Walters eyepiece/ Diopter on Leica M10

[LikesLife]

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Hello. Am excited about my new M10 .... there is only one small flaw: I am dependent on glasses and the use of the rangefinder is sometimes difficult. Now I've come across 'Walter's Eyepieces' .... has excellent descriptions on the internet, but I find no one who exchanges his experiences and possibly discusses pros / cons. You know, those rotating, individually made correction lenses are certainly associated with significant costs ....

 

Therefore, I would be very happy to hear the opinion of other users (representation versus glasses, I have +2.75 diopters). Thank you very much!

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[Guest]

Hello. Am excited about my new M10 .... there is only one small flaw: I am dependent on glasses and the use of the rangefinder is sometimes difficult. Now I've come across 'Walter's Eyepieces' .... has excellent descriptions on the internet, but I find no one who exchanges his experiences and possibly discusses pros / cons. You know, those rotating, individually made correction lenses are certainly associated with significant costs ....

 

Therefore, I would be very happy to hear the opinion of other users (representation versus glasses, I have +2.75 diopters). Thank you very much!

 

 

I'm in the same boat as you I guess, I need +2.75 for my reading glasses, otherwise mid to distant vision is ok enough.

It took me way way too much time to do this but this year I fitted all my M's plus the Leica 21-28mm clip-on OVF with +2 Leica diopters.

I was an idiot to wait this long to do that, but now I can see / focus perfectly without messing with the bins, ( glasses ).

[LeicaR10]

Likeslife,  The Walter's Eyepieces are well made and excellent IMO.  Over the years, I ordered several for my M cameras.  The eyepiece is made specifically for your prescription that you will need to provide and which eye you use for the rangefinder.  The eyepieces are made and shipped registered post.  He also confirms your prescription before he makes them via email.  Just follow the website instructions for ordering.  I highly recommend the Walter eyepieces.  r/ Mark 

Edited June 5, 2018 by LeicaR10

[Jeff S]

I wear glasses with thin, flexible rims that allow me to press against the VF without a problem. These correct for distance and astigmatism, and sunglasses also provide protection for light sensitivity. Importantly, these allow me to see everything, not just the VF, without taking them on and off (I can’t use contacts).

 

As I aged, I found that a +.5 diopter, in addition to my glasses, provided optimal viewing. This is common and was easily tested at a local optician using free trial diopters taped over the VF. (A Leica Store with actual diopters could of course worked, but the nearest store is not convenient.). I ordered the M10 diopter; no need for the bulky and expensive Walter.

 

Note that the focus patch for the M is set at a virtual distance of 2 meters. There is also a -.5 correction built in. But the best way to assess viewing is to try lenses at at an optician with camera in hand.

 

This topic has been covered frequently here as well as in the FAQ in case you want to search for lots more discussion, including from our member eye docs.

 

Jeff

[olli]

I use the Walter eyepiece on my M10 (with the Leica adapter because it was built for the older diameter of M3-M9). It is the best way to correct astigmatism if you don't want to use your glasses (which you have to take off evey time you take a photograph what might be annoying) . The eyepiece works very well and is solidly constructed. But one must know that the margins of the viewfinder are a little cut off caused by the bigger distance to the rear lens of the finder. So 28 mm lenses won't work, 35 mm not very well. 50 mm and higher is fine. As a consequence of these disadvantages I use it less often than I thought I would.

[jaapv]

Walter does have an eyepiece specifically for M10.

[Kennethjk]

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Just ordered one, they said it will take 2-3 weeks since they are busy

[LikesLife]

Great! Thx a lot for your advice! Really considering to order them at Walters!

 

As I have seen he included a ‚contrast enhancing‘ glass (yellow?) .... does it work in practice? Best greetings!

[feelssadman]

Is there an eyepiece which could sort of demagnify the VF so that people with glasses could see the 28mm framelines better when using glasses? Since the distance from the VF to the eye is greater when wearing glasses, seeing the 28mm framelines is often very difficult for me.

Edited June 5, 2018 by feelssadman

[Guest]

Is there an eyepiece which could sort of demagnify the VF so that people with glasses could see the 28mm framelines better when using glasses? Since the distance from the VF to the eye is greater when wearing glasses, seeing the 28mm framelines is often very difficult for me.

 

 

It is difficult to see the full 28mm frame lines anyway, with or without glasses I am afraid. If ever Leica would make a .58 viewfinder available for those M10 users that prefer the wider lenses on their M's then the problem would be solved. I for one would jump all over that.

I don't know if any sort of "de-magifier" could work, I doubt it somehow.

