Visoflex III question

[ldhrads]

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I'd really like to add a visoflex system to my M8, but honestly my head is spinning with obscure references to various adapters etc.

 

What do I really need to get started?

 

Visoflex III head + ???

 

I have a nice Schneider componon 150 that I hear is nice to attach too, but what do I attach it to

 

Feel free to send me to the appropriate older threads, but I just can't find a simple answer to this.

 

Thanks

 

LDH

[wstotler]

I'd really like to add a visoflex system to my M8, but honestly my head is spinning with obscure references to various adapters etc.

 

What do I really need to get started?

 

Visoflex III head + ???

 

I have a nice Schneider componon 150 that I hear is nice to attach too, but what do I attach it to

 

Feel free to send me to the appropriate older threads, but I just can't find a simple answer to this.

 

Thanks

 

LDH

 

 

Initially, I was "thrown" by the apparent complexity, er, "flexibility" of the Visoflex system. But really. . . .

 

(1) Put a regular M-mount lens on the Visoflex III, mount the Visoflex III on the M8, and shoot macro. It's that straightforward. The Visoflex III acts like an extension tube in this scenario. Focusing is limited. DOF is workable when the lenses are stopped down to f/11 or f/16. Shooting at f/2 through the Visoflex III provides a wafer-thin focus plane with hugely OOF areas that can be very cool. I use the 50mm Summicron and an early-60s 135mm f/4 Elmar with good results. (Lenses that have deeply protruding rear elements will require you to lock up the Visoflex's mirror and chimp instead of using the mirror.) Anyway, the Visoflex III is a cheap way to add credible macro capability to your M8 without buying a goggled 90mm, for example. Here are some samples, nothing special, mostly tests: Visoflex on M8 - a set on Flickr

 

(2) Adaptor madness? You bet. You can unscrew the lens heads from several of Leitz's old lenses, screw them into the correct adaptor, and then mount the "new" lens on the Visoflex III. The advantage is that the "new" lens will focus to infinity when mounted--it's not a macro any longer. M8 as SLR? How about a cheap DSLR instead. Others will differ, but this feels ungainly to me.

 

(3) You can also use the Visoflex III with very long lenses (200mm plus). If you really want to use the M8 for these focal lengths, there are threads in the forum on that use.

 

(4) If you really want to use that lens you have, there is probably a way. (Mounting the lens on a special board and then using the Leitz bellows, perhaps?) Somebody else can comment on that.

 

Cheers--and enjoy!

Will

[ldhrads]

Will,

Thanks for your clear answer.

It makes a lot of sense, I expect I will delve into this soon!

Thanks again

 

Lawrence

[Delfi_r]

The Schneider Componon on a Visoflex and a Bellows will give you astonishing results. The old Leica Belowws should come with a 39 mm adapter to put all enlarger lens you can try.

 

¿Better than a SLR with belows and the same lens? The visoflex it's cheaper than another camera, the belows it's available in ebay and the lens it's the same. You can try it.

[wstotler]

Will,

Thanks for your clear answer.

It makes a lot of sense, I expect I will delve into this soon!

 

 

Lawrence,

 

Glad to help out--post some shots or a link to your Flickr account when you get your Viso. They're surprisingly cheap.

 

I was going to add the image below to this thread yesterday, but resisted.

 

Cheers!

Will

[wparsonsgisnet]

Will, is this image from the 135mm?