Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/07/11
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Greg, The magnifying lenses on the front of those M3 / 35mm lenses and the 135 tele-Elmarit lens were effectively the sort of 'dioptre' adjustment you envisaged, but clearly operating on the front of the viewfinder system rather than the rear, and certainly not the zoom version that would be a magical solution to our wishes. I got the impression that Leica had explored the zoom viewfinder when LUG members talked with them at the last Photokina, and it was sadly dismissed as too bulky a concept to fit into the space available. I dare say that the added compexity of having to accomodate a semi-silvered 45 degree glass to project rangefinder image and frame lines into the viewfinder image did nothing to make the zoom lens easier to design either! Of course the old Leica screw series achieved this greater magnification by having 1.5x magnification in solely the rangefinder image which neccessitated it being seperate from the viewfinder. The only way forward is to increase the size of the viewfinder, something which would not be possible in the standard body shape. There is a further couple of millimetres to 'play with' now the TTL body top plate is with us but I believe that extra hieght is already spoken for... The one design which bears something of a resemblance to what you wish for is the Canon VT. This had a rotatable viewfinder which offered three different magnifications, 35mm - about 0.4x, 50mm - about 0.8x and RF (for focusing) - about 1.25x though the latter image was merely circular, rather than a full rectangular frame. Leica did look at this option too but I have not heard or seen anything to suggest that it is being considered further. Jem - -----Original Message----- From: Greg Locke [SMTP:locke@straylight.ca] Not being a manufacturing engineer, I don't understand the obstacles of doing this but..... Would not Leica rangefinders be more effective (and popular) if they have a "variable" magnification so that the frame area for 90 and 135 lens appeared larger in the viewfinder (thus making focusing more accurate and over all overall use easier) So instead of buying a .85 or .72, the magnification could be user adjustable or "simply" change when the lens is applied. I know my F4's have variable diopter control... how hard can it be to apply this to the magnification issue. ...or is this simply one of the benefits of SLR? Has this been discussed before, if so what were the conclusions. cheers, Greg Locke St. John's, Newfoundland locke@picturedesk.org PICTUREDESK INTERNATIONAL ...news pictures ONLINE 1-800-340-4970 / http://www.picturedesk.org - ----------------------------------------------------------------------