Re: Glasses and Ms

[cmiller@berkshire.net (Curt Miller)]

Marc wrote:
>There are a thousand issues which divide Leica shooters, and this is
>probably the most extreme.  Perhaps a majority of users find glasses and
>Leica M's are a sad mix;  a minority seem to experience no problems.  I
>suspect the answer is found in the darkroom:  if you are a fill-the-frame
>photographer, glasses will be a problem, as they DO cut off a bit of the
>edges.  If you always crop a bit, glasses will probably not be noticeable in
>your work.
>
>Marc

I, for one, am not seduced by the ground glass image - never have been.  I
understand WHY it is seductive and HOW people go through all the
rationalizing (uh, sorry, composing) an image on the groundglass.  And,
while I do use Hasselblads, an F3 HP and Rolleis, there is nothing quite as
pure and essential as a simple framing viewfinder as in the Leica Ms.  I
create the image in my head, not in a finder or on a screen.  I can figure
out depth of field - in my head.  But I, too, wear glasses and this presents
a problem for me as well (with wa lenses).

I purchased some more M equipment from another list member last week (and by
the way, this is the most enjoyable way to purchase - I really enjoyed my
experience.  And, of course, those on the list are scrupulously trustworthy
- an added benefit).  Anyway, an item in the package was an accessory 28mm
finder - WOW!  I have never used one of these things before but, boy, does
it ever make life for a glasses wearer easier.  The image is so bright and
clear.  It offers even more of what a viewfinder is all about than the
camera itself - it's pure and uninhibited - it's all image and nothing else.
This is a precision optical piece and worth considering.  I'm sort of
surprised I don't see more discussion of them on the list.  Now I figure I
only need five more of them...

...on we go!

Curt

Elizabeth Mei Wong
Henry Curtis Miller, M.P.A.
Christopher P.E. Miller

Pittsfield, Massachusetts
In the Berkshires, next door to Tanglewood