.85 or 1.25 magnifier

[carl_amick1]

I'm interested in a Leica MP for use primarily with a 50mm. It seems a .85 viewfinder would work best

with the 50 but I'm interested is getting opinions regard the external magnifier. Does it work very well?

[andreas_holmstr_m]

I got a 1.25X magnifier for my M6 .72. I always use it from 50mm up.

 

Pricey, but hey, what you gonna do abouit?

[leica ron]

remember that adding the x1.25 magnifier will 'dim' the viewfinder image and some people poke themselves in the eye with it !

[astral]

Ron, I just tried it indoors this evening under an electric light: I cannot detect any significant dimming. I didn't poke my eye, but guess some people might if trying to see the edge of the viewfinder close-to.

 

I find that for 24 to 35mm lenses the .58 is a very good option, it's better with the magnifier from 50mm upwards. AC

[leica ron]

Alan,

 

Under good light it's not a problem, but in the dim light, trying to focus a 90mm, I found that it was a little bit dimmer.

 

I wear glasses and have to put the finder right upto my spectacle lens. If I took my specs off for a second and pulled the camera to my eye ... ouch :-)

[astral]

OK Ron, Well it's not bright in my living room (approx. 20-40 Lux on my Gossen) and the viewfinder was ok for me; in a darker room or outdoors at night I s'pose it could be noticeable. Perceptions differ: different folk - in differing conditions .... etc.

 

Carl: seems like the best option is try one in your preferred working situation(s) if possible.

 

I broadly agree on the glasses issue - and it gets worse with age ;-) AC

[jack_palmer]

I have a chrome MP with the .85 viewfinder and love it.Great for 50 and 90mm lenses and still good for the 35mm. About what you'd get with a 28mm and the .72. Anything wider and you need a seperate viewfinder anyway.

[andrewlamb]

Playing Devil's advocate, how 'bout an M3 with its .9-ish viewfinder? Wonderful, wonderful

cameras. Surely the best M for a 50mm?

[red dawn]

1.25x magnifier dimming the viewfinder is a bit of a myth. I can hardly notice it.

 

Eye poking dangers are real though. Don't ask me how I know! :P

[peter_n1664876959]

I have both a 0.72 and a 0.85 mag M and a 1.25 magnifier. The 0.85 M is fantastic for lenses >=50mm but the 0.72 mag cam with the magnifier gives you about the same; I haven't noticed any VF dimming with it. Unless you also shoot a lot of wide angle, my advice would be to get the 0.85 mag cam <i>and</i> and the magnifier because that gives you a 1.0 mag! :-)

[david11]

I use .85 and .58 bodies. .85 for 50 and longer. I do have the 1.25 magnifier; its a little twiddly, but OK. I use it on a .85 when I use my 135 Tele-Elmar; not very often, but it helps. If you like the 50 focal length or think that you might want longer lenses, I suggest that you check out the .85 camera body.

[carl_amick1]

Thanks folks. I'm heading toward the .85 (but, Andrew, I am thinking about that M3 option.)

Thanks again. Carl

[laurentvuillard]

I bought a 0.58 as I wear specs and uses 35mm and 28mm lenses a lot, with the combination of specs and wide angles this 0.58 rangefinder is cleraly much easier to use than the standard (0.72, I think). Besides the full frame is approximately 24mm!

Using a 90mm (probably the lux 75mm as well) is feasible but tricky.