Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/01/23
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]>I have a couple of M6 bodies with a .85 viewfinder installed (custom jobs >I had done a few months ago, using the existing M6J finder). The increased >viewing magnification is wonderful - especially since it seems to me that >since photography is about capturing things you SEE, anything you can do to >help SEE bigger and clearer is a plus. In fact, with this finder, you've >got the only 35mm camera that shows you higher viewfinder magnification >than even what the lens is recording on film (the 35mm on-film image >magnification is not .85x life-size). Also, focussing is about 20% more >accurate than the regular M6. You'll also get a benefit if you use one of >those 21mm goggle-adapted lenses made by Reinhold Mueller. >However, there is some truth to what you say about the way the frames crowd >the edges of the finder - at .85 the relationship between the finder limits >and the 35mm framelines is about the same as the 28mm lines in the regular >M6. I've stopped wearing glasses and switched to contact lenses to >alleviate the "problem." Another small improvement was to have the 135mm >framelines removed (use SLRs for that length, even Leica has admitted this >is at the limit of their RF system), so I just see one frameline at a time, >no more pairs (the curse of all Leicas post-M4P). >Extra benefits include a much nicer 50mm frameline (still not M3, but very >good) and a very usable 90mm frameline - I just can't enjoy using a 90mm on >a regular M6. >The new factory .85 camera will also have the 75mm framelines, but only in >tandem with the 50mm. So what could be a great camera with the 75mm is a >little spoiled by the double frames. I suppose you could have TWO camera - >one without the 50mm lines so you can use your 75, and one without 75 lines >so you can use your 50. But this is getting expensive. You'll probably >still want a regular M6 for your 28mm. >If anyone wants a .85-equipped M6 I'd part with one of mine. Lemme know. Do you know the comparison of the M4-2 35mm frame eye relief is compared to the m6? I can just barely see the 35mm frame with my glasses on the M4-2, and my astigmatism makes contacts difficult. thanks Steve