msweeney Posted August 22, 2009 Share #1 Posted August 22, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi everyone, Do you know if Leica will convert your viewfinder (for an astronomical fee, of course)? I am looking to buy a black MP 0.72x finder. It's because I wear glasses and cannot afford a-la-carte that I ask. Could I buy a 0.72x finder MP and have them convert it to a 0.58x? Has anyone ever done this and what's the process like? Thanks, Mike Sweeney SweeneyStyle Photography Flickr Photostream Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted August 22, 2009 Posted August 22, 2009 Hi msweeney, Take a look here Does Leica convert viewfinders?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
thomasw_ Posted August 22, 2009 Share #2 Posted August 22, 2009 Hi everyone, Do you know if Leica will convert your viewfinder (for an astronomical fee, of course)? I am looking to buy a black MP 0.72x finder. It's because I wear glasses and cannot afford a-la-carte that I ask. Could I buy a 0.72x finder MP and have them convert it to a 0.58x? Has anyone ever done this and what's the process like? Thanks, Mike Sweeney SweeneyStyle Photography Flickr Photostream Yes. But for less cost, you might consider someone like DAG or Sherry K.. Both are leica trained and do first rate work. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
msweeney Posted August 22, 2009 Author Share #3 Posted August 22, 2009 Cool! Can you provide any further information on this DAG or Sherry K.? I've not heard of them. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RITskellar Posted August 22, 2009 Share #4 Posted August 22, 2009 Yes. But for less cost, you might consider someone like DAG or Sherry K.. Both are leica trained and do first rate work. Don Goldberg (DAG Camera) is a great bet. He and I have actually discussed developing a program that would more efficiently (and cost effectively) allow people to trade viewfinders. Saving the cost of the parts, paying just for labor. Perhaps you could find someone to trade with and have the work done at the same time by Don or another tech. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Bernd Banken Posted August 22, 2009 Share #5 Posted August 22, 2009 Hi Mike, from my experience with fixed RF viewfinder my first question to you would be: what assortment of lenses you want to use for your work? In the past (SLR) my mainly used lens was the 28mm, but with Leicas and much older compare to those times, a 35mm lens is my bodycap for the MP. To round up down the length a 24mm is a nice, visible but not to strong addition in the WA line up. Starting with 24mm you need an external viewfinder anyway. (That's old style....but Leica...) The 0.72 magnification will help you to focus more precise with a wide open 50mm Lux or equ. especially with headshots and sparkling eyeballs..... S contrary to DSLRs the choice of a rangefinder camera is always a compromise..... Cheers Bernd PS: thanks for your flickr-action :-) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mongrelnomad Posted August 22, 2009 Share #6 Posted August 22, 2009 In a word: yes. Just call their service department: +49 (0)6442-208/189 They'll be happy to talk you through the prices, time-scale and process. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tobey bilek Posted August 22, 2009 Share #7 Posted August 22, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) Just be aware the image gets smaller for .58. This is nice if you use wide lenses like 28, but if you use lenses like a 50 or 90, the image is too small. Maybe a corrective diopter? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnastovall Posted August 22, 2009 Share #8 Posted August 22, 2009 Cool! Can you provide any further information on this DAG or Sherry K.? I've not heard of them. DAG's web page Sherry K's web page I've used both and both do outstanding work. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shootist Posted August 22, 2009 Share #9 Posted August 22, 2009 Hi everyone, Do you know if Leica will convert your viewfinder (for an astronomical fee, of course)? I am looking to buy a black MP 0.72x finder. It's because I wear glasses and cannot afford a-la-carte that I ask. Could I buy a 0.72x finder MP and have them convert it to a 0.58x? Has anyone ever done this and what's the process like? Thanks, Mike Sweeney SweeneyStyle Photography Flickr Photostream To your question, "Can the viewfinder be converted from one magnification to another". The answer is No it can not. It can be changed out with another viefinder manufactured with a different magnification but to take a x.72 finder and make that same finder a x.58 finder would take taking the whole thing apart and replacing the needed parts. That is no easy task and would be more expensive then just buying a different finder. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
msweeney Posted August 22, 2009 Author Share #10 Posted August 22, 2009 Once I have an MP I'll give Leica and DAG a call, thanks! For lenses, right now I have a 28mm Elmarit and 50mm Summicron, though I'll probably add a 21mm and 35mm at some point in the future. My glasses prescription is pretty strong, I think it's -5.00 or something, and as far as I know they don't make diopters that strong. Besides that, any time I take my eye from the viewfinder I wouldn't be able to see a thing! That wouldn't do too well for street photography and watching where you're going. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
alun Posted August 22, 2009 Share #11 Posted August 22, 2009 msweeney, I use only 0.58s because of spectacles and had the same thought myself. Leica told me it was feasible physically but not economically and quoted in the region of GBP 800.00 for the viewfinder plus labour. Of course, if you could source the 0.58 finder and then find someonewhoselabour costs were not as high then it might be possible I suppose to bring the cost down to a more acceptable level. If you do pursue this and manage to do please do post progress, results & costs on this forum, won't you. cheers Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riccis Posted August 22, 2009 Share #12 Posted August 22, 2009 In a word: yes. Just call their service department: +49 (0)6442-208/189 They'll be happy to talk you through the prices, time-scale and process. Ditto... The folks in Solms are great... They are currently doing a CLA in my M3 along with replacing the vulkanite. Maybe a little bit more expensive than DAG or Sherry, but the turnaround time is faster (and time is money for me). Cheers, Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nicefor88 Posted August 22, 2009 Share #13 Posted August 22, 2009 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted August 23, 2009 Share #14 Posted August 23, 2009 As you appear to reside in US, I would contact Leica NJ rather than Solms. My recent experience with NJ service was excellent. I also agree that DAG or Sherry are good alternatives. (Sherry is near NJ as well.) Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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