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Visibility of the 50 mm frame lines


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Hello everyone,

 

I have noticed that I sometimes have a problem with the visibility of the right hand frame line on my M8 (unmodified) with a 50 mm lens mounted. In some types of light the right hand line almost disappears. I then have to move my eye to the far left of the viewfinder to make the line visible. It was particularly noticeable this evening with a setting sun low in the sky and harsh shadows. Bringing up the other frame lines for other focal length lenses doesn't seem to exhibit this problem. There are other times in other lighting conditions where the lines are very bright and easy to see including the right hand frame line for the 50 mm lens. I wear glasses and the problem seems to exist when viewing with glasses removed.

Does anyone have any comment on this - is it a characteristic of the viewfinder?

 

Best regards,

Nick.

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Nick, I also see the 50mm frame exactly as you describe it. Mark Norton showed at some point in time the two masks with the slits cut out that make up the framelines. The masks are sliding over each other thereby making the sets of framelines visible. This is all extremely small stuff and somehow the slits of the 50mm frame are not being released 100% every time. Like you I have an unmodified M8 and I use the framelines as a gentle suggestion for what will be on the picture later on. By now I can preview the frames I use most (28, 50 and 90mm) so well that I have to take care not frame too tight! It's a matter of training. I am certainly not going to have my camera serviced for just a little nuisance like this. All the best,

_________________

Maarten

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I have noticed that I sometimes have a problem with the visibility of the right hand frame line on my M8 (unmodified) with a 50 mm lens mounted. In some types of light the right hand line almost disappears. I then have to move my eye to the far left of the viewfinder to make the line visible.

 

I have the same problem with my M8.2 and my M6. But as an old Leica technician once told me, "They don't make them [the M series] with the precision that they used to."

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Thank you everyone for your replies,

 

It is good to know that I haven't a faulty camera - It seems that I need to take Maarten's advice and go and take lots more photos to get some more training under my belt.

 

That cannot be a bad solution.

 

Best regards,

 

Nick

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Nick, no argument with using your camera a lot. Eye position can affect this too. I'm left eyed and that affects how you position the camera too. But I've seen the same issue and I think I've used M's enough to be functional at least. My unmodified camera would also occasionally stick and not show the 50/75 frame lines when my 50 was mounted too. I was very recently at Leica and they did the upgrade for me while I was there :) This was a complete cure and I recommend it highly!

Thank you everyone for your replies,

 

It is good to know that I haven't a faulty camera - It seems that I need to take Maarten's advice and go and take lots more photos to get some more training under my belt.

 

That cannot be a bad solution.

 

Best regards,

 

Nick

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I was very recently at Leica and they did the upgrade for me while I was there :) This was a complete cure and I recommend it highly!

 

Hi Geoff, did you mean the bright frame-lines upgrade that cost 1,000 Euros?

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Yes. Actually I really wanted the shutter and framelines upgrade. Due to the disassembly required it is cheaper to have all of the upgrades you want done at the same time of course. Coincidentally, it fixed the occasional stickyness of the 50 frame lines I had previously too (naturally). Its not just the more accurate framing for my typical shooting but also the whole finder subjectively is brighter and clearer for me now.

Hi Geoff, did you mean the bright frame-lines upgrade that cost 1,000 Euros?
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