ArtZ Posted August 21, 2007 Share #1 Posted August 21, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) I just wanted to tell you I've been testing the two goodies (1.15x and 1.35x magnifiers) I got yesterday from Japan. The 1.15x magnifier is ABSOLUTELY great on the M8. Is very thin (about 2.5mm) and the M8 viewfinder becomes 0.78x. Even with the APO 2/90 I have no problems to focus correctly! I have also tried the Leica 1.25x + the 1.15x together and this combination is just fantastic under difficult light. I have also tried the 1.35x magnifier. I was upset that 28mm frame will be unusable. In fact, it works great with a 28mm lens. The most interesting thing about these magnifiers is dioptric correction is included. I have lost three times the 99€ +1 diopter from the Leica 1.25x. Well, if you want to spend some euros/dollars... I do recommend you this tiny and smart goodie. You can get it at Megaperls (Megaperls Webshop - Films and more directly from Japan). Dirk Rösler, from Megaperls, is a very nice guy (dirk@unicircuits.com) Cheers . Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted August 21, 2007 Posted August 21, 2007 Hi ArtZ, Take a look here Megaperls 1.15x magnifier. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
TEBnewyork Posted August 21, 2007 Share #2 Posted August 21, 2007 Thanks Art, I just ordered the 1.35x yesterday. I currently don't use a 28 lens so for the moment I guess I am OK. Good to know that the 1.15 works well. I have not been able to locate the Leica 1.25 (from a dealer not ebay). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
fordfanjpn Posted August 21, 2007 Share #3 Posted August 21, 2007 I have the 1.15x magnifier and love it. It is on my camera to stay (unless I get the 1.35x too). After spending half an hour in the Leica store trying different fixed diopters, and still not being able to decide which one worked best for me, it is a real pleasure to have the adjustable diopter on the 1.15x magnifier. And considering that the Leica magnifier is about $300 here, and the diopter is about $80, the Megaperls magnifier/diopter is a real bargain. Bill Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guy_mancuso Posted August 21, 2007 Share #4 Posted August 21, 2007 Yea but we can't them here . Bummer like to try it. The 1.15 sounds like i may be able to see a 24mm Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArtZ Posted August 21, 2007 Author Share #5 Posted August 21, 2007 And considering that the Leica magnifier is about $300 here, and the diopter is about $80, the Megaperls magnifier/diopter is a real bargain. Bill Prices in Europe are 295 Euro (400 USD) for the Leica magnifier and 99 Euro (135 USD) for the diopter! I used to have always on the camera the Leica 1.25x with the diopter but after a while the diopter gets unscrewed (I've lost 3 in this way). If you screw it harder, when you want to remove it, a part of the magnifier comes with the diopter (and it's a real mess to repair!) I found with 1.35x you must correct often the dioptric correction because the outer part of the magnifier moves with normal use, hence there's also a risk of getting it completely unscrewed and losing it. From now on, I will leave the 1.15x on the camera and the 1.35x just for when I need it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArtZ Posted August 21, 2007 Author Share #6 Posted August 21, 2007 The 1.15 sounds like i may be able to see a 24mm Guy, it works perfect with a 24mm. Maybe you can order it from someone who lives in Japan. I could order one here and send it to you afterwards but it sounds a bit complicated. There're some japanese guys on this forum... Regards . Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimcollum Posted August 21, 2007 Share #7 Posted August 21, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) Guy, it works perfect with a 24mm. Maybe you can order it from someone who lives in Japan. I could order one here and send it to you afterwards but it sounds a bit complicated. There're some japanese guys on this forum... Regards . the restriction on buying it from the US or Germany is only if you plan on using it on a Leica rangefinder. If you plan on using it on some other gear (binoculars, Nikon camera with makeshift adapter, telescopes, misc optical gear), and say so when you purchase it, then there's no problem. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lenjh Posted August 22, 2007 Share #8 Posted August 22, 2007 Miguel - First I apologize as I have my first Leica and am not thoroughly familar with the magnificer and ratios, etc. Would either of this work with the 75 lux and M8? Regards, Leonardo Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArtZ Posted August 22, 2007 Author Share #9 Posted August 22, 2007 Miguel - First I apologize as I have my first Leica and am not thoroughly familar with the magnificer and ratios, etc. Would either of this work with the 75 lux and M8? Regards, Leonardo Leonardo, the magnifier affects only what you see in the viewfinder. When you use a lens with a focal distance equal or bigger than 50mm, to have a magnifier will help you to focus better. It's like if you have a small magnifying glass. You will see better the area of the viewfinder you use to focus your subjet. With the M7 the viewfinder is 0.72x (with 'Leica à la carte' you can get alternative viewfinder magnifications of 0.85x and 0.58x). The M8 has a viewfinder of 0.68x. This means that a standard M7 has more magnification than the M8 (0.72x vs 0.68x), so it's easier to use a lens with more focal distance on the M7. If you order a M7 'à la carte' with a viewfinder of 0.85x, it will