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M7 VF options 0.72 vs. 0.85?

Looking for some guidance here on the VF options with an M7 - what are the tradeoffs? My first inclination would be to go for max magnification (0.85) and go with the 0.85 but I assume there are some tradeoffs otherwise Leica would only have made one version...

TIA,

Joe
 

Rolo

Member
With the x0.85 one gets a longer Effective Rangefinder Length which provides for more accurate rangefinder operation and you can expect sharper images.

The downside is that the 35mm is the widest angle you can see through the in-built viewfinder. Matters nothing to me as my next wide lens is a 24 Elamarit which doesn't have a frame in the 0.72 VF.

The only reason I can see anybody wanting anything other than the x0.85 is for spectacle wear and a body dedicated to wide angle use (sub 30mm).
 
With the x0.85 one gets a longer Effective Rangefinder Length which provides for more accurate rangefinder operation and you can expect sharper images.

The downside is that the 35mm is the widest angle you can see through the in-built viewfinder. Matters nothing to me as my next wide lens is a 24 Elamarit which doesn't have a frame in the 0.72 VF.

The only reason I can see anybody wanting anything other than the x0.85 is for spectacle wear and a body dedicated to wide angle use (sub 30mm).
Rolo - thanks for the information. Makes sense to me but was concerned I was missing something as there seems to be many more 0.72 versions out there than 0.85. Maybe it's just that folks hang on to the 0.85 versions...
 

Double Negative

Not Available
I never thought I'd like a .85 VF, being that I like my wides... But shooting a 50mm with it, and especially with a 1.15x magnifier... Makes for a killer .98 VF, almost 1:1, which allows shooting with both eyes open - a real treat. Good for fast lenses and telephotos.
 

seakayaker

Active member
The 0.72 is the standard viewfinder when buying the M7. To purchase a 0.58 or 0.85 VF you need to order the M7 'A la Carte at an additional cost of $180.00 extra charge.

So there are more of the 0.72 available used on the marketplace.

. . . . . at least that is my understanding.
 
The 0.72 is the standard viewfinder when buying the M7. To purchase a 0.58 or 0.85 VF you need to order the M7 'A la Carte at an additional cost of $180.00 extra charge.

So there are more of the 0.72 available used on the marketplace.

. . . . . at least that is my understanding.
Makes sense - thanks Dan.
 

Double Negative

Not Available
If you're going A La Carte, you can go so far as to specify which framelines you want to show as well. For example, my own M7 (that I picked up from Bill, who had the work done) has only 35, 50 and 90 framelines. Makes for a very uncluttered view.
 
If you're going A La Carte, you can go so far as to specify which framelines you want to show as well. For example, my own M7 (that I picked up from Bill, who had the work done) has only 35, 50 and 90 framelines. Makes for a very uncluttered view.
Had no idea you could do that - good to know.

Thanks!
 

Araakii

New member
I wanted to get the 0.85 but then I never really had any trouble focusing my 75mm and I like the flexibility to be able to mount a wide angle lens on it should the need arise.

Maybe 30 years later I will want the 0.85 (if you will still be able to buy film).
 

hunghang

New member
I never thought I'd like a .85 VF, being that I like my wides... But shooting a 50mm with it, and especially with a 1.15x magnifier... Makes for a killer .98 VF, almost 1:1, which allows shooting with both eyes open - a real treat. Good for fast lenses and telephotos.
I guess the same thing can be said about a standard .72 VF with a 1.4X magnifier - that makes a 1.008 magnification factor :)
 

SYGTAFOTO

New member
If you use 35mm lens and wear glasses, I recommend 0.72x. I wear glasses and found it a bit difficult seeing the 35 framelines on 0.85x. I agree with Hunghang as well.. If I need ~1x, I use the 1.4 magnifier.
 

Chuck Jones

Subscriber Member
Joe, it really depends upon what focal length lenses you intend to use with it. I had both a .72 and a .85 M6TTL. I do wear glasses as well. Wide angle lenses - 35mm and under, the .72 I found to be the right choice. 50mm and longer, the .85 was the better choice, in my opinion. I also had the same experience as Scott, the 35mm frame lines on the .85 body made things difficult. 21mm, 24mm, and 28mm impossible.

All around use, I would suggest considering the .72 and possibly buying an optional 1.4x magnifier as well.
 

wjlapier

Member
If you're going A La Carte, you can go so far as to specify which framelines you want to show as well. For example, my own M7 (that I picked up from Bill, who had the work done) has only 35, 50 and 90 framelines. Makes for a very uncluttered view.
DAG masked the framelines on your M7. I liked looking through that VFer.

I'm also certain that you don't have to go the ala carte route to get a .85 M7.

BTW, Leica wouldn't mask the framelines on my ala carte M7 I ordered--I wanted 28, 35, 50 only. I got almost all things I wanted though. You ask for it and they'll do it for a price of course.

One last thing I wished I knew about before I order my ala carte M7 was the M6 TTL Millennium frame counter disc. Black paint with white numbers. Apparently, a part still in stock I'm having installed on my M7.
 

seakayaker

Active member
I'm also certain that you don't have to go the ala carte route to get a .85 M7.
From the current Specification Sheet for the M7.

"Alternative viewfinder magnifications of 0.85x and 0.58x are available as part
of the Leica a la carte range.*"

"*For the possible combinations, the bright line frames (pairs) displayed in each case and further details of the equipment options in the Leica a la carte range, please refer to our homepage: www.leica-a-la-carte.com"

Technical Specs can be found here: http://en.leica-camera.com/photography/m_system/m7/


If you are not buying the 0.58 or 0.85 VF M7 or MP on the used market then you will pay the additional charge of $180.00 USD if you want something besides the 0.72. on a new M7 or MP.

At least that is my understanding from the document supplied on the Leica AG photography website.
 
DAG masked the framelines on your M7. I liked looking through that VFer.

I'm also certain that you don't have to go the ala carte route to get a .85 M7.

BTW, Leica wouldn't mask the framelines on my ala carte M7 I ordered--I wanted 28, 35, 50 only. I got almost all things I wanted though. You ask for it and they'll do it for a price of course.

One last thing I wished I knew about before I order my ala carte M7 was the M6 TTL Millennium frame counter disc. Black paint with white numbers. Apparently, a part still in stock I'm having installed on my M7.
Thanks - good to know about the frame counter option.
 
Joe, it really depends upon what focal length lenses you intend to use with it. I had both a .72 and a .85 M6TTL. I do wear glasses as well. Wide angle lenses - 35mm and under, the .72 I found to be the right choice. 50mm and longer, the .85 was the better choice, in my opinion. I also had the same experience as Scott, the 35mm frame lines on the .85 body made things difficult. 21mm, 24mm, and 28mm impossible.

All around use, I would suggest considering the .72 and possibly buying an optional 1.4x magnifier as well.
Thanks Chuck - I've been leaning towards the 0.85 as I had trouble focusing on the M8 and I also would tend to go with 35mm and above for my film work - but maybe the 0.72 with magnifier is another option to investigate.

It's certainly a lot more difficult finding a 0.85 M7 (with MP VF) on the used market...

Cheers,
 
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