Macro on the M: Novoflex LEM/VIS-II?

[Jager]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I occasionally have need to do "macro" with one of my M cameras.  Not serious macro... but simply get an M lens within a few inches of a subject rather than the usual few feet.

 

What I'd really like is the Leica Macro-Adapter-M (https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1055729-REG/leica_14652_macro_adapter_m.html ).  Alas, $695 for something I'd use only very occasionally is a bit of a stretch.

 

Does anyone have any experience/opinion on the the Novoflex LEM/VIS-II extension ring (https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1045031-REG/novoflex_lem_vis_ii_adapter_for_visoflex_ii_iii.html )?  $275 seems much more palatable given the limited use I would envision.  

 

I'm aware that either requires LiveView, and so only M240/246 or M10 generation cameras would work.

 

And I'm also aware that an SLR solution would be superior in many respects... and, indeed, I have a Micro-Nikkor 60 that I'm currently using for such close-up tasks.  But the D3 it is married to is getting a bit long in the tooth and I'd much prefer to find an M solution.

 

Any thoughts?

 

 

 

 

[mdemeyer]

Why not get an inexpensive Nikon to M adapter and try the 60 with Live View?

[Gobert]

Yesterday I bought this set. Newest version is the LEMVIS III in stead of II.

The idea is to use it with a 75/2.0 icm an M10.

It is pretty well engineered (made in Germany). The rings fit nicely to each other, the body and the lens.

The only thing I didn’t do yet is to experiment with the rings.

[UliWer]

I don‘t think the LEM/VIS II is a good solution: https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/237937-visoflex-adaptor-lenses-on-the-m240/?p=3241036

 

Anyway you would need lenses made for the Visoflex to use the M for macro with it. Since you already have a Micro-Nikkor the Nikon-M-adapter would be the simplest and probably best way tomget there.

[Jager]

Why not get an inexpensive Nikon to M adapter and try the 60 with Live View?

 

I probably should do that.  But ideally I'd like to be able to use a variety of focal lengths... ergo an extension ring type solution seems most flexible.

[Jager]

I don‘t think the LEM/VIS II is a good solution: https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/237937-visoflex-adaptor-lenses-on-the-m240/?p=3241036

 

Anyway you would need lenses made for the Visoflex to use the M for macro with it. Since you already have a Micro-Nikkor the Nikon-M-adapter would be the simplest and probably best way tomget there.

 

I saw your link before I posted, UliWer.  I confess to not really understanding the alignment problem you were/are having.  But then your use-case is much more complex than mine.

 

Why would I need lenses made for the Visoflex (and what would those be)?  Why wouldn't any M-mount lens work?

[UliWer]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Well, there are reasons that some lenses are designed for macro and others aren't.

 

Theoretically you can use other M-lenses with the adapter. Though if you use the whole extension of all rings together the range where you can focus the normal lenses will be limited to a few millimetres and the object very close to the lens.. You gain some flexibility by  leaving out one or more rings, though then you loose magnification.  

 

Therefore the choice of a lens which has been designed for macro - as your Micro-Nikkor - is preferable.  

 

 

P.S.: You find a chart which shows the lenses - or detachable lens heads - to be used on the Visoflex here:

 

https://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-wiki.en/index.php/Visoflex_III

 

Since the LEM/VIS - with all rings together - replaces the Viso-body the chart applies also for the lenses to be used with the LEM/VIS. 

Edited January 8, 2018 by UliWer

[01af]

I occasionally have need to do "macro" with one of my M cameras.  Not serious macro... but simply get an M lens within a few inches of a subject rather than the usual few feet.

To this end, extension rings (or the Macro-Adapter-M) are not the best solution. A +2 dpt close-up lens would be more versatile, easier to carry and to employ, yield better image quality, and is cheaper, too. For still bigger magnification, you may want to complement it with a second close-up lens with +3 to +4 dpt.