1.25x Viewfinder Magnifier for Leica M Review

I recently obtained a 90mm and a 135mm lens for my Leica M6 body (0.85 magnification). I have no trouble focusing using my 50mm lenses, but I want to have more accurate focusing using the telephoto lenses that I have.

A viewfinder magnifier will help me deal with this issue since it magnifies the rangefinder image to help in focusing. After deciding that an original Leica 1.25x viewfinder magnifier is too expensive, and getting a cheap used one from eBay is difficult, I had to made do with an aftermarket 1.25x viewfinder magnifier which retails for around US$65.00 from HKSupplies with free shipping. It is a cheap alternative and after receiving the item, I am not dissapointed.


The package consists of a small leather case, and the viewfinder magnifier. The aftermarket 1.25x viewfinder magnifier feels solid and well made. Unfortunately the same cannot be said for the leather case which we will deal with later. There are no rough areas in the metal, the glass is clean and clear. The lettering is just painted and not engraved. Another plus is that it has threads on the viewing end which accepts a Leica diopter correction lens.

Unlike the original Leica version, this magnifier does not come with a cord which can be a positive or negative thing depending on how you see it. For me, the cord may be a liability since it could catch into things, though it helps prevent losing the magnifier in case it unscrews from the viewfinder. I don't forsee the magnifier dislodging itself from the body during use. But then again, I am just using the product occasionally since I do not shoot that much with a 90mm or 135mm lens.

There is also no rubber cap on the back of the magnifier which would be a problem for eyeglass wearers since their glasses may be scratched. This can easily be resolved by gluing a piece of rubber or felt cloth.

The leather pouch is good enough to fit the magnifier inside. It comes with a strip of leather which goes in so you will not have any difficulty popping out the magnifier for use (and risk dropping it). It has a snap around attachment to put it to a neck strap. The snap around attachment just consists of two flimsy pieces of leather which I think can easily tear if the pouch snags on to something.

The magnifier should fit all Leica M bodies, but I have only managed to test it on my Leica M6 and Leica M2. On attaching the lens to my Leica M6 0.85x body, the 35mm framelines is no longer usable but the framelines can still be seen if you move your eyes around the edges of the finder.

Using a 50mm lens, the sample image above shows how the rangefinder patch appears without, and with the 1.25x viewfinder magnifier attached. The framelines disappear when the magnifier is attached since I cannot poke further using the camera I used when taking the picture. But when you use your eyes, you will see that the 50mm framelines are visible.

Here is the corresponding magnification equivalent for various bodies when using the 1.25x viewfinder magnifier:

0.58 = 0.72
0.72 = 0.85
0.85 = 1.06

Since the magnifier costs way lot less than an original Leica 1.25x viewfinder magnifier and it does the job despite its shortcomings, I would definitely recommend having one specially if you often use telephoto lenses.

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