I need a 2.5 adjustment. Leica sells a 2.0 which will do for me. Did anyone tried this? Is it effective?

-- Angelique (abischop@earthlink.com), September 02, 2001

Answers

You will have to judge for yourself by trying it out. Then the problem is that -in my experience- camera stores never ever have these items in stock, so it will have to be a special order which will take forever to arrive, and they may not be willing to take it back if you decide it's not for you.

All that aside, I would not recommend the diopter lens if you wear glasses, assuming you want to shoot without glases and that's why you have interest in the diopter eyepiece. You'd have to take off your glasses every time you want to shoot and this would slow down camera handling considerably, you'd miss out on the Leica advantage which is being able to react and shoot with speed. I suppose it could be OK in fairly static situations.

Then the next question is if you should consider corrective laser surgery (e.g. lasik) with the expectation that you then would be able to shoot without glasses and without a diopter eyepiece. I would not recommend that option either, because the results are not 100% predictable.

Good luck!

-- Hans Berkhout (berkhout@cadvision.com), September 02, 2001.

After affixing a +1.5 Leica diopter several years ago, I was finally able to focus again. However, much depends on whether you need a + (plus) or - (minus) 2.0 diopter because--as the manual for my M says-- the viewfinder is already set to a -0.5 (minus) diopter, so if you need a minus 2.0 it may work, but if it's a +2.5 you need, it may not. Check with Leica.

-- Cosmo Genovese (cosmo@rome.com), September 02, 2001.

Don Chatteton/ Tamarkin/Jim Kuel sometimes have these used and you can send them back if they are not the right one. I got one for my M3, a slight minus, and it made focusing so much easier.

-- Andrew Schank (aschank@flash.net), September 02, 2001.

While getting eye surgery might be a bit extreme, wearing contact lenses is a practical solution. Not only do you have sharp focus that way, but you can also easily see the entire frame lines with the 35mm and 28mm lenses. The only drawback of contacts is that if you are over 40, then you probably still need reading glasses to see at close range, to be able to adjust the camera!

-- Bob Fleischman (RFXMAIL@prodigy.net), September 02, 2001.

Angelique, is it a + or a - 2.5 that you need? If it's a -2.5 (meaning that you are nearsighted), then when you take off your glasses, with this correction in the camera, you will be able to see clearly through the finder, and still easily see the markings on the shutter speed dial, etc. But if if it's a +2.5, then you'll have a problem.

Can you see well up close without your glasses? If you can, you might do well with the correction eyepiece.

-- Bob Fleischman (RFXMAIL@prodigy.net), September 02, 2001.

Angelique

I have also some problems with my eyes. Ceratoconus To see clear with my R equipement I have on my R4 a -3 correction and with the R8 I have -2 with -2 of the inbuild correction facility = -4. And sometimes I use also my glasses aditionaly.

I am curently testing an M6 TTL to find out if the view-finder would help me to focus better. But I definetly need also with the M6 correction lenses. I asked my optician for solution and he told me that he can make a correction lens for example -4 and than glue in an empty adapter which can be supplyed by Leica. Leica Switzerland confirmed me that this is posible and quiet usual. So talk to an opician which sells also Leica stuff.

Salvatore

-- Salvatore Reitano (reitanosalvatore@hotmail.com), September 02, 2001.

Angelique,

I needed a -2.5 diopter but had to settle for the -2. It's not perfect and maybe a -3 would of been better, I don't know. I notice that the viewfinder magnification has been slightly reduced but this hasn't created any problems. The framelines are still all visible. I would say go for it. The main thing is that I can focus accurately through the viewfinder. If you get the wrong one you could always sell it on ebay.

-- sam smith (Ruy_Lopez@hotmail.com), September 02, 2001.

Angelique, In the early 1980s, Shutterbug (Ads) had advertisments from a California photographer (whose name/number etc., escapes me) who sold specially made diopter holders that were sized to fit the Leica M, but with Nikon diopters. I bought 2 back then to use with Nikon minus 5 diopters. The Nikons are much bigger, so these holders are similar to "set-down" rings. If anyone can remember the fellow that made them, please provide name/address, etc. Good luck, BILL

-- Wm Mitchell (mitchell.candy@worldnet.att.net), September 02, 2001.

Thanks for all your inputs. I need a -2.5 adjustment for my right eye. My left eye has no problem. Actually, with my SLR I am used to use my left eye. With the M, it is less easy to so. If I find a -2 or -3 diopter adj , I'll give it a try.

-- Angelique (abischop@earthlink.com), September 02, 2001.

Angelique, I bought a Leica M6 TTl 0.85 last year after finally giving up on SLRS. I found them so complicated, I needed to refer to the manual every time I wanted to use it. The Leica is a joy to use, a wonderful thing. I wear glasses and also need a -2.5 dioptre. I have always used dioptre lenses with cameras although a lot of SLRs have adjustment built in. I consulted with my optician and was told to go for the -2.0 and NOT the -3.0. She said that I would find the -2.0 perfectly adequate but the -3.0 would be too strong and that I would perhaps get eye strain. I bought the -2.0 and I have to say that it is great. I take my specs off and away I go! I have just bought one of the new 21/24/28 finders to use with a 24mm lens and I've tried the -2.0 dioptre on that as well - perfect. I'll have to get another one for that although I think the £50 charge is a rip- off. It is too awkward to keep swopping them about due to the rubber eye protector on the viewer.

Does anyone know a cheaper source for the -2.0 diopter?

-- Giles Young. (youngg@middlesbrough.pds.gov.uk), September 20, 2001.