KallumR Posted August 9, 2014 Share #1 Posted August 9, 2014 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi, I'm looking at many oldish leica lenses to complement my soon-to-be-bought leica M8. And all over many different sites I am seeing those 'Goggles' That are added to the lens. I know that Leica intended this but I just want to know their purpose. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted August 9, 2014 Posted August 9, 2014 Hi KallumR, Take a look here Can someone please explain the 'Goggles' to me. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Bill W Posted August 10, 2014 Share #2 Posted August 10, 2014 Personally I would not use a lens with goggles. There are many "older" lens options to use on your M8. Not knowing what your preferences for a lens are, you should try renting or borrowing various ones before you actually buy. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted August 10, 2014 Share #3 Posted August 10, 2014 They change the optical properties of the view/rangefinder to suit the lens. For instance: The M3 had no 35 mm frame lines. The goggles changed the angle of view of the viewfinder into a 35 mm one. The rangefinder has a minimum distance of 1 m. The goggles of the Dual Range Summicron and Macro-Elmar reduce the distance to 50 cm. Focussing a 135 /2.8 lens is difficult with the standard viewfinder. The Elmarit 2.8 135 had goggles t o enable the 90 mm setting, giving a larger frame as well. Etc. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
swamiji Posted August 10, 2014 Share #4 Posted August 10, 2014 Goggles are to adjust the view of the viewfinder. For example the M3 did not have a 35mm frame line so one option was the use of Goggles. Goggles are also used for macro/close focus, like in the dual range and earlier macro 90. Goggles also assist in longer focal lengths like the 135 Elmarit which natively brings up the 90mm frame line. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted August 10, 2014 Share #5 Posted August 10, 2014 Maybe easier to understand it you see that they look like, well, goggles. And it fits over the top plate front (including VF). Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick in CO Posted August 10, 2014 Share #6 Posted August 10, 2014 Wasn't it just to make the camera look smarter? They do add weight to the outfit, but the 135 Elmarit turns into a 180mm equivalent on the M8, with the goggles converting the 90 frameline to the appropriate field of view. That can come in handy for tele shots. Just be aware that you might have to get the lens focus adjusted for the digital sensor to get optimal results as the three I have tried either front- or back-focused on my M8 & M9. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean-Michel Posted August 10, 2014 Share #7 Posted August 10, 2014 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi, 'Goggles' as mentioned by Jaap, were made only for the 35 mm, 50 mm dual-range, and 135 lenses. Other than being able to use the 35 on an M3 without an external viewer, I found that it helped me using my 35 Summicron on any M since I wear glasses and can see all the 50 mm frame but not the wider frames. Unless you wear glasses, I would stay away from 'goggled' lensesI also understand that none of the 35 'goggled' lenses can be adjusted for back or front focus by Leica, nor can they be coded by Leica. Jean-Michel. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dougg Posted August 11, 2014 Share #8 Posted August 11, 2014 Hi, I'm looking at many oldish leica lenses to complement my soon-to-be-bought leica M8.And all over many different sites I am seeing those 'Goggles' That are added to the lens. I know that Leica intended this but I just want to know their purpose. For the instance of use with the three 35mm focal length lenses that featured them, I find the goggles very useful on my M2 (especially) and M9 as I otherwise have a hard time seeing the entire 35mm framelines... But the M8's 35mm framelines are quite easy to see normally, so IMHO these goggled 35mm lenses don't provide a benefit for the M8. Doug Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tookaphotoof Posted August 11, 2014 Share #9 Posted August 11, 2014 Personally I would not use a lens with goggles. There are many "older" lens options to use on your M8. Not knowing what your preferences for a lens are, you should try renting or borrowing various ones before you actually buy. Albeit on my M240 and MP, I love the Goggled 135. Focus is spot on! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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