives the full picture so I guess 35mm would not be a problem for you. However that being said, I prefer to shoot with glasses rather than diopter, as when I need to make a change in the menu or review a shot I need to put the glasses on anyway. The Diopters seem to reduce the optical quality of the viewfinder a little IMO and mine's a Leica one. YMMV.

[luigi bertolotti]

Originally Posted by Eoin

... I have a little difficulty seeing the full 28mm frames, by moving the eye slightly around the VF gives the full picture so I guess 35mm would not be a problem for you. However that being said, I prefer to shoot with glasses rather than diopter, as when I need to make a change in the menu or review a shot I need to put the glasses on anyway. The Diopters seem to reduce the optical quality of the viewfinder a little IMO and mine's a Leica one. YMMV.

Yes, many times that's the same for me... also for I used eyeglasses for years with M4...I was accustomed... and even there wasn't the issue of LCD menus ! I had a very good first impression using my 1,35x , adjusting the dioptre and wearing no glasses... but, as you say "wear-unwear" the glasses isn't easy, many times, and the VF view quality really worsens with the magnifier (surely with the Megaperls, but, as you say, also with original)... now, I'm thinking to keep it on only when I go out with 90 and/or 135...

[jaapv]

Luigi, I find the Megaperls 1.15x magnifier the best compromise.

[Shootist]

Actually the eye piece of the viewfinder has glass in it and is NOT a real part of the actual view/rangefinder. It screws into the top plate not the view/rangefinder. This part, the eye piece, can be changed, although you need a special wrench to loosen and tighten it.
So if you ever scratched the eye piece you can replace it in less then a minute, once you have the replacement part.
Anything you ADD TO that eye piece will restrict your field of view through the viewfinder. But I doubt anything would stop you from seeing the 35mm framelines.

[wstotler]

Originally Posted by Shootist

Actually the eye piece of the viewfinder has glass in it and is NOT a real part of the actual view/rangefinder. It screws into the top plate not the view/rangefinder. This part, the eye piece, can be changed, although you need a special wrench to loosen and tighten it.

Thanks for posting this--good to know! Thanks, Will

[wlaidlaw]

Another vote for the Megaperls X1.15. One tiny reservation is that the optimum focus of the dioptre variation seems to change a bit from close focus to infinity. If I am doing close focus work, I sometimes remove the Megaperls and rely on the mid range portion of my Vari-focal spectacles.

Wilson

[mhoutman]

Originally Posted by Eoin

With regard to dust and moisture, I really don't see any added advantage or protection afforded by adding a screw in diopter, the likely ingress would still occur where the main viewfinder ring attaches to the body and you'd only eliminate where the outer ring seals against the inner viewfinder glass.

wasn't it the m7 which has some batches were the viewfinder ring sealing wasn't 100% ?

michiel

[luigi bertolotti]

Originally Posted by jaapv

Luigi, I find the Megaperls 1.15x magnifier the best compromise.

... I'm on the point to place an order for it...