[Leica] Re: M6 Shows Only 77%

["Robert Meier" <robertmeier@usjet.net>]

Date: Sun, 19 Dec 1999 15:45:06 -0700
From: John Collier <jbcollier@home.com>
Subject: Re: [Leica] Re: M6 Viewfinder Shows only 77%?

The bright line frames of the Leica M cameras are designed to show the
picture area of a standard mounted slide (23mm x 35mm) at O.7 meter. This
corresponds to about 93% of the full negative. As you focus further away,
less of the picture area is included within the frame lines. With a 50mm
lens focussed at 2.0 meters, the outer edges of the bright line frames show
the picture area. When the 50mm lens is focussed at infinity the picture
area is approximately the outer edges of the bright line plus three frame
line widths all around. Leica decided it was better to be surprised by more
than dismayed by less. Now if PopPhoto measures viewfinder coverage at
infinity, then 77% sounds pretty accurate. This information comes from the
book by Gunter Osterloh, Leica M, Advanced School of Photography.

John Collier

John,

Thanks for that explanation.  I had read the "three frame line widths"
approximation before, but didn't know it came from Osterloh's book.  The
framelines being on the thick side means that using that visual method of
figuring out what all is going to be included in the picture at infinity
pushes the actual frame halfway out to the framelines for the 35mm lens.  So
holding the preview lever halfway to the left, which will bring up the 35mm
framelines while still keeping the 50mm framelines visible, will give one a
clear view of what will be included, that is, halfway between the two sets
of framelines.  How convenient.  And to think that they only charge $2000
for this wonderful instrument!

Bob