visoflex-novice in macroland

[chris_tribble]

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... and just for the fun of it with another object. OK - I could have done this with my Ricoh in macro mode and got a pretty good image. But it's more fun doing it this way - and the macro rig will impress clients more than the point and shoot

 

Lots of things to learn with this, but the principles seem to work and the there's something rather enjoyable about the grownup meccano aspect of it all...

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[chris_tribble]

... and to finish off, a few shots with the Apo-Telyt 135 and the Apo-90 Summicron mounted directly to the Viso 2. Also very handy. First shot stopped down, second shot fully open.

 

Looking back over these, it looks like that for documentation work, either of these modern lenses stopped down to at least f8 will work well when mounted onto the Visoflex system via the appropriate bayonet mount. Of course, none of this will give you infinity focus - for this you need to get Viso lenses and the right tubes (or other kinds of adaptations). However, when fixed to a tripod, and with reasonable levels of lightn for macro they constitute a completely viable solution. Depending on the level of apparent magnification you need, you might find that the Viso 2 or 3 + a 90 or 135 lens will do most of what you need. I've found the bellows to be good because they give finer control.

 

Once again - many thanks to those forum members who have been kind enough to give their time to advising a total beginner in this aspect of Leica M practice. Highly appreciated. Once again - what a useful place this is, and what nice people!

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[Doc Henry]

The setup now is Visoflex 2 + x5 vertical viewfinder + Bellows 2. I've used it this morning with the A-T 135, Apo 90 Summicron and Macro-Elmar 100 f4 (on loan from Malcolm). Thus far I'm delighted. Very straightforward to focus off the ground glass, very straightforward to operate (mirror down to frame / focus, mirror up to shoot using 2 second delay). Some examples below shot with fully open and stopped down apertures. Lit with just a couple of desk lights. I've just realised that the focus on one of the Summicron shots is off, but can't be bothered to replace

 

I think this is going to work well with the AT 135 being the primary tool.

 

VERY thanks to everyone who's helped on this.

In other words, Chris, the AT 135 mm and Apo Summicron 90mm Asph does work with the bellows and Visoflex 3 ?

or do we need one or another adapter?

 

I do not understood very well what was said TELYT

It seemed to see many adapters and only old lens that would work on these bellows

it's complicated all these mountings !

Thanks

Henry

[chris_tribble]

Henry - the only thing you need on your bellows 2 will be the correct adaptor (16596). This will work with the Viso 2 or Viso 3. On the M9 if you're using Viso 2 you need a vertical finder (difficult to find). Otherwise you should use the Viso 3 + 90 degree finder.

 

I'm delighted with mine.

[jaapv]

In other words, Chris, the AT 135 mm and Apo Summicron 90mm Asph does work with the bellows and Visoflex 3 ?

or do we need one or another adapter?

 

I do not understood very well what was said TELYT

It seemed to see many adapters and only old lens that would work on these bellows

it's complicated all these mountings !

Thanks

Henry

 

Not really, you can slap the 135 straight onto the Viso and do near macro without any ring.

[Telyt2003]

In other words, Chris, the AT 135 mm and Apo Summicron 90mm Asph does work with the bellows and Visoflex 3 ?

or do we need one or another adapter?

 

I do not understood very well what was said TELYT

It seemed to see many adapters and only old lens that would work on these bellows

it's complicated all these mountings !

Thanks

Henry

 

Henry,

please let me know what you did not understand !

 

Most (normal) M-lenses can be used directly on any Visoflex as a macro lens.

You have to take care that no (protruding) rear lens elements come into conflict with the mirror!

And for practical reasons, the lenses focal length should not be too short.

 

You may want to re-read the example of the Apo-Telyt 135/3,4 used on the bellows 2 and the Visoflex2 (or 3), as also shown by Chris today.

 

I also have given a short summary of the simpliest possibilities for macro applications of the M-camera with Visoflex2/3 here,

- starting with Visoflex2/3 only,

- followed by adding the bellows (with its unspecific M-lens adapter),

- followed by adding the different specific adapters for the bellows,

- followed by some of the alternative and more dedicated equipment for the Visoflex (short focusing mounts, adapters, macro rings).

So you may enter to the world of macro at 4 different levels (each becoming more dedicated and specialised) .

 

The possibilities of using the Visoflex2 instead of the Visoflex3 for macro work was described here. With the Visoflex2 housing, instead of the "chimney" finder, also the 90 degree finder of the Visoflex3 can be used with the M8/9.

 

Best regards,

Telyt2003

[chris_tribble]

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The possibilities of using the Visoflex2 instead of the Visoflex3 for macro work was described here. With the Visoflex2 housing, instead of the "chimney" finder, also the 90 degree finder of the Visoflex3 can be used with the M8/9.

Telyt2003 - the pity is that the Visoflex2 finder can't be used with the M8/9 as this has the diopter adjustment. Malcolm Taylor's working to see if he can make an adaptation which will allow people with long sight to use this finder (visoflex 2 90 degree) on the M9. The 5x chimney finder is difficult to fine (anyone with one to spare please PM me!)

[Telyt2003]

(...)

 

Once again - many thanks to those forum members who have been kind enough to give their time to advising a total beginner in this aspect of Leica M practice. Highly appreciated. Once again - what a useful place this is, and what nice people!

 

Chris,

thank you for the kind words. Well appreciated!

 

For me, it was a nice opportunity to give macro at close distances some more room in my practise.

