Diopter required? What strength?

[Loomis77]

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Hello all

I have recently been prescribed varifocal glasses and am wondering about whether I need a diopter for my M262. I am long sighted (right eye +1.75 and additional reading of +0.75; left eye +1.25 and additional reading of +0.75) and tend to shoot with my left eye or both. I have asked my optician the question what do I require for a correct adjustment at a distance of 2 metres and explained that the camera is at -0.5 already and she thought a diopter of either +1.5 or +2.0, i.e. equating to my reading prescription. I purchased one each of these from Leica but have sent them back because I am not sure they are the answer. To be honest, there is a vast array of information on various fora which I still find to be inconclusive!

It may be that I need to learn to shoot with my glasses on but thought I would ask the question here!

Many thanks in advance and apologies if you read this and roll your eyes at another newcomer’s question! 

All the best

Ben

[jankap]

Why don't you take the camera with you to the optician and test there for the best strength. Varifocal glasses with the camera could be difficult. I have always used single strength glasses and I have no M.

PS A distance of 2 meter is like descending a staircase, not very far. I would tend to choose an adjustment for infinity. Your camera with an OVF (optical view finder) is adjusted for infinity. Is not that -0.5 to correct the viewfinder to infinity for the not specs wearing users? 

Edited April 14, 2021 by jankap

[marchyman]

I have no issues using glasses with progressive lenses with my M 262.   That said I do use a 1.25 viewfinder magnifier when I have the 75mm lens on the camera.

[Peter Kilmister]

If it is any help, I am longsighted. I use +3 or +3.5 lenses for reading. I use +1.5 dioptres on both my Leica M cameras. Let's face it, as I understand the physics, anything further than 135 metres away will be in focus with any lens up to 135mm.

[Jeff S]

In the US, one can usually find a local optician that has free trial diopters.  I brought my camera to one in my neighborhood and figured out what works best for me in a matter of minutes.  Better to try than to do math IMO.  Good dealers (like Leica Miami) will also ship multiple diopters and allow easy return for ones that don't suit.

I still wear glasses to correct for astigmatism (very important to address with RF focusing) as well as for distance.  But adding a +.5 diopter further optimizes viewing for me.  Fortunately I can see the focus patch clearly as well as distant objects, both with my eye to the VF or just walking around.  I don't like having to take my glasses on and off to use my camera, and I don't like contact lenses. And I need sunglasses in daylight for light sensitivity (helps prevent cataracts, too).  

Point is, we're all different, with different eye issues and comfort preferences.

Jeff

 

Edited April 15, 2021 by Jeff S

[Loomis77]

Many thanks for your sage advice, all.

All the best

Ben