psss Posted November 24, 2007 Share #1 Posted November 24, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) does anyone have any experience with the 1.25 viewfinders offered on ebay? the non original leica ones? the leica viewfinder is hard to find and goes for 300+ now, the ones on ebay are 50$......i know what you are saying you get what you pay for, but i don't seee why these would not work..... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted November 24, 2007 Posted November 24, 2007 Hi psss, Take a look here 1.25 viewfinder magnifier. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
MJones Posted November 24, 2007 Share #2 Posted November 24, 2007 I can't compare to the Leica version b/c never tried the lEica one. But the less expensive 3rd party one at $50 (or whatever it was) has been great. Not sure how it would be improved - at least not worth the price difference for improvement and probably nothing I'd even notice if compared side by side (that's what I tell myself). I wished I had ordered 2 on ebay and saved on shipping. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marknorton Posted November 24, 2007 Share #3 Posted November 24, 2007 They work fine except if you wear glasses, they are more likely to scratch your lenses. I got round that by sticking a neoprene rubber washer onto it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
doubice Posted November 24, 2007 Share #4 Posted November 24, 2007 I bought the 1.25x magnifier from HK Supplies (eBay name etefore) and sold it within a few weeks. I found that the contrast of the RF image was reduced and I did not like how far it stuck out from the back of the body - you don't really notice it from the picture in the auction. Also, had problems seeing not only the 24mm frame, but also the 28mm one - even without glasses. I replaced it with the 1.15x magnifier from Megapearls and am happy. The Megapearls finder has a diopter adjustment and is about the size of the Leica magnifier, not sticking out of the body as far as the HK finder. The Megapearls magnifier costs about US$150.00 though, but I feel it is worh it. "Your mileage might vary"....... Best, Jan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marknorton Posted November 24, 2007 Share #5 Posted November 24, 2007 Jan, I think you were wrong to expect to be able to still see the 24 and 28 mm frames. All the frames appear larger and the widest frames are then outside the (now reduced) field of view. I think the magnifier is best used with 50mm and above, though some claim it works for them with 35mm, not for me, if I want to see the 35mm frame. For critical focussing, on a 75mm Summilux and APO 90 Summicron, I have stacked them to give 1.56x. Sure the image contrast goes down but there's a good view of the rangefinder patch. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stunsworth Posted November 24, 2007 Share #6 Posted November 24, 2007 Hi Mark, I guess it's a personal thing, I use it with a 35mm and think it works fime - but then I don't wear glasses when I'm shooting, I use a diopter lens (which the supplier I bought mine from can also supply if you don't already have a Leica one as I had). Speaking of diopters, I had planned to get a magnifier with diopter adjustment built in, but then I began to wonder what I would do with the existing diopter lens while I was shooting? It's so small that it could easily be lost. So in the end I settled for a magnifier without diopter adjustment and the lens stays in the safest place, the back of the magnifier. Removing it from the viewfinder is a little inconvenient, but I would have to do that no matter what the magnifier. The quality of the magnifier I bought is high, with coated optics. It doesn't appear to distort the view noticeably. If also came with a small leather case that can clip onto the camera strap. All in all I've been very pleased with the purchase. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted November 24, 2007 Share #7 Posted November 24, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) Wher did you get your diopter, Steve? I;ve been waiting for a second Leica one for half a year now and would happily cancel that order in favor of a slightly faster delivered one. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
germanlaws Posted November 24, 2007 Share #8 Posted November 24, 2007 It works indeed fine, I use it with every Lens, from the VC 28 up to the elmarit 135. But be carefull, if you wear glasses, as the Original it scratches your plastik glasses. I covered it with "Schrumpfschlauch" (that is a plastic-coat that gets smaller, when you heat it). there is a thread here anywhere). lg Dieter Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stunsworth Posted November 24, 2007 Share #9 Posted November 24, 2007 Hi Jaap, bought it from HK supplies - see link below for a current auction with buy it now for $47... 1.25x Viewfinder Magnifier for Leica M6/M7/MP/M8 Black on eBay, also For 35mm Rangefinder, Camera Body Accessories, Film Camera Accessories, Cameras Photo (end time 25-Nov-07 19:42:58 GMT) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rolo Posted November 24, 2007 Share #10 Posted November 24, 2007 Wher did you get your diopter, Steve? I;ve been waiting for a second Leica one for half a year now and would happily cancel that order in favor of a slightly faster delivered one. My 1.35 Megapearls magnifier arrived this week after a 2 month wait. I was kept informed whilst Dirk was waitng for stock to arrive. The unit is nicely made, although the diopter lens is free to rotate, well actualy .... it's not any longer. The lens is clear and whilst it seems to expand the 35mm lens frame within the viewfinder, the frame lines are still visible. It seems to make a significant difference to focus and I hope to confirm this over the next few days. It cost £75 and I'm pleased i've bought it. (P.S. I'm using it on an MP). Rolo Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
