eyeglasses and the R3

clintk · 11-27-2004

I used to wear contacts, then switched to glasses. I guess I'll have to switch back to contacts now. I looked through my M1 and discovered I could barely see the outer frame lines which I believe are 35.

Oh well.

Clint

Huck Finn · 11-27-2004

So, what's the connection to the R3, Clint?

clintk · 11-27-2004

From what I've read, it's difficult if not impossible to see the 40 framelines with eyeglasses.

Allen Gilman · 11-27-2004

Clint, I'd handle it before purchasing it. I don't think it's doable. I'm not a very technical person when it comes to rangefinder mechanics but is the tradeoff of the 40mm framelines the 1:1 magnification? I imagine there are some people who've ordered this camera who are in for a surprise.

rover · 11-28-2004

I will park my 50mm lens on the R3a most likely, but I am looking at 2 options to see those 40mm frame lines, my contacts and a diopter. I am assuming that it will take the same diopter that the R and R2 use which I already have. If not, then I will need to get a new one.

(should that be ...or a diopter?)

Huck Finn · 11-28-2004

Rover, diopter for a Bessa camera? Is this on an auxiliary finder? I'm not familiar with these.

Clint, why are you interested in the R3A? Is it the 1x magnification? AE? 40mm framelines?

rover · 11-28-2004

The Bessas take the Nikon diopters for the FM10.

Huck Finn · 11-28-2004

Thanks, Rover.

Does a dipter reduce the field of view the way a viewfinder with increased magnification does?

rover · 11-28-2004

No, it looks the same. My eyesight isn't the best, so the best thing for me is my glasses, then contacts, then the diopter.

Doug · 11-28-2004

"Diopter" is just the optical power of a lens, a unit of measure. Like a close-up lens for your camera... with your camera lens set to infinity focus, a one-diopter closeup lens causes it to be focused to one meter. A two-diopter closeup lens results in focus to 1/2 meter, etc.

Correction lenses can also be attached to your camera eyepiece to help your eye focus on the viewfinder's focusing aid, whether it's the RF spot or the SLR ground-glass. These also are made available in various strengths depending on your need, in diopter units. Thus the lenses are often called diopter lenses; may not be the correct term optically, but it's a common usage anyway! Some cameras have built-in adjustable eyepieces, and the adjustment feature may be called the diopter correction.

As rover alluded to, with the viewfinder corrected for your eyesight either through an add-on "diopter" lens or the body's built-in correction feature, you then can probably use the camera without your eyeglasses. I think most cameras standardize on -1 diopter for the normal correction, and you go from there.

Huck Finn · 11-30-2004

Quote:

Originally posted by Allen Gilman
Clint, I'd handle it before purchasing it. I don't think it's doable. I'm not a very technical person when it comes to rangefinder mechanics but is the tradeoff of the 40mm framelines the 1:1 magnification? I imagine there are some people who've ordered this camera who are in for a surprise.

Allen, I would agree that achieving 1:1 magnification was not possible with 35mm framelines, so 40mm is the best they could do at the wide end of the range. When Leica added the .85 magnification option to their M-series, they dropped the 28mm framelines. So, 35 was the best they could do at .85. Clearly, going the full distance means further compromise.

While it wouldn't be as sexy as the 1:1 magnification, I would rather have seen them decrease the magnification & add 28mm framelines. Maybe they could still do that, thereby offering 3 options as Leica does - although certainly unlikely given the limited market niche. 1:1 is a dream for low-light shooters, who use ultra-fast lenses (as well as for those who use longer focal lengths). But the other area where rangefinders excel is at wide angles & it certainly would be nice to be able to use a 28mm lens without resorting to an auxiliary finder. If the compromise at that end is that you can't focus the 90/3.5, that would be OK with me. They could drop the 90mm framelines altogether or offer a slower 90, like the 90/4 which focused on the CL with even a shorter effective baselength than a lower magnification Bessa would have.

dougi · 11-30-2004

I have glasses too, but already expected 40mm lines would be no good. I intend my r3A (which arrives tommorrow in Oz) to be used for my 50 & 90 Hexanons & ultrawide 15mm. AE a bonus with ultrawides as you can concentrate on that accessory finder! My Hexar RF will be used for 28/35mm, although 28mm a bit of a struggle with glasses on this too.

Huck Finn · 12-01-2004

Doug, I think that's the beauty of a viewfinder that includes 28mm framelines - increased utility of 35mm lines, i.e. while you may struggle with 28, you can comfortably see 35 - which is more likely to be your most frequently used focal length. When you have to struggle to see 35 or 40, that limits the value of the viewfinder for you. Your use of the R3A for 50-90 maximizes its advantages.

jameshays · 12-09-2004

Got my R3 today. I can't see the 40 framelines with my glasses. Not even close. I also don't have a lens yet so nothing is quite set in stone. I was leaning towards a 35 cron or the VC 40/1.4 and will primarily be using this camera for people shots, but now I'm not sure is this is the body I need. My question is: Does anyone find the 1:1 finder more valuable than being able to see the framlines? Also, is this size finder easier to focus?

I am anxious to buy a lens and use it but I'm afraid I might have to wait for the R2A. Wish I had a test lens.

rover · 12-09-2004

Mine just came today too, but I can almost see the 40mm framelines with my glasses on. I can see the edges if I squirm around which leads me to feel that the 40 will be ok to use, if I can see it, it is on the film. It is definately a finder for the 50mm focal length more so than 40 though.

I think the finder is wonderful. I played a bit with it and it focused in a snap with my 50 and 75 in low light. I am left eyed, and I was able to use it looking threw with my right having both eyes open, pretty cool. Took a little doing to figure it out though and I poked myself in the eye a few times.

One note regarding my message from above, the finder is different than that in the R and R2 so the Nikon diopter will not work with this camera. I have not spent any time to figure out if there are diopters which will fit this camera yet.