Firefly Posted July 12, 2014 Share #1 Posted July 12, 2014 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi all, does a visoflex ii fit onto a MP ?, I understand the finder fouls the top of the camera, or do you have to use the visoflex iii and finder. Thanks in advance, best regards Rob Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted July 12, 2014 Posted July 12, 2014 Hi Firefly, Take a look here visoflex on a MP?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
jip Posted July 12, 2014 Share #2 Posted July 12, 2014 Yes Visoflex 3 is best for on the MP, it also functions a little nicer in my opinion auto mirror recock etc. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
xalo Posted July 12, 2014 Share #3 Posted July 12, 2014 Hi Rob, The Visoflex II did fit my M6, M3 and M2 and they all have the body height as the MP, as far as I know (I had sold the Viso when I got the MP). The M6ttl and M7 might be different because of their higher tops, but then the Viso fits the digi-Ms, so I'm confused here... As for fouling the top plate, if the prism is carefully handled, all will be fine. Slipping off is possible, of course and a layer of tape (gaffer or other easily removable type) may be reassuring... I didn't use it, but my bodies were/are beaters. What lens are you planning to use with the Viso? (Congratulations on the MP, btw!) Cheers, Alexander 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Firefly Posted July 12, 2014 Author Share #4 Posted July 12, 2014 Thanks, at the moment I have a 280mm telyt but who knows what might turn up Hopefully someone here has actually mounted either a visoflex ii or iii onto their MP and can confirm what does actually fit. I know the iii has some added features but the ii is smaller and more freely available, regards Rob Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
xalo Posted July 12, 2014 Share #5 Posted July 12, 2014 Did you check the MP manual, a search here - and perhaps Flickr? If it was tried, pics are there... The 280 is quite impressive, tried it very briefly on my RD-1 (viso II wo/prism fits!) I liked the 200/4 and use Tele-Elmar 135/4 (still do). Works very nicely. Actually, even the Hektor 135 was very nice. Lots of toys out there... Alexander Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
k_g_wolf ✝ Posted July 13, 2014 Share #6 Posted July 13, 2014 (edited) The III works fine, the II should as well. If you still have to decide which one to get, go for the VISOFLEX III. And: use a decent tripod, you might find it difficult to focus properly without. Best GEORG Edited July 13, 2014 by k_g_wolf Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Firefly Posted July 13, 2014 Author Share #7 Posted July 13, 2014 Advertisement (gone after registration) Not surprisingly the manual makes no reference to the Visoflex system, it had been dropped about 20 years earlier. I cannot find anything obvious on here either. A search of Flickr finds three pictures of a Viso iii attached to a MP, all from the same poster. The quest for answers goes on, regards Rob 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
k_g_wolf ✝ Posted July 13, 2014 Share #8 Posted July 13, 2014 Unfortunately I sold my TELYT 200 and 280 some time back to fund other gear. Here you see what a VISO can be good for: put the camera on a tripod and take your time. These are taken with the M9, VISO III, 135 mm Tele-Elmar, wide open. Enjoy your TELYT. Best GEORG Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! 5 Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/230427-visoflex-on-a-mp/?do=findComment&comment=2629480'>More sharing options...