carstenw Posted November 24, 2007 Share #11 Posted November 24, 2007 "Schrumpfschlauch" (that is a plastic-coat that gets smaller, when you heat it). ("Shrinkwrap" in English.) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
benkelley Posted November 24, 2007 Share #12 Posted November 24, 2007 I just got one of the hksuplies 1.25x magnifiers... I'm very happy with it, nothing to complain about. It arrived pretty quickly, too, less than two weeks from purchase to my doorstep. I don't wear glasses thus can't speak to that aspect. Has anyone ever piggybacked two of these for working with a 90 or a 75? Hmmm... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
doubice Posted November 24, 2007 Share #13 Posted November 24, 2007 Jan, I think you were wrong to expect to be able to still see the 24 and 28 mm frames. All the frames appear larger and the widest frames are then outside the (now reduced) field of view. I think the magnifier is best used with 50mm and above, though some claim it works for them with 35mm, not for me, if I want to see the 35mm frame. For critical focussing, on a 75mm Summilux and APO 90 Summicron, I have stacked them to give 1.56x. Sure the image contrast goes down but there's a good view of the rangefinder patch. Mark, I did not expect to be able to see the 24mm frame but, hoped to be able to see the 28mm (and did expect difficulty even there). Taking the magnifier on and off constantly when changing lenses seemed inconvenient to me. My eyesight is still pretty good and I don't wear glasses but for future's sake decided to get the Megapearls magnifier with the built-in diopter adjustment. Since the magnification is 'only' 1.15x, I find it increases focusing accuracy adequately (0.68 x 1.15 = 0.78) and still allows me to see the 24mm frame - thus it can stay on the camera permanently. Best, Jan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iron Flatline Posted November 24, 2007 Share #14 Posted November 24, 2007 I thought I'd save a lot of money and buy the HK (etefore) one... instead of saving $200, I scratched up a $500 pair of glasses beyond use. Caveat Emptor. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jedi996sps Posted November 24, 2007 Share #15 Posted November 24, 2007 I also have just recieved the megapearls 1.35 magnifier. Appears to work really well and am really pleased with it. At some point i will probably glue fixed the diopter adjustment so it does not inadvertantly rotate. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philippe D. Posted November 24, 2007 Share #16 Posted November 24, 2007 I also have just recieved the megapearls 1.35 magnifier. Appears to work really well and am really pleased with it. At some point i will probably glue fixed the diopter adjustment so it does not inadvertantly rotate. I just got the same one with a 2.hand body. I like it. Besides i also have the Leica one. The one who always lost his rubber ring, you know. As for fixing the diopter adjustment of the MS, i have put a plumber fiber 4½ washer inside. It's perfect. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gravastar Posted November 24, 2007 Share #17 Posted November 24, 2007 I also have just recieved the megapearls 1.35 magnifier. Appears to work really well and am really pleased with it. At some point i will probably glue fixed the diopter adjustment so it does not inadvertantly rotate. Depending upon the accommodation (focus range) of your eye you may find that fixing the adjustment is not such a good idea. I find I have to adjust the diopter from it's infinity setting when photographing objects that are close, say 3-5 feet away. Bob. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jedi996sps Posted November 24, 2007 Share #18 Posted November 24, 2007 I just got the same one with a 2.hand body. I like it. Besides i also have the Leica one. The one who always lost his rubber ring, you know. As for fixing the diopter adjustment of the MS, i have put a plumber fiber 4½ washer inside. It's perfect. Hi Philipe, I see u r in Nice...you will know Stephan then in Arta Photo ... i purchased my 28mm cron from him last week. I will look into the washer solution as i would prefer to keep the option of minor adjustment, but as it is, it just spins much to freely. Ali Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jedi996sps Posted November 24, 2007 Share #19 Posted November 24, 2007 Depending upon the accommodation (focus range) of your eye you may find that fixing the adjustment is not such a good idea. I find I have to adjust the diopter from it's infinity setting when photographing objects that are close, say 3-5 feet away. Bob. Hi Bob, I guess yr right, super glue is a bit drastic and non reversible... i do find the diopter adjustment to be better than the fixed leice diopter that i had been using. Ali Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philippe D. Posted November 24, 2007 Share #20 Posted November 24, 2007 Hi Ali, I see u r in Nice...Quite a surprise and nice to meet you here! i purchased my 28mm cron from him last week.On the day we meet by chance, i thought you had it taken with you, it was gone.A luck, then I also have purchased this pretty nice lens (brand new and even for less than @ Arta !) got it last week back from Solms with 6 bits code. Sending you a PM. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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