Visoflex Typ 020

[Utz Nagal]

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I borrowed a Visoflex for two weeks and I'm impressed. It's easy to review images in bright sunlight. Also in critical light conditions, like a big window in the frame, you can see the exposure result. No more guessing or reviewing test images.

 

I also like the weight. It weighs nothing.

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[derleicaman]

Yes, it works much better than the previous version. I'm glad I skipped the M240 just for that reason. Coming from the M9, the M10 is a revelation!

[Keith_W]

For me, the killer feature is being able to take photographs at awkward angles. If I want an ankle height photo, just angle the Visioflex to 90 degrees, kneel, focus, compose, and shoot. If you used the rangefinder, you would be laying on your tummy, craning your neck and trying to see the rangefinder patch. 

Edited August 7, 2018 by Keith_W

[0luke1]

It drains the battery. I like it, but liked the articulated screen on my Sony a7rii better.

 

I didn’t care much for the camera that articulated screen was attached to, however.

[UliWer]

For me, the killer feature is being able to take photographs at awkward angles. If I want an ankle height photo, just angle the Visioflex to 90 degrees, kneel, focus, compose, and shoot. If you used the rangefinder, you would be laying on your tummy, craning your neck and trying to see the rangefinder patch. 

 

 

The downside is that it doesn't stay in the "normal" position. One must be very careful that you doen't change its angle inadvertently when you use it. I already thought of fixing it by adhesive tape.

[adan]

I have no desire to use anything but the classic RF/VF - most of the time.

 

But one of the photographic tools I miss most in the digital era is the pop-off prisms on the old "pro" SLRs (Nikon F1/2/3/4/5, Canon F-1, Miranda Sensorex, a few others.) Really sorry that those have gone the way of the dodo (although I get that they compromise weather and dust resistance and some metering options).

 

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:View_through_the_Waist-level_finder_of_a_Canon_F-1_35_mm_film_SLR_camera.jpg

 

And not just for low-angles - we photojournalists used to pop off the prisms for "Hail-Mary" overhead pictures to shoot over crowds or other obstructions, or just for that different point of view. A recent Hasselblad high-angle WL overhead shot, to catch the pattern of the hose and drop out a distracting background)

 

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And of course, something I've had to live without using RFs anyway (don't bring up the AUFSUs and AHOOTs and such - antiques, won't cover 21/18mm.)

 

I'm not thrilled by the built-in tilt-screens as in the Sony - just another exposed, fragile part to break off, with extra weight and bulk from the mounting arms (I count every mm³ and gram!) But in my own brief Sony stint in 2006, (DSC-R1, in between Digilux 2 and the arrival of the M8) I appreciated the R1's "top-screen" option. Solider than most, and on the top, where it belongs.

 

http://dpnow.com/articles/2113.html

 

However, given that the M10 already has the infrastructure built-in, I've love a large, horizontal flatscreen LCD that slides right into the hotshoe, and uses the same contacts as the 020 to display "live-view" for low/high-angle viewing. From any position (not having to bend over to glue one's eye to the finder, even the 020). Technically, one can use the Leica app to do something similar on a phone screen - but not as "elegant." GPS or a hinge "optional" - I won't need those.

 

Seems like it would be "free profit" for Leica to put out a "Viso WL" as an accessory, offset to fit between the ISO wheel and the shutter dial. I'd buy one of these yesterday. C'mon, Leica - take my money! That's M-O-N-E-Y!

 

[daveco]

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I want one!

[mdemeyer]

Strange... mine snaps into the normal position with some kind of little catch. To flip It up requires a little force.

 

The downside is that it doesn't stay in the "normal" position. One must be very careful that you doen't change its angle inadvertently when you use it. I already thought of fixing it by adhesive tape.

[schattenundlicht]

Strange... mine snaps into the normal position with some kind of little catch. To flip It up requires a little force.

 

Mine does, too.

 

However, when carrying the camera round your neck amateur-style (like the amateur that I am), the Viso20 will easily click out of position by rubbing against your chest or by catching on clothes, all the more so since it does not align flush with the camera back, but protrudes slightly. I find that really a bit annoying.

 

Instead of a soft detent, a proper catch would have been better, but might have been too feeble on the plastic housing, or a sturdy one would have been too clumsy with regard to overall design considerations.

 

Although I dislike the Viso20‘s lag and it seems to put a lot of strain on my visual apparatus on extended usage, I would not miss it for shooting ultrawide. The Heliar 10 mm would be nearly unusable to me without the Viso.

