IIIG Viewfinder Query

lawrence · 08-17-2005

Not sure if this is the right forum but I can't find one for Leica LTM. My question is: does the viewfinder of the IIIG scratch eyeglasses? My glasses have plastic lenses and are very susceptible to scratching.
Thanks
Lawrence

Graybeard · 08-17-2005

The IIIg has a built in variable diopter correction, as do all of the III-series Barnack Leicas. You may not need your eyeglasses at all when using a IIIg viewfinder/ranger.

lawrence · 08-17-2005

Thanks but as I wear my glasses all the time now the variable diopter correction isn't very useful as I find it inconvenient to take them off and then put them back on again. The issue for me is how scratchy the eyepiece is. One possible answer is apparently to use liquid electrical tape and I have some of this on order for my Canon L1; I'm interested in the IIIG but the eyepiece looks quite intricate and so the liquid electrical tape may not be suitable.

Graybeard · 08-17-2005

I'm also an eyeglass wearer and with my glasses on, I can't see the entire 50mm image frame in the IIIg finder, this even with the glasses pressed against the viewfinder bezel.

captainslack · 08-17-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Graybeard

The IIIg has a built in variable diopter correction, as do all of the III-series Barnack Leicas. You may not need your eyeglasses at all when using a IIIg viewfinder/ranger.

Does the same go for the II series as well? I waiting for a IIf to arrive from the Bay, which is why I ask.

lawrence · 08-17-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Graybeard

I'm also an eyeglass wearer and with my glasses on, I can't see the entire 50mm image frame in the IIIg finder, this even with the glasses pressed against the viewfinder bezel.

That's a bit disappointing to hear -- maybe I should just stick with the L1. A thing I don't like about the L1, however, is that unlike the IIIG there is no parallax compensation

jlw · 08-17-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Graybeard

The IIIg has a built in variable diopter correction, as do all of the III-series Barnack Leicas.

Yeah, but isn't it for the rangefinder only -- not the viewfinder?

Graybeard · 08-18-2005

The diopter correction is only on the rangefinder where it is most needed for providing sharp focus. The IIf also has the diopter adjustment.

The viewfinder has no diopter adjustment. I don't find this much of a problem as I can see well enough to frame the image without my glasses.