Viewfinder 0.72x or 0.85x

[Sandokan]

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Sorry if it was asked before but my search didnt find it. 

I shoot mostly 50, 75 or 90mm lenses. 

I already have a M3 which is perfect for the 50 and 90mm. lenses. 

I also have a 0.72x finder MP in black paint, but was tempted today by a chrome MP with 0.85x finder. 

I will go back and try both side by side at the weekend, but wanted to pick your brains. 

Does having a 1.25x magnifier on the 0,72x finder (making 0.9x) reduce the contrast and make focusing harder than the native 0.85x finder? 

Then of course the problem is I love my BP MP. 

[Aryel]

If possible, try a magnifier as well so that you can test all the option. For me, it is quite uncomfortable. I only tried the 1.4 on an m2 though… I wear glasses and they get in the way.

[a.noctilux]

I had silver MP x 0.85 for many years and using 50/75/90mm was easy and the MP finder was much better contrasting (= fast focussing ) than my M3 old VF.

Then I had BP MP 0.72 not that bad and easily as effective as using 0.85 with 50/75, less so with 90mm lenses.

 

While using mag. x1.25 with 0.72 may help framing with 90mm lens but hardly better for critical focussing, the mag. introduces in the VF some flare which 0.85 VF lacks.

[TomB_tx]

I bought my M4 with a 90mm TE in 1968, and I've never found focus a problem with it. I've used it for action and sports where I appreciate seeing the action move around the 90 frame so I can shift the framing or time the exposure for the developing action. Of course, even 2.8 on a 90 gives usable DOF, and sports action is usually stopped down some.

In past I've used SLRs for 135, but have added a 135 TeleElmar, and find the .72 finder quite adequate for it at f4 also. I also have a couple of M3s, but still prefer the M4 finder.

[VanDooglz]

This is personal, of course, but since you're asking. I find the 0.72x barely usable even for the 50mm, let alone longer lenses, so the 0.85x is a must.

Essentially I do not consider the M-system to be a true interchangeable lens system. I use a different body with a suitable finder for each focal length: 0.58x for 28mm, 0.72x for 35mm, and 0.85mm for 50mm. All other combinations feel uncomfortable to me, especially next to an SLR .

[grahamc]

I have 0.72 an 0.85 in different cameras and for someone using only 50mm and above the 0.85 would be my preference.  The most versatile is 0.72 

I find my 35mm challenging on 0.85 though and that's my most used lens 

[erl]

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I have an M6 .072 & An M6TTL 0.85. The VF on the 0.85 is definitely better. The only 'drawback' is the 28mm lens does not bring up framelines, but the 'full VF' equates to the FOV of the 28mm near enough. Shorter lens need their dedicated external VF anyway. 0.85 is a definite bonus on the longer lenses.

[plaidshirts]

On 1/31/2024 at 1:46 PM, Sandokan said:

Sorry if it was asked before but my search didnt find it. 

I shoot mostly 50, 75 or 90mm lenses. 

I already have a M3 which is perfect for the 50 and 90mm. lenses. 

I also have a 0.72x finder MP in black paint, but was tempted today by a chrome MP with 0.85x finder. 

I will go back and try both side by side at the weekend, but wanted to pick your brains. 

Does having a 1.25x magnifier on the 0,72x finder (making 0.9x) reduce the contrast and make focusing harder than the native 0.85x finder? 

Then of course the problem is I love my BP MP. 

If you shoot mostly 50-90 get the .85 finder AND the magnifier. A .85 finder with a 1.25 magnifier for a 90mm lens is pretty wonderful. 

[Chuck Albertson]

I have a M6 with the .85 finder, and it works really well with 50 and above lenses, much better than the .72 finder. I think I had the MP finder upgrade performed on it, but that was long ago.

[Sandokan]

On 2/6/2024 at 1:26 AM, Chuck Albertson said:

I have a M6 with the .85 finder, and it works really well with 50 and above lenses, much better than the .72 finder. I think I had the MP finder upgrade performed on it, but that was long ago.

I had the same - a LHSA black paint M6 with 0.85 viewfinder but I loved looking at it more than using it. Then I had the incredibly stupid idea to sell it. Now I miss it and it has increased in price drastically since my stupidity. 

[erl]

2 minutes ago, Sandokan said:

I had the same - a LHSA black paint M6 with 0.85 viewfinder but I loved looking at it more than using it. Then I had the incredibly stupid idea to sell it. Now I miss it and it has increased in price drastically since my stupidity. 

If it's toys you want, you'll have to 'buy it back'.

If it's photos you want, use what you have!

Trust me, it is an incredibly liberating philosophy.