Visoflex I

[leica1947]

Hi I have just obtained A VISOFLEX I in cosmetically good condition, with angled adjustable eyepiece, which full of dust, however, when I look through eyepiece when not attached to anything and no lens attached, I can only see small slit not full frame, is this normal, does anyone know, or does it need correct lens adapter and lens fitted to show anything like a picture. It is the M baynet to body version but sm for lens. What would be the correct adaptor and lens to get just for close ups?

[luigi bertolotti]

Originally Posted by leica1947

Hi I have just obtained A VISOFLEX I in cosmetically good condition, with angled adjustable eyepiece, which full of dust, however, when I look through eyepiece when not attached to anything and no lens attached, I can only see small slit not full frame, is this normal, does anyone know, or does it need correct lens adapter and lens fitted to show anything like a picture. It is the M baynet to body version but sm for lens. What would be the correct adaptor and lens to get just for close ups?

If I have understood well, You look through the eyepiece NOT attached even to the mirror box ? If so you see confused shadows only... Viso is a reflex device: to see if works well, You anyway have to attach a lens, lower the mirror, attach the finder (I seem You have the 45° angled, not the vertical, right ?) and see through: You must see a full standard frame, focused correctly at some distance (see after...). You can attach a number of lenses with screw mount: the standard lenses become de facto macro lenses, for the Viso unit acts as an extension tube on a SLR: depending on focal length, anyway you never focus to infinity: a good choice for macro is a SM 90 like the old Elmar f4. If you want to focus to normal ranges, i.e. to infinty, things start to complicate: there are Tele Lenses (Telyt 200 f 4 or 4,5, Telyt 280 f4,8, Telyt 400 f5) that fit DIRECTLY on the Viso (I forgot, there is also the "strange" Hektor 125 f 2,5, fascinating lens...), then You have the capabilty to attach the LENS UNITS (unscrewed from the focusing body) of other lenses (typical, 90 and 135) by mounting them on adapters (screw-to-screw) so that You focus from infinity to....some distance, but there are also ADDITIONAL EXTENDER RINGS so that You obtain a macro unit, or You can use the lens units on the bellows... Expecially with the Viso II and III you have an impressive number of possibilities; Try to find somewhere some old data sheet of the usage of the Viso I, and You find all these devices precisely detailed: they are not uncommen in the market...I have a lot of them (is a "specific sector" in which a collector can become half crazy...)
Enjioy the device, and , when accustomed, buy also a Viso II or III with OUBIO (eh eh, guess what is it...) and a bellows, and an Elmar 65 mm: You can then say to be a real Leica macro amateur old-style

[doubice]

Raymond,

Luigi just about covered your lens choices, so I won't go there. What I think needs to be addressed is the why you only see "a small slit".

The Visoflex I has a mirror (as you probably know) and this mirror should normally stay in its 'down' position. On the right side of the Visoflex body is a release, which should bring the mirror up and when let go, the mirror should fall down by itself.

I think your problem is that either the mirror hinge or the release mechanisms are dirty, not allowing the mirror to swing freely. The mirror is probably stuck in the 'up' position and that is why you only see a small slit of light.

The Visoflex I is a fairly simple device and depending on how technically adept you are, shopuld not be so difficult to clean. First check if the mirror is moving freely by simply pushing it up and down with the tip of your finger. You should not feel any resistance.
Secondly, check the shutter release on the side of the unit. It should also move freely, particularly the outside locking collar. If you feel any binding or resistance while raising the mirror with the release or, if the mirror does not come down by itself, cleaning is what the doctor prescribed......

To help you with the plethora of adapters and usable lenses, try to find an old Leica Manual by Morgan and Morgan - one published in the early to late 1950's. They are quite often found on eBay for less than US$10.00.

All the best,

Jan

[leica1947]

hi guys, many thanks Luigi and Jan, you have indeed been very helpful and information has helped a lot. However it seem that I may have an angled unit that is broken or misaligned. If I take viewing unit off, I see opaque glass with 35mm oblong, mirror i have cleaned and also it moves up and down ok with no problems. Now problem is narrowed down to eyepiece unit, if i look through this, I can only see small slit, the condenser lens? which u can see on baynet fitting end is dusty on inside, I think maybe this unit is damaged and needs attention, does this help better for your advice, regards ray

[doubice]

Raymond,

It does indeed look as if your finder is defective. I assume that you have the 45 degree finder with a rubber finder occular.

This finder has a series of prisms inside and it is possible that it was dropped and some of the prisms are out of alignment. The worst case scenario would be if one of the prisms became de-cemented......

You can access the innards by removing the plate which holds the finder occular.

All the best,

Jan

[leica1947]

Hi guys, I have spoken to Malcolm Taylor, Herefordshire, U.K. and he has suggested I send it to him to look at, as he is already attending to a 50mm Summitar for me, will let you all know result, when he returns it. Many thanks again to all who treid to help me.

[jc_braconi]

Hello,
It was fine if you posted some pics about your viso and parts !
Cheers
jc

[leica1947]

hi guys, Malcolm Taylor sorted the visoflex, it would appear some one had tried to clear dust in it previously and not reassembled prisms correctly. Malcolm cleaned and reassembled correctly now unit works fine, also he did great job on a Summitar same time(elements hazy) he did service on lens and that now like new again.