Dear Leica users, forgive my poor knowledge but I would like to know if the .72 magnification is an overall better choice than a .85 mag ? I don't plan to go over 90mm in my lenses choices. I don't wear glasses. What was you choice when you had to decide? Thank You.

-- Ravi (outcaste@timesofindia.com), March 16, 2002

Answers

I think it depends on whether you anticipate buying a 28mm lens. I, too, bought the 0.72, but probably would have chosen a 0.85 if I had considered that lens choice. (I later opted for the 24mm over the 28mm, so the 28mm frame is wasted for me.) Body #2 will definitely be a 0.85.

-- Ralph Barker (rbarker@pacbell.net), March 16, 2002.

I think the .58 body is the choice if you use a 28 or 3E a lot *and* wear glasses. The .72 is the generalist body that's the best choice if your main lenses will be in the 35 to 90 range, especially without glasses. The .85 is really only useful for 50mm and up (actually I use it only for the 75, 90 and 135), but then it can be very useful.

I usually use a .58 and a .85, but if I had to stick to just one it would be the .72. There's a good reason that magnification was Leica's standard for so many years, and few photographers complained.

-- Paul Chefurka (paul@chefurka.com), March 16, 2002.

Don't forget, you can always add the viewfinder magnifier, although it seems wasted on a .85. Check to see whether the .58 won't be better for you. I've heard the .58 viewfinder can be used with the 24mm, although you lose parallex correction, and with the Viewfinder Magnifier, you can easily turn the .58 into a .72. The deciding question here is what is the widest lens you plan on using since all the viewfinders have 90mm framing (& 35mm framing). Incidently, with the Viewfinder Magnifier, the .72 turns into a .90.

-- Glenn Travis (leicaddict@hotmail.com), March 16, 2002.

If you like and use a 35 and a 50 a lot (like I do, with or without my glasses), then get a 0.72. Using a 21 too (like I do too) means that nothing else (including the 1.25x mag) is going to help here.

-- Michael Kastner (kastner@zedat.fu-berlin.de), March 16, 2002.

I own both the .72 and the .85 magnification. The Eye Relief on the .72 is greater - it's easier for me to see the frame lines. I also use my 24mm and 35mm more than my 50mm or 90mm. I have picked up the eye piece magnifier and use it on the .72 - a great combination with the 50mm and 90mm. I am starting to wonder if I should sell my .85 and get the .58 to use with my 24mm that I have mounted on the body most of the time. As Michael mentioned - if you are using primarily 21mm-50mm lenses go with the .72. I think it is more universal, especially since the little 1.25 magnifier exists for better focus control when using a 90mm.

-- Frank Ricatto (luttmann@nerc.com), March 16, 2002.

My take on this is that the 0.58 is the *ideal* M body... because I think that the M is best suited for wide to normal (in fact 28, 35 and 50). Anything wider or longer I find much easier to use on an SLR. On the other hand, if you want a "general purpose" M that can handle the most lenses, the 0.72 is a better choice than 0.85. In my case, I'm stuck with 0.72 because I love my Wetzlar M6 and refuse to upgrade to TTL...

-- Anon Terry (anonht@yahoo.com), March 16, 2002.

Ravi, If you can get these bodies in your hand for a while it will help you immensely in making your decision. I have M2/3 & M6 classic. I have been using the M6 a lot lately and like it a lot. But the other day I got out the M3 with a 50 and used it for the day. What a treat that big finder is with the 50 and the 90. So it really depends a lot on how you see and what you will be using the camera with most of the time. I will soon be looking at the same choice - whether to get another M6 .72 or getting one with the .85 finder. Tough call. Maybe you should get one of each. Best of luck.

-- Don (wgpinc@yahoo.com), March 16, 2002.

I think .85 would have been a better choice for me, but I use my left eye for the viewfinder, and wear glasses, a double whammy for eye relief. And, I have a 35 and 75mm lens. I went with the .72 instead (didn't have much real life experience with the mag's before ordering), but it's not so bad actually.

-- James (snodoggydogg@hotmail.com), March 16, 2002.

sorry I meant .58 would've been a better choice for me.

-- James (snodoggydogg@hotmail.com), March 16, 2002.