Which viewfinder version for Leica M 35/2?

[rayn]

This is a dumb question, but I want to get it right.

 

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I'm going to get a Leica M (probably M7) and a 35/2 Aspheric. This is the only lens I'm getting, so I'm wondering which viewfinder version to get (0.58, 0.72 or 0.85). I don't wear glasses.

 

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I'm pretty sure I should get the 0.72, but I'm wondering if the hood from the 35/2 will vignette in the viewfinder, and how bad it is. If it vignettes badly, should I get the 0.85 version instead? I think the 0.58 version would be too wide since I don't wear glasses. Also, I'd like a little magnification to help with focus accuracy. Comments welcome!

[jm_woo2]

Ray:<p>

 

It's not a dumb question. I use the 35/2 a great deal on my .72.

No complaints. Yes the hood pokes into the viewfinder frame but

I don't find it particularly bothersome.<p>

 

That said, I can't emphasize how important it is to go to your

dealer and try out the different mags. Glasses aren't the only

factor-- it'll also depend on how "deeply set" your eyes are,

whether or not you're a left- or right- eye dominant shooter, and

finally, whether or not you plan on purchasing a 1.25 magnifier at

some point.

[tim_franklin]

How do you mean "vignette" Ray? Surely you mean will the hood

intrude into the Viewfinder area. Yes, it will a little but in practise

its not something that's ever bothered me (and I use the slightly

larger35/1.4 ASPH). If you were to go with the 0.85 version with

its higher magnification then the problem would be intensified

surely?

 

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Its worth taking a second look at the 0.58 model. I have one of

these (and a 0.72). I don't wear glasses either, but the extra

space around the 35mm frame makes it just that bit easier to

see if an unwanted element is about to burst into your shot at the

moment you release the shutter. If you want extra magnification

consider the add-on viewfinder magnifier (x1.25)

[jay_.]

I won't ever buy anything other than the 0.72. The 35mm frame in the

0.85 is a squint-around even for folks who don't wear glasses (like

the 28mm frames on an 0.72), and the 50mm frame in the 0.58 is too

small and there is no 135mm frame.

[andy_piper2]

The lens hood pokes into the 35 framelines EQUALLY with all

viewfinders, since they all cover the same subject area. But it is

more, or less, visible in the finder AS A WHOLE depending on the

magnification you choose.

 

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I wear glasses. I own .72 finder bodies, but have tried the .85 and

could easily live with the 35 frames therein. The .72 is a little more

comfortable, though.

 

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I thought the .58 finder was going to be the greatest thing since

sliced bread - but now that I've tried it I find the breaks in the 35/

28 frames for the metering diodes to be more distracting somehow when

the frames are floating closer to the middle of the viewfinder. The

gaps don't bother me as much with the .72/.85. Just a psychological

quirk.

 

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For a 35mm choose either after trying them yourself - the real

difference is more significant with other focal lengths, which you say

is not an issue. But it may be in the future - if you MIGHT get a 75/

90/135 or 50 f/1 sometime lean towards the .85. If you MIGHT get a 28

lean towards the .72. If you MIGHT get a 24 then the .58 allows framing

without the accesory finder (no lines, but the coverage is good -

although then the LENS itself blocks a bit of the finder). The 21 needs

a separate finder in almost any case, so it's not an issue, either.

[godfrey]

This was so much easier when Leica only made one

magnification... ;-)

 

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The .72x magnification finder is the most versatile, the only one

to support six framelines. It's my choice for a 35, 50 and 90mm

lens set, I particularly like it for the 35.

[gary_yeowell]

Ray,

As a non glasses wearer, in my view there is no question that the

0.72 is by far the best finder for the 35mm, and most other focal

lengths for that matter. I also own a 0.85 non ttl which I thought

was going to be perfect for my 50f2 but I still prefer the 0.72, the

reasons being that the framelines in the 0.85 are far less distinct,

in fact they are thinner and also the base line of the 50 frame has a

large section cut away unlike the 0.72 which is complete. Lastly with

my 0.85 at least, the right hand frameline disappears with the

slightest change of eye placement which again does not happen with

the 0.72. Where the 0.85 gets most of its use is with the 90mm with

which it works very well. My 35f2 Asph gets a lot of use on the 0.72

and its a real pleasure to use. One final point regarding the 1.25x

magnifier as a workable solution with a 0.58, it does not work very

well. I have a new boxed magnifier that I tried with my 0.72 and did

not like as much as a 0.85, and I don,t like that either! (at least

not with a 50)

[jackflesher]

<i>This is a dumb question, but I want to get it right.</i>

 

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Actually, it's a very good question...

