struggle to focus lux 50/1.4 asph in low light

[brickftl]

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Was thinking about getting a visoflex 2 or LLL 1.4 magnifier to assist, but have read negatives about both these options.

Any suggestions?

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[Stevejack]

6 minutes ago, brickftl said:

Was thinking about getting a visoflex 2 or LLL 1.4 magnifier to assist, but have read negatives about both these options.

Any suggestions?

The visoflex is ok, although you get the live-view latency on the M10 which is not so much of an issue on the M11. It does help to be able to zoom in and focus, and I think it's a better solution than the 1.4 magnifier if you are comfortable using live view rather than the rangefinder. 

When I use the LLL 1.4 magnifier I struggle to see the edges of the 50mm framelines. Maybe I have deep-set eyes, but it's enough of an issue that I don't really use it. I would be interested in trying the 1.2x magnifier instead but haven't gone down that road yet. 

Edited March 7, 2024 by Stevejack

[GFW2-SCUSA]

You might want to find a nice used Visoflex 1 or rent one and see for yourself if it does the trick.  I, myself, l find the rangefinder quite easy in low light, but I have been using them for 50 years. I think nothing beats practice focusing quickly. No need to make an exposure, just amble around focusing in all sorts of light conditions. It becomes nearly second nature. 

[irenedp]

I have the 1.4 magnifier in the M9 and a visoflex for the 10r. The Visoflex is far from perfect but works ok and is better than the magnifier. They aren’t that expensive second hand 

[brickftl]

8 hours ago, Stevejack said:

The visoflex is ok, although you get the live-view latency on the M10 which is not so much of an issue on the M11. It does help to be able to zoom in and focus, and I think it's a better solution than the 1.4 magnifier if you are comfortable using live view rather than the rangefinder. 

When I use the LLL 1.4 magnifier I struggle to see the edges of the 50mm framelines. Maybe I have deep-set eyes, but it's enough of an issue that I don't really use it. I would be interested in trying the 1.2x magnifier instead but haven't gone down that road yet. 

even if you can't see the edges of the frame lines, are you able to more easily focus the part that you do see through the magnifier?

[brickftl]

4 hours ago, irenedp said:

I have the 1.4 magnifier in the M9 and a visoflex for the 10r. The Visoflex is far from perfect but works ok and is better than the magnifier. They aren’t that expensive second hand 

are you referring to the visoflex 1 or 2?

[sometimesmaybe]

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On 3/7/2024 at 2:53 PM, brickftl said:

Was thinking about getting a visoflex 2 or LLL 1.4 magnifier to assist

i'm currently shooting a few portraits in dim light. go with the visoflex. it's not perfect but it does the job in low light. magnifier doesn't help in low light conditions  

[Stevejack]

On 3/7/2024 at 8:06 PM, brickftl said:

even if you can't see the edges of the frame lines, are you able to more easily focus the part that you do see through the magnifier?

Yes, there is a noticeable difference but I still think the Visoflex would be the way to go if you have the time to critically focus. You can't really beat the rangefinder for speed of focusing if that's a concern - in this case you'd probably want to stick with the magnifier. 

[Mikep996]

LOL. last year I bought the current 50mm Sumulux, thinking I wanted more close photo isolation for certain pics than the Summicron can manage.  What I actually produced was a lot of out of focus shots using the rangefinder.  Fine with the visoflex though I'd prefer not using it.  I've had Leica Ms since the film days but can't consistently nail focus with the rangefinder with the lux at close range at f1.4.  

[theseahawk]

I find that picking a small point of light or a small item near or at the center of interest (like a leaf, collar, or street sign) works to acquire focus quickly, even in dim light.

Move the rangefinder back and forth so you can see the ghost image verging away then aligning, then fire.

[mujk]

On 3/7/2024 at 2:07 PM, brickftl said:

are you referring to the visoflex 1 or 2?

The Leica naming convention for electronic Visoflexes is not very consistent. The first model to work on a digital M was the (Visoflex) EVF2 for the M240. The second model was the Visoflex (Typ 020) for the M10 and the current model is the Visoflex 2 for the M10 and M11. 

[Alberti]

The short time I had the Black Chrome I found that it focussed “better/easier” on the M9M than on the M10r for what ever reason. 
On both camera’s my copy had front focus at F/1.4 so I returned it, it was a somewhat strange honeymoon I guess, to separate after a few days again. But what a body the BC has. .. [ahum].