acmineiro Posted May 15, 2016 Share #1 Posted May 15, 2016 Advertisement (gone after registration) Has any one ever used close-up lens with a Leica M lens? If so let me know if you had any success or not. Thanks ACM Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted May 15, 2016 Posted May 15, 2016 Hi acmineiro, Take a look here Close-Up Lens with Leica M Lens. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
madNbad Posted May 15, 2016 Share #2 Posted May 15, 2016 Spend the money on a Visoflex. Currently they are not too expensive plus they will fit any film M camera except the M6 TTL and the M7 and provide for much more accurate focusing. If you decide to use the close up filters, bring a measuring tape and prepare for some testing. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gbealnz Posted May 15, 2016 Share #3 Posted May 15, 2016 Just a question about the VisoFlex, you say it will not fit the M6TTL, and the M7. Any reason? (I have the M7, and was thinking of getting the VisoFlex). Gary Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
spydrxx Posted May 15, 2016 Share #4 Posted May 15, 2016 You just have to use a Viso III and the proper horizontal finder (not the drop down version with the adjustable diopter) to fit over the RF housing. 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/260475-close-up-lens-with-leica-m-lens/?do=findComment&comment=3045038'>More sharing options...
madNbad Posted May 15, 2016 Share #5 Posted May 15, 2016 Just a question about the VisoFlex, you say it will not fit the M6TTL, and the M7. Any reason? (I have the M7, and was thinking of getting the VisoFlex). Gary Both the M6 TTL and the M7 are a little taller due to the additional electronics. When I owned a original M6, I had a Visoflex and it was easy to use, especially with the built in meter. When I tried to attach one to a M6 TTL, it would not clear the top plate and lock in place. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gbealnz Posted May 15, 2016 Share #6 Posted May 15, 2016 Ah, thank you both. Gary Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
madNbad Posted May 15, 2016 Share #7 Posted May 15, 2016 Advertisement (gone after registration) Now I'm curious. I haven't tried attaching a Viso with a chimney finder on the M6 TTL. The eye level finder will not clear the top plate but there is a Viso III at a local shop so perhaps I'll give it try and let you know the results. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soden Posted May 15, 2016 Share #8 Posted May 15, 2016 I'm a bellows II fan, with a 135 Elmarit. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
acmineiro Posted May 15, 2016 Author Share #9 Posted May 15, 2016 Thanks to everyone for suggestions on how to do close up work with Leica M cameras. I have a M7 Leica, would I need to purchase a Visoflex III housing for it to fit the M7? With the Visoflex III in place will I be able to focus normally with the rangefinder? Would I need additional parts for the Visoflex III for it to be ready to accept the M lens? One additional question please. If I do decide to use the Close-Up lens option instead, would I need to measure from from the camera film plane to the subject to determine the correct focus? Thanks to everyone. ACM Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
madNbad Posted May 15, 2016 Share #10 Posted May 15, 2016 There is a local shop that has had a Visoflex for some time. I have always passed on it because the one time I did try to fit a Viso to my M6 TTL the eye level finder would not clear the top plate but now after further investigation it may had been a Viso II. Tomorrow, I'll take a trip over to the shop and first to see if it is a version III and if it will fit with the finder attached. If it works or not I'll post my results. If the Viso fits, starting with any lens should be a good start. Then start another journey... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
01af Posted May 16, 2016 Share #11 Posted May 16, 2016 Close-up lenses work just fine on Leica M lenses ... much better than extension, i. e. using tubes, or the Visoflex, or a bellows unit. However, you can neither frame nor focus unless you're using a digital Leica M with live-view. The rangefinder is totally useless for any kind of close-up work (well, except with special googles on the dual-range Summicron 5 cm or the Macro-Elmar-M 90 mm's close-up adapter—but these will get you only so far). So, without live-view, your only option—besides switching to a different camera entirely—is the Visoflex, even though optically, it's not a very good solution in conjunction with most M lenses. On a Visoflex (or any other kind of extra extension), their image quality will drop considerably. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
madNbad Posted May 16, 2016 Share #12 Posted May 16, 2016 Turns out the one at the local shop is a Visofex I so I took a chance and ordered a III with the horizontal finder from KEH. Even if it ends up not fitting the M6 TTL, I can still use it with the M2. Back in a week or so with an update. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
spydrxx Posted May 16, 2016 Share #13 Posted May 16, 2016 Several Leica RF lenses had removable heads for use on the Visoflex with the appropriate focusing mount, and the quality of their images does not suffer, IMHO. Although I much prefer using SLR/DSLRs for close ups, when all you have along is a RF Leica and Visoflex it can certainly do more than a yeoman's job. In addition to using many of those lenses on digital Leicas, you can often use them on other manufacturer's digital bodies with the aid of adapters to facilitate the process. I've been particularly fond of using the 135 Tele-Elmarit and 90 Elmarit heads on my Nikon DSLRs and my micro 4/3 bodies. But if I've taken a film Leica RF body specifically, I'll often toss a Visoflex in the bag for nature close ups. Don't let the naysayers convince you of the unworthiness of the Visoflex (I can only speak to the II & III models, not earlier versions). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
madNbad Posted May 20, 2016 Share #14 Posted May 20, 2016 The Visoflex III has just arrived from KEH in better than expected condition. Pulled ot the M6 TTL, took off the 35 Summicron and the Viso fits with plenty of room to spare. The locking lever clears the battery cap and after years of being convinced it would never work, I am very pleased. Just have to lock the mirror up to use the meter. Next is to start looking arround for a OUFRO to use with my 50 Summicron and maybe even a bellows. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
madNbad Posted May 24, 2016 Share #15 Posted May 24, 2016 The Visoflex II at the local shop had a 90 mm 2.8 Elmar with the OTZFO attached, didn't need the Viso but made a deal for the lens. The Elmar was quite dirty from sitting in the case for a long time, so I tried to give it a through cleaning. In the process, I managed to have the aperture blades pop loose. Fortunately there is a very good repair shop close by and they put the Elmar in working condition in short order and gave it a better cleaning than I could have ever managed. Just to prove it will fit, here are a few images. The camera is a M6 TTL Millennium. 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/260475-close-up-lens-with-leica-m-lens/?do=findComment&comment=3050560'>More sharing options...
gbealnz Posted May 24, 2016 Share #16 Posted May 24, 2016 Looks good, and a tonne of room between the top-plate and bottom of the Viso finder. I'd say the roses will be getting a fair old going over with that setup. Gary Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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