 

Kind regards

Mathias

 

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Edited August 10, 2018 by schattenundlicht

[LBJ2]

I borrowed a Visoflex for two weeks and I'm impressed. It's easy to review images in bright sunlight. Also in critical light conditions, like a big window in the frame, you can see the exposure result. No more guessing or reviewing test images.

 

I also like the weight. It weighs nothing.

Agree. So much to like about the Visoflex on the M10. Instant EVF, Focus peaking, GPS, Tilt screen feature from above. IMO a real gem of modern tech plug and play or unplug and stow. BUT, chews up the puny M10 battery so bring along an extra for extended use and yes there is a strange/annoying lag when the shutter is fired ( same lag as Live View mode w/out Visoflex) 

Edited August 11, 2018 by LBJ2

[StS]

In my view a good extension for unusual angles of view. In case you are used to the electronic finder of the SL or CL, the 020 will still disappoint. If I have the time, I'm opening the aperture for more accurate focusing, which is sort of a flashback to SLRs before apertures and shutters were coupled.

 

Edit - I would buy such an LCD screen as proposed by Andy. It might be helpful to add a foldable funnel with a pop-out magnifier.

 

Stefan

Edited August 12, 2018 by StS

[LocalHero1953]

I have no desire to use anything but the classic RF/VF - most of the time.

 

But one of the photographic tools I miss most in the digital era is the pop-off prisms on the old "pro" SLRs (Nikon F1/2/3/4/5, Canon F-1, Miranda Sensorex, a few others.) Really sorry that those have gone the way of the dodo (although I get that they compromise weather and dust resistance and some metering options).

 

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:View_through_the_Waist-level_finder_of_a_Canon_F-1_35_mm_film_SLR_camera.jpg

 

And not just for low-angles - we photojournalists used to pop off the prisms for "Hail-Mary" overhead pictures to shoot over crowds or other obstructions, or just for that different point of view. A recent Hasselblad high-angle WL overhead shot, to catch the pattern of the hose and drop out a distracting background)

 

Haasyoverhead.jpg

 

And of course, something I've had to live without using RFs anyway (don't bring up the AUFSUs and AHOOTs and such - antiques, won't cover 21/18mm.)

 

I'm not thrilled by the built-in tilt-screens as in the Sony - just another exposed, fragile part to break off, with extra weight and bulk from the mounting arms (I count every mm³ and gram!) But in my own brief Sony stint in 2006, (DSC-R1, in between Digilux 2 and the arrival of the M8) I appreciated the R1's "top-screen" option. Solider than most, and on the top, where it belongs.

 

http://dpnow.com/articles/2113.html

 

However, given that the M10 already has the infrastructure built-in, I've love a large, horizontal flatscreen LCD that slides right into the hotshoe, and uses the same contacts as the 020 to display "live-view" for low/high-angle viewing. From any position (not having to bend over to glue one's eye to the finder, even the 020). Technically, one can use the Leica app to do something similar on a phone screen - but not as "elegant." GPS or a hinge "optional" - I won't need those.

 

Seems like it would be "free profit" for Leica to put out a "Viso WL" as an accessory, offset to fit between the ISO wheel and the shutter dial. I'd buy one of these yesterday. C'mon, Leica - take my money! That's M-O-N-E-Y!

 

Viso-WL.jpg

Thanks - I've placed a deposit for one!

[willeica]

Mine does, too.

 

However, when carrying the camera round your neck amateur-style (like the amateur that I am), the Viso20 will easily click out of position by rubbing against your chest or by catching on clothes, all the more so since it does not align flush with the camera back, but protrudes slightly. I find that really a bit annoying.

 

Instead of a soft detent, a proper catch would have been better, but might have been too feeble on the plastic housing, or a sturdy one would have been too clumsy with regard to overall design considerations.

 

Although I dislike the Viso20‘s lag and it seems to put a lot of strain on my visual apparatus on extended usage, I would not miss it for shooting ultrawide. The Heliar 10 mm would be nearly unusable to me without the Viso.

 

Kind regards

Mathias

 

C4577B0B-57BC-4DF6-B40D-D52E63DCC38A.jpeg

 

My one comes up far too easily with very little force. I put some Blu Tack on it to hold it. I rarely use it now as I much prefer the 'Frankenfinder' for extreme wide angles. For 'normal' focal lengths I use the RF window and I rarely use telephotos. The other thing is that the device 'eats' batteries. I will hold onto it in case I find a use for it some day. 

 

William

Edited August 12, 2018 by willeica