Wanted: Eyesight correction lens for M3

[dkCambridgeshire]

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Just had recently acquired M3 serviced and want to use it with the chrome 50mm Summilux also just serviced but the viewfinder image is blurred as if previous owner fitted a correction lens. Does anyone know of a UK dealer who stocks a selection of spare M3 viewfinder lenses which can be tried and maybe swapped?

 

Thanks for looking

 

Dunk

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[brunom]

Duncan

 

I use a +1.5 dioptre on my MP, and it just screwed into the eyepiece - so if your M3 is blurred [presumimg you have normal eyesight], the problem should be solved by unscrewing the one fitted , or does that camera use a different system to later models?

 

Bruno

[doubice]

Duncan,

 

If an original Leitz eyesight correction lens was fitted, it can be easily removed. Check the finder eyepice - the correction lenses came with the same mount as the eyepiece and it should be easy to see if one is attached. It would look as if two eyepices were screwed on top of each other.

 

This is a standard M3 eyepice; does yours look like this?

 

 

That would indicate that the whole eyepice was changed for one with correction and you will have to get a replacement part. Actually, any part (M2, M3, M4 and I believe even M6) will fit. You can also try eBay, quite often there are sellers with spare parts.

 

Good luck,

 

Jan

[andybarton]

You will be lucky to finder a dealer that has a stock of all dioptres, but provided you have a "clean" M3 (as shown above), any M correction lens will work.

 

Indeed, my -2 lens for my M2 is the only piece of Leica equipment I have bought new

 

(Be careful that you don't screw it in too hard, otherwise the thread can bind and, when you want to remove it, the whole viewfinder piece on the back comes off. This may be something to do with the recent CLA, but I can't confirm)

[dkCambridgeshire]

Thanks for your comments ... have now tried focusing 50mm finder frame on my M6 on same subject (my kitchen boiler manufacturer's logo) and the same problem is apparent ... maybe I did not notice it before because the M6 50mm viewfinder window is smaller than the M3 ... the M3 viewfinder is bigger and the central rangefinder rectangle is wider ... so any blurriness appears to show up more in the M3 rangefinder rectangle ... Now plan to make appointment with optician and see if I need new spectacles ... could also be my astigmatism problem getting worse ... reflection of doing too much VDU work both at home and in office?

 

Dunk

[andybarton]

The eye-piece corrections lenses do not correct astigmatism at all - I have astigmatism in my left, shooting eye. This will leave you with a bit of double vision even if the focus is corrected.

 

This is why I never shoot without my glasses any more, and why wide lenses such as a 35 on an M2 are a pain in the arris to use. Getting the right magnification viewfinder is essential if you are a glasses wearer and like to see what you are shooting when using a 35.