LeicaGuyUK Posted July 30 Share #1 Posted July 30 (edited) Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi, over all the years I thought I was right eye dominant turns out my left is With that I really need to get my vision clearer on my M11 especially with the patch. I’m off to the London Leica store soon to play with some diopters but I wondered if anyone could guide on which one may be the closest? I’d like to use my right if possible. Below is the latest prescription. Appreciate any replies Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Edited July 30 by LeicaGuyUK Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/423381-m11-diopter-advise/?do=findComment&comment=5840824'>More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted July 30 Posted July 30 Hi LeicaGuyUK, Take a look here M11 Diopter advise. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
elmars Posted July 30 Share #2 Posted July 30 There is no other way than to try the diopters. So far I have needed diopters for all my varifocals - sometimes +0.5, sometimes +1.0. For a few months now I have not needed any correction for my new main glasses, but I need +1.0 for my replacement glasses, which have the same strength, but a slightly simpler varifocal lens. It depends very much on the manufacturer of the lens and on the strength and quality of the lens. Translated with DeepL.com (free version) 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jgeenen Posted July 30 Share #3 Posted July 30 The only value that Leica diopters correct is the spherical value. Try the diopter that is closest to your prescription value (if you want to focus without glasses). However, depending on the angle you view into the ocular (straight vertical or slightly diagonal), the cylindrical corneal irregularity might require you to take a lesser diopter value. On the other hand, your near-sight correction might require a stronger diopter (if your eye is not able to accommodate for different distances, especially because the finder already has a -0.5 dpt. baseline). To test, focus on different distances (this will allow you to judge the accommodation issues). The crispiness of the red controls and the white frame lines is a rough indicator only (if you can't see crisp controls, you will never see crisp ghost images. But to fine tune it is - at least in my experience - really important to judge the ghost image overlay for near (around 1m), medium (around 5m) and far (around 50m) distances. If you are using glasses to focus, you should not need diopters at all. However, as elmars pointed out, glasses are different (the glasses are cut around to precisely measured focal lengths with a transition area in between - therefore it is highly important which area of the glasses you are looking through) 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
J S H Posted July 30 Share #4 Posted July 30 Good advice above. It can be really tough to know which diopter might improve the rangefinder view. I don't wear glasses, but I have had some medical problems with my right eye and after extensive steroid treatments over the last 5 years, I have begun to see issues with critical rangefinder focusing. One of the side effects of the steroid drops is that a cataract is forming on my right eye. it doesn't affect normal vision, as my left eye is still sharp and can carry the load. But it definitely affects rangefinder focusing. You are on the right track in wanting to stick with the right eye - I tried to use my left eye for focusing and everything was sharp, but it was just too awkward. Bottom line, I did some testing at the eye doctor and then ordered 4 diopters centered on what the doctor recommended. None of them improved the experience, so I finally gave up. If you can actually try every diopter and only buy one if it helps, then that is an ideal situation and likely only possible at a Leica store. I may try to work through it the next time I have an opportunity to visit a Leica store, or perhaps B&H. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
T25UFO Posted July 30 Share #5 Posted July 30 I have varifocal glasses for normal use and a second pair just with the reading prescription. I’ve tried focusing the rangefinder with my glasses on but that never worked. I then went into a Leica store and tried different diopters without wearing glasses and found +1.5 to be perfect. So now I don’t bother with glasses for taking photographs, just use the diopter, but still need glasses when viewing the rear screen - playback or menu adjustments. Might solve that by going down the ‘D’ route 🙂 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdg1371 Posted July 31 Share #6 Posted July 31 20 hours ago, elmars said: There is no other way than to try the diopters. So far I have needed diopters for all my varifocals - sometimes +0.5, sometimes +1.0. For a few months now I have not needed any correction for my new main glasses, but I need +1.0 for my replacement glasses, which have the same strength, but a slightly simpler varifocal lens. It depends very much on the manufacturer of the lens and on the strength and quality of the lens. Translated with DeepL.com (free version) Elmar is correct, as usual. Each year when I have an eye examination, I bring my M body with me— and I test different strengths by moving the optometrist’s lenses between my eye and the camera VF to determine which strength in need— of if there has been a change. Luckily, it has remained at +1. —Marke 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeicaGuyUK Posted July 31 Author Share #7 Posted July 31 Advertisement (gone after registration) 7 minutes ago, mdg1371 said: Elmar is correct, as usual. Each year when I have an eye examination, I bring my M body with me— and I test different strengths by moving the optometrist’s lenses between my eye and the camera VF to determine which strength in need— of if there has been a change. Luckily, it has remained at +1. —Marke I tried that My optician wasn’t really sure what I was referring to despite mentioning if I could try some whilst there at the appointment. I think it was more the case they didn’t have the time. I mentioned the 2m mark, again they were not willing to discuss. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tseg Posted July 31 Share #8 Posted July 31 My SPH in my right eye is -1.25. I bought a -1.5 diopter and it works great. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
