p.1 #1 · Disassembly - Light Lens Lab 1.4x viewfinder magnifier for Leica M
@yukosteel recently posted an article about opening and maintaining the diopter rotation of the Light Lens Lab 1.4x viewfinder magnifier for Leica M cameras. I have this magnifier myself and find it extremely useful, especially when using lenses with focal lengths longer than 50mm.
"LLL 1.4x magnifier is an excellent alternative to few times more costly Leica 1.4x magnifier, and many shooters prefer it also for compact size and for convenient diopter correction. My copy is excellently made with proper stiffness of diopter corrector ring that stays in place great. In some copied though the rotation of diopter ring is quite loose, which leads to frequent accidental rotation and missing optimal setup."
p.1 #2 · Disassembly - Light Lens Lab 1.4x viewfinder magnifier for Leica M
Mine was one of the loose ones. I borrowed your idea (at least I think it was your idea) and blue loctite'd it in place. Now, it's a dream to use (or at least, I don't have to reset the diopter anymore) and massively improves my success rate with the f/1 Nokton.
p.1 #3 · Disassembly - Light Lens Lab 1.4x viewfinder magnifier for Leica M
100% on the same page, this LLL 1.4x dramatically improved focus accuracy for me. First with Sonnetar 73mm F1.5 and now with Nokton 50mm F1. It's also a big help when adjusting lens RF precision and comparing RF patch vs LiveView - allowing me to fix the lens faster, thanks again Fred for great recommendation!
p.1 #4 · Disassembly - Light Lens Lab 1.4x viewfinder magnifier for Leica M
Fred Miranda wrote:
@yukosteel@ recently posted an article about opening and maintaining the diopter rotation of the Light Lens Lab 1.4x viewfinder magnifier for Leica M cameras. I have this magnifier myself and find it extremely useful, especially when using lenses with focal lengths longer than 50mm.
"LLL 1.4x magnifier is an excellent alternative to few times more costly Leica 1.4x magnifier, and many shooters prefer it also for compact size and for convenient diopter correction. My copy is excellently made with proper stiffness of diopter corrector ring that stays in place great. In some copied though the rotation of diopter ring is quite loose, which leads to frequent accidental rotation and missing optimal setup."
p.1 #6 · Disassembly - Light Lens Lab 1.4x viewfinder magnifier for Leica M
rsolti13 wrote:
Yes, works great. It comes with an adapter to fit the M10/M11 viewfinders. You can essentially use it with all M bodies
I tried to unscrew just with my hand the existing circular viewfinder on the m11m. It wasn’t budging and I didn’t try to force it. It’s supposed to unscrew to put on the LLL, right?
p.1 #8 · Disassembly - Light Lens Lab 1.4x viewfinder magnifier for Leica M
brick33308 wrote:
I tried to unscrew just with my hand the existing circular viewfinder on the m11m. It wasn’t budging and I didn’t try to force it. It’s supposed to unscrew to put on the LLL, right?
you don't unscrew anything from the M11, there is an adapter that comes with the LLL magnifier that screws on between the viewfinder and the magnifier
look at the picture on the site, you should have that adapter ring that goes on the M11
p.1 #10 · Disassembly - Light Lens Lab 1.4x viewfinder magnifier for Leica M
I have just bought this magnifier and, while having a nice build and feel, I think it is bigger (longer) than the Leica one (probably due to its integrated diopter).
Nevertheless, I observed it is a bit difficult to see the 50mm frame lines when the magnifier is attached to the view finder, basically I have to move my eye slightly sideways in order to cover the 50mm frame lines. Is that your experience as well? I don't seem to remember having this issue with the Leica 1.4x magnifier when I had one. Is this issue related to the LLL magnifier having a higher eye relief (it is longer than the Leica one, as mentioned, IIRC). Also, when "focusing" the magnifier (using its diopter) I noticed focus breathing, so this might add a bit to the issue.
p.1 #11 · Disassembly - Light Lens Lab 1.4x viewfinder magnifier for Leica M
I just bought one to try and found the same. The top and bottom 50mm frame lines are just visible, but the sides are not. It's really nice having a 1:1 view in the viewfinder and being able to focus and compose with both eyes open, but I'm not sure the trade-off of not seeing the frame lines is worth it, considering that my most-used lens is a 50mm.
I'm likely going to return this. I'd only recommend the LLL magnifier for 75mm or longer.
Thinking about giving the Bresson J-type magnifier a try next.
p.1 #12 · Disassembly - Light Lens Lab 1.4x viewfinder magnifier for Leica M
catacore wrote:
I have just bought this magnifier and, while having a nice build and feel, I think it is bigger (longer) than the Leica one (probably due to its integrated diopter).
Nevertheless, I observed it is a bit difficult to see the 50mm frame lines when the magnifier is attached to the view finder, basically I have to move my eye slightly sideways in order to cover the 50mm frame lines. Is that your experience as well? I don't seem to remember having this issue with the Leica 1.4x magnifier when I had one. Is this issue related to the LLL magnifier having a higher eye relief (it is longer than the Leica one, as mentioned, IIRC). Also, when "focusing" the magnifier (using its diopter) I noticed focus breathing, so this might add a bit to the issue....Show more →
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specLegacy wrote:
I just bought one to try and found the same. The top and bottom 50mm frame lines are just visible, but the sides are not. It's really nice having a 1:1 view in the viewfinder and being able to focus and compose with both eyes open, but I'm not sure the trade-off of not seeing the frame lines is worth it, considering that my most-used lens is a 50mm.
I'm likely going to return this. I'd only recommend the LLL magnifier for 75mm or longer.
Thinking about giving the Bresson J-type magnifier a try next.
Yes, with Leica M bodies that have a 0.72x viewfinder, the LLL 1.4x magnifier brings it up to roughly 1.0x magnification. With that setup, the 50mm framelines sit right at the very edge of the viewfinder, similar to how the 28mm framelines appear, except the top and bottom of the frame are easier to see.
On the M240 or my M-D, which has a 0.68x viewfinder, it's a bit easier to see the 50mm framelines without having to glance toward the sides. With the 1.4x magnifier, the viewfinder becomes about 0.95x, which feels close to an M3.
Either way, if you mostly shoot 50/75/90, I highly recommend the LLL magnifier. It makes the rangefinder patch noticeably bigger, so it's much easier to see subtle focus changes and nail critical focus.
