MP viewfinder magnification change

[semi-ambivalent]

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Has anyone here (the US) ever had the VF magnification changed on their camera? I'm thinking about going from 0.72 to 0.85 on my MP. Hoping this is handled by optics downstream from the rangefinder itself, and can be done competently by Leica in New Jersey (without taking a month of Sundays).

 

I checked things out with the configurator and, to be honest, can't see anywhere near the difference one might expect judging from the magnification levels alone. Perhaps this is best left un-done? I have an M3 and don't know if looking through that helps or hurts.

 

Thanks,

s-a

[Mute-on]

M3 is 0.91 rather than 0.85. A 1.25 magnifier will give you 0.85 when you need it, and you still retain useable 35 (and 28) frame lines for when you don't. Cheaper and reversible. I have one for that reason.

All the best.

J

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[normclarke]

The r/f in a .85 mag is different to the .72 models and as such cannot be upgraded. You'll need a new part. Talk to DAG.

 

Best,

 

normclarke

[01af]

How to switch viewfinder magnification from .72× to .85× in two simple steps:

1. Sell .72× camera.
2. Buy .85× camera.

[semi-ambivalent]

 

How to switch viewfinder magnification from .72× to .85× in two simple steps:

1. Sell .72× camera.
2. Buy .85× camera.

 

Thanks 01laf! That's the more logical path certainly but if I pull the trigger on this it would more likely be:

1. Buy .72× camera.
2. Buy .85× camera.

I've been here before. The mood will pass or I'll kill it with a new lens I also don't need. I have an M3 so the money is better spent on glass. Maybe something -lux-y is in order but really, I had hoped for a less expensive solution than a new rangefinder mechanism. Especially one connected to a camera.

 

Married to a Scot,

s-a

[smkoush]

Few years back I wanted to change from 0.72 to 0.58. I talked to Leica in NJ, and to DAG. Leica said no, they will not do it. DAG said possible, but prohibitively expensive (something like 2k).

 

So I sold the 0.72 and replaced it with a 0.58. Much simpler solution. 

[Sailronin]

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I purchased a 0.85 MP about a year ago and love it. I found it easier to focus on 50m and 90 mm and about the same with 35mm. I sold my M7 shortly after getting comfortable with the MP.

[semi-ambivalent]

I purchased a 0.85 MP about a year ago and love it. I found it easier to focus on 50m and 90 mm and about the same with 35mm. I sold my M7 shortly after getting comfortable with the MP.

Thanks for replying. I bought the 0.72x in a kind of herd mentality, something I would not have done if I could have rented a 0.85x for a few days. I should have taken the lesson offered by my M3. Mea culpa. Also, my shooting style has drifted away from 35mm and returned to 50 and 28. 0.85x would give me a bigger image for the occasional use of 90mm and 135mm. The other end doesn't matter because I almost always use an external VF for 28mm. My just-checked eyesight is very good so there's no real problem until close focus retreats to inside, what, two meters? Won't sell because it's become "my" MP. I'll just cool my jets here. Glad you like your choice.

 

s-a

[Guest]

Sherry Krauter replaced the 0.72x with 0.85x viewfinders on my both of my M6s in May 2005. Together with CLAs, the cost was not much but don't recall how much it was.

 

I greatly prefer the 0.85 viewfinder despite often shooting 21-28-35 lenses as well. I've since then sold the silver M6 but still have the black one. Earlier this week, I got a beautiful, perfectly functioning single stroke M3 from Japan. I keep the tiny, wonderful Voigtländer 28/35 external viewfinder on it.

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Alone in Bangkok essay on BURN Magazine

[ironhorse]

I purchased a 0.85 MP about a year ago and love it. I found it easier to focus on 50m and 90 mm and about the same with 35mm. I sold my M7 shortly after getting comfortable with the MP.

[ironhorse]

 

How to switch viewfinder magnification from .72× to .85× in two simple steps:

1. Sell .72× camera.
2. Buy .85× camera.

 

 

+1

[ironhorse]

 

How to switch viewfinder magnification from .72× to .85× in two simple steps:

1. Sell .72× camera.
2. Buy .85× camera.

 

 

+1

[Mute-on]

I would seriously suggest you try one of the various 1.25x of even 1.4x viewfinder magnifiers made by Leica and others.

 

The 1.25x will make your 0.72 appear as a 0.85 viewfinder. A 1.4x will make your 0.72 appear as a 1.008 or 1:1 life size. Perfect for both eyes open focussing. Then you get the best of both worlds

[Guest]

Not really. I thought the same and bought the 1.25x magnifier. To my eyes, it looked less bright than the unmagnified viewfinder. That's why I ended up changing from the 0.72x to the 0.85x viewfinders on both of the M6s that I had. Many people have found the same thing; others haven't.

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Alone in Bangkok essay on BURN Magazine