 

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<i>This is the only lens I'm getting</i>

 

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Get the .72.

 

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<i>I'm pretty sure I should get the 0.72, but I'm wondering if the

hood from the 35/2 will vignette in the viewfinder</i>

 

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Hood blockage is the same relative to the framelines REGARDLESS of

finder magnification.

 

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;),

[ronald_blachly]

I vote for the .72 viewfinder. 35 and 50 lines are easily seen, with

enough outside the scene to be helpful. Although I don't use my 90

as much as the other two lenses, it's fine at .72X.

[luke_dunlap]

Get the .72 version. I've got one that I use with a 35 Summilux

ASPH, and I wear glasses. No complaints whatsoever.

 

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Really, if you're only going to have one body, the .72 is the one to

get. After all, it was the only viewfinder that Leica made for the M

for so many years. Classic for a reason.

[dford]

The .72 with the 35/2 ASPH lens is akin to the M3 with the 50mm lens.

IOW - sweet!

[greg_mason]

ray:

 

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good luck on your purchase. what ever you decide please realize that

many of us have made the same pledge, that we would just have one

lens. there is some thing about the camera which grows on some

people, and soon we are looking for a second lens, or a third or...

[michael_kastner]

Get the 0.72 because (a) everybody else above said so, and (b) I got

it myself. I have more than one lens, but my 2/35 is Number One. Is

best to "view" with 0.72. And if you ever do get any other lenses,

0.72 is "most general" too.

[ilkka]

I got the 72 and 2/35.

 

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I got the 72 because it is the most versatile.

Sometimes I think the 58 would be better. The 35 frame lines are

quite close to the edges. I don't use glasses and can see all of

them, but there is little else you can see outside them. I would

really strongly suggest to try out yourself. Even just to look in the

shop through both versions to see which you prefer. May be hard to

find a shop that has both versions though.

The good thing about the 58 is that there is no 135 frame line in the

middle. The good thing about the 72 is that the 135 frame line pretty

closely shows the metering area. And it is just four corners so it

doesn't disturb that much.

 

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Finally, whatever you get, you are going to get used to it and learn

to love it. At least I did.

 

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I am buying 75 next and that is why I did not really think of 58 as

an alternative for myself.

 

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Ilkka

[ned_learned]

Ray,

Stick to the 72. If you are like most of us, you'll find a way to ad

to the lens. The 75 or 90 will probably be the addition so you are

more than safe with the 72. The next body? You'll think seriously

about it. We all do!!

[Alex_Es]

Hey there Ray,

 

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This is a very good and very important question.

 

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I've been a proud 35/2 ASPH owner for about 7 hours. Ask me

anything! Just kidding. But seriously, I think that whether you get a

0.58 or 0.72 is a matter of belly feel. I agree that the 0.85 is the

last choice because of the squintiness of the 35mm frame. But

there is something in-your-face about this frame. You might like it;

I don't know. As was said above, the hood sticks in equally into all.

 

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Let tell you how I feel, for what it is worth. I don't have a 0.85,

which is better for telephoto, which I usually don't do. All my

Leicas except the M6TTL are 0.72. It a very good all around

viewfinder. If you cannot decide, and feel you need to flip a coin, go

with 0.72. For me, a wide-angle freak, I like the 0.58 very much. It

is easier to get a handle on the 28mm frame, and I like that I can

see beyond it--roughly the equ. of 25mm or so. But I like the 0.72

especially with a 50/1.4 or 1.2 wide open--the extra mag. is a help

(as it is with 75mm and 90mm lenses). I occationally use a 135mm

with my Leica Ms and appriciate the little 135 frame. But I could

live without it if I had to. (My goggles 135/2.8 turns the 90mm

frame into 135mm. I could get by using the Canon 135/3.5 with an

external finder.)

 

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With a 35mm lens the choice between 0.58 and 0.72 depends on how

much sense of distancing you like (I'm speaking of this primarily in

psychological terms). I like my M2 35mm finder (0.72) and M6TTL

0.58 finder because they don't have the 135mm frame in them.

 

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Here's a question. Does anyone like using a 35mm lens with a 0.85

finder? Is there a feeling of stepping into the picture?

 

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Anyway, Ray, hope this bit of disjointed chat on my part helps

somehow.

 

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Best,

 

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Alex