M8.2 vs M9, which one has a better veiw finder?

[wudai_e]

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For pure easy of view and focus with lenses 28mm to 50mm?

 

I did check their manuals and found that M9 has less magnification. does that mean the M8.2 has a better view finder?

 

I don't really know if this belongs to the M9 forum but since M8.2 is what I own I'll post it here.

 

Thanks for any clarification.

[ho_co]

They're both the same.

 

M8 has cropped sensor, so lenses produce a narrower field of view. Therefore, frames for the 28mm are further from the edges of the viewfinder window on the M8 than on the M9.

 

That means that the framelines are easier to see with glasses with the M8.

 

But except for the framelines, the viewfinders of the M8 and M9 are identical, as are their rangefinder baselength and focusing accuracy.

 

 

So you might say that the M8's finder is easier to use (tighter framelines further from the edges), but it's no easier to focus.

 

I wouldn't say either is "better." Each is the best available for the camera in question.

[RichardM8]

Sean Reid spends quite a part of his M8.2 review (including pictures) on how much better - ie more accurate - the frame-lines of the M8.2 are than from the M8. They are definitely not the same. I don't know the 8.2 and M9 relate though.

[jaapv]

The viewfinder is exactly the same, except for a marginaldifference in magnification.. The framelines differ,in that the lines of the M8 are correct at minimumfocussing distance,the M8.2 at 2m and the M9 at 1m iirc.It is all much of a muchness.

[01af]

The viewfinder is exactly the same, except for a marginal difference in magnification.

There's a difference!? I always thought both were 0.68×. Not so?

[jaapv]

Just an impression looking through them side by side. Maybe tricked by the differently-sized framelines. Marginal anyway.

[ho_co]

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... how much better - ie more accurate - the frame-lines of the M8.2 are than from the M8. They are definitely not the same....

Thanks, Richard! I should have mentioned the differences in the framelines among the three cameras, as you and Jaap did.

 

• For "ease of focus," I'd say the M8, M8.2 and M9 are the same.
  
• For "ease of view," I'd say the cropped-frame cameras have the advantage of smaller field of view.
  
• For "framing accuracy," the three differ, as you correctly state. Which is "best" will depend on the distance at which you usually work.
  

[wudai_e]

There's a difference!? I always thought both were 0.68×. Not so?

 

On the M8.2 manual, it sates the magnification is 0.72 whereas the M9 is 0.68 I don't know if this is the true optical magnification or if the number is simply smaller due to the bigger sensor

[ho_co]

You're right, it's in the manual. But I think that's an error.

 

All the electronic M cameras have the same magnification of 0.68x to my knowledge, despite what the M8.2 manual says. (M8 and M8.2 are basically the same camera, and are represented by the same brochure. M8 users could "upgrade" to the M8.2 frames.)

 

M8 manual p 105

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M8.2 manual p 124

 

M9 manual p 131

 

 

According to the M8 & M8.2 technical data brochure, both have the same 0.68x magnification:

[lct]

On the M8.2 manual, it sates the magnification is 0.72...

You're right but Leica's technical data refer to 0.68x so there must be an error in the manual i guess.

http://tinyurl.com/2us36rr

[steamboat]

The M8.2 has framelines for the 24mm. Right? Does the M9?

[wudai_e]

The M8.2 has framelines for the 24mm. Right? Does the M9?

 

No, the M9 does not have 24mm frame lines.

[RichardM8]

The M8.2 does too...

 

 

24 & 35mm / 50 & 75mm / 28 & 90mm

[jaapv]

I suppose, nor are the 28 on the M9, Howard..

[ho_co]

Agreed, Jaap.

 

I can't see the 28mm framelines in the M6, and doubt that I could see them in the M9.

 

The 28mm frame in the M8 is almost unusable for me, and the 24mm frame totally so.

 

The question seems to be open-ended; what's "better" for me may not be "better" for someone else.

 

When we raise the question of "which one has more information" (e.g. which has 24mm frame, or which has 135mm frame), we're raising the question of whether it makes a difference for our own individual usage.

 

As you said above, M8, M8.2 and M9 have the same magnification and are basically identical. Since the cameras have different-sized sensors, the frame coverage is different. Does one show more information in the finder LED panel? Does one show the same information differently? I don't think such information enters into the question of which has a "better" viewfinder, but it may make a difference to someone choosing a camera.

 

There are a lot of variables.

 

For example, I found when I had the original M8's framelines replaced by those of the M8.2, the relocation made the righthand vertical line in the 50 frame less likely to disappear in low light. That's interesting, but as I see it, the viewfinder is the same, just with different framelines.

[AncientCityPhoto]

But the M9 has frame lines for 135 I think where the M8 & 8.2 stop at 90mm.

[lct]

But the M9 has frame lines for 135 I think where the M8 & 8.2 stop at 90mm.

Due to the crop factor, 90mm = 90x1.33 = 120mm FoV.

[steamboat]

wudai_e -- I'm lost in this discussion. Maybe this is kicking a dog that's already down but Howard touched on a question. WHAT is your definition of "better"? In the old days it was a question of whether the M2 or M3 viewfinder was better? Do you use a 35mm or 50mm lens (more often)? Eyeglasses? These were a few factors back then. (Please let's not get into that discussion since we all know the M4 viewfinder was best) Anyway, give us a definition of what you consider "better".

[wudai_e]

wudai_e -- I'm lost in this discussion. Maybe this is kicking a dog that's already down but Howard touched on a question. WHAT is your definition of "better"? In the old days it was a question of whether the M2 or M3 viewfinder was better? Do you use a 35mm or 50mm lens (more often)? Eyeglasses? These were a few factors back then. (Please let's not get into that discussion since we all know the M4 viewfinder was best) Anyway, give us a definition of what you consider "better".

 

My best would be the view finder has x1 magnification, like the Nikon S2, which I do not have to squint my eyes sometimes to focus, I love to be able to focus with both my eyes wide open and the image through my viewfinder overlaps perfectly with my left eye(the one not seeing through the view finder), that's my ideal range finder focusing.

 

I thought the M9 has less mag than M8.2, since that's not the case I rest my case of this maybe meaningless comparison

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[lct]

...I love to be able to focus with both my eyes wide open and the image through my viewfinder overlaps perfectly with my left eye...

Only DRF allowing this is the Epson R-D1 so far.