M lenses on Visoflex?

[Atracksler]

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Looking at the visoflex, will any M lens work on one? or do I need to get a special lens for the rig?

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[k-hawinkler]

Looking at the visoflex, will any M lens work on one? or do I need to get a special lens for the rig?

 

 

Well, yes and no. The question is which lenses focus on the Visoflex to infinity?

The Visoflex takes up 41 mm IIRC, so the bayonet M-lens focus mount is too long by that much.

So, it has to be replaced by a short focus lens mount.

And the lens head has to be removable from the lens.

Only a few older lenses were designed with that in mind.

 

I have older 90 and 135 mm lenses that fit that description.

The best choice is an older (not the latest version) Tele-Elmar 135/4, typically available for around $500.

There also is an Elmar 65/3.5 with only the short focus mount.

The black version of that lens is apparently optically superior.

 

Then there are Visoflex lenses from 200 to 800 mm, i.e. 200, 280, 400, 560, and 800.

 

The beauty of these Visoflex lenses for me is also that with an adapter I can use them on Nikon cameras as well.

 

There are as well two older Leitz adapters that can be used to turn a V- into an R-lens.

[mmradman]

Also longer R lenses (>80mm) would work in close up mode - attached via R-M adapter of course.

[Atracksler]

Thanks!

 

Basically, I have a Voightlander 40mm that I really like. I'd like to take some pictures closer than .7mm (if I can - I am getting used to the MFD, this is my first rangefinder - a M8) I bought a SOOKY-M, but didnt realize that I needed a summicron 50 for it, I didnt know if I could buy a visoflex and use the 40mm I have.

 

If I can't, I guess I will bite the bullet and but the summicron. Just feeling out my options. Dont know which is "easier" to use, the SOOKY or the Visoflex...

 

Thanks a million in advance. ad

[luigi bertolotti]

Thanks!

 

Basically, I have a Voightlander 40mm that I really like. I'd like to take some pictures closer than .7mm (if I can - I am getting used to the MFD, this is my first rangefinder - a M8) I bought a SOOKY-M, but didnt realize that I needed a summicron 50 for it, I didnt know if I could buy a visoflex and use the 40mm I have.

 

If I can't, I guess I will bite the bullet and but the summicron. Just feeling out my options. Dont know which is "easier" to use, the SOOKY or the Visoflex...

 

Thanks a million in advance. ad

 

You can use BOTH the solutions, which bring to very different fields of usage :

1) SOOKY-M with Summicron 50 allows you, with M8, to focus at 48cm about : not a strong macro, but a simply to use combo : I use it a lot, personally: is easy to carry with you and you can use it handeld in many situations.

2) A 40mm mounted on a Visoflex gives a BIG magnification : you can focus an object VERY next to the front element, but with a very narrrow field of focus (40mm helicoid throw is very small compared to the length of the Visoflex) : you can have problems of illumination of the subject; tripod is, in practice, mandatory.

 

Do not forget that SOOKY-M, by itself, needs a Summicron of the collapsible type (it can mount also the Elmar 5 cm screw mount, and some other old collapsible 50s, too) : to use a rigid Summicron you need :

a) A Summicron that has the lens unit unscrewable from the focusing mount (to say, the "old" Summicrons, not the "modern" ones)

The intermediate ring UOORF-16508 (see hereunder - first pic) that fits to the bayonet of the SOOKY-M and on which you screw in the lens unit of the Summicron

This is a very good combination for near focusing, perfectly working on M8

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[Atracksler]

so, a SOOKY M with a collapsable Summicron can focus down to 48cm?

 

If I want to use the same setup (SOOKY+ Collapsable cron) and take a picture of something at a normal focusing distance (3-5m) will I need to remove the SOOKY, or just focus?

[luigi bertolotti]

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so, a SOOKY M with a collapsable Summicron can focus down to 48cm?

 

If I want to use the same setup (SOOKY+ Collapsable cron) and take a picture of something at a normal focusing distance (3-5m) will I need to remove the SOOKY, or just focus?

 

Yes, you must remove it : SOOKY gives a focus distance of 48 to 88 cm: using the "goggle" unit with the RF you can easily verify this.

As an advice... I'd prefer to use a rigid Summicron with UOORF... collapsable Summicrons are, most of times, in no top conditions (their coating was delicate and easy to be worn), rigid Summicrons are, in general, better performers ; UOORF isn't difficult to find, and no much costly.

[Atracksler]

OK that clears up a ton of questions!