Correction lens for an aging photographer

[charby57]

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I have made  a most pleasant discovery this week: the correction lens!

 

Since a good while, the clarity of view on my Leicas was not great. I guessed that my eyesight was not anymore what it used to be. I am 58 years old and since I wear glasses for reading, I decided to visit Camtec Photo, the Montreal's Leica place to give a try at correction lenses. Quickly, the +1 diopter lens proved to solve the problem. I am now enjoying a very clean and sharp view and makes the focusing way more easier and less tiring.

 

The effect is very obvious on the digital Ms, as the numerals indicating the shutter speed is way more defined. The hit success with the 90mm lens is improved a lot.

 

Of course, your mileage may vary.

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[wda]

You acted wisely in trying before buying a correction lens. Eyes age progressively; so consider upgrading the correction in due course. I decided to resort to using my annually upgraded spectacles without attachments to the viewfinder.

[TomB_tx]

Glad that solution works for you. I've been a full-time glasses wearer for over 55 years, so I just struggle with my aging vision.

[Jeff S]

This is indeed subject to personal experience and preference.  I need correction for distance and astigmatism, and much prefer keeping my glasses on while shooting, without having to continually remove them just for the VF.  Fortunately, my eyeglass correction also allows me....for now...to clearly see the RF focus patch (set at 2m virtual distance).  Sunglasses also provide needed protection for light sensitivity....and I can't wear contacts. 

 

Everyone is different, even when numbers might indicate otherwise.  The only way to know for sure is to experiment and see what works best.  This is a frequent topic for discussion....diopters, magnifiers, and more.

 

Glad you found a solution for you.

 

Jeff

[charby57]

Removing the glasses to take a look or take a picture is indeed somewhat a pain in the neck.

 

The beauty of these correction lenses ( being very thin actually) is that they allow for a confortable view on all over the finder. Something I can't do with my glasses.

[semi-ambivalent]

(set at 2m virtual distance)

Thanks for that info.

 

s-a

[tobey bilek]

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You acted wisely in trying before buying a correction lens. Eyes age progressively; so consider upgrading the correction in due course. I decided to resort to using my annually upgraded spectacles without attachments to the viewfinder.

 

This works to the point where the distance lens does not work at 3 feet.   I have lost almost all accommodation and +1 and the distance portion works with M.    So do my computer glasses which are set to arms length with no diopter.

[asiafish]

My problem is that I am in between the -2 and -3 diopters (I own both) and Leica doesn't offer a -2.5.

I've currently settled on the -2 and have them fitted to all 3 of my M cameras.  Its still not idea as removing my glasses to take pictures is a real pain in the derrière, but better (for me) than wiggling my glasses around behind an eyepiece trying to see the entire frame.

 

The EVF on my X 113 with its built in diopter correction is a real delight by comparison, at least in terms of everything being as sharp as possible.  Even the ancient EVF on the X Vario is still diopter corrected and less trouble, but alas I love my Ms and put up with the less than perfect eyepiece correction.

I suppose I could get a custom -2.5, but then I'll probably be at -3 in a few more years anyway.

[DTM]

I am curious what people with bifocals do. I find that I I try to go without them I can't read the settings or menu on the back or view the image just taken. I prefer not to take them off to take a picture, put them on to view the image and then repeat. Framing suffers though. I'm sure many others deal with the same problem. 

[gberger]

I have bifocals, so I just shove the glasses onto the top of my head, and use the diopter correction lens. That does make for a pair of messy glasses, but a clean-up with a lens cloth is easy.

[Jeff S]

 

 

The beauty of these correction lenses ( being very thin actually) is that they allow for a confortable view on all over the finder. Something I can't do with my glasses.

I use thin and flexible rims, which allow me to get comfortably close to the VF.  After 35+ years with Ms, using the VF is second nature by now.....and the M240 VF magnification, along with frame lines set at 2m, is a good fit with my typical focal lengths and subject distances.

 

Jeff

[Jeff S]

Thanks for that info.

 

s-a

More detail in the FAQ...

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/125097-leica-m8-m82-m9-m9p-mm-mtyp240-faqs-questions-with-answers/?p=1892212

 

Jeff

[bocaburger]

I am nearsighted but for many years now have needed progressively less correction for closer distances.  Using a diopter corrected for my nekkid eye would mean taking off and putting on my glasses multiple times while shooting, which is a collossal pain.  I wear progressive lenses, and I could find the point in the progression where I can see the rangefinder image crisply, but that too is a pain.  The upper (distance) part of the glasses is widest, so that's what I use to view with, but keep a +1 on the eyepiece.  Gives me perfect results.  Everyone is different, so it pays to do some trial and error to find the right combo.

[Exodies]

I found progressive lenses to be a nuisance but maybe more practice would have taught me to immediately put the sweet spot on the eye piece. My next step was to diopter correct everything and take my glasses off when taking a picture. Apart from the hassle of mounting and remounting the diopter correction when using a magnifier, this worked well. I would hold my glasses between two fingers of my left hand. I gave up this method because my left eye was just adding fuzz to the view. I currently use monofocal lenses, tuned for distance, no diopter corrections on the camera. This leaves me with a suboptimal view of wide frame lines but I have decided that this is the least of the various problems. Now, if I can only break the habit of taking off my glasses when I raise my camera...

Oh, my eyes are Zeiss butterflys, no accommodation, work for reading without glasses.

[BBHewee]

I'm in the same boat, oscillating between -2.25 and -2.5 depending on the optometrist I see. But I found -2 works well because I believe the rangefinder offers a -0.5 correction out of the box. Of course YMMV. 

 

My problem is that I am in between the -2 and -3 diopters (I own both) and Leica doesn't offer a -2.5.

I've currently settled on the -2 and have them fitted to all 3 of my M cameras.  Its still not idea as removing my glasses to take pictures is a real pain in the derrière, but better (for me) than wiggling my glasses around behind an eyepiece trying to see the entire frame.

 

The EVF on my X 113 with its built in diopter correction is a real delight by comparison, at least in terms of everything being as sharp as possible.  Even the ancient EVF on the X Vario is still diopter corrected and less trouble, but alas I love my Ms and put up with the less than perfect eyepiece correction.

I suppose I could get a custom -2.5, but then I'll probably be at -3 in a few more years anyway.