 

Normally, the macro at a distance is what fascinates me, with for example a 400 mm Telyt hand held at a (living, futile) object approx. 2 metres away (from the sensor!) and approx. 1,20 m away from the front of the lens/sun shade. The reproduction ratios of such macro applications vary between 1:6 or 7 and 1:3 or 4, at best.

 

Telyt2003

[Telyt2003]

Telyt2003 - the pity is that the Visoflex2 finder can't be used with the M8/9 as this has the diopter adjustment. Malcolm Taylor's working to see if he can make an adaptation which will allow people with long sight to use this finder (visoflex 2 90 degree) on the M9. (...)

 

Chris,

wouldn't it be much easier (more likely possible) to adapt an diopter correction mechanism to the 90 degree finder of the Visoflex3 ? (as already proposed by Jaap).

Such a finder then could be used with both Visoflex 2 and 3 housings on the M8/9. (...)

 

The 5x chimney finder is difficult to fine (anyone with one to spare please PM me!)

My "chimney" finder has decided to stay with me!

Best,

Telyt2003

[Doc Henry]

Thanks Chris and Jaap for answering my questions

 

TELYT thank you to these specific answers.

It is now clear for me.

I'm starting to see some light in this "jungle" mounting

If I need more information I will send you a PM

You have address in Europe that has these elements (Viso and Bellows) and you can buy them at a fair price ?

 

Thank you again to all

Best

Henry

[chris_tribble]

Henry - I've PMd you

[Telyt2003]

Thanks Chris and Jaap for answering my questions

 

TELYT thank you to these specific answers.

It is now clear for me.

I'm starting to see some light in this "jungle" mounting

If I need more information I will send you a PM

You have address in Europe that has these elements (Viso and Bellows) and you can buy them at a fair price ?

 

Thank you again to all

Best

Henry

 

Henry,

some recommendations (please check their websites, but more importantly, give them a call!):

 

Normally, it should be no problem to get them from one of the three Meister Camera / Leica Camera stores (Hamburg, Berlin und recently also Munich).

In Hamburg, they have a quite big collection of such equipment.

 

You also may phone leicashop/Westlicht in Vienna. They also normally have every single piece of this macro equipment "in stock" (nothing of it is rare or a collectible ).

 

In the Netherlands: CollectCamera has a lot of stuff.

 

In Paris: Photo Suffren. Not much in stock, but always worth a try. Very competent, and not snobbish (contrary to the former MdL) .

 

Best,

Telyt2003

[chris_tribble]

Henry - to whet your appetite, a few more shots of natural subjects. All with Apo-Telyt 135. Directly attached to Viso 2, and then with minimum and maximum extension on Bellows 2.

 

Great fun, useful, and not too expensive if you already have a 135 lens.

 

Aperture set to f8 in all cases.

 

Best

 

C:

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[chris_tribble]

Chris,

wouldn't it be much easier (more likely possible) to adapt an diopter correction mechanism to the 90 degree finder of the Visoflex3 ? (as already proposed by Jaap).

 

Can anyone point me this post? Can't seem to find it through Search.

Thanks

[Telyt2003]

Can anyone point me this post? Can't seem to find it through Search.

Thanks

 

Chris,

I was referring to a potential solution similar to that shown in these posts from Jaap (in the present thread, posts 61, 64, 65, 66, 68).

Probably this possibility has already been discussed to an end for you. Sorry, I didn't know!

 

Best regards,

and thank you for the many example photos!

Telyt2003

[chris_tribble]

Ah - that solution. Forgotten about that one in the excitement of getting things working... Next step!

[chris_tribble]

I've just noticed this:

 

Leica Visoflex 5X VERTICAL MAGNIFIER (VISO II, III) OTVXO - KEH.com

 

I've sourced mine elsewhere - but this looks like a good price (though shipping to Europe is expensive).

[k-hawinkler]

I have successfully bought a lot of Leica/Leitz stuff from KEH.

However, lately they seemed to be scraping the bottom of the barrel.

The last two Visoflexes I had to send back.

In one the prism was loose. One couldn't even look through it.

The other had a viewer for a VISO II mounted on a VISO III. So didn't fit my M9.

Of course, you can buy from them and return if it isn't as advertised.

However, sometimes it's impossible to tell whether a VISO part is damaged without taking it apart.

In that case, you better have a qualified technician at hand so that you don't miss the short time window during which one can return an item.

 

Good luck, K-H.

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Hallo,

Look here: Interesting Leica gear

[chris_tribble]

I'm working with Malcolm Taylor on trialling an adaptation of a Visoflex 90 degree finder to fit onto the Visoflex 2 body mounted on an M9. This will involve a spacer that lifts the finder sufficiently to clear the top plate of the M9 - and also maybe putting on an adapted shutter release arm. Malcolm reckons that this will work for people with long sight (like me ), and will give the great advantage of built in diopter correction + (for macro work) the benefit of using the simpler, and he reckons, more reliable mechanism of the Viso 2.

 

I'll report back if there's eventual success.

 

For those looking for parts or support, I can't recommend Malcolm too highly. He doesn't give instant responses (still doesn't use email for the business), but if you're willing to use snail-mail and phone, he's a great man to work with and an engineer to his finger-tips.

[jaapv]

It sounds like a rather roundabout way of getting at the problem, as my adapted Vissoflex III pentaprrism will fit a Visoflex II. It is the first time in forty years that I heard any reliability issue on the Visoflex mentioned. But Malcolm is a highly respected expert and it will be interesting to see what he comes up with.