Leica M viewfinder

[Einst_Stein]

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The first thing to get used to, for me coming from SLR, is its non-TTL, multiple frame-line in-one viewfinder. The more I use it, the more I like it.

 

As much I like M's IQ, I was concerned on the non-zoomable VF. I was afraid the image magnification to be too small, that I couldn't focus well, and I could be distracted by the view-able out of frame-line, not compose well. An ideal VF, if not TTL, may be something like Contax G.

 

This concern is mixed with the limited lenses in focal length. I even bited the bullet and acquired a Trl-Elamr 28-50. This lens along costed me more than another half of a M9.

 

In many occasions, I thought I would zoom, or switch the lens to go wider or longer, if I were using SLR. It turned out, since I could switch the frame line without changing the lens, my intuitive thoughts is not really preferred. Multiple frame line helps to do multiple composition in a glance. I won't do the comparison if I switch or zoom the lens. Now I know it, I might be able to train myself to do the same thing with SLR/Zoom. Leica M viewfinder forced me to discover this advantage.

 

Now I start to undertand why M users have far less number of lenses than SLR users. I appreciate. Granted, it could be the result of not possible, but it's really not needed. The best of all, is I'm spending more time to discover the unthought, better composition than to change the focal length.

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[elgenper]

You got it! The true spirit of Leica, I mean.

 

Congratulations! For some, this revelation takes years, others simply never get it.

[lct]

Multiple frames may help or bother depending on ones tastes. I'd much prefer having only one frame at once in the viewfinder. One of the reasons why the R-D1 remains my favorite DRF so far.

[Einst_Stein]

Multiple frames may help or bother depending on ones tastes. I'd much prefer having only one frame at once in the viewfinder. One of the reasons why the R-D1 remains my favorite DRF so far.

 

Essentailly most VF, includingg TTL, is single framed. So you should feel as comfortable with many many camera, why R-D1 is special, then?

 

I agree it's a matter of taste, and taste can change. I'm changed. Surprise!

[lct]

Which M are you using? You should see two framelines at once in your VF normally. With the R-D1 there is one only.

[jaapv]

Far fewer lenses than SLR users? Hmmmm.

[bocaburger]

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An ideal VF, if not TTL, may be something like Contax G.

At one time I thought that myself, particularly because the G's finder adjusted for field size (difference in FOV between closeup and infinity) as well as parallax. The problem was, at all settings it cropped the actual on-film capture to IIRC 85-88% and didn't allow seeing anything outside. My days with the G2 were short.

 

Now I start to undertand why M users have far less number of lenses than SLR users.

 

For those recently arrived in the fold, cost might have a lot to do with that Plus of course the limited range of focals. But from what I've noticed, many M owners tend to have more lenses in each focal length than typical SLR owners. I'm guilty of that myself.

[giordano]

Far fewer lenses than SLR users? Hmmmm.

 

Hmmm indeed. I think this is a question for which the only acceptable answer comes from hard data. Back when prime lenses were the norm, most SLR owners I knew only had one or two lenses - just like most Leica owners I knew. But back then pro SLR users tended to need six or eight lenses to cover the same range as two or three modern pro zooms.

[darylgo]

The first thing to get used to, for me coming from SLR, is its non-TTL, multiple frame-line in-one viewfinder. The more I use it, the more I like it.

 

Sounds like you are getting along better with the M9. Give it another (choose your time frame: a-day, b-week, c-month) and your slr will be gathering dust faster than you can imagine.

[Einst_Stein]

Sounds like you are getting along better with the M9. Give it another (choose your time frame: a-day, b-week, c-month) and your slr will be gathering dust faster than you can imagine.

 

Well, my DSLRs were gone, ... when I sold my mule.

[Einst_Stein]

But from what I've noticed, many M owners tend to have more lenses in each focal length than typical SLR owners. I'm guilty of that myself.

 

Believe or not, the statistics says thee are ~1.4 lenses for each M camera. I dont know how many M's per M owner, if I assume 2 or less, then there are ~2.8 or less lenses per M owner.

 

Interestingly, the local camera shop sales told me his observations, a fresh M user tends to want more lenses, then gradually reduces, but it could pick up a little if he is professional. Just by asking how many lenses an M owner can tell how long he is with M, ... and how is his pictures.

 

Follow this theory, you are probably either very good at M or just starting ???

[darylgo]

Well, my DSLRs were gone, ... when I sold my mule.

 

Visit a location that has a DSLR, pick it up, look through the viewfinder, take a picture. Your appreciation of Leica will skyrocket and........................................... you will wish for a method of reversing previous posts:D

[jaapv]

 

 

For those recently arrived in the fold, cost might have a lot to do with that Plus of course the limited range of focals. But from what I've noticed, many M owners tend to have more lenses in each focal length than typical SLR owners. I'm guilty of that myself.

Not guilty. At last count, I have only five 50 mm lenses...

[payasam]

The M2 shows only one frame at a time, but the multiple visible frames in other M bodies are not distracting -- with one exception. I found the nearness of 50mm and 75mm so confusing that I am selling my 75/2.5 lens even though its optical performance is most satisfying.

[rramesh]

Now I start to undertand why M users have far less number of lenses than SLR users.

In the current ideal Leica universe, just 21 lenses for an M9-P.