Leica M9 and Walthers Eyepiece: questions...

[saxo]

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I wear progressive spectacle lenses. My eye-correction varies with distance. I've an astigmatismus too. Therefore I'm aiming for Walthers eyepiece. I've put a question to the manufacturer of 'Walthers exepiece':

 

To ensure the right data for my lens I need to know at what distance is the metering field projected? If this is different to the rangefinder it would be impossible to focus both. I assume it is the far distance. But the answer of the manufexturer of 'Walther's eyepiece' was: "With regard to progressive lenses, it is the close up (reading) prescription of the shooting eye that we require. " I couldn't believe that and put the question to Leica. But they don't bother to answer. What a service of a premium camera manufacturer!

 

Could anybody help me please? Any experience?

 

Nowadays the customer help themselves solving the problems given by the manufacturer. Is that right, even with Leica?

 

Regards

Martin

[jaapv]

The virtual distance of the RF patch is 2 meters. But the background image is at anything up to infinity, bearing in mind the native + 0.5 strength of the eyepiece. Walther needs a fixed basis for their calculation of the strength of their diopter i.e. apparently your reading strength. They are experts at that; don't try to calculate yourself, as it will upset their corrections.

They know exactly what they are doing from the feedback I have seen on the forum. As it is specifically for astigmatism, they need your cylinder as well.

 

Leica has no connection to Walther and cannot know his requirements.

 

If you do not require a cylinder (which I see you do; this is for the benefit of others browsing the thread) it is easier and cheaper to use a Leica diopter correction glass. The best way to choose it is to visit your optician and hold his try-out lenses in between your eye and the viewfinder until you have found the optimal correction. Or go to a Leica dealer who stocks a full range of correction lenses. The special tool for the purpose has become rare.

If you search the forum you will find a considerable number of threads on the subject.

[saxo]

.....

 

Leica has no connection to Walther and cannot know his requirements.

 

.....

 

Thanks for the advice! This helps a lot and makes me far more confident.

 

I was asking Leica nothing about Walthers eyepiece, because I'm aware of the fact, that Leica has nothing to do with Walthers eyepiece.

 

I only ask Leica about the virtual distance of the metering field, as nothing is mentioned in the manual. I think Leica knows the virtual distance and it should be part of the service to give advice to a customer, at least IMHO. Maybe I'm too demanding?

 

Regards

Martin

[jaapv]

Well, it can be found in nearly all literature, so I guess Leica is not that secretive about it.

I have had unanswered e-mails too from time to time, I guess it is due to overflowing e-mail boxes. Queries from the the website can take long to be answered but answered they do get normally. The best method in my experience is to use the phone.