.72 vs .85 Finder

[Joachim123]

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I have slowly been putting together an M package. I recently purchased a motor winder, and a 90mm 2.8 lens both in fantastic condition. Now all I need is an M body and I am leaning towards the M6. However, what is the difference between the .72 and .85 view finders and is there a big difference in the cost?

[pipeclayed]

I have slowly been putting together an M package. I recently purchased a motor winder, and a 90mm 2.8 lens both in fantastic condition. Now all I need is an M body and I am leaning towards the M6. However, what is the difference between the .72 and .85 view finders and is there a big difference in the cost?

 

For a 90mm lens (if that's all you'll use) get the .85. It shouldn't cost you much more, except I get the impression that the .82 is more common on the M6 TTL than on the M6 'Classic' and the TTL goes for a bit more than the classic.

[Joachim123]

Thanks I eventually plan to purchase a 35mm and 50mm lens as well, but one thing at a time.

[Shootist]

If you are only going to work with, or mostly work with, the 35/50/90 lenses then a x.85 finder will give you better focus accuracy. But it might be hard to find a M6 with a x.85 finder. You'd be better off looking for a MP, M6TTL or a M7 with the x.85 finder.

 

If you plan on using a 28 lens on the camera this isn't a big problem with the x.85 finder. Just use the whole finder as a reference to what that lens will capture. That is what I do with my x.85 M7.

[E.M]

I prefer .72 finder because a 35 mm is my main lens. Sometimes I use a 50 and that 's ok too. But if 50 + 90 are your most used lenses, buy the .85. You can also use a magnifier on the .72 for the 90.

 

Etienne Michiels

[kivis]

I use 35/50/90 lenses on a 0.85 VF. works great.

[bill]

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I use an M7 .85 happily with lenses from 28-135mm (and yes, I wear spectacles). It is a big improvement over the .72 as fitted to the M6 and M7, especially for longer lenses. My other M is an M2 which is of course .72, but it only has 35, 50 and 90mm frames and so is delightfully uncluttered by comparison.

 

Regards,

 

Bill

[peter_n]

For a long time I had only one body and that was a 0.72x mag. There's a reason why Leica issues that as the standard magnification; it's the "all-rounder". So if you're going to have a 35, 50 & 90 lens combo an M2 like Bill's or a modern MP3 (since you have a motor winder) is worth looking at because of the solitary framelines. Although many people use a 0.85x mag for wide lenses the magnification is designed for lenses at the longer end of the spectrum. You bought a 90mm first, so maybe that indicates you're more into the 90 and 50 than the 35. If that's the case, get a 0.85x body. Shouldn't be too much more expensive.

[noah_addis]

I like the .85 with a 35mm lens, but I don't wear glasses. I tend to prefer the biggest possible framelines (I also like the 28mm lines on a .72 finder and the 24mm frames on the M8).

 

I'd definitely go for the .85 for your 50 and 90mm lenses.

[thomasw_]

i am with noah in this, as I prefer the ,85x VF to shoot 35mm lenses. the focus accuracy is crisp and clear, and it works well in terms of composition if you keep both eyes open for determining what is coming in or out of frame. With a 50 or 75, it is no contest over the lower magnifications.

[batmobile]

def go for 0.85 is 90mm is important to you. 0.72 is marginal at best with this FL. 0.85 is fine for 35mm too, but obviously no frame lines in finder for 28.

 

Finding a 0.85 MP classic is not hard if you are patient. I found mine in a month, at the price and have seen the odd one since then. Over $1k cheaper than the MP version but finder flare is an issue with this finder IMO. The upgrade is about $200, but you will still be quids in over a M7 or MP by far. My mint 0.85 classic was $1200.

[peter_n]

Finding a 0.85 MP classic is not hard if you are patient.

You mean an M6 right, not an MP?

[ryancrouch]

Don't know if this will help but this is from an old leica brochure.

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[Guest finofoto]

putting it bluntly.. take a ,72, leave the cheaper ,85..finder: the second is more prone to flare, really, and the finder has more "tunnel effect", ... with only "a few dollars" you can change the ,72 into a ,85 so called tele-finder -> screw on an additional finder loupe with 1,25 magnification (may be from Leica, may be from China..).

 

so You have both of best worlds..

 

(i work with a ,58 wide angle finder in a M 6 TTL and use the 1,25 loupe.. fine for me)

 

th

[Craftsman]

Go with the .85. It offers the largest framelines for the 35-50-90mm lense and there isn't any "tunnel" effect.I've owned a .72 M6 and now a .85 MP and I much prefer the .85 framelines.