Why no Visoflex IV?

[jaapv]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Since the M8 Visoflex photography seems to have taken off. How hard can it be to produce a Visoflex IV for M8? Smaller, the mirror can be shorter, maybe it could even accomodate R lenses with automatic diaphragm., a shutter release on the Visoflex would make it possible to time the delay between mirror up and shutter for correct exposure measuring and the Visoflex itself would operate the cable release.Please, Leica? Pretty please?

[Rona!d]

Here it is: http://www.leica-camera.us/photography/d_system/digilux_3/

(for the R-lenses)

[jaapv]

Here it is: Leica Camera AG - Photography - Digilux 3

(for the R-lenses)

Now I only have to figure out a way to shoehorn a M8 sensor into the Digilux3..

[hankg]

I don't think a few threads on this forum constitute a market. At least not yet. If they do come out with an R10 maybe it would make sense to take a rebranded HORSEMAN LD and create a version for M and R with a seperate Viso IV attachment for the M version. Maybe issue 2 Leica f/4 Focotar lenses to go with the system one for .5x to 3X and one for infinity distances and maybe a Viso compatible variation on the current 135 M for protraits.

 

Still a long shot and Leica still has to sort out the M8, produce firmware for the all ready installed DMR's and come up with a new digital R. I think their plate is pretty full. Anything like this would be pretty far down the road. Besides you can do all the above now with relatively inexpensive used items for a few hundred bucks. I'm not sure even Viso afficianados would be willing to cough up $1,000s for any new kit.

[luigi bertolotti]

I am definitely a Visoflex user & admirer, but agree with Hank : not the moment nor a priority for people in Solms: a nice device tailored to M8 would be an important=costly development, and simply take out from the archives Visoflex III design, tooling etc, as is, and making it available again "on order" would be a slightly ridicolous move: people outside the Leica world would probably laugh at it, and we "old-gear-lovers"... have our Visos or buy them in the marketplace.

I think of as a MAYBE possible move, something similar arriving from Cos/Voigt, IF they would decide to make some unusual kind of lens (Macro, Shift, 180, 250, mirror tele?...): they have definitely proved to be smart people with innovative ideas on how to find niches in the Leica market.

[Artichoke]

Since the M8 Visoflex photography seems to have taken off. How hard can it be to produce a Visoflex IV for M8? Smaller, the mirror can be shorter, maybe it could even accomodate R lenses with automatic diaphragm., a shutter release on the Visoflex would make it possible to time the delay between mirror up and shutter for correct exposure measuring and the Visoflex itself would operate the cable release.Please, Leica? Pretty please?

I just acquired a Viso III at a local camera swap meet and am very pleased with it

the M8 does meter accurately using the lever or cable release, albeit not snapped, but gently released

the lever will allow for holding the meter up so you can check for exposure using the M8's meter easily ...there is really no need for a delay with mirror up as this is done in stages with my Viso ...the mirror is up before the shutter is released & can be held up with the lever or cable release

I am pretty certain that should Leica make a Viso IV, it will have a mirror much like the present one, as they would want it to be compatible with all M's, but it would be simple to etch the ground glass with the M8's crop lines

[hankg]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I'm putting together a "Leica M view camera" now. The Horseman LD would be ideal as its scaled for DSLR use but it costs $2500. All the 6x9 view cameras are to expensive as well. So I am using a used Horseman LX 4x5 available used for $300-500. If a dedicated Viso user like myself is to cheap to spring for the Horseman 35mm solution new, there is no way I'd pay for what Leica might produce. The Viso is a niche within a niche. I can't see it happening.

[doubice]

Since the M8 Visoflex photography seems to have taken off. How hard can it be to produce a Visoflex IV for M8?

 

Given the extremely limited market for the device, it would not make economical sense for Leica to design a new version of the Visoflex. Most Leica users stick to lenses below 90mm and with the crop factor of the M8 the 135mm lens becomes a very nice 180mm lens, should you need a longer telephoto.

 

From a cost perspective, designing and tooling up for a "Visoflex IV" would not be economically feasible. Not too many would be sold and retail cost would probably exceed US$1,500. Add to that cost of adapters, consider the fact that none of today's modern Leica lenses have removable optical units to allow infinity focusing - the list goes on... Using R lenses would not help much, as infinity focus would not be possible.

 

Having said that, I do own a Viso III and am looking forward to use it when I take the plunge for the M8. My 280mm Telyt will become a nice 370mm telephoto, the system will allow TTL metering with aperture priority auto exposure and the cost of the whole outfit (bought used on eBay) was less than US$400. There are many older Leica lenses with removable heads available, as well as used Visoflex adapters and anybody wishing to try this route can do it relatively cheaply. This cost effectiveness will outweigh the relative inconvenience of the system.

 

Cheers,

 

Jan

[coachjpg]

If I understand correctly, the point of the visio is to allow focusing by looking through the lens. If there is a market for this capability with the M8, I would be inclined to offer a software solution, rather than expensive hardware. Imagine an e-shutter option in the M8 menu, that leaves the mechanical shutter open and uses the LCD on the back of the camera as the viewfinder. Then you could use any lens for which you can find an adaptor.

 

Metering and shutter management would be different, of course. They already have software for digital leica cameras with an LCD and no viewfinder. It would be a project to port this to the M8, but it should be a straightforward, low-risk software port.

 

You'd have to be careful that your lens doesn't protrude into the M8 and damage things, and some lenses might have focus limitations at the extremes, but with all the M adaptors on the market, it seems to me that this simple mod would make the M body more versatile, increasing its value to customers.

 

I have to admit that I'm puzzled as to why the M8 has a mechanical shutter at all. I presume it offers some advantages over an electronic shutter, but I don't know what they are. For long lenses, though, an electronic shutter has the advantage of no vibration at all.

 

I really like the idea of the long (up to 1600 mm) R glass on an M8 for wildlife photography. That would allow the lightest possible rig in the mountains. Yes, I know the long R glass is heavy. I'd gladly haul it up mountains, though, for the images it would provide. If I can get away without hauling visio hardware also, I'm all for that. I already have to haul the LCD. Why can't I just focus with that?