[jaapv]

Is there an eyepiece which could sort of demagnify the VF so that people with glasses could see the 28mm framelines better when using glasses? Since the distance from the VF to the eye is greater when wearing glasses, seeing the 28mm framelines is often very difficult for me.

Yes, it does exist, but not for M10 and by admission of the makers, it is not always effective.

 

http://www.japanexposures.com/shop/accessories/ms-mag-x0.85w-magnifier-for-leica-m.html

[bocaburger]

In previous years, Leica said they said they couldn't put in an adjustable diopter without compromising the already short eye relief.  But with the M10 they found a way to increase eye-relief,  so I would think they could have used it to put in an adjustable diopter.  Virtually every camera on the market today with an eyelevel finder has one. 

 

I had been using a +1 along with my glasses, but my Rx changed and with my new glasses +1 is a tad too strong.  Probably a +0.75 is needed.  Also, my visual acuity is less at dusk than mid-day, so my diopter needs change.  On my other cameras (and the Leica's EVF for that matter) its a simple matter of looking through the finder and turning the eyepiece until I see sharply.  So much less fussing than dealing with individual diopters.

[Jeff S]

I hear you... that would be a huge plus, especially given the unique RF viewing requirements. But Leica would have to be deaf to not understand customer desire, so I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt that the space still won’t accommodate. Otherwise, a big missed opportunity.

 

Jeff

[feelssadman]

Thanks. I hope that someday the profit from such a de-magnifier will be greater than the production costs and that someone at Leica will consider making a few of these.

[mdemeyer]

As a glasses wearer, I prefer the eye relief. Still can barely see the 35mm frame lines.

 

In previous years, Leica said they said they couldn't put in an adjustable diopter without compromising the already short eye relief. But with the M10 they found a way to increase eye-relief, so I would think they could have used it to put in an adjustable diopter. Virtually every camera on the market today with an eyelevel finder has one.

 

I had been using a +1 along with my glasses, but my Rx changed and with my new glasses +1 is a tad too strong. Probably a +0.75 is needed. Also, my visual acuity is less at dusk than mid-day, so my diopter needs change. On my other cameras (and the Leica's EVF for that matter) its a simple matter of looking through the finder and turning the eyepiece until I see sharply. So much less fussing than dealing with individual diopters.

[Guest]

I wear glasses with thin, flexible rims that allow me to press against the VF without a problem. These correct for distance and astigmatism, and sunglasses also provide protection for light sensitivity. Importantly, these allow me to see everything, not just the VF, without taking them on and off (I can’t use contacts).

 

As I aged, I found that a +.5 diopter, in addition to my glasses, provided optimal viewing. This is common and was easily tested at a local optician using free trial diopters taped over the VF. (A Leica Store with actual diopters could of course worked, but the nearest store is not convenient.). I ordered the M10 diopter; no need for the bulky and expensive Walter.

 

Note that the focus patch for the M is set at a virtual distance of 2 meters. There is also a -.5 correction built in. But the best way to assess viewing is to try lenses at at an optician with camera in hand.

 

This topic has been covered frequently here as well as in the FAQ in case you want to search for lots more discussion, including from our member eye docs.

 

Jeff

 

Jeff

When I go and pick up my camera tomorrow in Kl I will also be offered one diopter with the body. I remember from way back when trying every diopter in the shop that way i was doing was looking at the patch and trying to get the patch in clear focus which is impossible (I know that now and not then). I too cant see the point of needing glasses to see all the functions of the camera and then buying a diopter to use without those glasses on so for me anyway I will do the same as you Jeff I will wearer my everyday walk about glasses and then optimise the viewing experience buy adding diopters until the outside area of the VF is cristal clear

 

Neil

 

PS Jeff

You mentioned that your glasses have the progressive tint (sunglasses)........does that sometime hinder you especially in bright sunlight??

Edited June 23, 2018 by Guest

[Jeff S]

I don’t use progressives, just full sunglasses that correct for distance and astigmatism. A +.5 diopter, with glasses, allows me to clearly see both the RF patch (set at 2m virtual distance) as well as distant subjects.

 

Everyone is different. This works perfectly for me.

 

Jeff

[Guest]

I don’t use progressives, just full sunglasses that correct for distance and astigmatism. A +.5 diopter, with glasses, allows me to clearly see both the RF patch (set at 2m virtual distance) as well as distant subjects.

 

Everyone is different. This works perfectly for me.

 

Jeff

 

great........the idea of wearing glasses plus the diopter is the important bit.

 

Neil

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[Jeff S]

Thin, flexible frames help to get one’s eye close to the VF.

 

Jeff

[Jeff S]

And get the new M10 diopter, not an older adapted one. The diameter is bigger to accommodate the bigger opening. Eye relief and magnification is improved over prior digital Ms.

 

Jeff