Goombah6 Posted November 9, 2009 Share #1 Posted November 9, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) Does anyone here have experience with a visoflex on an M8, and is it worthwhile. I have a 90 cron that is very difficult to properly focus in the RF. Also, considering a 135mm lense, and wondering if a visoflex would make this work better. From some quick research, looks like only a visoflex III would work with M8. Comments and advice welcomed. ---Dave Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted November 9, 2009 Posted November 9, 2009 Hi Goombah6, Take a look here Visofloex and M8. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
wilfredo Posted November 9, 2009 Share #2 Posted November 9, 2009 You might want to try a viewfinder magnifier. This one will save you some bucks. http://cgi.ebay.com/1-25x-Viewfinder-Magnifier-for-Leica-M6-M7-MP-M8-Black_W0QQitemZ200403145009QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item2ea8f55131#ht_4639wt_1282 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big T Posted November 9, 2009 Share #3 Posted November 9, 2009 For my Summarit 90mm I use a 1.4x magnifier with a +1.5 diopter (Long sighted) attached and works an absolute treat for me.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimF Posted November 9, 2009 Share #4 Posted November 9, 2009 The Visoflex will work fine on the M8 and M9. However, it's a very inconvenient way of doing things, and really only usable on a tripod with cable release IMVHO (on the last point, mine may be off, but I have to use one of Tom A's softies to enable the arm to depress the camera's shutter release when using a cable). Trying to handhold means you get a total blackout from the moment you depress the release arm. Unless exposure has been set manually, you then need to pause briefly to allow the camera to meter the scene before following through. Frankly I'd say it's only worthwhile if you wish to use the lenses longer than 135mm which the Visoflex makes available. I have a 75mm Summilux (sometimes said to be the trickiest lens to focus with an M), and so far seem to manage OK with my new M9 without the use of the magnifier (despite being very shortsighted sans contacts). I'd agree with Wilfredo and Trevor to have a play with the magnifiers though. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted November 9, 2009 Share #5 Posted November 9, 2009 You will need the Visoflex III if you plan to use the prism. With straight finder you can us either the Visoflex II or III. But for the Visoflex II you will need to remove the handgrip if you use one. A lens of 50 mm or longer can be used directly on the Visoflex for excellent macro. The 90 and 135 lenses ( you need the version with a detachable head) will need the universal Schnecke to mount the head in if you want to reach infinity. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Morley Posted November 9, 2009 Share #6 Posted November 9, 2009 I used to use my Visoflex 3 for lenses longer than 200mm years ago in my film days, and use it again with a 400mm Novoflex follow focus lens and 65 Macro now on my M8's. It needs the screen masking down for the 1.33 factor of course, but once that is done it makes my digital M's vastly more versatile. Would be better still though on the full frame M9, and I can't help wondering how long it will be before someone starts making a modern equivalent (Maybe even Leica themselves?), but don't buy a Visoflex 2, as it will not fit with the 90 degree finder, and the mirror blacks out completeley when you fire it. Don. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wstotler Posted November 9, 2009 Share #7 Posted November 9, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) Does anyone here have experience with a visoflex on an M8, and is it worthwhile. I have a 90 cron that is very difficult to properly focus in the RF. Also, considering a 135mm lense, and wondering if a visoflex would make this work better. Suggestions about using a magnifier are good. I use a 1.25x magnifier on my Summicron 90mm with good results. The 135 is a tough lens to focus below f/8 (for me, anyway). Warning! The Visoflex is heavy *and* bulky. Add a lens and its special focusing rings to the Visoflex and it is (literally) like holding a brick. For that reason alone, I would not recommend the Visoflex for making your 90mm and 135mm more usable--get a 1.25x or 1.4x magnifier instead. I do recommend the Visoflex if you're interested in doing very-close-up macro work, on a tripod or with the camera resting still. You can mount a 50mm or 90mm lens up on it, focus, spin your aperture to f/16 to get a lot of DOF, and take very close photos of objects with it. Here are some examples of that: Visoflex on M8 - a set on Flickr It's been a blast for "true" ultra-close-up macro work with my existing lenses. As a solution for using a 90mm or 135mm handheld? I think it's impractical due to weight and bulk. *Maybe* it wasn't a bad solution in the early 1960s for that purpose. Comments, Lars B.? Later! Will Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted November 9, 2009 Share #8 Posted November 9, 2009 Actually a Visoflex is not that heavy - but practical for a 90? maybe not. Most 90 mms don't have a detachable head anyway nowadays, just the older ones. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
