Rheingold Posted May 25, 2013 Share #1 Posted May 25, 2013 Advertisement (gone after registration) Looking through the Visoflex prism I have, I can see what is likely to be minute traces of fungus. Having said that, I have never knowingly come across fungus before, but judging from the description of others, I am fairly certain that's what it is. Several wispy, cobweb like deposits are visible (sharply in focus) around the periphery of the rectangular viewing area. The bottom plate, as you know, is secured with six screws. If I remove this plate, will it allow access to the prism for cleaning purposes, or is the problem that I would appear to have be best dealt with by a camera engineer? Thanks in advance for any advice on this. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted May 25, 2013 Posted May 25, 2013 Hi Rheingold, Take a look here Visoflex question please...... I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
k-hawinkler Posted May 25, 2013 Share #2 Posted May 25, 2013 Well, if I understand your question, there are shims and tiny springs below that plate. If you remove that plate, don't lose a spring. Also the shims have to be correct for precise focusing. I sent in my Visoflexes for a CLA. But there are a number of folks on this forum who work on the Visoflexes themselves. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rheingold Posted May 25, 2013 Author Share #3 Posted May 25, 2013 Many thanks - to tread carefully would seem to be the safest option. I'll leave it the experts, I think. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted May 25, 2013 Share #4 Posted May 25, 2013 Well... isn't difficult, indeed, and doesn't need special tools... the only warning is really, as said before, not to lose the springs, which are at risk to jump around when you remove the screws : try with care, and is all ok. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rheingold Posted May 25, 2013 Author Share #5 Posted May 25, 2013 Hey, thanks for the heads-up Luigi. If I run into problems I'll pop across and see you! What's a few hundred miles? Cheers, Peter. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wlaidlaw Posted May 25, 2013 Share #6 Posted May 25, 2013 Hey, thanks for the heads-up Luigi. If I run into problems I'll pop across and see you! What's a few hundred miles? Cheers, Peter. My personal suggestion is to send the whole Visoflex to Will van Manen in the Netherlands for a total service and alignment. Home. Visoflexes are very prone to going out of adjustment and it is a real expert job to get everything back how it should be. Will provides an excellent service and of course it is not very cheap but everything is finished on time and you know it is going to be well done. Wilson Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
k-hawinkler Posted May 25, 2013 Share #7 Posted May 25, 2013 Advertisement (gone after registration) +1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jc_braconi Posted May 25, 2013 Share #8 Posted May 25, 2013 Looking through the Visoflex prism I have,?Thanks in advance for any advice on this. What kind of magnifier / visoflex are you speaking ? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rheingold Posted May 25, 2013 Author Share #9 Posted May 25, 2013 It's the Visoflex lll + the RWR prism eye-level finder. I bought it recently at a Leica auction in England. It came (in a Leitz fitted suitcase' style box) with Bellows ll, chimney finder, slide copier and a whole host of rings and tubes. It doesn't look as though any of it has ever been used. It's mint, other than the deposits on the viewfinder prism. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomB_tx Posted May 26, 2013 Share #10 Posted May 26, 2013 From the description it could also be a bit of de-silvering of the prism, which can look pretty weird. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
k-hawinkler Posted May 26, 2013 Share #11 Posted May 26, 2013 Maybe a photo would be helpful? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rheingold Posted May 28, 2013 Author Share #12 Posted May 28, 2013 Okay problem solved. Took the proverbial bull by the horns and removed the base plate, and (as usual) Luigi was correct. Not a difficult disassemble/reassemble assignment at all, although the crud on the angled reflective plate AND the lens was quite difficult to remove, but in the end... So, many thanks: I now have a pristine Visoflex (with two viewing devices) to play with impatiently awaiting the arrival of a 90mm 'Elmarit'. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted May 28, 2013 Share #13 Posted May 28, 2013 Okay problem solved. Took the proverbial bull by the horns and removed the base plate, and (as usual) Luigi was correct. Not a difficult disassemble/reassemble assignment at all, although the crud on the angled reflective plate AND the lens was quite difficult to remove, but in the end... So, many thanks: I now have a pristine Visoflex (with two viewing devices) to play with impatiently awaiting the arrival of a 90mm 'Elmarit'. Compliments !! Do you plan to use the 90 Elmarit on the Viso ? