This is a dumb question, but I want to get it right.

I'm going to get a Leica M (probably M7) and a 35/2 Aspheric. This is the only lens I'm getting, so I'm wondering which viewfinder version to get (0.58, 0.72 or 0.85). I don't wear glasses.

I'm pretty sure I should get the 0.72, but I'm wondering if the hood from the 35/2 will vignette in the viewfinder, and how bad it is. If it vignettes badly, should I get the 0.85 version instead? I think the 0.58 version would be too wide since I don't wear glasses. Also, I'd like a little magnification to help with focus accuracy. Comments welcome!

-- Ray Negus (raynegus@pcez.com), March 12, 2002

Answers

Ray:

It's not a dumb question. I use the 35/2 a great deal on my .72. No complaints. Yes the hood pokes into the viewfinder frame but I don't find it particularly bothersome.

That said, I can't emphasize how important it is to go to your dealer and try out the different mags. Glasses aren't the only factor-- it'll also depend on how "deeply set" your eyes are, whether or not you're a left- or right- eye dominant shooter, and finally, whether or not you plan on purchasing a 1.25 magnifier at some point.

-- JM Woo (wooismyid@deletethis.yahoo.com), March 12, 2002.

How do you mean "vignette" Ray? Surely you mean will the hood intrude into the Viewfinder area. Yes, it will a little but in practise its not something that's ever bothered me (and I use the slightly larger35/1.4 ASPH). If you were to go with the 0.85 version with its higher magnification then the problem would be intensified surely?

Its worth taking a second look at the 0.58 model. I have one of these (and a 0.72). I don't wear glasses either, but the extra space around the 35mm frame makes it just that bit easier to see if an unwanted element is about to burst into your shot at the moment you release the shutter. If you want extra magnification consider the add-on viewfinder magnifier (x1.25)

-- Tim Franklin (tim_franklin@mac.com), March 12, 2002.

I won't ever buy anything other than the 0.72. The 35mm frame in the 0.85 is a squint-around even for folks who don't wear glasses (like the 28mm frames on an 0.72), and the 50mm frame in the 0.58 is too small and there is no 135mm frame.

-- Jay (infinitydt@aol.com), March 12, 2002.

The lens hood pokes into the 35 framelines EQUALLY with all viewfinders, since they all cover the same subject area. But it is more, or less, visible in the finder AS A WHOLE depending on the magnification you choose.

I wear glasses. I own .72 finder bodies, but have tried the .85 and could easily live with the 35 frames therein. The .72 is a little more comfortable, though.

I thought the .58 finder was going to be the greatest thing since sliced bread - but now that I've tried it I find the breaks in the 35/ 28 frames for the metering diodes to be more distracting somehow when the frames are floating closer to the middle of the viewfinder. The gaps don't bother me as much with the .72/.85. Just a psychological quirk.

For a 35mm choose either after trying them yourself - the real difference is more significant with other focal lengths, which you say is not an issue. But it may be in the future - if you MIGHT get a 75/ 90/135 or 50 f/1 sometime lean towards the .85. If you MIGHT get a 28 lean towards the .72. If you MIGHT get a 24 then the .58 allows framing without the accesory finder (no lines, but the coverage is good - although then the LENS itself blocks a bit of the finder). The 21 needs a separate finder in almost any case, so it's not an issue, either.

-- Andy Piper (apidens@denver.infi.net), March 12, 2002.

This was so much easier when Leica only made one magnification... ;-)

The .72x magnification finder is the most versatile, the only one to support six framelines. It's my choice for a 35, 50 and 90mm lens set, I particularly like it for the 35.

-- Godfrey (ramarren@bayarea.net), March 12, 2002.

Ray, As a non glasses wearer, in my view there is no question that the 0.72 is by far the best finder for the 35mm, and most other focal lengths for that matter. I also own a 0.85 non ttl which I thought was going to be perfect for my 50f2 but I still prefer the 0.72, the reasons being that the framelines in the 0.85 are far less distinct, in fact they are thinner and also the base line of the 50 frame has a large section cut away unlike the 0.72 which is complete. Lastly with my 0.85 at least, the right hand frameline disappears with the slightest change of eye placement which again does not happen with the 0.72. Where the 0.85 gets most of its use is with the 90mm with which it works very well. My 35f2 Asph gets a lot of use on the 0.72 and its a real pleasure to use. One final point regarding the 1.25x magnifier as a workable solution with a 0.58, it does not work very well. I have a new boxed magnifier that I tried with my 0.72 and did not like as much as a 0.85, and I don,t like that either! (at least not with a 50)

-- gary yeowell (gary@yeowell.fsnet.co.uk), March 12, 2002.

