How good is the M-A’s viewfinder?

[BjarniM]

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I’m always seeking to try equipment before I buy, but this time my dealer can’t show me and let me try it before buying, because he doesn’t have it.

I’m quite interesting in buying a factory new M-A, and the only thing that’s holding me back is because I can’t try looking through the viewfinder first.

I have a M6, M246 and a M10. All have decent viewfinders execpt M6, which flares too much for my taste.

Just how good is the M-A’s viewfinder? How bright? How easy to focus with? How bright is it? How well calibrated are they in general?

I would love to hear some user experiences since I will not be able to try the camera before buying it

Edited August 18, 2020 by BjarniM

[a.noctilux]

Hello,

in my everyday use, M-A has the best VF of all film M that I use for decades.

Contrast is the best of all, so focussing is the easiest.

Comparing with M10, a bit less comfort for the eye relief a very bit "shorter/narrower" (12mm for M-A, 14mm on M10 ).

In real use, I appreciate the full-time seeing frame lines on M-A, and "complete frame lines" not too bright in dim situation.

50/75 with only tiny corners of '75' in M-A can be a plus or minus depending on if one is 75mm user or not.

[logan2z]

Great VF, very easy to focus with and no flare in my experience. 

If there are any reasons not to buy an M-A (and I can't think of one), concerns over the quality of the VF isn't one of them.  

[Jeff S]

As an aside, Leica (as well as some third party repairers like DAG) used to offer service to reduce M6 VF flare.  Don’t know current status or cost.

Jeff

[logan2z]

1 minute ago, Jeff S said:

As an aside, Leica (as well as some third party repairers like DAG) used to offer service to reduce M6 VF flare.  Don’t know current status or cost.

Jeff

I'm not sure how DAG fixed the flare in the M6 finder, but I believe that the M-A/MP finder can be installed in an M6 which gives one the latest non-flare finder. 

[Jeff S]

I don’t know either, but might warrant some research by the OP if it’s of interest.

Jeff

[TomB_tx]

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DAG upgraded my M6 finder with both the “flare-fix” parts and new multi coated windows (although he said the new windows were not that much of an improvement). It REALLY improved the M6, which I’ve had since 1985. 

[Guest]

Echoing the comments above about how good it is. No different to the MP (apart from simpler frame lines and no distracting red lights), but the MP's is great too. Oddly I don't find the M10's to be better, either eye relief or general clarity wise. In fact, it appears the M10 uses a slightly different fixed diopter (if that's the right word?) setting, because it's less clear than the film cameras using my normal distance glasses (and actually slightly better with my reading glasses, which isn't really any good to me). I guess I could experiment with an additional diopter, but that will reduce eye relief even further of course (and I can barely see the 35mm lines as it is).

[shirubadanieru]

I’ve owned all M film camera models, and by far the M-A is way better than M6. Here’s how I’d rate it:

1) M3 & M2 (depending if you are a 50mm or a 35mm person)
2) M4
3) M-A
4) MP
5) M6

Compared to digital, I’d rate it similarly / a bit better than the M10 perhaps? Simply due to the frame lines being better on the M-A. 
 

[Guest]

I just bought a new MA a couple of weeks ago, I own a M7 with a .58 VF and I also own three M10 variants........I fully agree with Arnaud's review copied below:

 

in my everyday use, M-A has the best VF of all film M that I use for decades.

Contrast is the best of all, so focussing is the easiest.

Comparing with M10, a bit less comfort for the eye relief a very bit "shorter/narrower" (12mm for M-A, 14mm on M10 ).

In real use, I appreciate the full-time seeing frame lines on M-A, and "complete frame lines" not too bright in dim situation.

50/75 with only tiny corners of '75' in M-A can be a plus or minus depending on if one is 75mm user or not.

[kivis]

How good is the VF on the M-A?

Damn Good!!!

[Huss]

I made the VF in my M-A even better by having DAG remove the 75mm frame lines.  So the 50mm view is completely uncluttered.  He also did the same for my M7, MP and M5 (which had the MP frame set)

[archive_all]

On 8/23/2020 at 11:17 AM, shirubadanieru said:

I’ve owned all M film camera models, and by far the M-A is way better than M6. Here’s how I’d rate it:

1) M3 & M2 (depending if you are a 50mm or a 35mm person)
2) M4
3) M-A
4) MP
5) M6

Compared to digital, I’d rate it similarly / a bit better than the M10 perhaps? Simply due to the frame lines being better on the M-A. 
 

I don't have experience with all of those cameras but I got to use an M-A (was thinking of buying one) and own an M2 with multicoated windows and aside from flare I would say my M2 is on par with the M-A. The M-A is warmer where my M2 has a cooler view. Brightness was the same for both so not sure I'd say the new cameras are any brighter.