Iron Flatline Posted February 19, 2007 Share #1 Posted February 19, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi all. I have been looking for the Leica 1.25x magnifier, and it is sold-out everywhere. I checked in Germany, I've checked every major vendor in the US, and I lost the bidding on the only one on eBay. None around. But I have an M8, and a 50mm lens, and I was told that magnification will help focusing. So I ordered a 1.25x Magnifier from HKSupplies. I ordered via eBay, and they come in black or chrome, I got the black one. Leica's usually costs around $360, the HKS one cost around $60. That's a big difference. It's not bad. It's got a little leather pouch that snaps around the camera strap. I don't like that it is pure metal, which means when I put my glasses on (that I don't need on the eye I use for shooting) I end up putting metal to glass. I could end up scratching my glasses. Also, I can see the light meter, but only if I adjust the camera slightly to look "down" into the Viewfinder. My question is whether the HKS Magnifier is that different than the Leica product. Am I missing something? Is the Leica one a LOT better? Can I see the Lightmeter flawlessly? Is there a rubber lip to it to protect my glasses? Is the overall quality that much better? I know there is a big price difference, but I spend so much money on Leica gear that if the Viewfinder (my most vital and primary interface with the camera) is compromised, then I'll get the Leica one when it becomes available again. Who has experience with either of these products? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted February 19, 2007 Posted February 19, 2007 Hi Iron Flatline, Take a look here 1.25x Magnifier for M camera. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
marknorton Posted February 19, 2007 Share #2 Posted February 19, 2007 I have both and I agree the HKS one is a good alternative and, as you found out, it's available. There is the worry about scratching glasses, the Leica one has a rubber ring but in truth it falls off. The HKS one is a copy of the Leica one. The Leica one has a little lanyard to tether it to one of the strap eyes but as I found out, it can get tangled with the camera strap and scratch the camera top cover. All in all, the HKS one is good value for money. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iron Flatline Posted February 19, 2007 Author Share #3 Posted February 19, 2007 Thanks for getting back to me. Quick question: is the Lightmeter more easily visible on one vs. the other? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marknorton Posted February 19, 2007 Share #4 Posted February 19, 2007 I'd say they're pretty much the same. The magnification will tend to move the exposure meter readout to the edge of the field of view so it's the same either way. The one that also interests me is the 0.85 finder which might be interesting when running with the 24mm... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enoteca Posted February 19, 2007 Share #5 Posted February 19, 2007 Iron, at Stephen Gandy's website (Camera Quest) is sold a little peace of leather, that could be mounted on the magnifier to protect your glasses. Probably you could do that by yourself? Manfred Freiburg, Magenta-Forest Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iron Flatline Posted February 19, 2007 Author Share #6 Posted February 19, 2007 Hehehe... Magenta Forest. Thanks, I'll take a look at the site. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rafael_macia Posted February 20, 2007 Share #7 Posted February 20, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) I hope this post helps your search. A couple of years ago I sent away to a fellow in Japan, Aki ..... something like that. (sorry I have searched my computer for records for the correct name and address, and find none)... anyway for about $10 you get four perfectly cut out doughnut style leather circles with an adhesive backing to hold them to the camera eyepiece. Someone on the Forum should come up with the source for you. But I think that is what you need. Leather .... not foam .....and like $10 for 4 of them! I will continue to search for you for the address. Good luck! Rafael Hi all. I have been looking for the Leica 1.25x magnifier, and it is sold-out everywhere. I checked in Germany, I've checked every major vendor in the US, and I lost the bidding on the only one on eBay. None around. But I have an M8, and a 50mm lens, and I was told that magnification will help focusing. So I ordered a 1.25x Magnifier from HKSupplies. I ordered via eBay, and they come in black or chrome, I got the black one. Leica's usually costs around $360, the HKS one cost around $60. That's a big difference. It's not bad. It's got a little leather pouch that snaps around the camera strap. I don't like that it is pure metal, which means when I put my glasses on (that I don't need on the eye I use for shooting) I end up putting metal to glass. I could end up scratching my glasses. Also, I can see the light meter, but only if I adjust the camera slightly to look "down" into the Viewfinder. My question is whether the HKS Magnifier is that different than the Leica product. Am I missing something? Is the Leica one a LOT better? Can I see the Lightmeter flawlessly? Is there a rubber lip to it to protect my glasses? Is the overall quality that much better? I know there is a big price difference, but I spend so much money on Leica gear that if the Viewfinder (my most vital and primary interface with the camera) is compromised, then I'll get the Leica one when it becomes available again. Who has experience with either of these products? