M Magnifier 1.25 x on a M10 and/or M10-R

[BjarniM]

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I do experience a little bit of trouble nailing the focus with my Summilux-M 50mm f/1.4 wide open, and I am not willing to use the Visoflex on the M10-R since this undermines the whole feeling for me shooting with the M-series.

Hence, I am thinking if the Magnifier 1.25 x can be a solution. Unfortunately, there are no Leica stores in my area who has it in store, so I can try it before buying, so I have to rely on the things I read online before ordering it and it is not returnable.

I use mainly 35 and 50mm lenses, both Summilux.

1. How visible are the frame-lines for 35mm and (also for the 50mm) the light meter in the bottom when the Magnifier 1.25 x is attached?

2. Can you share some thoughts about the shooting experience with the Magnifier 1.25 x mounted on the M10-R when used with 35 and 50mm?

3. If I do understand Leica right, I have to mount the 24001 thread adapter since the diameter of the magnifier does not fit right on the M10-R eypiece. Is this correct?

3. If yes to #3. Does anyone in this forum have a photo of the magnifier fitted with the thread adapter on the M10-R or a M10?

4: If yes to #3. How is the experience with this construction?

Thanks in advance for your answers

[jakontil]

1. It’s stretching to the edge for the 35mm frame line, and im wearing glasses, and it’s comfortable still with the 50mm, but your mileage might vary

2. the experience is great, im used with 1.4x which actually better suited for 50mm and longer, but damning for 35mm since frame line is hardly visible, but definitely nailing focus is much improved, however since i use 35mm sparingly, the 1.25x is more practical and i have no problem nailing focus with it either. As for the lightmeter shouldnt be a problem since i relied on it heavily, always shoot in manual exposures all the time

3. Yes 

4. Equally as good as it wasnt there, very solid 

[jgeenen]

I had the 1,25x magnifier on my M (Type 240). It is the same magnifier (therefore the screw-in adaptor for the M10). My personal experience:

1. Wearing glasses, I already have difficulties to see all 35mm frame lines at the same time without magnifier. With the magnifier, this is even more pronounced. I had no problems to see the light meter. I personally sold the magnifier due to the frame line limitations.

2. Although the magnifier improves visibility of patch alignment in the view finder, I did not find focussing accuracy (measured by number of misses and keepers with and without adaptor) significantly better under normal conditions for 35 and 50mm lenses. It was helpful for the 90mm lens and close focussing distances.

3.-5. I have not tested it, but it seems correct according to everything I've read. 

At the end, I found the magnifier slowed down my photography process and did not significantly improve the rate of keepers. As it made composition more difficult for 35mm lenses I ended up in using the adaptor only for 75 and 90mm lenses.

Johannes

[dugby]

I also found my Summilux-M ASPH 50 mm sometimes tougher to nail the focus, so I needed to check for front or rear focus using the Lenscal Spyder

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Edited September 8, 2023 by dugby
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[Jeff S]

A magnifier will magnify any eye issues (astigmatism, etc), and will likely reduce viewing contrast.  My 1.25x magnifier was relegated to a drawer many years ago.  I updated my eyeglass prescription, got thinner and more flexible frames, and eventually added a +.5 diopter based on experimentation using free trial diopters at my local optician.  

Oh, and be sure camera and lens(es) are optimally calibrated.

Jeff

Edited September 8, 2023 by Jeff S

[PCPix]

On 9/8/2023 at 9:00 AM, BjarniM said:

3. If I do understand Leica right, I have to mount the 24001 thread adapter since the diameter of the magnifier

Yes. You can mount it on the body or on the magnifier. If you leave the adapter on the body it reduces the diameter of the camera eyepiece so best to mount on the magnifier (screwed on tight) and leave it there - because when the magnifier (with adapter) are removed, the eyepiece on the camera reverts to it’s full diameter (one of the improvements of the more recent cameras). 

I use the 1.25x occasionally with a 75/2 and it is helpful - the 50/75 framelines are nicely magnified (also 90 and 135), but most importantly the rangefinder patch is bigger and does help accuracy with focus. I never tried using it with the 35 as the framelines are really at the extreme edge and require moving the eye around to see the edges (and that’s without glasses).

I did get the 1.4x initially, but it was too much and felt more like ‘looking into a tunnel’ - so changed to the 1.25x. 

Other considerations:

It sticks out from the body which may or may not bother you when the camera is slung over your shoulder 

It has a rubber edge, so gentle on your glasses if you wear them 

Comes with a tiny leather never-ready case to thread through your strap, with a retaining string - if having it with you at all times is important…;-)

A very well made little accessory which I have in my bag at all times….

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Edited September 9, 2023 by PCPix

[jaapv]

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The 50 Summilux asph is notorious for slightly inaccurate focus due to the exceedingly narrow tolerances, especially at shorter focus distance. I would have the lens calibrated first.
 

The problem with a magnifier is that it indeed lengthens the rangefinder base which can be useful for longer lenses but it also magnifies existing errors. It is really only meant for 90 and 135 lenses. For a 50 one should  check for calibration, lens and camera, diopter mismatch and unnoticed eye problems (astigmatism !) first. Otherwise the drawbacks (contrast loss, loss of eye relief) will negate any gain. 

[IkarusJohn]

I started with the 1.25x magnifier, and it wasn’t enough for me.

I use the 1.4x magnifier on my Monochrom, with my 50mm and 75mm lenses.  For 35mm and 28mm, I unscrew it, and for 21, I use the external optical viewfinder.  The magnifier lives in its little leather case on the camera strap (very convenient). The rubber ring on the magnifier is long gone (if I ever visit Wetzlar, I’ll ask them to fit another one).

I don’t use the magifier on my M10-D as I don’t have the screw in adapter.  If Ineed magification, the Visoflex is more effective.

I hope this helps.  The 1.4x magnifier is a great little aid, but I wouldn’t use it on the newer eye-relief viewfinder on the M10 based cameras.