m8 field of view

[dblrifle]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I am a new owner on an M8 (not recieved as yet) and I have some confusion about the viewfinder lines. My lense is a 40mm f1.4. Exactly what do the frame lines in the viewfinder depict. Since the 40mm is multiplied by 1.33 because of the sensor size it makes the actual field of the 40mm equivalent to 53.2mm's. Does the frame lines in the viewfinder of the M8 actually show a field of an actual 50mm or a field of a 50mm expanded by a multiplier of 1.33. The manual is completely confusing about the subject and I suppose I'm completely dense about it. I would think the cam on the lense sets the framelines and since there are really no particular lenses for Digital Leicas I would suppose the compensation would be in the camera and display the physical lines for the length selected and the framelines would depict the multiplied size. So for my 40mm lense I could use the 35mm framelines which I suppose would show a field for 1.33 x 35 or 46.55 or the 50mm which would show a field of 1.33 x 50 or 66.5. Neither are correct of course but it would seem the 35's are closer and you would get a little less field than shown. As you can see I'm confused. Any help would be appreciated.

[Jeff S]

The M8 brings up the frame lines for the corresponding FL, i.e., a 28mm lens will bring up the 28 lines, and a 35mm lens will bring up the 35 lines. The FOV for each lens, however, will be reduced by 1.33x compared to the area of a film M (or M9) due to the crop factor. The perspective of course will be the same; only the FOV will change.

 

As to the 40mm lens, you might want to use the search box to find threads discussing the pros and cons of filing certain lenses, for instance to bring up the 35 frame lines.

 

In addition, a search will bring up various discussions regarding the distances upon which frame lines are optimized for the M8 (optimized for .7m) versus the M8.2 (optimized for 2m). But that's another issue.

 

And welcome to the forum. You may find this FAQ additionally useful.

 

Jeff

[jaapv]

The frame lines will show you what you get on the image (more or less). I hope your lens will bring up the 35 mm frame lines, as those correspond better than the 50 mm ones. The mount is easily modified from 50 to 35 if needed.

Please put all those convolutions about crop factors and focal lengths out of your mind. Just photograph what you see.

[lct]

...it would seem the 35's are closer and you would get a little less field than shown...

Only for closeups, otherwise 35 lines will be OK on the M8 (not on the M8.2).