This is a dumb question, but I want to get it right.

Actually, it's a very good question...

This is the only lens I'm getting

Get the .72.

I'm pretty sure I should get the 0.72, but I'm wondering if the hood from the 35/2 will vignette in the viewfinder

Hood blockage is the same relative to the framelines REGARDLESS of finder magnification.

;),

-- Jack Flesher (jbflesher@msn.com), March 12, 2002.

I vote for the .72 viewfinder. 35 and 50 lines are easily seen, with enough outside the scene to be helpful. Although I don't use my 90 as much as the other two lenses, it's fine at .72X.

-- Ronald Blachly (theblach@swbell.net), March 12, 2002.

Get the .72 version. I've got one that I use with a 35 Summilux ASPH, and I wear glasses. No complaints whatsoever.

Really, if you're only going to have one body, the .72 is the one to get. After all, it was the only viewfinder that Leica made for the M for so many years. Classic for a reason.

-- Luke Dunlap (luked@mail.utexas.edu), March 12, 2002.

The .72 with the 35/2 ASPH lens is akin to the M3 with the 50mm lens. IOW - sweet!

-- Doug Ford (dford@san.rr.com), March 12, 2002.

ray:

good luck on your purchase. what ever you decide please realize that many of us have made the same pledge, that we would just have one lens. there is some thing about the camera which grows on some people, and soon we are looking for a second lens, or a third or...

-- greg mason (gmason1661@aol.com), March 13, 2002.

Get the 0.72 because (a) everybody else above said so, and (b) I got it myself. I have more than one lens, but my 2/35 is Number One. Is best to "view" with 0.72. And if you ever do get any other lenses, 0.72 is "most general" too.

-- Michael Kastner (kastner@zedat.fu-berlin.de), March 13, 2002.

I got the 72 and 2/35.

I got the 72 because it is the most versatile. Sometimes I think the 58 would be better. The 35 frame lines are quite close to the edges. I don't use glasses and can see all of them, but there is little else you can see outside them. I would really strongly suggest to try out yourself. Even just to look in the shop through both versions to see which you prefer. May be hard to find a shop that has both versions though. The good thing about the 58 is that there is no 135 frame line in the middle. The good thing about the 72 is that the 135 frame line pretty closely shows the metering area. And it is just four corners so it doesn't disturb that much.

Finally, whatever you get, you are going to get used to it and learn to love it. At least I did.

I am buying 75 next and that is why I did not really think of 58 as an alternative for myself.

Ilkka

-- Ilkka Kuusisto (ikuu65@hotmail.com), March 13, 2002.

Ray, Stick to the 72. If you are like most of us, you'll find a way to ad to the lens. The 75 or 90 will probably be the addition so you are more than safe with the 72. The next body? You'll think seriously about it. We all do!!

-- Ned Learned (ned@kajabbi.com), March 13, 2002.

Hey there Ray,

This is a very good and very important question.

I've been a proud 35/2 ASPH owner for about 7 hours. Ask me anything! Just kidding. But seriously, I think that whether you get a 0.58 or 0.72 is a matter of belly feel. I agree that the 0.85 is the last choice because of the squintiness of the 35mm frame. But there is something in-your-face about this frame. You might like it; I don't know. As was said above, the hood sticks in equally into all.

Let tell you how I feel, for what it is worth. I don't have a 0.85, which is better for telephoto, which I usually don't do. All my Leicas except the M6TTL are 0.72. It a very good all around viewfinder. If you cannot decide, and feel you need to flip a coin, go with 0.72. For me, a wide-angle freak, I like the 0.58 very much. It is easier to get a handle on the 28mm frame, and I like that I can see beyond it--roughly the equ. of 25mm or so. But I like the 0.72 especially with a 50/1.4 or 1.2 wide open--the extra mag. is a help (as it is with 75mm and 90mm lenses). I occationally use a 135mm with my Leica Ms and appriciate the little 135 frame. But I could live without it if I had to. (My goggles 135/2.8 turns the 90mm frame into 135mm. I could get by using the Canon 135/3.5 with an external finder.)

With a 35mm lens the choice between 0.58 and 0.72 depends on how much sense of distancing you like (I'm speaking of this primarily in psychological terms). I like my M2 35mm finder (0.72) and M6TTL 0.58 finder because they don't have the 135mm frame in them.

Here's a question. Does anyone like using a 35mm lens with a 0.85 finder? Is there a feeling of stepping into the picture?

Anyway, Ray, hope this bit of disjointed chat on my part helps somehow.

Best,

Alex

-- Alex Shishin (shishin@pp.iij4-u.or.jp), March 13, 2002.