pgk Posted October 5, 2008 Share #1 Posted October 5, 2008 Advertisement (gone after registration) I'm building up a macro set-up utilising (so far) a Leitz Photar lens, 2 sets of R bellows and various adapters. It will probably be used primarily with Canon dSLRs but I am also interested in fitting an M8 to it - essentially I am building a system to photograph colonial marine animals (such as hydroids and byrozoans) and the lack of the AA filter might well be useful (I don't have a DMR). Can anyone tell me whether it is only the Visoflex 3 which can be fitted to the M8 - I doubt that I will use the standard prism as I will need to look down into the viewfinder - or is it possible to use earlier (easier to buy and cheaper) Visoflex bodies? What vertical finders may be available? Secondly, is it likely to be possible to fit other focus screens - how does the focus surface actually locate in the Visoflex? As you can appreciate I anticipate some potential surgery so I'm not put off by having to alter parts. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted October 5, 2008 Posted October 5, 2008 Hi pgk, Take a look here Visoflex on M8. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
jc_braconi Posted October 5, 2008 Share #2 Posted October 5, 2008 All the visoflex can be adapted to the M8, the problem can be with the viewfinder. for the purpose of your project I will say that the visoflex I is the good choice as you can use a 30x magnificient lens over the screen to be sure of the right focusing. Good luck ! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arbo68 Posted October 5, 2008 Share #3 Posted October 5, 2008 Visoflex 3 with large pism will work, prism of Visoflex 2 NOT!. Cheers, Arndt Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickp13 Posted October 5, 2008 Share #4 Posted October 5, 2008 for various types of focusing screens on the visoflex, including lines to indicate the m8 "crop" factor, try here: Brightscreen Flash Detection good luck rick Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjt1 Posted October 5, 2008 Share #5 Posted October 5, 2008 I have a visoflex 3 and it fits fine on the m8, and it has the prism viewfinder (the one you look into from the back of the camera. I think the viso 3 has a slightly taller VF than previous models that means it won't foul the top of the camera - I believe this was done when the M5 came out, which is taller than the cameras. The screen appears to be held in by a plate with 4 screws and this plate also holds the rails that the VF attaches to. I simply masked the screen with masking tape to account for the difference between full frame and the 1.33 crop of the m8. I did this by eye and its pretty rough, but it seems to work OK. One other thing - the viso has a standard M bayonet so you can mount lenses directly onto it and this gives you an extension that you can use for macro. I use a 50 f2 summicron like this, and it works well. The 90 2.8 also works fine. However, you can't mount lenses that protrude behind the focus cam, as they will foul the mirror. Lenses I know don't work are the 35 summicron asph and the 28 summicron asph, because I have tried them. Hope this is useful. There have been other threads on this forum about the viso on the m8 so a search is worth a try. Steve Taylor Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
farnz Posted October 5, 2008 Share #6 Posted October 5, 2008 There is a 5x magnification vertical finder available that's commonly called the 'chimney' finder. The Visoflex II will fit onto the M8 but the 90 degree finder won't. I haven't got a Visoflex I, but you'd need a LTM to M adaptor because the Visoflex I came with a screw mount. If you're planning on using AE mode you'd need to sort out how to synch the shutter to the Visoflex I because it was designed to work with the Leitz Cable Release that conncts directly to the Visoflex I and the camera so there would be no way to lift the Visoflex I's mirror to allow the M8's to calculate the exposure. (You might be able to work with the M8 on delay and raising the mirror manually although that seems quite clumsy.) Pete. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
eleskin Posted October 5, 2008 Share #7 Posted October 5, 2008 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi Pete, Do you use the Visoflex 2 on your M8? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
farnz Posted October 5, 2008 Share #8 Posted October 5, 2008 No I don't, I use my Visoflex III. I could use my Visoflex II with the chimney finder but the screw on the Visoflex II's mirror trigger lever isn't long enough to reach the M8's button and actuate its shutter release so I'd have to turn the lever backwards in its storage and transport position and activate it manually. So I use my Visoflex III instead. Pete. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jc_braconi Posted October 5, 2008 Share #9 Posted October 5, 2008 There is a 5x magnification vertical finder available that's commonly called the 'chimney' finder. The Visoflex II will fit onto the M8 but the 90 degree finder won't. the 90 degree for viso III can be fitted on viso II. I haven't got a Visoflex I, but you'd need a LTM to M adaptor because the Visoflex I came with a screw mount. Pete. There are also with M mount If you're planning on using AE mode you'd need to sort out how to synch the shutter to the Visoflex I because it was designed to work with the Leitz Cable Release that conncts directly to the Visoflex I and the camera so there would be no way to lift the Visoflex I's mirror to allow the M8's to calculate the exposure. (You might be able to work with the M8 on delay and raising the mirror manually although that seems quite clumsy.) Pete. There is a pneumatic cable release that makes synchro. the shutter and the mirror. 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! 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/64583-visoflex-on-m8/?do=findComment&comment=676300'>More sharing options...
