Leica magnifier 1.25x advice

[Bobby]

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I use eyeglasses all the time but I think it'd be helpful to have a magnifier for precise focusing, especially when the lens is wide open. 

 

I have found mixed reviews about the 1.25x. I'm looking for a magnifier for 50mm and 35mm focal ranges, mostly 50mm. 

 

I'd be also nice to know if anyone makes angle viewfinders for 50mm and/or 35mm. I have a 262, so the EVF is not an option. 

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[lucerne]

Magnifiers are most commonly used when used in conjunction with 50mm and longer lenses because the effective rangefinder focus patch area decreases when increasing lens focal length. .However, they do cause the frame lines to become awkward to see. Alternatively, I think you could find that by fitting a Leica diopter lens into your viewfinder would give a better result without interfering with the ability to continue to see the full frame in the viewfinder. Fortunately, the 262 has the necessary screw thread to accept the diopter lens. I visited my optician with my camera and he was able to test my eyes with the various diopter strengths to find the optimal value which I then purchased from a leica dealer. I wouldn't be without it now on my M.

Edited December 18, 2016 by lucerne

[pico]

Adding to lucerne's post, the magnifier diminishes the brightness of the view. Speaking only for myself, one who wears glasses, the combined lower light creates a challenge, slows my focusing. I have only used the magnifier in low light for the Summilux 75mm.

 

Your experience might differ. I look forward to others' experiences.

.

Edited December 18, 2016 by pico

[Jeff S]

If you can see the focus patch clearly with your glasses (2m virtual distance), then you should have no problem focusing without the magnifier when using 35 or 50mm lenses.  Perhaps your glasses aren't correcting sufficiently for that distance (and/or for any astigmatism), in which case a magnifier will just magnify the problem.

 

But each person has different needs and preferences.....glasses, diopters (the Walter RX Eyepiece also corrects for astigmatism), magnifiers or nothing at all. Might help to take your camera to your optician and experiment with diopters and/or glasses prescription. Doesn't matter what we think if it works for you. And a good optician should be able to help once he/she understands the requirements.

 

Once you eliminate any correction needs, you can of course order a magnifier and see if it helps; if not, return it.

 

I use glasses only.....my 1.25x magnifier, which I bought ages ago, sits in a drawer.  It isn't needed.....and can reduce contrast.  YMMV.

 

Jeff

Edited December 18, 2016 by Jeff S

[albertknappmd]

contrarian opinion!

I have found the combination of the correct diopter and the 1.25X magnifier to be very helpful and makes accurate focusing so much easier.

As mentioned above, the key is getting the correct diopter so talk to your optometrist or ophthalmologist!

Albert       

[Jeff S]

Yes, eyes and preferences are different.

 

To elaborate, if I were to use a diopter, then I would still need to put my glasses on for general viewing, and they would have to be sunglasses in daylight to deal with light sensitivity. Taking glasses on and off would be a major pain.  I can't tolerate contacts, and I have astigmatism, so I would require something like the Walter RX piece, which is big, rotating and not my cup of tea. And I can't imagine a magnifier on top of that lump.

 

Instead, with the proper eyeglass prescription, I solve everything at once, seeing the focus patch clearly as well as my subject matter, which is what this is all about.

 

Again this is not something solved by forum survey; circumstances can, and usually do, differ.

 

Jeff

 

 

[sblutter]

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1.25 cuts off too much - and it is dark.  I got a new glasses Rx, new glasses alone work best for me - and nothing wrong with shooting a few extra frames & picking the best later.  In critical situations (especially on a tripod) LV to the rescue.  Current EVF I find more a nuisance than anything - glad I got a used Olympus version

 

Try focusing with the camera at an angle, then recompose

 

And practice a lot!

[microview]

contrarian opinion!

I have found the combination of the correct diopter and the 1.25X magnifier to be very helpful and makes accurate focusing so much easier.

As mentioned above, the key is getting the correct diopter so talk to your optometrist or ophthalmologist!

Albert       

 

The opposite for me: I use a diopter and find it invaluable (am now 81!) but adding the magnifier brought not a scrap of improvement.

Edited December 27, 2016 by microview

[nsrimanus]

I don't wear glasses, but the 1.4x magnifier is indispensable for my Noctilux. I don't use them with 35/50 summilux though, as the magnifier blocks out too much viewable area. I'd suggest that you try them out before buying. 

[jaapv]

I'd be also nice to know if anyone makes angle viewfinders for 50mm and/or 35mm. I have a 262, so the EVF is not an option.

Standard Leica accessory:

 

https://us.leica-camera.com/Photography/Leica-M/Technical-Equipment/Viewfinder-Accessories/Angle-viewfinder-M

[IkarusJohn]

I use the 1.4x magnifier for 50mm and longer. It's effective.

[rsolomon]

I use eyeglasses all the time but I think it'd be helpful to have a magnifier for precise focusing, especially when the lens is wide open. 

 

I have found mixed reviews about the 1.25x. I'm looking for a magnifier for 50mm and 35mm focal ranges, mostly 50mm. 

 

I'd be also nice to know if anyone makes angle viewfinders for 50mm and/or 35mm. I have a 262, so the EVF is not an option.

 

Why is the EVF not an option ?

[Mute-on]

M262 does not support live view, video or EVF.

[105012]

I leave a Leica 1.25x magnifier on my M5 as it helps when I switch from one of my M3's. (The M5 only has 0.72 magnification, so this brings it up to a more useful 0.90). I don't notice any problem with the 50mm frame line and brightness is good (not like an M3, but good). Might just be that the M5 has a bright viewfinder to start with?

Edited December 29, 2016 by 105012

[rsolomon]

M262 does not support live view, video or EVF.

Thanks! I suppose I should have known this - thanks.

[ironringer]

Revisiting this topic, does the Leica #12004 1.25X magnifier fit the M240? And, does anyone have experience with the Match Technical magnifiers that include diopter adjustment-correction? Those would seem to offer the best of both worlds = correction for individual eyesight plus magnified viewfinder patch for better focusing.

[a.noctilux]

Yes

the magnifier #12004 x1.25 can be used with M(typ 240).

I have no experience with the other one.

 

Maybe you can go to your nearest Leica Dealer and have a look if you can better see through the VF,

trying some of their diopter correction with your camera.

 

 

[raphael]

I'm considering buying the magnifier again.
I had the 1.25x version once and sold it. Unfortunately, I do not remember why. Probably because of the protruding bump on the back of the camera.

Two questions:
1. Which one would you suggest (1.25x or 1.4x) when I'm mostly shooting a 50mm lens (actually it's the 45mm Planar)
2. Does the protruding bump bother you when wearing the camera around your neck?

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Hallo,

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[a.noctilux]

As usual, the best way is to try out the magnifier with your camera.

I'm sure that nobody can say just because we are all different.

If you sold it maybe it was not for you

As side note, M viewfinder is comfortable without magnifier,

focussing has some margin not to worry when we can "focus" using the RF.

😉

Good to know that the little chain is attached to tell user that the mag. is not to be attached full time to M VF.

I don't use the mag. full time, but happy to be able to use one when I need.

[Jeff S]

Correct your vision first as best as possible for RF viewing; otherwise any issues will just be magnified. With glasses and a diopter, I don’t need a magnifier, which reduces contrast anyway.  But we’re all different.

Jeff