Walter Eyepiece observations

[Muizen]

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In a former thread about the Walter Eyepiece I asked some critical questions which caused an exchange of points of view with some emotional elements in it!

I purchased the Walter Eyepiece eventually and used it for some time.

My observations are that (for me) this eyepiece compared against using my glasses, improves focusing slightly as far as viewing is concerned. However less than I had expected based on the experience other users reported about.

But viewing conditions between people differ.

Not unimportant it also makes composing easier because one can better see the 28 and 35mm frame lines, which is difficult when wearing glasses.

I recommend to clean the lens of the eyepiece on a very regular basis to keep a clean view.

Getting accustomed to putting my glasses on and off is another matter but time will help!

[Rick]

Why not just get contact lenses and then you can use them for everything (cameras) and a lot cheaper than this overpriced thing. Or, just get Lasik.

[Double Negative]

"This thing" is not "overpriced." Perhaps expensive... Okay, yes. Keep in mind though there's nothing else like it and is a custom prescription.

 

Suggesting someone "just get contacts or LASIK" is unwarranted. I wear glasses primarily for reading - and as I've discovered, focusing an RF and reading LCDs, etc. Though I hate wearing them when shooting for a variety of reasons. I cannot deal with contacts, and I'm not sold on LASIK yet.

 

FOR ME, the eyepiece is PERFECT. SInce I don't wear my glasses while out shooting, it stays attached to the camera when I need it. No glasses to carry around, put on, take off... I can see all framelines including 28mm.

 

As the OP stated (as have I multiple times) for the right situation(s) this eyepiece is the perfect solution - everyone's needs are different, which has to be considered.

[Muizen]

As I said before the Walter Eyepiece for me is not really a revelation.

It offers some slight viewing improvement, whereby the ability to see the frame lines is for me its most important added value.

 

To call it "perfect" as Double Negative does, really seems to be an exaggeration. On the other hand it all depends on the specific properties of one' s eye and perhaps for Double Negative this is what he has been waiting for?

 

The Eyepiece is well made of fine quality materials and the ability to screw it on the M9 is an important improvement.

[Rick]

A custom lens can be ground for $25. So, the whole thing mounted in the Walter thing seems expensive to me, that's all.

 

And, I don't think suggesting LASIK or contacts is "unwarranted" at all. Both are very accepted methods of correction and both have proven safe at the state of the art at this time. You may look into both yourself if, you haven't lately as they have come a long way and I don't see a problem with either if one meets the criteria.

 

The advantage of either one is, of course, huge when looking through the viewfinder and not having to wear glasses.

[Double Negative]

Well yeah, it clearly won't work for everyone. I'm just saying for ME (and likely others in a similar position) it's perfect. As for its efficacy, that also depends on your eyesight. In my case, there's a night and day difference in fine focusing ability, especially with lower light levels.

 

As for the price, well - everyone also has their own threshold. If a $400 gadget lets me easily, accurately and quickly focus an $18k camera/lens... I can live with that.

[thetoness]

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I concur with Double Negative. Great solution to those of us whose eyesight is not what it used to be. Great comfort to be able to pick up your camera and not worry about failing eyesight. Works well for me.

Cary

[pico]

I concur with Double Negative. Great solution to those of us whose eyesight is not what it used to be. Great comfort to be able to pick up your camera and not worry about failing eyesight. Works well for me.

Cary

 

Can you see frame lines with it?

 

I don't know how I would be able to use it because I just cannot see without glasses, and my vision is not corrected to 20/20 with glasses. Are there glasses in which one lens can be flipped up?

[jdlaing]

Can you see frame lines with it?

 

I don't know how I would be able to use it because I just cannot see without glasses, and my vision is not corrected to 20/20 with glasses. Are there glasses in which one lens can be flipped up?

 

Yes there are. One lens flips over to allow unobstructed use of the eye.

I'll see I'd I can find a link for you.

[jdlaing]

Can you see frame lines with it?

 

I don't know how I would be able to use it because I just cannot see without glasses, and my vision is not corrected to 20/20 with glasses. Are there glasses in which one lens can be flipped up?

 

 

Shop for sunglasses and reading glasses.

[ayewing]

It really depends on what is wrong with your uncorrected eyesight. Shortsighted people find that if they use a corrective lens in the viewfinder it works well enough but as soon as they remove the viewfinder from the eye everything is a blur and they have to fumble around for their spectacles.