be even easier. But if you order a M7 with 0.58x it will be more difficult. On the other side, with the 0.58x you will see more on your viewfinder. This is very handy if you mainly use wide angle lenses. As the M8 viewfinder is 0.68x if you add a magnifier 1.15x your viewfinder becomes 0.78x; if you add a (Leica) 1.25x, your viewfinder becomes 0.85x and, finally, if you add a 1.35x magnifier, your viewfinder becomes 0.92x. With a 135mm lens you can even use two magnifiers together: 1.25x + 1.15x (your viewfinder becomes 0.98x) or even 1.25x + 1.35x (your viewfinder becomes 1.15x). With a magnifier 1.15x you can see all frames (24*/28/35/50/75/90) With a magnifier 1.25x you can see frames for 28*/35/50/75/90 With a magnifier 1.35x you can see frames for 28*/35/50/75/90 * you must move a bit your eye around the viewfinder to see the frame but it's not a big problem. I find very useful to have a 1.15x or 1.25x magnifier because it makes easier to focus correctly with any lens. For the 70/90/135mm lenses is highly recommended to use a magnifier. Bigger is the focal distance = more need to use a magnifier. I dont know if I explain this correctly. I try to make it as cleas as I could. Regards . Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
grdglass Posted August 22, 2007 Share #10 Posted August 22, 2007 Leonardo, the magnifier affects only what you see in the viewfinder. When you use a lens with a focal distance equal or bigger than 50mm, to have a magnifier will help you to focus better. It's like if you have a small magnifying glass. You will see better the area of the viewfinder you use to focus your subjet. With the M7 the viewfinder is 0.72x (with 'Leica à la carte' you can get alternative viewfinder magnifications of 0.85x and 0.58x). The M8 has a viewfinder of 0.68x. This means that a standard M7 has more magnification than the M8 (0.72x vs 0.68x), so it's easier to use a lens with more focal distance on the M7. If you order a M7 'à la carte' with a viewfinder of 0.85x, it will be even easier. But if you order a M7 with 0.58x it will be more difficult. On the other side, with the 0.58x you will see more on your viewfinder. This is very handy if you mainly use wide angle lenses. As the M8 viewfinder is 0.68x if you add a magnifier 1.15x your viewfinder becomes 0.78x; if you add a (Leica) 1.25x, your viewfinder becomes 0.85x and, finally, if you add a 1.35x magnifier, your viewfinder becomes 0.92x. With a 135mm lens you can even use two magnifiers together: 1.25x + 1.15x (your viewfinder becomes 0.98x) or even 1.25x + 1.35x (your viewfinder becomes 1.15x). With a magnifier 1.15x you can see all frames (24*/28/35/50/75/90) With a magnifier 1.25x you can see frames for 28*/35/50/75/90 With a magnifier 1.35x you can see frames for 28*/35/50/75/90 * you must move a bit your eye around the viewfinder to see the frame but it's not a big problem. I find very useful to have a 1.15x or 1.25x magnifier because it makes easier to focus correctly with any lens. For the 70/90/135mm lenses is highly recommended to use a magnifier. Bigger is the focal distance = more need to use a magnifier. I dont know if I explain this correctly. I try to make it as cleas as I could. Regards . Manuel, Your explanation is as clear as it gets. Wonderful! Helene Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lenjh Posted August 22, 2007 Share #11 Posted August 22, 2007 Manuel, Thank you very much your explanation was quite clear and I appreciate the time you took to explain this to me. Kind Regards, Leonardo Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kaaskop Posted March 15, 2009 Share #12 Posted March 15, 2009 Manuel, I know you posted this a long time ago, but it was the most helpful information I've had yet. Cheers, roelof Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobertW Posted March 15, 2009 Share #13 Posted March 15, 2009 Megaperls is now trading as Japan Exposures... Megaperls is now Japan Exposures | japan exposures I was fortunate to pick up one of the last 1.15x magnifiers. However they still have the larger sizes with the built in diopter adjustment feature. Best Rob Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArtZ Posted March 15, 2009 Author Share #14 Posted March 15, 2009 Manuel, Your explanation is as clear as it gets. Wonderful! Helene Thank you PS: Besides, Mr. Dirk Rösler from Japan Exposures is a nice guy to deal with (but keep it secret!) ArtZ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MPerson Posted March 15, 2009 Share #15 Posted March 15, 2009 I used to have always on the camera the Leica 1.25x with the diopter but after a while the diopter gets unscrewed (I've lost 3 in this way). If you screw it harder, when you want to remove it, a part of the magnifier comes with the diopter (and it's a real mess to repair!) Use a dab of nail polish on the thread. Did mine a couple of years ago and it has never dropped off. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Posted March 15, 2009 Share #16 Posted March 15, 2009 Use a dab of nail polish on the thread. Did mine a couple of years ago and it has never dropped off. How do you focus it if you nail polish the threads solid? