Leica Camera AG, Solms has added several accessories to its rangefinder system to fit the new M lenses and cameras. In addition to two compact brilliant viewfinders for the short focal lengths 21 mm and 24 mm, a new viewfinder magnifier is also available. Screwed on to the eyepiece of Leica M cameras, it magnifies the viewfinder image by 1.4x. 

The new viewfinders for 21 mm and 24 mm M lenses provide a remarkably vibrant, high-contrast image. Due to a concave mirror in the optics (hence the term ‘mirror viewfinder’) a fraction of the incoming light is used to illuminate the picture outline as a bright frame – in the same way as the viewfinder of Leica M cameras. The two finders have parallax compensation markings for distances below 2 m [6 ½ ft.] and markings for the slightly smaller image field of LEICA M8 models. They can therefore be used just as effectively for film photography (24x36 mm) as for digital photography (18x27 mm). The entire optics are given a high-quality multi-layer coating to guarantee optimum viewing through the finder in all conditions. The high-quality metal bodies of the finders are designed in the popular retro look of the 1950s and 1960s but are milled from solid brass and  given a silver-chrome or black paint finish to match the cameras. The eyepiece side is rubberized to protect the user’s eyeglasses.

The Leica Brilliant Viewfinders M will be on sale at authorized Leica dealers beginning in November 2008.

The LEICA VIEWFINDER MAGNIFIER M 1.4x is an accessory that considerably facilitates picture composition when using focal lengths above 50 mm and improves focusing accuracy with very fast M lenses. It is compatible with all Leica M models and enlarges the central area of the viewfinder image by two fifths; roughly 70% of the original viewfinder image can still be seen. For example, a 0.72x camera viewfinder (M8 models: 0.68x) becomes a 1x viewfinder (0.95x); this combination also allows comfortable viewing of the subject with both eyes. Particularly with the Leica M-system 75 to 135 mm telephoto lenses, the  larger viewfinder image offers significantly better recognition of subject details inside the field frame. At the same time, the 40% increase in the effective measuring base results in a corresponding increase in focusing accuracy. This is an advantage for all fast Leica M lenses when the full aperture of the lens is used to apply the shallow field depth to a specific detail of the subject.

To secure the LEICA VIEWFINDER MAGNIFIER M 1.4x against loss it is supplied with a black chrome brass retaining chain that can be attached to the carrying strap eyelet. The viewfinder magnifier is supplied in a leather case with a loop that allows the magnifier to be stored on the camera’s carrying strap, protected and ready for use. The rubberized eyepiece protects eyeglasses from being scratched and enables correction M lenses to be used.

The LEICA VIEWFINDER MAGNIFIER M 1.4x complements the viewfinder magnifier 1.25x already in Leica’s product range and will be on sale at authorized Leica dealers from October 2008