 

Longsighted individuals get on well with a corrective eyepiece as when they look up from the camera the object they have been focusing on can be seen clearly.

 

As a myope I have thought of getting a Walter eyepiece and a monocle for my non focusing eye but have so far managed quite well with my normal prescription varifocal glasses.

[Rick]

It really depends on what is wrong with your uncorrected eyesight. Shortsighted people find that if they use a corrective lens in the viewfinder it works well enough but as soon as they remove the viewfinder from the eye everything is a blur and they have to fumble around for their spectacles.

 

Longsighted individuals get on well with a corrective eyepiece as when they look up from the camera the object they have been focusing on can be seen clearly.

 

As a myope I have thought of getting a Walter eyepiece and a monocle for my non focusing eye but have so far managed quite well with my normal prescription varifocal glasses.

 

This is not true, "farsighted" individuals may also be blurry in the distance as well.

 

Again, contacts or LASIK is really the best option for almost everyone that wants to solve this RF problem.

[thetoness]

Yes, you see the frame lines perfectly.

[TonyJ]

The Walter RX is not the most cost effective solution for ALL Leica M users who need correction glasses. I had one made for me and for my case, it is the most effective solution as I am both long and short sighted and most importantly, I have astigmatism to the tune of 1.25, 80 degrees off. Off the self Leica correction lens just do not provide enough, as my power for long is +4 and for reading, it's +6. These lens also do not correct astigmatism. With normal glasses, I can cover most normal lens down to 50mm but wider lens, I am not able to view the entire FOV with glasses on. Above all, with Noctilux, wide open, I could never get the focus spot on, due to the ultra narrow DOF especially when the light level is low, when f.95 makes the difference.

 

Walter RX is the only solution for this lens wide open for me. It's expansive, but then again so is the M9.

[erlingmm]

I would not make a decision on doing Lasik based on my ability to focus a camera. For astigmatism, contacts are not always a solution, although there are special (and expensive) contacts that correct some astigmatism.

[pico]

It really depends on what is wrong with your uncorrected eyesight. Shortsighted people find that if they use a corrective lens in the viewfinder it works well enough but as soon as they remove the viewfinder from the eye everything is a blur and they have to fumble around for their spectacles. [...]

 

The very most frustrating thing is to lose my glasses because I cannot see to find them. Profound astigmatism. My optometrist said I have the second worse case he has - not correctable to 20/20... but I wonder...

[algrove]

Can you see frame lines with it?

 

I don't know how I would be able to use it because I just cannot see without glasses, and my vision is not corrected to 20/20 with glasses. Are there glasses in which one lens can be flipped up?

 

Pico- I have been looking for the same thing which I used to see advertised by the same company that markets the "Hoodman". I can no longer find it since probably too many people got LASIK surgery done.

[pico]

Pico- I have been looking for the same thing which I used to see advertised by the same company that markets the "Hoodman". I can no longer find it since probably too many people got LASIK surgery done.

 

I must consult with the medics at the Mayo Clinic for deep evaluation concerning LASIK, and that's going to cost lots because my insurance does not cover LASIK of any kind. So far I've learned that it takes months for the eye to stabilize so that results can be evaluated, and that severe astigmatism might require more than one LASIK. $$$$$ and time.

 

On to better thoughts - bought more Apple and Fastenal stock on Monday. I am more confident with Fastenal: it is the best performing stock ever. Maybe in a few years I'll consider LASIK again.

[Rick]

Walked out of an exam room 5-min ago. 1-week ago 49yo male patient was:

 

-5.25-1.28 x 17

-6.25-2.25 x 180

+1.50 Add

 

Distance vision at one day :

20/20

20/20

 

Distance vision one week(today):

20/15-2 letters

20/15

 

Of course this patient needs reading glasses for near. This procedure was done at a top notch laser clinic but, not the University (which isn't always the best place). This is a routine visit that is being done hundreds of times a day throughout the country every day. Find a good clinic and get evaluated PICO. If, you have any questions I'd be happy to answer them in a PM.

[Advertisement]

Hallo,

Look here: Interesting Leica gear

[farnz]

Walked out of an exam room 5-min ago. 1-week ago 49yo male patient was:

 

-5.25-1.28 x 17

-6.25-2.25 x 180

+1.50 Add

...

Rick,

 

For the uninitiated among us (me:D) would you very kindly explain what these figures mean please?

 

Pete.