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rafael_macia Posted February 20, 2007 Share #8 Posted February 20, 2007 Another source; This is a Japanese camera supply source for magnifiers. Maybe of interest ..... http://www.unicircuits.com/shop/index.php?cPath=22&osCsid=e31810dffac342dc5d Rafael Hi all. I have been looking for the Leica 1.25x magnifier, and it is sold-out everywhere. I checked in Germany, I've checked every major vendor in the US, and I lost the bidding on the only one on eBay. None around. But I have an M8, and a 50mm lens, and I was told that magnification will help focusing. So I ordered a 1.25x Magnifier from HKSupplies. I ordered via eBay, and they come in black or chrome, I got the black one. Leica's usually costs around $360, the HKS one cost around $60. That's a big difference. It's not bad. It's got a little leather pouch that snaps around the camera strap. I don't like that it is pure metal, which means when I put my glasses on (that I don't need on the eye I use for shooting) I end up putting metal to glass. I could end up scratching my glasses. Also, I can see the light meter, but only if I adjust the camera slightly to look "down" into the Viewfinder. My question is whether the HKS Magnifier is that different than the Leica product. Am I missing something? Is the Leica one a LOT better? Can I see the Lightmeter flawlessly? Is there a rubber lip to it to protect my glasses? Is the overall quality that much better? I know there is a big price difference, but I spend so much money on Leica gear that if the Viewfinder (my most vital and primary interface with the camera) is compromised, then I'll get the Leica one when it becomes available again. Who has experience with either of these products? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iron Flatline Posted February 20, 2007 Author Share #9 Posted February 20, 2007 Thank you, I appreciate the response. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ron110n Posted February 20, 2007 Share #10 Posted February 20, 2007 Try Samy's Camera in Los Angeles (Fairfax Ave.) Go look for Tibor Szilagyi of the Leica Department or Eberhard Kuehne (Leica Rep). 323.938.2420 x1007 I got mine at Samy's if you want the OEM. Hope this help, -Ron Creature of Habbits or the Caveman within Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
doubice Posted February 20, 2007 Share #11 Posted February 20, 2007 A couple of years ago I sent away to a fellow in Japan, Aki ..... something like that. (sorry I have searched my computer for records for the correct name and address, and find none)... anyway for about $10 you get four perfectly cut out doughnut style leather circles with an adhesive backing to hold them to the camera eyepiece. Someone on the Forum should come up with the source for you. But I think that is what you need. Leather .... not foam .....and like $10 for 4 of them! Rafael The name of the Japanese gentleman is Aki Asahi. He also produces perfectly cut leather and Vulcanite-like replacement body coverings for Leica and many other cameras. Here is the link: Aki-Asahi Camera Coverings I bought some Leica M2 replacement body covering from him some years ago and the fit and quality was superb. All the best, Jan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
christer Posted February 20, 2007 Share #12 Posted February 20, 2007 I have the one from Megaperls. It also has a built-in adjustable diopter adjuster which I find even more useful than the magnifier. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
@bumac Posted February 20, 2007 Share #13 Posted February 20, 2007 There is one in intrnet with 1,35 and diop-correction. I use it. It is really great. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iron Flatline Posted February 21, 2007 Author Share #14 Posted February 21, 2007 Try Samy's Camera in Los Angeles (Fairfax Ave.) Go look for Tibor Szilagyi of the Leica Department or Eberhard Kuehne (Leica Rep). Ron, of course I called Tibor first. Unfortunately he's out of them right now. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
steich Posted February 21, 2007 Share #15 Posted February 21, 2007 I agree. The megaperls magnifier (Megaperls Webshop - Films and more directly from Japan) is fine, fast shipping, friendly contact. Stefan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iron Flatline Posted February 22, 2007 Author Share #16 Posted February 22, 2007 The megaperls magnifier (Megaperls Webshop - Films and more directly from Japan) is fine, fast shipping, friendly contact. To which their website replied: ATTENTION: due to Leica patent restrictions, this product is not available to customers in Germany and the United States of America! ACHTUNG: Aufgrund bestehender Leica Patentrechte ist dieses Produkt nicht in Deutschland und USA verfügbar! ... I spend half my time in the US, the other half in Germany. Doh! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
christer Posted February 22, 2007 Share #17 Posted February 22, 2007 Well, they can not sell to the countries you mentioned, but you as a private person (not a professional photographer) can use those items wherever you wish. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gravastar Posted February 22, 2007 Share #18 Posted February 22, 2007 Well, they can not sell to the countries you mentioned, but you as a private person (not a professional photographer) can use those items wherever you wish. The Leica patent is very specific in that it applies to a rangefinder system. If you purchase the magnifier to use on a Nikon SLR with or without a thread adapter then the restriction probably doesn't apply.......... Bob. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enoteca Posted February 23, 2007 Share #19 Posted February 23, 2007 Hi Iron, if it will be helpful for you: I got it via Switzerland, which is nearby for me. I could send you mine and order another. Contact me by PM? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iron Flatline Posted February 23, 2007 Author Share #20 Posted February 23, 2007 Thanks Manfred, but I'm going to stick to my HKS one for now. Shot a couple of hours today, and am quite pleased for now. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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