1.4x Magnifier

[Edwin Ho]

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How many of you are using the 1.25x magnifier with 75mm on an M9. Is it necessary? Please share your experience.

Edited April 19, 2020 by Edwin Ho

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[TomB_tx]

I have no problem focusing without a magnifier, even for 90mm 2.8, and good results on 135 f4. But if you are using faster lenses (75 f1.5) it might help.

[AceVentura1986]

Using a magnifier MIGHT expose weaknesses in your eyesight that would ALSO require a diopter. Just FYI. 

[Edwin Ho]

15 hours ago, AceVentura1986 said:

Using a magnifier MIGHT expose weaknesses in your eyesight that would ALSO require a diopter. Just FYI. 

Just tested the magnifier; I don't I think I need it. I use glasses and have my eight-sight checked and glasses changed regularly.

BTW,  I find that the frame lines are more feint when the magnifier is issued.

Also without the magnifier, I am able to "see more" outside the 75mm frame lines.

[Guest]

On 4/19/2020 at 12:39 PM, Edwin Ho said:

How many of you are using the 1.25x magnifier with 75mm on an M9. Is it necessary? Please share your experience.

If the light is not good I use a 1.25 magnifier on my M9 when using 75Lux. Usually use a 1.4 magnifier when using my 90mm Thambar.

[Ko.Fe.]

I had magnifier on M8. It lasted until first serious hike on lower Niagara river bank. Self unscrewed.  I never miss it since :).

[FTI]

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Had a 1.4 for a 90mm summicron. I consider it a must for critical focus especially when shooting portraits at larger apertures. It definitely helped me appreciate the lens more. 

[peterm1_Leica]

I regularly use a 1.35x magnifier on my M8. I find it is essential for effective focusing given my relatively poor eyes. And given that I prefer lenses of 50mm or 75mm or 90mm where accurate focusing is at a premium. What I actually use though is not the Leica magnifier  but one from Japan Exposures mainly because it has built in diopter adjustment as well as magnification and this is what I really need most of all.  I suspect it lacks some of the Leica's optical qualities but it works. As someone else said these things do have a tendency to screw off the camera's viewfinder especially if you carry the camera around your neck on a strap where the rear of the camera rubs against your chest. Also the diopter adjustment changes itself when the camera is worn this way for the same reason. So, some kind of fixitive (e.g. nail polish or thread lock) on the threads is advised. 

https://www.japanexposures.com/shop/accessories/ms-mag-x1.35-magnifier-for-leica-m.html

Note that their product page says:   "ATTENTION: due to Leica patent restrictions, this product is not available to customers for rangefinder camera use in Germany and the United States of America!" But as I am in Australia this was never an issue for me. I am not sure if this means they will not sell to German or USA buyers or simply that its up to you to decide how you use the thing as they also say: " Even though primary intended use for this product is on cameras, we understand that it can be adapted for use on other optical equipment (telescopes, spotting scopes etc.). In such cases, please contact us for details."

Edited April 30, 2020 by peterm1_Leica

[farnz]

I used a 1.25x mag for a while with my 90AA  until I noticed that it was at the expense of contrast.  This was a 1.25 mag bought new from a Leica dealer and it's not a fault, it's just a property of all mags that they lower the contrast through the viewfinder.  I don't have a problem focussing 90's without a mag and it seems that I might have unconsciously been using it as an unnecessary 'crutch'.

Pete.

[jaapv]

A caveat - A  magnifier can be useful to compensate for poor eyesight, even if the effect is reduced by contrast loss. However, it is less then useful if one attempts to compensate for faults in the viewfinder/rangefinder, as it will magnify the problem. The better option is normally to make sure that the camera/lens is properly calibrated, and use the correct dioptre if needed.Note that the Leica magnifiers need their own dioptre correction, which may differ for the correction needed for the unaided viewfinder.

Another caveat - if your problem is astigmatism, which may be unnoticed, the only solution that will work is to use a Walter eyepiece: https://walterleica.com/

In case of astigmatism it may be helpful to turn the camera 90º to focus.

[david strachan]

I have full-time multifocal spectacles. They also correct my astigmatism. Being fairly soft framed they're able to "push" into eyepieces of binoculars, telescopes, cameras, etc. 

It's certainly easier than adapters, or putting on ones glasses, taking off, losing your specs, etc.

But i do see a day when auto focus will be handy.

...

[Edwin Ho]

Now that I have the Summarit 75mm f/2.4; I have tested it with and without the 1.25x magnifier.

I am able to focus easily without the magnifier. As some have suggested, I find that the resolution is reduced with the magnifier attached. BTW, I wear glasses with multifocal lens.