Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2004/02/04
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]I have a 0.58x TTL that was always a bit of a disappointment. It was fine for the wideangle lenses but the superimposed image was just a little fuzzier compared to an 0.72x finder; and, worse, the superimposed image moved significantly if your eye moved in relation to the finder. These two problems made using large aperture long normal and long lenses difficult if not impossible. Even more disappointing was the fact that the situation was not improved by adding the 1.25x magnifier. The magnifier made things larger but not any clearer or stable. So my 0.58x was regulated to my 35 Summilux and wider lenses. I was happy enough but not delighted as I hoped I would be. I finally broke down and sent the camera to my distributor last year. They checked it carefully and said it was normal and that all the 0.58x cameras were the same. Subsequently that distributor went out of business and, much to my delight, Kindermann Canada was appointed as Canada's official service depot. I asked Gerry Smith at Kindermann to order in the rangefinder upgrade kits for my TTLs and sent him the cameras with a long note explaining the problems with the 0.58x finder. What can I say, the 0.58x finder is now delightful to use. The superimposed image is sharper and more stable such that I now have no problem using the large aperture normal and long lenses with it. The 1.25x magnifier now even works as advertised with the 0.58x too. Gerry called to ask if I was happy with the cameras and I said I was and I asked if the upgrade kit had solved the problem. He said no but that he had found a few things out of adjustment inside the finder which, when corrected, sharpened the superimposed image and stopped it from wandering so much as well. It took him a while to find the problems as Leica AG was unable to assist him. So if you are having the same problems I was with your 0.58x camera, send it to Gerry Smith at Kindermann. He, unlike other Leica repair depots, maybe able to help improve the finder dramatically. My finder was particularly bad and I have gathered that not all 0.58x finders are as bad as mine was. YMMV THANK YOU GERRY SMITH !!!! John Collier - -- To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html