Penzes Posted July 15, 2014 Share #9 Posted July 15, 2014 (edited) For example..... Leica M3 [variation] by Istvan Penzes, on Flickr NOCTILUX by Istvan Penzes, on Flickr Leica MP Visoflex III Elmar-V 65/3.5 black OTZFO ISO 40 Sekonic L-308S Nikon Coolscan 9000 Nikon FH-869 GR Works like a charm! Edited July 15, 2014 by Penzes 5 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
xalo Posted July 15, 2014 Share #10 Posted July 15, 2014 Superb, Istvan. May I stray OT for a sec and ask which film you used at Iso 40 and how you developed it? Alexander Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Penzes Posted July 15, 2014 Share #11 Posted July 15, 2014 Yes, you may, Rollei ATP 1.1, developed with ATP Document Developer. 6 Minutes @ 19 Celsius. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Penzes Posted July 15, 2014 Share #12 Posted July 15, 2014 I have a few pictures uploaded to my stream at almost full resolution. Than you can have an idea, what the film and the macro Elmar capable of. Full size Noctilux picture Full size black on black Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
xalo Posted July 15, 2014 Share #13 Posted July 15, 2014 Thanks a lot, very nice results indeed. The ultrafine texture is like suede and the blacks are just stunning. This I will have to try one day. Gruß, Alexander Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Firefly Posted July 17, 2014 Author Share #14 Posted July 17, 2014 A quick update, I have been having an exchange of emails with a Gentleman who has written several books about Leica M camera's including the use of the Visoflex on them. Luckily he owns a MP and various types of Visoflex. The initial problem was that his MP is non-standard, I think it has a pressed top rather than the usual milled top. I measured the top to bottom of the camera and the depth of the top with accurate callipers then sent him the measurements to compare with his MP. It turns out they are the same and a Visoflex ii should fit with about 1.5mm clearance across the top plate, another critical measurement is the step on the viewfinder with regard to the sync lead cover on the back of the top plate, about 1mm clearance. So both the ii and the iii fit but I now have to decide between the small and relatively petit ii which is freely and cheaply available against the bulkier iii which does have added features but comes at a seemingly far greater cost. The backdrop to this is that it is not an item that I would be likely to use very often so the price difference might be better used if put towards a more useful lens, I do have to work to a certain budget. Possibly the only iii's that I have seen so far have been in the hands of the "speculators" and a more realistically priced one will turn up in time, once purchased I will update, regards to all, Rob Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
swamiji Posted July 17, 2014 Share #15 Posted July 17, 2014 You can use any Visoflex on any M body, if you use an adapter (screw mount) and a chimney. If you use a standard angled viewfinder you need a Visoflex III. The Visoflex II was designed for M3-M4. The Visoflex III was designed for M5 and newer. However there was a rare angled viewfinder for the Visoflex II that worked on the M5. Visoflex is the ultimate Rube Goldberg contraption, that's why some of us love it so much. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Firefly Posted July 17, 2014 Author Share #16 Posted July 17, 2014 The Visoflex iii was released in 1963, the M5 was released in 1971, Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted July 18, 2014 Share #17 Posted July 18, 2014 ....So both the ii and the iii fit but I now have to decide between the small and relatively petit ii which is freely and cheaply available against the bulkier iii which does have added features but comes at a seemingly far greater cost... I have seen just now this thread on ani tem (the Viso) which I like a lot... ... and, yes, you can be sure that both II and III work fine on your MP; imho, the really valuable plus of the III is the capability to be mounted/dismounted WITHOUT removing the prism : not only makes operation quickier and easier, but avoids the exposition of two delicate surfaces to dust : I have used Visoflexes for years, and fact is that the image on the Viso II was often "dirt" with little particles. The "instant mirror return" of the III is not such an important facility : the lever of the II which lowers the mirror after shooting is so well shaped and accessible that you can operate it fine and very quickly. Also, I have always had the feeling that the Viso III, for its bayonet release mechanism, can give a certain stress on the bayonet mount of the M body (just a feeling, not real evidence and probably any possible issue requires anyway hundreds of mount/dismount operations....) Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Firefly Posted July 29, 2014 Author Share #18 Posted July 29, 2014 Quick update, took delivery of a Visoflex iii today, also picked up a 400/5 last week to go with the 280 , must dig out my tripod and release cable sometime, cheers Rob Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susie Posted July 30, 2014 Share #19 Posted July 30, 2014 I totally agree with Luigi on this. I prefer the Viso 11 for shooting and don't have any problem with the non-instamt return mirror. The 111 always feels as if it is doing something horrible to the bayonet (but it doesn't actually ) when being fitted. This is with an M2 or M3, or 111f though. Then again, the advantage, for me, of the 111 over the 11 is that the finder does not need to be removed each time you fit it or take it off, and also I can see the lever out of the corner of my eye when I'm shooting, which gives a sort of warning of when the shutter is going to be released. That last bit sounds odd, but give it a go and you'll see what I mean! The 111 also makes it easier to use ttl metering as on my M6 and M9, as the mirror can be lifted clear (either slowly with the lever or using the knob) to allow the meter to work. Although I have used the 111 a lot with my M9 I have never tried to assertain if the metering is quick enough to use the instant mirror release. But then again, I also like the Viso 1 with a PEGOO..... Be carefull though. Viso's are like a lot of Leica gear, once you get infected it just spreads! Best wishes Susie Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBA Posted August 26, 2014 Share #20 Posted August 26, 2014 I have temporary access to a Viso II as part of a 60s Leica kit I'm appraising. I've just tried it on my MP and the prism is a bit of a tight fit, but it works fine. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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