I am concerned about the .85 model with a 35mm lens. I have been told that though it is possible to use this combination, you have to move your eye around a lot to see all 4 sides of the framelines. is this true? anyone have actual experience of this? is a .72 a better option for that lens?

thanks

john

-- john molloy (ballyscanlon@hotmail.com), December 12, 2001

Answers

The 0.72 with a 35mm lens is an ideal duo, since it does not covers all the sides of the framelines, .85 is good for 75 to 135mm lenses. Also, if you have a local Leica dealer in your area, it would not hurt for a demo. Hope this helps.

-- edgaddi (edgaddi@msn.com), December 12, 2001.

i couldn't decide between the .72 or the .85 finder. i read so much about the higher focus abilities of the .85 model. i went to the dealer and tried all three different models. i opted for the .56 one. reasons: i wear glasses. not strong ones, but still the .85 is absolutely unusable for me. with the .72 i had to press my eye against my glasses and tem onto the camera. it would work, but not very comfortable. and you would have to clean them after every shot.

now it is very comfortable to see all the frames with my .56

give it a try. if your eyes are good, focus accuracy is still very good

i am not planning to use longer than 50mm lenses. if i should, i get the magnifier. you can move up one magnification, but not down.

-- stefan randlkofer (geesbert@yahoo.com), December 12, 2001.

John, I use a .85 M6 with a 35 and have no problems whatsoever and can see all the frame lines. I wear contact lenses. If I only used this lens, or used this lens predominantly, I would opt for the .72 version as my principal body, as there is more area surrounding the frame lines. I use longer lenses quite a bit and probably use the 50 more than the 35, so for me the .85 is the camera of choice.

-- David (pagedt@chartertn.net), December 12, 2001.

I have read about all of the advantages of a rangefinder system over an SLR system, and while I could reject some of the things I been told, I am a big fan of the ability to see outside of the framelines.

I first saw this in a book where a person was about to photograph a scene, but could clearly see that a person was just about to encroach into the field of view of the lens, because of the space around the framelines. Another point was where a person found a perfect backgound, and could keep the framing and watch the flow of human traffic until the "right" person would enter the scene, all without panning. When I first read about this, I thought it was just a bunch of fluff, but now I am always utilizing this rangefinder advantage... and yes I think it is an advantage.

To this end, I use a .72 camera for my 35mm lenses, which to me has the best combination of magnification and wide-angle view for the 35mm and 50mm lenses combination that I use most. I played with the .85 in a store, but the 35mm frame was just too close to the edge for me, (much like the 28mm frame in the .72).

-- Al Smith (smith58@msn.com), December 12, 2001.

thank you all for your prompt responses.

i will go with the .72 model as i think the 35mm will be my primary use lens.

thanks again

john

-- john molloy (ballyscanlon@hotmail.com), December 12, 2001.

John,

Sounds like you have made a decision, and that is good. However, I would strongly suggest that you actually look through a given finder before you buy. As responses indicate, the view is not the same for everyone. I have never bought a Leica M for one, and only one, reason. I can't come to grips with it's viewfinder. I can't see the 35 lines in a .72 and I can't see the 50 lines in a .85. Maybe the .58 would entice me to join the club, but I won't buy one until I can test it myself. As a side note, the finder in the R8 is the best I have ever used. Hope you enjoy your Leica experience,

Bill

-- Bill Holtz (Taiwha@aol.com), December 12, 2001.

John, I agree with your decision and the opinions of the other folks who responded. If planning ahead, then a .58 for 35 and wider combined with a .85 for the 50 and everything longer may be a consideration. I used a .72 for a 35 and 90 system. Although the 35 with a .72 is ideal, the 90 was very difficult for me to use. The .85 with a 35mm is usable (without glasses), but is terrific with the 50 and longer. If I go wider someday, then an accessory shoe or .58 may be the answer.

-- Bill Henick (dhen1922@aol.com), December 13, 2001.