farnz Posted October 5, 2008 Share #10 Posted October 5, 2008 JC, I've never seen the M mount Viso I before, thanks for posting the picture. I'd assumed that since the Viso I came out before the M range only LTM versions were produced - but clearly not. Perhaps I should have been more specific: when I said "The Visoflex II will fit onto the M8 but the 90 degree finder won't." I should have stated that I was talking about the Viso II finder, which is fouled by the camera's top plate. I note your picture of the M8 with the Viso II body and Viso III 90 degree finder but when I put them together it's not possible to release the mirror because there is not enough travel available in the lever arm before the Viso II's release button strikes the M8's shutter release button. As I mentioned earlier, the only way to release the mirror with this arrangement is to turn the lever backwards in its storage and transport position and activate it manually. I agree that if pgk can find a Viso I in an Mount it would be the best solution for him. All in all, it just goes to show what versatile and well-engineered brands Leica and Leitz are when such aged systems can still be used with the latest equipment to produce excellent results! Pete. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jc_braconi Posted October 5, 2008 Share #11 Posted October 5, 2008 JC, I've never seen the M mount Viso I before, thanks for posting the picture. I'd assumed that since the Viso I came out before the M range only LTM versions were produced - but clearly not. Perhaps I should have been more specific: when I said "The Visoflex II will fit onto the M8 but the 90 degree finder won't." I should have stated that I was talking about the Viso II finder, which is fouled by the camera's top plate. I note your picture of the M8 with the Viso II body and Viso III 90 degree finder but when I put them together it's not possible to release the mirror because there is not enough travel available in the lever arm before the Viso II's release button strikes the M8's shutter release button. As I mentioned earlier, the only way to release the mirror with this arrangement is to turn the lever backwards in its storage and transport position and activate it manually. I agree that if pgk can find a Viso I in an Mount it would be the best solution for him. All in all, it just goes to show what versatile and well-engineered brands Leica and Leitz are when such aged systems can still be used with the latest equipment to produce excellent results! Pete. Pete, I think that if the lever is not working well you may leave this lever in the unmounting position cock the mirror and use a double cable release, I tried just now and it is working. And yes we are lucky to be able to use all this gear Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
eleskin Posted October 6, 2008 Share #12 Posted October 6, 2008 Wow JC, I see your Visoflex 2 is working well with your M8. This is what I want to do. I have a 135mm Elmarit 2.8 made in 1969, and I just bought on ebay the Visoflex 2 without the prism. There are not to many photos online of the M8 with the Visoflex 2. How well does it work for you? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted October 6, 2008 Share #13 Posted October 6, 2008 Here is my M8 with Visoflex II and "chimney finder" : lens is a Tele Elmar 135 lenshead with focusing unit and extender tube - a good and easy to use macro set 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! Taken with a Nokia Camera... Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Taken with a Nokia Camera... ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/64583-visoflex-on-m8/?do=findComment&comment=676674'>More sharing options...
