Want to verify diopter needed before buying.

[rpavich]

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Hi,

I have an M6 and I'm plagued with presbyopia or "old man" vision, I can't read close up without reading glasses.

I recently checked to see what I need in the way of diopters by going to WalMart and putting on reading glasses and looking through my M6 and focusing.

I determined that I use a +1 reading glasses strength.

So now, my question is: what diopter strength do I need?

I think that the M6's normal viewfinder is -5 so to "net" and the diopters that Leica makes aren't "corrected" right? In other words if I ordered a +1 diopter from Leica, it would be a +1 just like my reading glasses were.

True?


I ask this because I also have a Nikon FM2 that's not that way, the diopters are "corrected" so that you start with -1 from the camera itself and then when you add a diopter it cancels out the -1. I had to put in a "0" diopter in my FM2 to equal a +1 reading glasses.

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[Jeff S]

Best solution is always to visit an optician with your camera and try different strength corrections at near and far to be sure, as Rick explains...  http://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/258125-leica-dioptre/?p=3010424

 

Note especially post #36 in above link.

 

Keep in mind, too, that the virtual focusing distance is 2m.

 

Jeff

Edited August 3, 2016 by Jeff S

[rpavich]

Best solution is always to visit an optician and try different strength corrections at near and far to be sure, as Rick explains...  http://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/258125-leica-dioptre/?p=3010424

(Note also post #36)

 

Keep in mind, too, that the virtual focusing distance is 2m.

 

Jeff

 

Hmm....Well, I already know that I can see at 2m with a +1 correction. I'm only wondering if the Leica diopters are the same as a pair of reading glasses, in other words a Leica +1 is the same strength as a +1 pair of reading glasses. Nikon is not.

 

 

[rpavich]

Well, I guess this is solved. Match Technical makes a very nice one that goes from -3 to +3 for the M cameras. I'll just get that.

[Jeff S]

Hmm....Well, I already know that I can see at 2m with a +1 correction. I'm only wondering if the Leica diopters are the same as a pair of reading glasses, in other words a Leica +1 is the same strength as a +1 pair of reading glasses. Nikon is not.

 

 

 

Re-read post #36 regarding supposed reading glass strength.

 

In any event, your choice is akin to Rick's explanation for why some prefer progressive glasses.

 

Personally, I prefer glasses to diopters, but if I had the latter, I'd conduct an easy test first....then hope to find one simple fixed strength as opposed to relying on a variable diopter that might unintentionally move off adjustment.  YMMV.

 

Jeff

[rpavich]

Re-read post #36 regarding supposed reading glass strength.

 

In any event, your choice is akin to Rick's explanation for why some prefer progressive glasses.

 

Personally, I prefer glasses to diopters, but if I had the latter, I'd conduct an easy test first....then hope to find one simple fixed strength as opposed to relying on a variable diopter that might unintentionally move off adjustment.  YMMV.

 

Jeff

 

Yes, I read that and from that I concluded that even though I wear +2.5 readers, for my leica I'd need +1 (which is what worked great by putting on the walmart cheapo reading glasses and looking through the viewfinder and focusing on things 2 or so meters away.

 

I can't stand to use any viewfinder with glasses....so much so that I recently had my eyes done so I could dump the glasses...too bad they couldn't fix my old-man vision.

[Jeff S]

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Yes, we all differ, not just in technical ways, but in preferences and comfort level.  Which is why I always recommend personal testing using actual gear (same for cameras, etc).  I need glasses for sun protection anyway, and I'm fortunate that my glasses, which provide correction for distance and astigmatism, allow me to both focus clearly and and see subjects at a distance. I make sure that my frames are thin and flexible.  Has worked with my Ms for decades.....and now in retirement.  Whatever works.

 

Jeff

[spydrxx]

The best solution is to visit a dealer who stocks Leica diopters, but that isn't always possible. Next best is an optician. Fallback, at least for me, is to do the necessary calculation using known good data and hope it works. Years ago I found that it was a total PITA to put on/take off my glasses to shoot....plus I knew my vision would continue to deteriorate until I eventually will be legally blind. So, I determined that I would use an appropriate diopter for my eyeglasses (which correct for astigmatism). Since I wear progressives, proper alignment of the eyeglasses themselves is critical. Last year I knew there was a vision change, but I didn't want to go to the eye doctor, as I had a series of old diopter lenses for my old cameras. By testing them with my eyeglasses, I was able to determine what the strength of my new glasses would be and so ordered them. Worked great with my Barnacks which had the adjustment lever, but found that I needed a slight correction for my recently acquired M2. Again, working backwards, I determined the strength, and eventually found a used diopter of the proper strength for a song from a reputable dealer. Happy as a lark ever since.

[rpavich]

Well, I ended up getting the Match Technical magnifying adjustable diopter. It provides a 1:1 view with a .72 finder and also is adjustable from -3 to +3.

It was barely more expensive than the Leica one...just a few bucks and seems very well made.

 

http://leicastoremiami.com/products/e-clypse-1-45x-34d-viewfinder-magnifer-w-adjustable-diopter

Edited August 4, 2016 by rpavich

[Jeff S]

My 1.25 magnifier mostly sits in a drawer....only got it for 90mm lens....and reduces contrast somewhat.  1.45x would seem to be an issue for easily seeing the entire VF and frame lines using wider lenses (28/35) at least for me, wearing glasses.  Again, preferences.

 

Jeff

[ramarren]

My 1.25 magnifier mostly sits in a drawer....only got it for 90mm lens....and reduces contrast somewhat.  1.45x would seem to be an issue for easily seeing the entire VF and frame lines using wider lenses (28/35) at least for me, wearing glasses.  Again, preferences.

 

Jeff

 

 

I have the 1.25 magnifier too ... It's mostly useful for better focusing precision with the 135mm lens, for me, which I use relatively seldom. The M-Rokkor 90mm f/4 moves the rangefinder patch with more precision and ease than the old Hektor so I only rarely find I need it with that. The magnifier also helps ensure dead-on accuracy with the 50/1.4 as well but I only rarely fit it for that lens. 

 

I've only rarely used a diopter correction rather than my glasses. Unfortunately, with any glasses on, I need a hat in sunlight to shade the viewfinder because otherwise the flare around the edges of the glasses makes it hard to see. I find this to be true with any viewfinder ... optical RF, optical SLR, or EVF. 

[rpavich]

I thought about that but I only use the M6 with a 50mm so I thought it would be ok. If it doesn't work out, I can always refund it for the non-magnifying version. No harm done.

[Jeff S]

 Unfortunately, with any glasses on, I need a hat in sunlight to shade the viewfinder because otherwise the flare around the edges of the glasses makes it hard to see. I find this to be true with any viewfinder ... optical RF, optical SLR, or EVF. 

 

Interesting.  I always wear my prescription sunglasses in daylight, and don't have any flare issues.  I take my camera with me when I buy new frames.

 

If I eventually get an EVF based camera, however, I'll need to get rid of the polarization in my sunglasses.  Bummer.

 

Jeff

[rpavich]

Well, I got the diopter from Match Technical.

Two things; it was pretty large and  with the magnification, I had to move my eye around the frame to see the 50mm lines. I couldn't see them all at once.

 

So, back in the mail it went, they (Match Technical) are good folks to work with and very good about refunds, no hassle there.

 

I put a hurtin' on the credit card and bought all of the leica ones from -.5 to -2 and +.5 to +2 and whichever one works, I'll just send the others back.

[acmineiro]

If you have your prescription from the optometrist look for the spherical value if it's 1.0 you need a +1.0 etc. It worked great for me. I read a post somewhere where a ophthalmologist suggested this.