Washington Posted March 25, 2011 Share #1 Posted March 25, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) I spotted a ’’damaged’’ Viso-III prism assembly on e-bay…. the description noted the glass was broken…. and from the photos it appeared to be the bottom lens which faces the body ground glass when fitted. Nobody wants broken stuff so I got it for $23. When I received it I’ll say ‘’the glass’’ was broken….. the prism was smashed! On further inspection to see how this had happened I saw that the camera and Viso had been dropped dead on it’s head as the adjustable top prism retaining flat spring… (which forces the prism downward against bottom plate retainers) was badly bent indicating the impact was at the very top of the prism housing. Now, here is the strange thing, the Viso metal housing and paint show not a sign of damage…. it’s perfect! And, there is no doubt that this is the same housing the prism when smashed due to the glass shards within as well as the bent spring. Now, I have to wonder how was this accomplished, and lord: how strong is this housing anyway??? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted March 25, 2011 Posted March 25, 2011 Hi Washington, Take a look here Viso-III Prism Mystery. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
luigi bertolotti Posted March 25, 2011 Share #2 Posted March 25, 2011 The metal of the Viso Body (and prism housing too) is VERY good...... of course, none can say what EXACTLY happened... but, for instance, if the drop has occurred against a solid wooden surface (a pavement or so, from a significant height) , I think the effect could have been similar... glass broken - prism badly displaced - metal "as new" Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoppyman Posted March 25, 2011 Share #3 Posted March 25, 2011 I'll show you how tough the housing is I had mine on my M9 on a tripod and lifted it to move to a new position, right into my whirling metal bladed celing fan Half an inch higher and I would have scalped my M9. Lifting my camera too high and meeting the ceiling fan! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Washington Posted March 26, 2011 Author Share #4 Posted March 26, 2011 From the damage incurred to the shattered prism….. I’d say the camera was dropped from the Graf Zeppelin at 300’ !! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
farnz Posted March 26, 2011 Share #5 Posted March 26, 2011 I'll show you how tough the housing is I had mine on my M9 on a tripod and lifted it to move to a new position, right into my whirling metal bladed celing fan Half an inch higher and I would have scalped my M9. Lifting my camera too high and meeting the ceiling fan! Ouch! Btw, Geoff, 'nice' Visoflex 4. It brings to mind the Massive Attack lyric from 'Safe From Harm': "I was lookin' back to see if you were lookin' back at me To see me lookin' back at you" (... and was John an expensive model?) Pete. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
elgenper Posted March 26, 2011 Share #6 Posted March 26, 2011 I'll show you how tough the housing is I had mine on my M9 on a tripod and lifted it to move to a new position, right into my whirling metal bladed celing fan Half an inch higher and I would have scalped my M9. Lifting my camera too high and meeting the ceiling fan! Well, just can´t help thinking of the expression "when the sh..t hits the fan...". Very inappropiate for Leica gear, however... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicoleica Posted March 26, 2011 Share #7 Posted March 26, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) Geoff, do you have a photo' of the fan blades? I'll be surprised if they fared as well as the Visoflex. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Washington Posted March 26, 2011 Author Share #8 Posted March 26, 2011 Nicole, That would be interesting! I too would be curious to know how the M body faired after the impact. Chances are it was a M-5 or later. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
farnz Posted March 26, 2011 Share #9 Posted March 26, 2011 ... Chances are it was a M-5 or later. Geoff had already said it was his M9. Pete. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Washington Posted March 26, 2011 Author Share #10 Posted March 26, 2011 Pete, no… I was referring to the Viso-III I am working on: see my original post! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoppyman Posted March 26, 2011 Share #11 Posted March 26, 2011 Geoff, do you have a photo' of the fan blades? I'll be surprised if they fared as well as the Visoflex. The fan blades basically bounced off after leaving a smear of aluminium on the Prism. So just a dinged edge. There may have been a few tears if I had messed up the paint on the new M9 insterad. But they are tough. Spice pots apparently are like Kryptonite but I managed to drop my M8 onto concrete (it landed on the lens hood) and fell on ice with it several times. It kept on soldering on with zero marks or problems. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
farnz Posted March 26, 2011 Share #12 Posted March 26, 2011 Pete, no… I was referring to the Viso-III I am working on: see my original post! Okay. You confused me by referring to Nicole's post, which was referring to Geoff's M9. Pete. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Washington Posted March 27, 2011 Author Share #13 Posted March 27, 2011 No sweat buddy, I’m confused all the time! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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