jc_braconi Posted October 6, 2008 Share #14 Posted October 6, 2008 Wow JC, I see your Visoflex 2 is working well with your M8. This is what I want to do. I have a 135mm Elmarit 2.8 made in 1969, and I just bought on ebay the Visoflex 2 without the prism. There are not to many photos online of the M8 with the Visoflex 2. How well does it work for you? Hello, It works, as you can see also on the pict from Luigi, I tried with PLOOT, Viso I, II & III; now may be I do not understand very well but what is the relation from the Elmarit 2.8/135 and the Visoflex II ? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Theodor Heinrichsohn Posted October 6, 2008 Share #15 Posted October 6, 2008 Hello,It works, as you can see also on the pict from Luigi, I tried with PLOOT, Viso I, II & III; now may be I do not understand very well but what is the relation from the Elmarit 2.8/135 and the Visoflex II ? Before getting into SLR's I used Visoflexes quite often with M2, 3 and 4. I converted a Visoflex III for use with the Minolta CLE and use a Visoflex IIa with the film Leicas. For the M8 I use a Visoflex III with the exchangeable ground glass, onto which I have drawn the smaller outlines of the M8 picture. I consider it an acceptable compromise to pack the Viso with a 65mm lens attached and the head of a Tele Elmar in reserve, as it works out to be lighter than an additional SLR. For close ups, the 65 mm works well and the 135 gives me the field of view of a 180 without the problem of focusing. Not the most elegant solution, but one I can live with. This is what I am taking to Tokyo and Kyoto later this week. I admire your Viso I setup! Teddy Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
eleskin Posted October 6, 2008 Share #16 Posted October 6, 2008 Hi JC, Well, the front of my 135mm Elmarit unscrews and it can be mounted on a focus mount Leica designed for this lens and the 90mm Summicron for use on any Visoflex. I bought the visoflex 2 because it only cost me $60 US dollars on Ebay. I thought it was a good buy in that other units were well above $200 and more, especially the Visoflex 3. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
j_lir Posted October 6, 2008 Share #17 Posted October 6, 2008 I shoot alot of music festivals in the summer. I was going to grab a 135 lens for this summer's use, however I'm wondering if there is a specific visoflex outfit that will allow me to get great images from afar? I tried my visoflex II on my m8, and realize i need a different prisim finder...but what are my tele options for summer shooting? thanks! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted October 6, 2008 Share #18 Posted October 6, 2008 Hi JC, Well, the front of my 135mm Elmarit unscrews and it can be mounted on a focus mount Leica designed for this lens and the 90mm Summicron for use on any Visoflex. I bought the visoflex 2 because it only cost me $60 US dollars on Ebay. I thought it was a good buy in that other units were well above $200 and more, especially the Visoflex 3. So you think to setup the combo hereunder described... well, I have the 2 rings (helical focusing mount + addon macro adapter) : indeed it works well, but not so quick in operation. (The attached page refers to Viso III, but with the II is exactly the same). 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! btw, the two rings, as always, are much more funny to be identified with the old 5-letters codes... ZOOEP and OUEPO... Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! btw, the two rings, as always, are much more funny to be identified with the old 5-letters codes... ZOOEP and OUEPO... ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/64583-visoflex-on-m8/?do=findComment&comment=677169'>More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted October 6, 2008 Share #19 Posted October 6, 2008 I shoot alot of music festivals in the summer.I was going to grab a 135 lens for this summer's use, however I'm wondering if there is a specific visoflex outfit that will allow me to get great images from afar? I tried my visoflex II on my m8, and realize i need a different prisim finder...but what are my tele options for summer shooting? thanks! See under (another page from the same Leitz instruction book i posted before)... 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! 400 & 560 are a little problematic to use for action (tripod almost mandatory, long...) but the Telyt 200 f4 is a good lens, neither difficult to find nor too costly, and can be used with satisfaction even freehand; 280 is more difficult for it's much more heavy and bulky: I say, with the 200 you can still hold the camera and focus the lens as usual, with the 280 you start to need to hold the complex (Visoflex body, typically) , focus with the other hand, then move the same hand to shot... Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! 400 & 560 are a little problematic to use for action (tripod almost mandatory, long...) but the Telyt 200 f4 is a good lens, neither difficult to find nor too costly, and can be used with satisfaction even freehand; 280 is more difficult for it's much more heavy and bulky: I say, with the 200 you can still hold the camera and focus the lens as usual, with the 280 you start to need to hold the complex (Visoflex body, typically) , focus with the other hand, then move the same hand to shot... ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/64583-visoflex-on-m8/?do=findComment&comment=677180'>More sharing options...
jc_braconi Posted October 6, 2008 Share #20 Posted October 6, 2008 Hi JC, Well, the front of my 135mm Elmarit unscrews and it can be mounted on a focus mount Leica designed for this lens and the 90mm Summicron for use on any Visoflex.. Well, I understand now, fine. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.