Possible to have MP viewfinder upgraded from 0.72 to 0.85 afterwards?

[omega1848]

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Hi champs,

anyone knows if it is possible by Leica to have the original 0.72 viewfinder from a black MP being upgraded to an 0.85?
I know i should ask Leica directly, but therefore I need to wait until beginning of this week and it would be great if someone has any info before for buying decisions of an used one. Thanks so much in advance!

Edited July 17, 2021 by omega1848

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[Tom Johnston]

I seem to recall you used to be able to have this done...

I had DAG put an MP flare free finder in my M6 years ago. I imagine it might have to do with availability.

I have a chrome MP w .85 finder. I always thought it approximated the view of the M3 finder, 

[oldwino]

You can change the viewfinder magnification, remove framelines, add frames…the only limitation is money. 

[paddycook]

2 hours ago, oldwino said:

You can change the viewfinder magnification, remove framelines, add frames…the only limitation is money. 

Care to elaborate on who would do this type of change? I have an M-A I’d be interested in changing to an 0.85 finder. 

[oldwino]

Not sure where you are located...but in the USA Don (DAG Camera) would be the top choice.

[gabrielaszalos]

I asked Leica Customer Support if they can upgrade from .72 to .85 for me and they said yes and quoted a price which I forget. 

What boggles me is why not just ask Leica CS? Why post here?

[Mute-on]

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Have you considered a Leica viewfinder magnifier? There is 1.25x, which takes a 0.72 up to 0.90, and a 1.4x, which takes a 0.72 up to 1.0.

[Jon Warwick]

6 hours ago, Mute-on said:

Have you considered a Leica viewfinder magnifier? There is 1.25x, which takes a 0.72 up to 0.90, and a 1.4x, which takes a 0.72 up to 1.0.

Is there any benefit of an in-built 0.85x viewfinder .... vs 0.72x combined with (say) the 1.25x magnifier? Thinking is one clearer / brighter / sharper than the other?

I haven't used either, but am currently considering both options for my early-production M7 because I'm looking to have the viewfinder upgraded anyhow to the flare-free MP version. 

[a.noctilux]

1 hour ago, Jon Warwick said:

Is there any benefit of an in-built 0.85x viewfinder .... vs 0.72x combined with (say) the 1.25x magnifier? Thinking is one clearer / brighter / sharper than the other?

I haven't used either, but am currently considering both options for my early-production M7 because I'm looking to have the viewfinder upgraded anyhow to the flare-free MP version. 

I used x1.25 magnifier on 0.72 older M (M6/M4) before buying MP with x0.85 VF.

Thinking that this may be the same.

In real life use, it's very subtle to prefer one to another.

- the MP x0.85 is very clear and contrasty with breeze focussing with same lens

- while I take the M with 0.72 + 1.25x after using the MP 0.85, I admit some lost of clarity/contrast, but very usable (as I've done for years), with the protruding at rear VF

- what bothered me with MP x0.85 is lack of small things: the frame lines in 50/35 lost the bottom's about 60% (not easy to frame sometimes for me), no much out of field

in 35 mm and my Summilux-M 35mm asph. plus hood hide about 1/4 bottom/right of framing

- after that, for many years I had MP with 0.72 VF, and sometimes use the x1.25 mag. on it to see that this combination suited me better

...

- now I don't have MP anymore 'replaced' from 2014 by two M-A 0.72 with all complete framelines and when I use x1.25 mag on it, very clear view as the VF of M-A (so MP) clarity/contrast is better than my older M (6/4/etc.).

[Vlad Soare]

Having been spoilt by the 1x viewfinder of my Bessa R3M, I've been toying with the idea of sending my M-A to Leica to have its viewfinder upgraded to 0.85x. But the trouble is, I would probably lose the 35 mm framelines (or maybe not exactly lose them, but they would most probably become next to unusable). And that's a price I'm not willing to pay.
So now I'm thinking of getting a magnifier to use with my 75 mm lens. This would not only increase the focusing accuracy, but maybe it would also make those stupid points that pass for 75 mm "framelines" a bit more visible. But I'm not sure which one to get - the 1.25x or the 1.4x. On one hand, the bigger the magnification, the better. On the other hand, the 1.4x is bigger (which may or may not bother me, I have no way of knowing before I actually buy it), more expensive, and perhaps also a bit dimmer. So, being unable to make a decision, I'll probably end up not doing anything at all and just using the camera as it is. 😁

Edited July 26, 2021 by Vlad Soare

[a.noctilux]

Vlad, do you have difficulty to focus ( let alone the 'invisible 75 framelines ) with your M-A +75mm ?

I had for a time x1.4 mag., not very useful, protruding far behind the VF and sometimes hurt my eye more than x1.25.

Benefit of the "best VF" of M-A is in median distance (to 3-4m), the focussing with Summilux-M 75mm can be done with confidence.

Under 3m, with care I can focus well enough without mag., so now I don't use the x1.25 with M-A for about six months.

 

Another thing to consider is trying a weak dioptre correction (+ or - 0.5), if the focussing is fussy.

[Vlad Soare]

1 hour ago, a.noctilux said:

Vlad, do you have difficulty to focus ( let alone the 'invisible 75 framelines ) with your M-A +75mm ?

I don't know yet. I've yet to develop my first film shot with the M-A and the 75 mm Nokton lens.
I took several pictures at f/1.5 at, or close to, its minimum focusing distance. If everything turns out fine, then I probably won't bother with a magnifier. We'll see...
My eyesight is still good, and I can see the focus patch nice and clear. I'm just not sure if two images that seem to be correctly superimposed at 0.72x are indeed correctly superimposed (or at least close enough for a 75 mm lens lens that's used wide open at close range). But who knows, maybe I'm worrying for nothing. We'll see.

 

Edited July 26, 2021 by Vlad Soare

[Phil_P]

On 7/25/2021 at 10:42 AM, gabrielaszalos said:

 

What boggles me is why not just ask Leica CS? Why post here?

Didn't he explain plus this may well also be of interest to others...... which surely is what forums are all about. Particularly as it will no doubt generate, as it has already done so, some of the pros and cons and alternatives. For those not interested in the subject it can be avoided as the thread title gives one a pretty good heads up

[omega1848]

Indeed, thanks for jumping in, in addition to that, sometimes you get also an info from Leica customer service which was meant to be correct, but is not or only under special circumstances which they didn‘t explained you on the phone or you misunderstood, therefore to have first hand experiences always helps…IMHO