Need to repair the tether cable for the 1.25 magnifier -- suggestions

[wparsonsgisnet]

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I noticed yesterday, that I broke the little (leather) cable that tethers the 1.25 magnifier to the (cute, little) leather storage case.

 

I plan to replace the cable with something, and 20lb fishing line comes to mind. I may retire the snap hooks when I replace the line and also provide a little more slack.

 

Hint to Leica, if the line were a little longer, I might not have snapped it.

 

Any neat suggestions?

 

I've put the magnifier away and I'm not pleased with this as the M8 really benefits from the extra magnification (there, it's about the M8 and digital!).

 

BTW, it's really hard to focus the 75 'lux at 1.4 on the M8. Harder than on my M4 or 6 (this latter now residing in C--------a, with the DR lens).

 

Thanks for the neat suggestions.

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[tashley]

I noticed yesterday, that I broke the little (leather) cable that tethers the 1.25 magnifier to the (cute, little) leather storage case.

 

I plan to replace the cable with something, and 20lb fishing line comes to mind. I may retire the snap hooks when I replace the line and also provide a little more slack.

 

Hint to Leica, if the line were a little longer, I might not have snapped it.

 

Any neat suggestions?

 

I've put the magnifier away and I'm not pleased with this as the M8 really benefits from the extra magnification (there, it's about the M8 and digital!).

 

BTW, it's really hard to focus the 75 'lux at 1.4 on the M8. Harder than on my M4 or 6 (this latter now residing in C--------a, with the DR lens).

 

Thanks for the neat suggestions.

 

I just leave mine on all the time now, and have detached the little chain... I can just about use it from 24mm upwards and as my confidence in framing experience grows, I guess with anything shorter. Sloppy ol' me!

 

Tim

[jrc]

Fishing line is in the right direction, but I'd look at leaders instead -- you can get some 100+ pound test nylon-covered braided steel leader that is reasonably limp and the nylon covering should keep it from scratching the camera. If you get a short leader with a snap on one end and a line-tying loop on the other, you might not even have to alter anything. I'll dig through my tackle box and see if I have anything on hand.

 

JC

[Guest WPalank]

I just leave mine on all the time now, and have detached the little chain...

I immediately did the same thing. I read on the Forum that someone had scratched something with it. In my experience, the view finder never loosens, but I constantly check.

[Iron Flatline]

My HKS magnifier comes without a tether, but with a tiny little pouch that is attached to my camera strap which I can put it into when not shooting with a "long" lens. I would think the tether gets in the way - is snapping it proof of the alleged obstruction?

[wparsonsgisnet]

Fishing line is in the right direction, but I'd look at leaders instead -- you can get some 100+ pound test nylon-covered braided steel leader that is reasonably limp and the nylon covering should keep it from scratching the camera. If you get a short leader with a snap on one end and a line-tying loop on the other, you might not even have to alter anything. I'll dig through my tackle box and see if I have anything on hand.

 

JC

 

John, I have some of these in the tackle box in the basement. I think there is even one unused in a plastic bag (tho I wonder it the Eaux-der from the tackle box will overcome the one from the (cute,little) leather pouch.

 

Great suggestion. These things handled 10-pound bluefish that were arguing with me just fine.

 

Tnx,

[jaapv]

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The tether scuffs the chrome as well.

[Shootist]

Bill did you break the little leather piece that is attached to the snap on the case or the actual segmented chain with clasps on each end that connect to the viewfinder maginfier?

If it's the leather part of the case then when you are using it connect the bigger clasp to the strap ring.

I personally don't connect the leather case to the neck starp but I do connect the chain to the strap ring when I'm using the magnifier. I find the case to bulky to have attached, snapped around, the neck strap all the time.

Since getting the correct diopter for my vision I can focus 50mm down without any problems and if I'm going to use my 90mm I then use the magnifier.

[wparsonsgisnet]

Ed, it's the strap that attaches to the magnifier.

 

I think when I make up a new tether, I'll attach it to the strap lug.

 

Regards,

[reddawn]

I noticed yesterday, that I broke the little (leather) cable that tethers the 1.25 magnifier to the (cute, little) leather storage case.

 

I plan to replace the cable with something, and 20lb fishing line comes to mind. I may retire the snap hooks when I replace the line and also provide a little more slack.

