philipus Posted January 31, 2012 Share #1 Posted January 31, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) Apologies in advance is this is a basic question with an obvious answer. I've read lots of posts here about flaring M6 and M6TTL finders and that it is possible to upgrade to the MP finder, which is apparently less prone to flaring. As I understand it, Leica offers an "MP finder upgrade programme". What I was wondering is if this programme includes upgrading to MP finders of .85x magnification? I much prefer that magnification to the M6TTL's .72x. Also, would such an upgrade have to be done by Leica or can authorised service points also do this? Lastly, what would the cost be approximately (in Europe)? Cheers and thanks in advance Philip Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted January 31, 2012 Posted January 31, 2012 Hi philipus, Take a look here Does the MP finder upgrade exist in 0.85x?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
wattsy Posted January 31, 2012 Share #2 Posted January 31, 2012 The finder upgrade changes a few parts inside the finder (specifically I think it adds a small condenser lens) - it doesn't change the finder itself. You can of course pay to have a higher magnification finder fitted but it is usually more cost efficient to sell the whole camera and buy another with the desired finder magnification. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wattsy Posted January 31, 2012 Share #3 Posted January 31, 2012 Lastly, what would the cost be approximately (in Europe)? I seem to recall that the MP finder fix used to cost around €250. Replacing the whole RF (for instance to go from 0.72x to 0.85x) I think runs nearer €1000 - hence why it makes more sense to buy another camera. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Double Negative Posted January 31, 2012 Share #4 Posted January 31, 2012 Sure does - I'm rockin' it in my custom M7 right now. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rsh Posted January 31, 2012 Share #5 Posted January 31, 2012 A less expensive alternative is to use the 1.25 x magnifier. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Double Negative Posted January 31, 2012 Share #6 Posted January 31, 2012 A less expensive alternative is to use the 1.25 x magnifier. True, but that won't address any "flare issues" that an upgraded MP finder will. But yeah, it's quite a jump in price. I'll say one thing, using an .85 viewfinder with the Japan Exposures 1.15x magnifier (with built-in diopter correction) can be quite cool - making your viewfinder nearly 1:1 (.97x) much like the original M3... If you're primarily a 50mm shooter, this is awesome. As luck would have it, my eyesight requires something more along the lines of the Walter RX Eyepiece to correct for astigmatism... So I lose out on the magnification but I can focus much better (and see more of the viewfinder edge-to-edge). All comes down to priorities I guess. But just throwing my experience out there in case it helps anyone. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
philipus Posted January 31, 2012 Author Share #7 Posted January 31, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) Thank you very much for your replies everyone. True, but that won't address any "flare issues" that an upgraded MP finder will. But yeah, it's quite a jump in price. I come from an M3 background and usually prefer 50mm. So .85x would (I guess) feel more natural for me. However, I am considering getting a 35mm lens (which is why I am considering an M6), so perhaps .72x would be good even for 50mm (I've seen lots of threads about this dilemma so no need to comment on that). The max focal length I use is 90mm. I read somewhere (Cameraquest perhaps) that the .72x flares less than the (non-MP) .85x. 1000€ for an upgrade is a bit steep so unless flare really is a big problem with the .72x, I could get a magnifier and have the condenser fix done. I guess the 1.15x would turn a .72x into a .83x and make me feel quite comfortable. The 1.25x, isn't that quite a bit larger? Perhaps I'm confusing it with another VF attachment. I guess that magnifier would turn a .72x into a .9x which could be rather sweet. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill Posted January 31, 2012 Share #8 Posted January 31, 2012 My M7 and MP are both .85. My MP, which is ALC, has only four framelines - I took the option of having the 75 removed, so mine run 35-50-90-135, with only the 35-135 sharing a viewfinder. My M2 is of course 35-50-90, so I think my MP combines the best of both worlds. Regards, Bill Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wattsy Posted January 31, 2012 Share #9 Posted January 31, 2012 1000€ for an upgrade is a bit steep I should point out that was a real ballpark guess on my part (based on a vague recollection of somebody once being quoted something like GBP 800 a number of years ago). I would check the actual price with Leica if you are seriously weighing up the various costs involved. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
philipus Posted January 31, 2012 Author Share #10 Posted January 31, 2012 No worries, Ian. I didn't take it literally. I'm waiting to hear from Leica and will post back. cheers Philip Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
philipus Posted February 3, 2012 Author Share #11 Posted February 3, 2012 I just received an email from Leica. It would cost £800 (incl VAT), or about 960€, to upgrade an M6TTL with an MP .85x finder. So Ian you were not far off the mark For that amount of money one can just as well buy another camera. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Double Negative Posted February 3, 2012 Share #12 Posted February 3, 2012 ...For that amount of money one can just as well buy another camera. Agreed... That's a steep upgrade cost. I wouldn't do it, personally. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tgray Posted February 3, 2012 Share #13 Posted February 3, 2012 For what it's worth, I just got quoted (Leica USA) on the MP finder upgrade for my M6 0.72: $500. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
philipus Posted February 3, 2012 Author Share #14 Posted February 3, 2012 For what it's worth, I just got quoted (Leica USA) on the MP finder upgrade for my M6 0.72: $500. Is that for the condenser lens or for upgrading to a .85x finder? If the latter then that's sheeep. At current rates that's less than half of £800 (which is about $1200). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tgray Posted February 3, 2012 Share #15 Posted February 3, 2012 Just the condenser lens. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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