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90 'cron and M6 .58?!


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I have found a nice user 90/2 'cron on this board, a lens I have

wanted for a long time. I was holding out for the 'cron, rather

than some other 90 (like the apparently excellent apo-lanthar)

because I want it especially for discreet available light

portraiture, plus I like the shallow depth of field.

 

But here's the problem: my sole M6 body has an 0.58 finder, which

will obviously be unsuitable by itself. Do I buy an 0.85 body just

to use with this lens? Or will it be enough to put a viewfinder

magnifier on the 0.58 (turning it effectively into an 0.72 if what

people say is true)?

 

I don't really want another M6, which anyway I use less than my

Bessas. But I do want to use effectively and comfortably this

wonderful 90mm lens.

 

Any advice from you Leicaheads?

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As discussed a few threads down, the 0.58x finder's superimposed rangefinder image is slightly dimmer and fuzzier and more mobile (if your eye is not centered) than the other M finders. It is not easy to do any fine focusing with. Adding a 1.25x magnifier does not improve the situation unfortunately. IMO the 0.58x finder is not suitable for using the 50/1, 75/1.4 and 90/2 wide open and close.
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Do you really need that extra body?? I wanted a black .85 MP, but settled for the .72 MP with the 1.25mag. Works fine. If you really think most of your shots will be with a 90 or 50, then maybe you might consider trading. That is also an option.
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Decisions, decisions. Thanks everybody for the diverse input. Al, what a terrific idea about the M3. I never would have thought about that.

 

No, I don't really want another body, and no, I can't trade, because most of my shooting is with wides, and I especially like the 0.58's ability to use a 28 with no accessory finder, and in general the way it works with a 35. I don't use a 50 at all; never liked that focal length in 30 years of photography.

 

Maybe I'll just try the 0.58, as someone suggested. If that's unsatisfatory, then maybe either the M3, or the finder magnifier. I do want to focus accurately, because I expect to be using the 'cron wide open most of the time. Thanks everybody.

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Cameron: Your plan to take it one step at a time sounds sensible. If it becomes important to get the most out of your 90 'Cron, perhaps you will re-examine your resistance to having a second body. There's a lot to be said for it, like being able to keep faster film in the one you use with the 90, to keep your shutter speeds up; and not having to change lenses so much. An M3 might be right for you, but an M4P or other .72 body might be more versatile, allowing you to use wide lenses on two bodies when you are not using the 90; again reducing lens changing.
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The .58 viewfinder is a stop faster than the others, so contrast and brightness are not an issue, its the clearest of all M finders. But the framing area and focusing patch are small for the 90mm lens, other than in good daylight, when its fine. Adding the magnifier works a treat, and turns the camera into a .72, and as the magnifier slightly dims the image, brings the overall contrast and brightness to that of a dedicated .72. You will have the best of both worlds. I have a .58, and a magnifier, and a 90mm lens, and hope this advice is useful from a practical hands-on standpoint, not the hearsay and rumour traded in one particular thread above.
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"Higher mag than the .85 body and a smoothness of mechanical action the current Leicas don't have."

I don't know Al, the MP is pretty darn smooth, even compared to my M3. Also the M3 VF has a blue tint which to my eye looks dull. I had it cleaned by DAG, so I don't think its the VF. The M2 also has that tint.

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Cameron, no problem with the 'cron wide open hitting focus but with such a narrow DOF it has the same caveats as any other camera, even an SLR. Its at the extreme end of the envelope and as much depends on your shutter speeds, and technique. I feel my sometimes failures with the lens are user based, and not equipment based.
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Yes, and imagine with a RF camera, you have no idea of the DOF.

I was fermely decided to stop shooting wide open under 3 or 5 meters (I realized my daughter's portraiture with just only one eye perfectly in focus !)... but for the precedent picture, I had no choose, 1/50 with F:2,0. Who never try ....

But it's a very fine lens, just difficult.

Alain

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