 

Hint to Leica, if the line were a little longer, I might not have snapped it.

 

Any neat suggestions?

 

I've put the magnifier away and I'm not pleased with this as the M8 really benefits from the extra magnification (there, it's about the M8 and digital!).

 

BTW, it's really hard to focus the 75 'lux at 1.4 on the M8. Harder than on my M4 or 6 (this latter now residing in C--------a, with the DR lens).

 

Thanks for the neat suggestions.

 

Hi, your strap that attaches the magnifier to the leather case is actually leather? Mine was bought a few years ago, and it's a metal chain.

 

However, I broke the chain too after constant use. I think it's just an accident waiting to happen and I should have just detached the chain and stowed it away. Btw the magnifier screws on very well and I have been using it without that chain and there never was a danger of losing it. IMHO you can continue to use the magnifier!

 

Has anyone's rubber eyepiece (is that what it's called?) dropped off the magnifier? Mine did, and it was mighty irritating cos I wear glasses and the magnifier without the rubber piece does have the danger of scratching my glasses. This, and the broken chain were 2 specific well discussed problems of the magnifier.

 

The magnifier is a jewel (I used it on my 0.58x Leica M6), but I hope Leica can improve the chain and the rubber piece!

[Shootist]

Hi, your strap that attaches the magnifier to the leather case is actually leather? Mine was bought a few years ago, and it's a metal chain.

 

However, I broke the chain too after constant use. I think it's just an accident waiting to happen and I should have just detached the chain and stowed it away. Btw the magnifier screws on very well and I have been using it without that chain and there never was a danger of losing it. IMHO you can continue to use the magnifier!

 

Has anyone's rubber eyepiece (is that what it's called?) dropped off the magnifier? Mine did, and it was mighty irritating cos I wear glasses and the magnifier without the rubber piece does have the danger of scratching my glasses. This, and the broken chain were 2 specific well discussed problems of the magnifier.

 

The magnifier is a jewel (I used it on my 0.58x Leica M6), but I hope Leica can improve the chain and the rubber piece!

As to the rubber bumper I find that the diopters have a soft surface on the front. So if you can't find one that work for you then just pop the glass out of it and use that to cushion your glasses.

[marknorton]

The thether on mine is a metal chain and I've dispensed with it. I clipped it to the strap ring and found when I was carrying the camera that the strap was pressing it against the camera top and scuffing it. I also find the chain gets in the way of the buttons on the left of the screen.

[gwelland]

Hi, your strap that attaches the magnifier to the leather case is actually leather? Mine was bought a few years ago, and it's a metal chain.

 

I can't speak for older magnifiers but the latest ones have a short leather tether inside the case that the 'chain' clips to. I could see that it would be relatively easy to rip this at some point.

 

I think the fishing line/leader sounds like a good idea because the link is quite short and I've worried about breaking or losing mine too.

 

Graham

[marknorton]

Hhhhmmm, hadn't thought of tethering it to the strap in the little case, I'll try it but it does kinda get in the way.

[gwelland]

No great inspiration at this end regarding the tethering ... I bought mine a few weeks ago and that's how it came.

 

You are correct that it does get in the way a bit at times - I use the neoprene case and an UpStrap which the case clips on to but the case is close to the body and sometimes annoys me by hitting me in the face or just generally gets in the way. I might try the fishing line approach and tie it to the camera lug instead. The chain is nice but just a bit too short really.

[reddawn]

I can't speak for older magnifiers but the latest ones have a short leather tether inside the case that the 'chain' clips to. I could see that it would be relatively easy to rip this at some point.

 

I think the fishing line/leader sounds like a good idea because the link is quite short and I've worried about breaking or losing mine too.

 

Graham

 

If I have to do it again (which I hope I would not have to - the prices today are horrendous compared to when I bought it a few years ago) I would take out the chain upon opening the box.

 

An alternative tether does sound like an interesting idea, though personally I'm not that worried about losing the magnifier. It really does screw on quite securely. The risk of dropping it while taking it out of the pouch or trying to put it back is far greater!

[reddawn]

As to the rubber bumper I find that the diopters have a soft surface on the front. So if you can't find one that work for you then just pop the glass out of it and use that to cushion your glasses.

 

That's a good idea. Thanks for the suggestion!