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rheingold Posted May 28, 2013 Author Share #14 Posted May 28, 2013 Ooh ~ absolutely (Luigi) Main reason for buying it, and I have the Bellows 2 + an assortment of tubes and rings. Who knows? I may even try a 135mm 'Hektor' - even good looking samples are so inexpensive. Peter Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rheingold Posted May 29, 2013 Author Share #15 Posted May 29, 2013 Not to labour the point, but my new [old] 90mm 'Elmarit' arrived by post earlier today [s/no. 2292XXX] which dates it, I think, to around 1968. Cosmetically and mechanically it is perfect; what is more useful is the fact the focus (using it on the M8) is spot-on. I have never used a Visoflex before in my long life - I found it remarkably easy to focus (on a tripod) and I managed to create some impressively sharp and 'punchy' images ~ better than I dare hope for. On the strength of those successes, I've just ordered a 135mm 'Hektor' and hoping to be pleasantly surprised again. I've hardly used my Nikon D800 since buying this lovely old Leica system. [sigh] Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted May 29, 2013 Share #16 Posted May 29, 2013 . I have never used a Visoflex before in my long life .... And NOW that you have it, (and having also a Bellows...) ... keep in mind that you can make MANY odd and funny combinations with... ... only a matter to find the right items.... Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/205386-visoflex-question-please/?do=findComment&comment=2333680'>More sharing options...
jc_braconi Posted May 29, 2013 Share #17 Posted May 29, 2013 Ooh ~ absolutely (Luigi) Main reason for buying it, and I have the Bellows 2 + an assortment of tubes and rings. Who knows? I may even try a 135mm 'Hektor' - even good looking samples are so inexpensive. Peter Better to get an Elmar 135 if you can find one in good condition/price Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
k-hawinkler Posted May 29, 2013 Share #18 Posted May 29, 2013 Better to get an Elmar 135 if you can find one in good condition/price Agreed, Elmar or Tele-Elmar 135! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rheingold Posted June 13, 2013 Author Share #19 Posted June 13, 2013 And NOW that you have it, (and having also a Bellows...) ... keep in mind that you can make MANY odd and funny combinations with... ... only a matter to find the right items.... You're right Luigi and I'm having great fun with the rig which is SO adaptable and easy to use. Even the old 135mm HEKTOR (which I picked-up recently for not much more than a song) can be made to produce decent images at f8, with careful PP. I'm anxious now to try a 280 'Telyt' (4.8) so please, those who have one, is it a worthwhile acquisition? (Luigi again, please) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted June 13, 2013 Share #20 Posted June 13, 2013 You're right Luigi and I'm having great fun with the rig which is SO adaptable and easy to use. Even the old 135mm HEKTOR (which I picked-up recently for not much more than a song) can be made to produce decent images at f8, with careful PP. I'm anxious now to try a 280 'Telyt' (4.8) so please, those who have one, is it a worthwhile acquisition? (Luigi again, please) I have seen that my picture has lighten your fantasy... Well, indeed to put a 280 on the bellows is someway an oddity... Btw, the combo I posted above is a 280 V3 (as you know, there are 3 versions of the 280.... or better to say 3,5... ) - LENSHEAD ONLY - on the bellows 2... and this is not a macro set... deprived of its focusing mount, the 280 uses the bellows to get the right throw to be focused at "normal" distances,,, so in practice is a combination that hasn't a great sense (I did it just beacause, time ago, there was a very heated discussion on HOW the lenshead can be fitted on the bellows... some strange facts emerged... the typical discussions on which people like me, JC and some other do get lot of fun... ) Anyway, the 280 is a very enjoyable lens, and , in general, the Version3 is the best in terms of performance (and it's generally also the most costly, though the V1 is the rarest one) : its "natural" usage is directly mounted on Viso 2/3 , even if one can arrange this well manegeable set using the Televit moutn+grip made for the 400 & 560 5,6 Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! BUT... it needs an intermediate ring (14138) which seems to be rare as hen's teeth (I had a 280 V2, and bought the V3 mainly for the reason that I was so lucky to find one which included that ring...) Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! BUT... it needs an intermediate ring (14138) which seems to be rare as hen's teeth (I had a 280 V2, and bought the V3 mainly for the reason that I was so lucky to find one which included that ring...) ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/205386-visoflex-question-please/?do=findComment&comment=2347502'>More sharing options...
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