Megaperls 1.15x magnifier

[wlaidlaw]

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This is very interesting. Can you kindly explain how does one "'leap the point of focus into higher contrast" ?

 

I think I know what Michael was getting at. When the two images are exactly over each other, they suddenly become much clearer or it could seem that the contrast increases. I too use this for the final fine focus adjustment, when there is little to no split of the images but the image goes from soft to hard, as you pick up perfect focus. However, I find no difference whatsoever with or without a 1.15x magnifier, except that with a magnifier, the enlarged RF patch is easier to see. The downside on an M9 is that you lose a complete view of the 28mm framelines and have to peer around the VF to see them.

 

Wilson

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[leica007]

Thanks for the reply.

I think I've got it. I will experiment with this approach once my M8 returns from Solms.

 

But it sees that you don't recommend a 1.15x magnifier - right?

I don't have one, and was planning to buy one. Now, I will think twice or even abort that plan.

[wlaidlaw]

Thanks for the reply.

But it sees that you don't recommend a 1.15x magnifier - right?

 

Absolutely not. I left the Megaperls on my M8 100% of the time and now I have stolen it off my M8, to put on my M9. I find it invaluable at 50 mm or more to get accurate focus. I used to have a Leica 1.25x one but you cannot leave that on the whole time. The Megaperls one also has the advantage of variable diopter. I cannot for the life of me, think why Leica has not developed one of these. Fixed diopter lenses are a second best answer.

 

Wilson

[ChrisC]

... The Megaperls one also has the advantage of variable diopter. I cannot for the life of me, think why Leica has not developed one of these. Fixed diopter lenses are a second best answer.

 

Wilson - I think it's shameful that dioptre correction isn't built in to current Ms.

 

Megaperls is now trading as 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.......

 

In case there is any confusion due to the time span of this thread, the 1.15 magnifier is available again; I ordered one this week.

 

..................... Chris

[fotoism]

I agree the variable diopter adjustment is useful. I have used Leica's fixed diopter lens but it never seem quite exactly right for me.

As for the comment that the diopter ring gets loose and can move around through normal use, this is what I did:

I unscrewed the diopter ring out and wrapped a small piece of Teflon tape (e.g. Strip TEEZE, from plumbing stores) around the threads and then replaced it. The Teflon tape took up the small gap between the thread and provided a bit more friction to reduce the chance of the diopter ring from moving around. Since it is Teflon, even with the increased friction the diopter ring can still be turned smoothly for adjustment. You may need to try a couple times to get just the right amount of tape in there to achieve the kind of friction you want.

You will see part of the white tape showing afterward if you look from top down, but that will not affect viewing of the viewfinder. What I also did was putting a small black dot on the 12 o'clock position of the tape once I got the diopter setting to my liking, and that is my reference point. If the ring ever got moved I can quickly put it back to where it was supposed to be.

[Alice MacRae]

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.

Reminds me when buying an OEM version of Windows--legally only sold to OEMs and/or with a hardware. You want one? Some dealers would sell it to you together with extra screw/washer/orwhatnut (technically "hardware")!

[Arbo68]

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Did anyone tried out some of the 1,25x mangifiers offered by Hong Kong dealers in eBay? They look cheep (in all aspects...).

 

Best regards, Arndt

[wlaidlaw]

Did anyone tried out some of the 1,25x mangifiers offered by Hong Kong dealers in eBay? They look cheep (in all aspects...).

 

Best regards, Arndt

 

At that sort of price, I think it is worth a punt. I like that they do them in silver as well as black. It is not exactly cutting edge optics to make these.

 

Wilson

[Arbo68]

At that sort of price, I think it is worth a punt. I like that they do them in silver as well as black. It is not exactly cutting edge optics to make these.

 

Wilson

 

I just ordered one for ~35€ incl. shippment - and I will share my experiance after christmas :-)

[wlaidlaw]

I just ordered one for ~35€ incl. shippment - and I will share my experiance after christmas :-)

 

I hope they will start doing a 1.4x one, as that would be very useful on my 90 Elmarit and 135 Tele-Elmar, which I am using more now with the M9 than I was with the M8.

 

The other idea is that my other half is struggling to find an Xmas prezzie for me and I might suggest the Leica 1.4x one. The only downside is that when she sees what that cost, the next question is going to be "well if that little thing costs £200, how much did the M9 cost?" Ouch!

 

Wilson

[peterm1_Leica]

I have just bought a 1.15 magnifier from Japan Exposures (ex megaperls) and as it only arrived yesterday have not had time to assess it properly yet. But I can say it seems to function quite well. I previously had bought a 1.25 generic magnifier from eBay in the hope that this would do the trick but found I still needed glasses with it. Otherwise it worked well. One thing I tried last night with some success was trying both the 1.25 magnifier and the 1.15 magnifer inline (the 1.25 magnifier has threads for a separate diopter lens at the back so that is easy to do.)

 

This gives an image on an M8 that by my calculations is 0.98 size. It seems to work quite well and for frame lines of 50mm and longer all are readily visible. My plan at this time is to use both for longer lenses (giving the advantage of a longer effective baseline length and hence more accurate focussing with longer lenses.) I will then remove the 1.25 magnifier and use only the Japan one for wider lenses.

[Double Negative]

Ironic that this topic should get an update. I just finished writing an article yesterday on Viewfinder Magnifiers.

 

I have the 1.15x myself, and find it great - juuuust enough magnification to improve focus accuracy while not blocking out the widest framelines (too much, anyway). The variable diopter correction is the killer feature.

[Cyril Jayant]

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

.

 

 

Hello Art Your explanations is perfect and great. I have M8 and three lenses of which is

90 mm .Apo cron. which is very difficult to use with out a Magnifier. So your information is very helpful.

Thanks again

Cyril