Re: Leica-Users List Digest V1 #585

[Iain Bryson <ieb1y@udcf.gla.ac.uk>]

Hi,

When you look through the viewfinder of a Leica M6, you see a roughly 
three-quarters life-size view of your subject, with two sets of bright 
framelines superimposed on it, outlining the field on view for two lenses
of different focal length.

Changing lenses causes a different pair of framelines to appear in the
viewfinder automatically.  The magnification of the viewfinder stays constant.
There are three pairs of framelines, corresponding to 6 focal lengths; only 
one pair of framelines appear at any one time.  You tend to notice only the 
framelines corresponding to the particular lens you are using.

The framelines are arranged in pairs to show the fields of view for the six 
focal lengths as follows:

       50mm and 75mm
       90mm and 28mm
      135mm and 35mm

For any other lenses, you need a separate, shoe mounted viewfinder.

The framelines for the 28mm lens can be difficult to see if you're wearing
spectacles, as you have to put your eye close to the eyepiece to see all
four sides at once.  The frameline for the 135mm lens consists of four corners 
to indicate the field of view, and is quite small.  Accurate framing takes 
practice.  There is a 135mm (f2.8) lens with 'spectacles' which brings up the
90mm frame and magnifies it to correspond to the 135mm field.  This
improves focusing and framing accuracy.

In the centre of the viewfinder is a small bright rectangle, in which 
you can see a double image of part of the subject.  If you are looking
at a vertical post, for example, you will see a double-image of the post
in the centre rectangle.  As you focus the lens, this double image
merges into one.  It's very easy and very positive, even in low light.

Towards the bottom of the viewfinder, you see two red triangles pointing
inwards, indicating exposure.  When both triangles glow equally brightly,
the exposure is correct.  If only one glows, the direction it is pointing
in indicates the way to turn the aperture ring to achieve correct exposure.

Iain

On Wed, 6 Aug 1997, Chris Bitmead wrote:

> 
> A question from someone whose never looked through a Leica but is
> curious....
> 
> Can someone give me a very brief description of the viewfinder? Which
> range of lenses have framing lines? Do you have to manually pick the
> right lines or is there some adjustment like Contax?
> 
> I know really wide angles you get a special viewfinder, but what about
> really long, like 135mm?
>