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I wear eye glasses and on my DSLR I use a +2 on the viewfinder


ECohen

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I took delivery on my first Leica and a couple lenses yesterday. I love everything about it .

 
I'm having some trouble seeing the rangefinder especially indoors (low light). And also when trying to start focusing on something close up . I choose the +2, because I could see the frame lines and info. data perfectly. However the yellow rangefinder appears further away and I have to strain to see it clearly? 
 
I'm 100% sure I don't have an astigmatism. My glasses are  progressive lenses,I'm going to  the eye doctor next month for new glasses and to see if I'm still  a +2. 
 
To give you the complete picture, I lift my glasses to the look in the viewfinder with my naked eye. Sometimes I tilt my head down and look over my glasses to focus. Although that may not work for a rangefinder as I know you need to align your eye to the rangefinder....correct?
 
This all worked well with a DSLR and auto focus. Auto focus is one of the things I want to get a way from, so that I can achieve the critical that focus photography is all about.
 
I'm aware of the Walther diopter but isn't that for astigmatism correction? To me it looks like my only choices are magnification or a stronger diopter? 
 
All suggestions are welcome to help me solve this problem, as ever going back to the Japanese menus and auto focus is not and option.
Lots of eyeglass Leica uses out there what do you all do?
 
Thanks for your help.
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I struggled a bit. I found  a 1.25 magnifier worked wonders - I even use it with a 35mm lens when it puts the frame lines right on the edge of the viewfinder.

 

Also, keep the viewfinder and the two viewing windows perfectly clean, it's amazing how the slightest finger smudge on any of them effect the view!

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My experience is if you require a +2 correction and the Leica viewfinder is -0.5 a corrective eyepiece of +1.5 is appropriate. That provides a correction of +2.0 from a starting point of -0.5

 

But he needs a correction of +2.0 from a starting point of 0. ;)

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I have a couple of spare diopters; +3, and +4. If you want to buy one (or both) then please contact me using the 'send message' facility.

I'm going to exchange my +2 for a +3 since its a new purchase and see how that works.

I understand Leica doesn't make  a +4 if the 3 doesn't work I may be interested in your +4 Is it something Leica discontinued?

 

I just bought reading glasses +3.25 cheap  and it works a lot better  I didn't realize the finder was a -05

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The rangefinder image and finder display are set at a "virtual distance" of IIRC 1.5m.  Typically, that corresponds to some point in the middle part of progressive lenses, which I find rather difficult to position quickly.  My "reading" prescription is also a "+2 add", but to properly see the rangefinder, I look through the upper (distance) part of my glasses, and keep a +1 on the camera eyepiece.  That's equivalent to half the correction I need for reading up close. 

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The rangefinder image and finder display are set at a "virtual distance" of IIRC 1.5m.  Typically, that corresponds to some point in the middle part of progressive lenses, which I find rather difficult to position quickly.  My "reading" prescription is also a "+2 add", but to properly see the rangefinder, I look through the upper (distance) part of my glasses, and keep a +1 on the camera eyepiece.  That's equivalent to half the correction I need for reading up close. 

What does "IIRC" stand for?  This solution make sense as I'm focusing with the middle of my progressive lenses and its working somewhat better.  

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For some time my ageing eyes were having difficulty RF focussing through the OVF.


 


So I bought the MS-MAG x1.35 magnifier.  It works wonderfully with a 50mm  and to my surprise the 35mm frame lines are still visible.


 


The OVF image in my M240 is now so much sharper.


 


The beauty of the Japanese version, is that the optics are high grade and includes dioptre adjustments of -3.0 to +1.5


http://tinyurl.com/lrcvv5f


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The +4 dioptre is an old Leica offering. As you correctly say, it was discontinued.

 

-0.5 +4 = +3.5 so it might work well for you. I'll look up what I paid for it and give you some idea of its value. Where are you in the world?

 

The 0.5 correction is the optimal strength for the ideal eye. So you must not correct it out. You are looking at the world and elements at 2 meters virtual through a small telescope. To calculate the diopter the visus is as important as the strength. The best way to do this is empirical, i.e. just try it out to find the best correction. It often differs from the simple calculation.

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Jaap is correct, the virtual distance is 2m.  The 1.5 I was recalling was from Hasselblad V-series.   I asked my optometrist what "add" I would need for 2m, she said +1 (I need a +2 add for reading at 18", whatever that is in meters).  So I added +1 to the native M eyepiece and bingo, Bob was my uncle.

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I'm going to  the eye doctor next month for new glasses and to see if I'm still  a +2.

 

 

Consider bringing the camera with you when you see the optometrist. If you are lucky he will be informed and can help. Best of luck. I tried the same and the doc wouldn't even consider it. (Oi! for $600 a pair, one would think ...)

.

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Viewing experience and comfort is personal…the numbers don't always tell the story.  While it may not work for you, I've found that despite having correction for distance and astigmatism, my glasses (not progressive) provide the easiest and best solution without using diopters or magnifiers.  

 

I may just be fortunate that my correction allows me to see both the focusing patch (virtual 2m distance) and farther distances well without having to take glasses on and off, and I can see up close (LCD, etc) well enough without aid.  I think the progressive aspect of your glasses may complicate matters…..you might want to try single strength correction for your photography.  

 

The main point is that only you can tell…and that can't be determined without some experimentation….not math.

 

Jeff

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You can always try it out with over the counter reading glasses, if your eye correction allows.

That works if you don't need to wear glasses AND use a diopter, otherwise you can't get your eye close enough to the camera with 2 pair of glasses on. 

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I may just be fortunate that my correction allows me to see both the focusing patch (virtual 2m distance) and farther distances well without having to take glasses on and off, and I can see up close (LCD, etc) well enough without aid.  I think the progressive aspect of your glasses may complicate matters…..you might want to try single strength correction for your photography.  

 

I think it's your luck how your eyes are.  If I wore single vision (for distance) it would be the same correction as the upper area of my progressives and I would likewise need a +1 diopter in addition.  However I would then have to have those glasses plus a pair of reading glasses, both on chains around my neck.  Between that and 2 cameras I would probably end up strangling myself :)

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I think it's your luck how your eyes are.  If I wore single vision (for distance) it would be the same correction as the upper area of my progressives and I would likewise need a +1 diopter in addition.  However I would then have to have those glasses plus a pair of reading glasses, both on chains around my neck.  Between that and 2 cameras I would probably end up strangling myself :)

But you don't really know that unless you tried it. B)  

 

Your biggest juggling act is carrying 2 cameras…that alone would take away the M experience for me.   

 

Jeff

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