T25UFO Posted July 31 Share #9 Posted July 31 2 hours ago, LeicaGuyUK said: I tried that My optician wasn’t really sure what I was referring to despite mentioning if I could try some whilst there at the appointment. I think it was more the case they didn’t have the time. I mentioned the 2m mark, again they were not willing to discuss. Should have gone to Specsavers . . . or perhaps you did 😂 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeicaGuyUK Posted July 31 Author Share #10 Posted July 31 8 minutes ago, T25UFO said: Should have gone to Specsavers . . . or perhaps you did 😂 lol it was specsavers ! I’ll try Boots next time Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted July 31 Share #11 Posted July 31 4 hours ago, LeicaGuyUK said: I tried that My optician wasn’t really sure what I was referring to despite mentioning if I could try some whilst there at the appointment. I think it was more the case they didn’t have the time. I mentioned the 2m mark, again they were not willing to discuss. No need to discuss; bring camera and experiment with trial diopters. Be sure your eyes are well corrected for astigmatism. I wear glasses to correct for distance and astigmatism (sunglasses in daylight), but still benefit from a .5 diopter due to aging eyes, as experimentation revealed. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
G19 Posted August 2 Share #12 Posted August 2 I normally use over-the-counter reading glasses at +2.00, but I’ve just purchased a +1.5 diopter along with an M11, and it works fine for me without needing my glasses. I’ll take a few test shots tomorrow—just received the camera and diopter today. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jakontil Posted August 2 Share #13 Posted August 2 On 7/31/2025 at 8:00 PM, Tseg said: My SPH in my right eye is -1.25. I bought a -1.5 diopter and it works great. Does this indicate far sighted? mine was -1 and i got the -1.5 diopter… works great too 2 hours ago, G19 said: I normally use over-the-counter reading glasses at +2.00, but I’ve just purchased a +1.5 diopter along with an M11, and it works fine for me without needing my glasses. I’ll take a few test shots tomorrow—just received the camera and diopter today. I guess this is also true like it doesnt have to be the prescription dependent.. like elmar also said, best way is to try it Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted August 3 Share #14 Posted August 3 On 7/30/2025 at 4:49 PM, LeicaGuyUK said: Hi, over all the years I thought I was right eye dominant turns out my left is With that I really need to get my vision clearer on my M11 especially with the patch. I’m off to the London Leica store soon to play with some diopters but I wondered if anyone could guide on which one may be the closest? I’d like to use my right if possible. Below is the latest prescription. Appreciate any replies Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! I see that you have astigmatism, which means that there cannot be a complete correction by a spherical diopter like Leica provides. There will always be a considerable difference between horizontal and vertical shots. There is a solution: https://walterleica.com/ He produces unique astigmatism correction diopters, and will do so to your prescription He also will make individual diopters in 0.25 steps. I can recommend the quality of his work. Not cheap - but value for money. He also offers gold-coated and blue and coral contrast-enhancing lenses for the diopter, I use a gold-coated one. 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
G19 Posted August 3 Share #15 Posted August 3 Following up on my previous post, happy to report that the +1.5 diopter worked for me! Here are a few of my first shots with a new-to-me M11 and the Voigtländer 35mm f/1.5 VM ASPH Nokton Type II. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/423381-m11-diopter-advise/?do=findComment&comment=5842997'>More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted August 3 Share #16 Posted August 3 19 hours ago, jaapv said: I see that you have astigmatism, which means that there cannot be a complete correction by a spherical diopter like Leica provides. There will always be a considerable difference between horizontal and vertical shots. There is a solution: https://walterleica.com/ He produces unique astigmatism correction diopters, and will do so to your prescription He also will make individual diopters in 0.25 steps. I can recommend the quality of his work. Not cheap - but value for money. He also offers gold-coated and blue and coral contrast-enhancing lenses for the diopter, I use a gold-coated one. I’d rather have my astigmatism corrected by glasses, so that I can see clearly even when my eye is away from the VF. Thin, flexible frames can help to get closer to the VF, which in my situation is supplemented by a +.5 diopter to optimize viewing and focusing. Trade offs. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted August 4 Share #17 Posted August 4 Preferences vary…I find the idea of a rotating diopter brilliant. And those contrast enhancing coatings really work. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kkochheiser Posted August 4 Share #18 Posted August 4 Any particular reason for choosing the gold coating? 8 hours ago, jaapv said: Preferences vary…I find the idea of a rotating diopter brilliant. And those contrast enhancing coatings really work. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted August 4 Share #19 Posted August 4 I <think> that the contrast matches my idea of B&W most - for the rest- personal preference. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeicaGuyUK Posted August 5 Author Share #20 Posted August 5 On 8/3/2025 at 2:07 AM, jaapv said: I see that you have astigmatism, which means that there cannot be a complete correction by a spherical diopter like Leica provides. There will always be a considerable difference between horizontal and vertical shots. There is a solution: https://walterleica.com/ He produces unique astigmatism correction diopters, and will do so to your prescription He also will make individual diopters in 0.25 steps. I can recommend the quality of his work. Not cheap - but value for money. He also offers gold-coated and blue and coral contrast-enhancing lenses for the diopter, I use a gold-coated one. Thanks sir! I`m going to have a look asap I`m off to Leica Mayfair Saturday anyhow so i`ll try some in store and see. It doesnt have to be absolutely perfect but i`m sure anything will be better than it is currently. I`d like to use the Visoflex less if possible 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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