I wear +1.5 glasses to read - which diopter for my M9

[msap7222]

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As above, do the Leica diopters match a standard? My Leica tech told me to sample +0.5 and +1.0 as the strength is different.

 

I.E. don't need as strong a diopter as you wear in your eyeglasses.

 

I also have very mild astigmatism. Based on that, I emailed Walter who makes the rotating Rx eyepieces who I believe can make my script into a diopter - but I haven't heard back from him since I emailed 5 days ago.

 

Any help appreciated.

 

 

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[StephenPatterson]

The M9 viewfinder is -0.5, so you may find that you need slightly more correction. I wear +1.5 reading glasses and use +2 diopter correction, but YMMV.

[01af]

My Leica tech told me to sample +0.5 dpt and +1.0 dpt as the strength is different.

I. E. don't need as strong a diopter as you wear in your [reading] eyeglasses.

That's right. My guess for you would be +0.5 dpt, too.

 

 

I also have very mild astigmatism.

If it's mild—or very mild—then don't bother with those Walter Rx correction lenses. It is, however, good reason to actually try various conventional strengths (in your case: no lens, +0.5 dpt, and +1 dpt) before purchasing.

[jrp]

As above, do the Leica diopters match a standard? My Leica tech told me to sample +0.5 and +1.0 as the strength is different.

 

One thing that I found in trying out the M9 briefly is that if I use a diopter correction so that the LED characters are pin-shart, I can no longer focus, because my distance viewing has gone (unlike on a DSLR).

[msap7222]

Thanks, this is very helpful.

 

I guess I will need to order diopters from Solms, they probably wouldn't be a 'stock' part here at dealers in Oz (though I believe they should be)

 

 

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[jaapv]

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-m9-forum/130720-leica-m8-m8-2-m9-m9p.html#post1378521

 

Don't rely on theory. Try before you buy.

[bocaburger]

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One thing that I found in trying out the M9 briefly is that if I use a diopter correction so that the LED characters are pin-shart, I can no longer focus, because my distance viewing has gone (unlike on a DSLR).

 

Bingo. Same here. On a reflex, everything in the finder is on the same virtual plane (that of the focusing screen). In the M Leicas from M6 up, the diodes are on a virtual plane but the viewfinder and rangefinder images are like looking thru a demagnifying telescope. So once one's eyes are aged to where they no longer can accomodate a wide distance range near and far, it's an either-or proposition. I and I would think most of us, choose in favor of a sharp viewfinder/rangefinder image, and tolerate some unsharpness of the diodes.

 

I require about -4 for distance and +2 add (therefore, -2) for reading. I find it just a lot more convenient to skip the diopters altogether and just wear my glasses. My frames let me press the eyepiece close enough to my eye to see the 35mm frame in one glance. The 28mm not as well, but I don't use that focal much.

[algrove]

I have a minor astigmatism and have used Walter eye pieces for a few years. I just hated having to remove glasses or keep them on a neck strap for image making.

 

So during a discussion with David Farkas of Dale Photo who also wears glasses he suggested putting on the Match Technical eye piece (without diopter) I already had (but had removed) and just using a strong pair of glasses, i.e., strong frames and press up against the size 34 eye piece. Works for me, just great.

 

So having done that, I am enjoying roaming around even more since I have one less thing to worry about.

[Wolfgang Chuck]

Jappv is right. I just got a +1.5 in the mail today. Based on my optometrist's recommendation this was what I needed. It was way too strong. Unfortunately, we don't have a Leica dealer in South Carolina so I will mail it back and try another.

[jaapv]

If you went to an optometrist, why did you not hold his try-out lens to your viewfinder?

[dkCambridgeshire]

As above, do the Leica diopters match a standard? My Leica tech told me to sample +0.5 and +1.0 as the strength is different.

 

I.E. don't need as strong a diopter as you wear in your eyeglasses.

 

I also have very mild astigmatism. Based on that, I emailed Walter who makes the rotating Rx eyepieces who I believe can make my script into a diopter - but I haven't heard back from him since I emailed 5 days ago.

 

Any help appreciated.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Camera viewfinder image is formed at infinity so you need a DISTANCE prescription diopter. Your READING prescription is likely to be very different from your DISTANCE prescription.

 

dunk

[msap7222]

Sooo much to consider - thank you all.

 

Will try +0.5 and +1.0 before ordering!

 

 

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[jaapv]

Actually you need a medium prescription, as the viewfinder markings are at two meters. So you need a modicum of accommodation or a setting between infinity and two m (if your eye cannot handle both distances) as a compromise to make it most comfortable.Yes, infinity in reality is infinity in the viewfinder. But do you need to judge focus at infinity? Beyond five meters rangefinder accuracy is moot.

You really need to try which one fits your eye.

[GMB]

I can only second Jaap's recommendation to try. I was fortunate that on a recent trip to Washington the Leica store there had all diopters on stock. The theoretical one was too much for me.

[malsop]

I've been through this with the M9. Off to the optometrist to find the correct diopter before ordering only to discover it did not work on delivery. The one thing I did find out for sure was that I need a + diopter.

 

My solution was to purchase all + diopter lenses from +0.5 through +2.0, expensive but no camera store within a hundred miles of where I live will carry these.

 

By trying each one using a target with a strong vertical line at 10 to 15 feet the +0.5 produced the most visually acute image for my eye (without glasses) in the M9. I found it is best to mount the camera on a tripod for this process.

 

The M240, however, required the +1.0 to match the same focusing acuity. Go figure.

 

I did test the M9 and M240 side by side, swapping the correction lenses in and out of both cameras thinking that they should both require the same correction for my right eye but that simply was not the case. Getting this correction right has a big impact on how accurately my focusing is so I getting this right is a serious matter to me.

 

From my experience with both the M9 and M240 I'd have to say the photographer needs to test several correction lenses to home in on the one that works best for them. Also, they should take their time during the process and go back and forth several times to be sure they nail it. When testing they should make sure their pupil is fairly well centered in the viewfinder as well.

 

I'd also add that the important point is to have high acuity when focusing on an object in the center of the viewfinder at some distance rather than seeing the crop lines clearly.

[Wolfgang Chuck]

If you went to an optometrist, why did you not hold his try-out lens to your viewfinder?

 

I did not go for a diopter, I simply asked what I needed after I got the prescription.

[BruPri]

I too have glasses and apologize if this has already been addressed and maybe I'm over simplifying, if one wears glasses, why would you need a diopter if you just keep your glasses on?

[jaapv]

a. Loss of contrast

b. Inconvenience

c. Wideangle framelines are difficult to see.

Having said that, if wearing you glasses works better for you, do so by all means.

[Stealth3kpl]

Camera viewfinder image is formed at infinity so you need a DISTANCE prescription diopter. Your READING prescription is likely to be very different from your DISTANCE prescription.

 

dunk

 

The correct answer.

Pete

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[jaapv]

To see the image sharp, indeed correct (if it is at infinity) - if your accommodation is insufficient, this will throw closer photography, the framelines and RF patch out of focus.

It is a telescope, not an image projected on a screen.