MP 35mm .72 And Glasses

[S.Rolf]

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I'm very close to pulling the trigger on my first rangefinder camera (the MP .72 35mm w/35mm f2.4 ASPH lens) and realized that my glasses may pose a problem.  I've read a number of threads on this subject but felt a need to be more specific.

 

I wear progressive lenses and for distance, my Rx is fairly mild.  In fact, I don't even wear them while driving.  (I'm farsighted)  Reading distance and closer is another story altogether.

 

I'm 60 and am experiencing, like many, the natural progression of deteriorating vision and am worried that this may be a deal breaker for me.

 

I can use a DSLR set to manual focus without glasses with no problems.  Near and far.

 

Will the rangefinder become less user-friendly for me?

I've wanted this camera for years.  Now I hope it's not too late to be able to finally buy and use one.

[Michael Hiles]

My distance vision is pretty good. For reading I use 2.0 diopter glasses. I have no problem using my M2 (.72 magnification), or my M3.

[Herr Barnack]

@S.Rolf,

 

I am in a very similar situation in terms of my vision.  I have used M cameras since 2003 with progressive lens glasses and have not found it to be a problem until very recently.  My struggle is with focusing at a distance of 25-30 feet on a person's facial features.  I seem to manage to nail it most of the time; I do have some trouble with my 90mm Summicron when shooting at f/2; I stop down to compensate.  I don't have much trouble at all when focusing my 35mm Summicron while wearing glasses, though.

 

If I were in your shoes, I would not assume that you won't be able to use an M rangefinder.  I would get the MP and 35/2.4;  give it a try with your glasses.  If you have problems, there are corrective eyepieces made by Leica that you can install yourself to make shooting without your glasses possible:   Leica makes these in -3 to +3 diopters:  http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=30060&gclid=CJzq_M2Fq8sCFQyNaQodxpMO8g&is=REG&ap=y&m=Y&A=details&Q=

 

For those of us who wear glasses, M camera photography is still possible; there are ways to address the situation.  Lasik eye surgery is an option if no other alternative works, but  I doubt that you would have to go that far.  Contact lenses are something else to consider.  I would try the Leica corrective eyepiece before Lasik or contacts.

 

Speaking for myself only, I would have Lasik surgery in a heartbeat if it were the only way that I could continue to use my M cameras.

[S.Rolf]

@S.Rolf,

 

I am in a very similar situation in terms of my vision.  I have used M cameras since 2003 with progressive lens glasses and have not found it to be a problem until very recently.  My struggle is with focusing at a distance of 25-30 feet on a person's facial features.  I seem to manage to nail it most of the time; I do have some trouble with my 90mm Summicron when shooting at f/2; I stop down to compensate.  I don't have much trouble at all when focusing my 35mm Summicron while wearing glasses, though.

 

If I were in your shoes, I would not assume that you won't be able to use an M rangefinder.  I would get the MP and 35/2.4;  give it a try with your glasses.  If you have problems, there are corrective eyepieces made by Leica that you can install yourself to make shooting without your glasses possible:   Leica makes these in -3 to +3 diopters:  http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=30060&gclid=CJzq_M2Fq8sCFQyNaQodxpMO8g&is=REG&ap=y&m=Y&A=details&Q=

 

For those of us who wear glasses, M camera photography is still possible; there are ways to address the situation.  Lasik eye surgery is an option if no other alternative works, but  I doubt that you would have to go that far.  Contact lenses are something else to consider.  I would try the Leica corrective eyepiece before Lasik or contacts.

 

Speaking for myself only, I would have Lasik surgery in a heartbeat if it were the only way that I could continue to use my M cameras.

 

 

Thanks much.

I just made the online order through B&H.

Will be here next week!!

[S.Rolf]

@S.Rolf,

 

I am in a very similar situation in terms of my vision.  I have used M cameras since 2003 with progressive lens glasses and have not found it to be a problem until very recently.  My struggle is with focusing at a distance of 25-30 feet on a person's facial features.  I seem to manage to nail it most of the time; I do have some trouble with my 90mm Summicron when shooting at f/2; I stop down to compensate.  I don't have much trouble at all when focusing my 35mm Summicron while wearing glasses, though.

 

If I were in your shoes, I would not assume that you won't be able to use an M rangefinder.  I would get the MP and 35/2.4;  give it a try with your glasses.  If you have problems, there are corrective eyepieces made by Leica that you can install yourself to make shooting without your glasses possible:   Leica makes these in -3 to +3 diopters:  http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=30060&gclid=CJzq_M2Fq8sCFQyNaQodxpMO8g&is=REG&ap=y&m=Y&A=details&Q=

 

For those of us who wear glasses, M camera photography is still possible; there are ways to address the situation.  Lasik eye surgery is an option if no other alternative works, but  I doubt that you would have to go that far.  Contact lenses are something else to consider.  I would try the Leica corrective eyepiece before Lasik or contacts.