swamiji Posted November 9, 2009 Share #9 Posted November 9, 2009 Visoflex I is screwmount Visoflex II is M mount but fits only pre-M5 bodies (unless you have the 5X viewer) Visoflex III is M mount and fits all M (including M8 and M9) Pretty much any Visoflex II lenses/adapters etc will work on the Visoflex III, and Many of the Visoflex I lenses will work (with the correct adapter) will work with the Visoflex II or III. The major use of Visoflex is either Telephoto or Macro (close focus). In the Telephoto world there are lenses from 65mm to 800mm and several of the older summicron/emarit can be used both with the Visoflex or directly on the camera (mostly in the 90mm/135mm range). Macro can be done with either adapters or with bellows, I have both and find working with bellows beats anything else I have ever used... Use of tripod is always good when using any telephoto lens... but the 560mm Telyt comes with a metal shoulder mount, but I find it ineffective. For manuals check here: Leica camera instruction manuals, leicaflex camera instruction manual Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goombah6 Posted November 9, 2009 Author Share #10 Posted November 9, 2009 Thanks to everyone for the helpful information, which I appreciate very much. I don't plan to do much macro work, so I think I ought to try the magnifiers that have been suggested. ---Dave Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
swamiji Posted November 9, 2009 Share #11 Posted November 9, 2009 At 120mm and 180mm, don't forget the Tripod.... It might be your best friend. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeitz Posted November 9, 2009 Share #12 Posted November 9, 2009 Swamjii is not an expert on reflex housings. There was in fact an M version of Visoflex I. And a screw mount version of the Visoflex I will work fine with the normal adapter. The double cable release needed to raise the mirror and fire the shutter is different. In addition the no-step 90 degree 4x finder from the Visoflex III will also fit and work properly on the Visoflex II; and it is a high eyepoint finder (bigger, easier to view image). However, it is correct that Visoflex III is the preferred reflex housing for M Leicas. The instant return mirror is quite an advantage. Visoflex II was only made from 1959 to 1961. Visoflex III was made from 1961 to 1984 making it the longest lived reflex housing made by Leica. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hsw Posted November 10, 2009 Share #13 Posted November 10, 2009 I heartily recommend the Visoflex system to you; very clunky and impractical but utterly charming [like the Fiat I had in college]. Can't beat it for macro with the bellows IMO. But something that was not mentioned in regards to your original question: Your focusing problem may not be your fault at all, there is a very well known backfocusing problem with a few of the Leica lenses and the M8. Search the numerous early threads about that and the solutions; see if that fits your situation. Cheers, Henry And you can often get away without a tripod too!: VISO III & 280mm Telyt 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! 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/103115-visofloex-and-m8/?do=findComment&comment=1110329'>More sharing options...
jc_braconi Posted November 10, 2009 Share #14 Posted November 10, 2009 Visoflex I is screwmountVisoflex II is M mount but fits only pre-M5 bodies (unless you have the 5X viewer) Visoflex III is M mount and fits all M (including M8 and M9) Visoflex II are in S mount too. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jc_braconi Posted November 10, 2009 Share #15 Posted November 10, 2009 VISO III & 280mm Telyt Superb catch Sir ! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
swamiji Posted November 10, 2009 Share #16 Posted November 10, 2009 True, I am no expert... There are of course adapters to put screw mount lenses on Visoflex II/III, and one can put a bayonet adapter on a Visoflex I. However none of my reference books, mention a factory made Visoflex I with a bayonet mount. There may have been some made, but finding one today would be close to impossible, and quite pointless, as the Visoflex III is quite available. I can look in my Leica Photography collection between 1954 and 1961 to see if a Visoflex I with bayonet mount was mentioned... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted November 10, 2009 Share #17 Posted November 10, 2009 And you can often get away without a tripod too!: VISO III & 280mm Telyt Great action shot ! I seem to notice that you too (as myself) do not care of taking a big UVIR filter (supposed it exists) for the Telyt 280... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted November 10, 2009 Share #18 Posted November 10, 2009 I can look in my Leica Photography collection between 1954 and 1961 to see if a Visoflex I with bayonet mount was mentioned... Yes, you can be sure it was... see for instance Leica M catalog of 1961. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted November 10, 2009 Share #19 Posted November 10, 2009 I seem to recall there was a Visoflex II with screw mount as well. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
swamiji Posted November 10, 2009 Share #20 Posted November 10, 2009 Great action shot ! I seem to notice that you too (as myself) do not care of taking a big UVIR filter (supposed it exists) for the Telyt 280... Yep, thats 85mm for the Telyt 400, at least the Telyt 560mm uses a series VII, so it shares with my lux 24 and my Elmarit-M 1:2.8/135 (also my lux 35 pre-asph when I owned one) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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