Does anyone know whether Leica will (or can) change the viewfinder from one magnification to another? I have a special M6 which I would like in 0.58 and was wondering whether this is possible...and at what cost??

-- Paul Hart (paulhart@dornoch.u-net.com), April 07, 2002

Answers

The last time I checked Leica will not install an 0.58x finder in M camera equiped with something else. However there is an easy way to do the conversion. Buy an 0.58x camera and send both cameras to your tech for the switch. After the switch sell the superfluous body. DAG has done this switch in the past with no problems.

It is easiest if the the two bodies are TTLs (if you wanted a 0.58x black paint camera for instance). It would be a good idea to check with DAG to see if they can convert your MP2 :-) as the non-metered finders may not work in a metered body.

-- John Collier (jbcollier@shaw.ca), April 07, 2002.

Finder is about $550, RF frames another $215, labor about $90 from Sherry. Thats a hefty price to pay, unless the camera you want just wasn't made with the magnification you desire. From what I understand, both the viewfinder optics, and frames must be changed, ie the frames are specific for the magnification.

-- Charles (cbarcellona@telocity.com), April 07, 2002.

Many thanks to you both for your helpful replies. You have probably identified the solution! I have a black paint M6 (the recent LHSA version) with the .85 but much prefer the .58 finder. Now it just so happens that my other M6 is a TTL with a .58 finder...

-- Paul Hart (paulhart@dornoch.u-net.com), April 08, 2002.