 

Speaking for myself only, I would have Lasik surgery in a heartbeat if it were the only way that I could continue to use my M cameras.

 

 

Since I can only get these via mail order, what can I use as a rule-of-thumb in determining what one I need?

I seem to recall the MP already being a -2.  Is that correct?

[250swb]

I use progressive lenses and find the .72 viewfinder OK with the 35mm frame, and even the 28mm frame line at a pinch. What makes me keep my glasses and not go with a dioptre is the permanent frustration of needing glasses to see the shutter speeds and aperture markings (without getting really close) and then back to the corrected dioptre view without glasses. This on-off way of working isn't for me, but the flexible frame progressives I wear allow for all contingencies. If I'm shooting 28mm a lot and pressing my face hard against the camera is going to become tiring I'll put a glasses friendly 28mm viewfinder on the accessory shoe to compose with, in fact it's almost preferable for the cleaner view.

 

 

Steve

[Herr Barnack]

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Since I can only get these via mail order, what can I use as a rule-of-thumb in determining what one I need?

I seem to recall the MP already being a -2.  Is that correct?

 

 

If you have a copy of your glasses prescription, it will tell the correction your lenses have; mine is -2.25, if memory serves me.  If you do not have that prescription at hand, contact your optometrist's office.  They will be able to provide this information.  Of course if your glasses are older, it may be time for a new eye exam so that you can be sure of ordering the right eyepiece for your MP.

 

As 250swb notes, the standard magnification for the MP viewfinder is 0.72; this is a good all around magnification, as it provides frame lines for lenses from 28mm to 135mm.  The 0.72 is the viewfinder that I ordered on my MP in 2003 and is what I would recommend, based on my experience.

[S.Rolf]

If you have a copy of your glasses prescription, it will tell the correction your lenses have; mine is -2.25, if memory serves me.  If you do not have that prescription at hand, contact your optometrist's office.  They will be able to provide this information.  Of course if your glasses are older, it may be time for a new eye exam so that you can be sure of ordering the right eyepiece for your MP.

 

As 250swb notes, the standard magnification for the MP viewfinder is 0.72; this is a good all around magnification, as it provides frame lines for lenses from 28mm to 135mm.  The 0.72 is the viewfinder that I ordered on my MP in 2003 and is what I would recommend, based on my experience.

 

 

I just had them examined and have a new Rx.

However, I'm seeing four columns each with two rows all having different values.

The columns are:  Sphere, Cyl, Axis, Near Add

The rows are:  OD and OS.

 

So, I guess I'll have to call and ask what's what.

[pop]

Sphere is the correction for infinity; near add would be the additional correction for the nearest distance. Cylinder and axis would describe the cylindrical correction and would make your glasses useless when rotated. OD and OS would be oculus dexter and sinister, I suppose, standing for right and left eye, respectively.

 

So just use the "sphere" column for a start, with the "near add" as an extra.

[S.Rolf]

Sphere is the correction for infinity; near add would be the additional correction for the nearest distance. Cylinder and axis would describe the cylindrical correction and would make your glasses useless when rotated. OD and OS would be oculus dexter and sinister, I suppose, standing for right and left eye, respectively.

 

So just use the "sphere" column for a start, with the "near add" as an extra.

 

Thank you.

Since I'm left-eye dominant, I have always sighted through my left eye.  So, I guess I'll use the OS Sphere for my value which is +1.25.

[TomB_tx]

I find a Leica RF much easier to focus than any (manual focus) SLR or dSLR. I'm turning 70, and my vision is clearly deteriorating. I've worn glasses for 58 years full time, now with progressives and bad astigmatism, and it would be too inconvenient to remove my glasses to use a camera.

I use .72 finders and have no trouble seeing the 35 frame and focusing an M, but then I've ha 50 years practice.

[S.Rolf]

This is just a follow-up to my post.

I received my Diopter correction lenses today and tried both the 1.0 and 1.5.

I ordered one of each since my correction on my Rx is 1.25.

I'm very happy to report that the 1.0 did the trick!

No glasses and the viewfinder is crystal-clear.

[Edward Louis Marit]

I wear progressives and find it very difficult to see the 35 mm frame lines. I rarely wear my contact lenses anymore because of the hassle of carrying around reading glasses. I have learned recently however that there are now progressive contacts and another option is wearing a contact for distance in your dominant eye and a contact for reading in the other eye. Apparently your brain corrects for this.

[tobey bilek]

Viewfinder has some built in minus, -1 I think.

 

If you can not overcome this, buy a +1 diopter.

 

Would be nice if it were adjustable like Nikons or Barracks.

[Michael Geschlecht]

Hello Tobey,

 

Viewfinders for all "M" cameras film & digital have a built in -0.5 diopter.

 

Best Regards,

 

Michael