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mweiner Posted March 19, 2009 Share #17 Posted March 19, 2009 I have been playing around with and without various magnifiers and my experience contradicts my beliefs. As everyone agrees here, I have always believed that a magnifier was very helpful for the longer lenses -- the longer the lens the stronger magnifier. I have 2 M8 bodies and therefore 2 of the leica 1.25 magnifiers which I use with the leica diopter correcting disks. I also have a 1.15 megaperls with the built in diopter correction and have used the megaperls 1.35 (until it fell apart). I recently read on this forum that the 'leaping' of the point of focus into higher contrast gave more accurate focus than lining up split edges. I have also read here that the more glass, esp optically suboptimal glass added to the view finder, the poorer the contrast. Then I noticed that I was actually able to focus more easily with the megaperls 1.15 than the leica 1.25 or the megaperls 1.35. Consequently, I decided just for fun to try using only the diopter correction disk and no magnifier. Contrary to my expectation and the experience of everyone else in this thread, the 'leaping' of the focal point into higher contrast was much more striking without any magnifier, and this makes focusing -- for me at least -- much quicker and more precise regardless of how small and unmagnified the object on which I am attempting to focus. I have found this holds true in high and low light and at distances from the ideal portrait distances of 6-10 feet to at least 30 feet. I have checked the results with my 75 f2 AA and am getting easier, more accurate focus at both 7ft and 25 ft. I would be interested in hearing what others find doing similar trials to help me decide if I am loosing my mind. Michael Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArtZ Posted March 19, 2009 Author Share #18 Posted March 19, 2009 I have been playing around with and without various magnifiers and my experience contradicts my beliefs. As everyone agrees here, I have always believed that a magnifier was very helpful for the longer lenses -- the longer the lens the stronger magnifier. I have 2 M8 bodies and therefore 2 of the leica 1.25 magnifiers which I use with the leica diopter correcting disks. I also have a 1.15 megaperls with the built in diopter correction and have used the megaperls 1.35 (until it fell apart). I recently read on this forum that the 'leaping' of the point of focus into higher contrast gave more accurate focus than lining up split edges. I have also read here that the more glass, esp optically suboptimal glass added to the view finder, the poorer the contrast. Then I noticed that I was actually able to focus more easily with the megaperls 1.15 than the leica 1.25 or the megaperls 1.35. Consequently, I decided just for fun to try using only the diopter correction disk and no magnifier. Contrary to my expectation and the experience of everyone else in this thread, the 'leaping' of the focal point into higher contrast was much more striking without any magnifier, and this makes focusing -- for me at least -- much quicker and more precise regardless of how small and unmagnified the object on which I am attempting to focus. I have found this holds true in high and low light and at distances from the ideal portrait distances of 6-10 feet to at least 30 feet. I have checked the results with my 75 f2 AA and am getting easier, more accurate focus at both 7ft and 25 ft. I would be interested in hearing what others find doing similar trials to help me decide if I am loosing my mind. Michael Michael, I agree with your points... but... with some reserves, especially concerning the 1.15x which is the best option IMHO I've been using (like you) different magnifiers on my both M8. I have a Leica 1.25x and two Megaperls: a 1.15x and a 1.35x. I always have the 1.15x in one body and I used to have other magnifier in the second body. At the end (it's the actual configuration), I kept the 1.15x in one body but, in the second body, I have replaced the Leica / Megaperls magnifiers by a +1.5 diopter correction which is +0.25 more than what I have in my glasses (+1.25) for long distance view. Using the +1.5 diopter correction makes focusing quicker and more accurate than with the magnifiers 1.25x or 1.35x, but I still prefer the 1.15x magnifier than the diopter correction. I have tried also with +1 diopter correction and +2 diopter correction. +1 is not good +2 is good only when the subject is away more than 3m. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wlaidlaw Posted March 19, 2009 Share #19 Posted March 19, 2009 Yea but we can't them here . Bummer like to try it. The 1.15 sounds like i may be able to see a 24mm Guy, Depends if you wear glasses or not for the 1.15x. Without glasses, you can just see the 24 frame but with glasses it is very difficult The 28 frame can easily be seen without glasses and reasonably seen with glasses on. Mine stays on 100% of the time. I could not live with taking the 1.25X I had, off and on. It was always on when I needed it off and vice versa. Wilson Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
leica007 Posted December 6, 2009 Share #20 Posted December 6, 2009 I recently read on this forum that the 'leaping' of the point of focus into higher contrast gave more accurate focus than lining up split edges. .... the 'leaping' of the focal point into higher contrast was much more striking without any magnifier, and this makes focusing -- for me at least -- much quicker and more precise regardless of how small and unmagnified the object on which I am attempting to focus. I have found this holds true in high and low light and at distances from the ideal portrait distances of 6-10 feet to at least 30 feet. I have checked the results with my 75 f2 AA and am getting easier, more accurate focus at both 7ft and 25 ft. Michael This is very interesting. Can you kindly explain how does one "'leap the point of focus into higher contrast" ? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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