LEICA Visoflex 2, What do you think?

[hdmesa]

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On 3/31/2023 at 8:16 AM, Kwesi said:

…what's next? a selfie mode? 

Then maybe all the M selfie shooters could stop using mirrors 😆

[Eliehbk]

On 1/20/2022 at 12:50 PM, Photoworks said:

I would be couscous to hear what your impression is using the Visoflex on M11.

I was tested one in the LA store and then I got one in the Leica Store NY and I have been using for a few days with different lenses.

I found it just real hard to focus, like it doesn't resolve fine detail, and difficult to use without magnification.

I compare it to the M10 type 020 and Q2 and both look much better then the M11 EVF.

If this is what it is I think Leica did us a disfavor not to bring out something better, Like Q2 or SL2.

I am so much faster at this point focusing with the rangefinder with great accuracy even at 0.95

 

Thanks

https://www.instagram.com/kroke/

I agree with you! I thought it was just me but the resolution is bad for fine focusing. I think the older one was better, even though less specked than the latest! I sold mine!

[lct]

29 minutes ago, Eliehbk said:

I thought it was just me but the resolution is bad for fine focusing

Did you try focus magnification? Allows me to focus easily at working aperture in most cases. Otherwise, focus peaking can be useful to focus on large areas or to complement focus magnification.

[hdmesa]

3 hours ago, lct said:

Did you try focus magnification? Allows me to focus easily at working aperture in most cases. Otherwise, focus peaking can be useful to focus on large areas or to complement focus magnification.

At 60mp, high magnification is mandatory for critical live view focusing, whether it be through the Visoflex 2 EVF or when using the LCD.

In general with the Visoflex 2 on the M11, focusing wide open with a wide aperture lens is quite easy at high magnification in decent light. However, as with all EVFs, focusing stopped down is nearly useless, and here is where the rangefinder really shines. For example, the 28 Summaron with its minimum aperture of f/5.6 – it is nearly impossible to find the sharpness point of focus with live view, so the rangefinder is a much better way of focusing this lens.

Edited April 8, 2023 by hdmesa

[lct]

1 hour ago, hdmesa said:

However, as with all EVFs, focusing stopped down is nearly useless

Different experience here. I mostly focus at working aperture with all my EVFs. Focusing at full aperture is too slow for me. YMMV.

[hdmesa]

50 minutes ago, lct said:

Different experience here. I mostly focus at working aperture with all my EVFs. Focusing at full aperture is too slow for me. YMMV.

Staying zoomed out and using focus peaking to see the entire DOF map is very fast. But if I have the time, I prefer knowing exactly where optimal focus falls in the image so I can place that on the most critical compositional element. I will make exceptions for lenses with focus shift and wide apertures when shooting stopped down to around f/2.8, which is still wide enough to see critical focus.

Edited April 8, 2023 by hdmesa

[Stonewall Brigade]

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22 hours ago, lct said:

The "Thumbie" works fine with the Visoflex 2 (it is black paint normally).

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!

Does this have to be glued to the back of the M camera? How does it stay on?

[lct]

19 minutes ago, Stonewall Brigade said:

Does this have to be glued to the back of the M camera? How does it stay on?

Uses double-sided tape. See: Thumbie

[S Maclean]

I don't use it a lot, but when I do it works really well for me.  Yes, at low light resolution is not great, but under normal conditions it is more than sufficient for my needs.

[lct]

On 4/8/2023 at 8:15 PM, hdmesa said:

[...] if I have the time, I prefer knowing exactly where optimal focus falls in the image so I can place that on the most critical compositional element.

So do i but i mostly do it at working aperture with focus magnification. 

M11 + Visoflex 2 + Summicron 28/2 focused handheld at f/8 (FF and crop):

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Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

 

Same combo at f/16:

 

[Stonewall Brigade]

As an update to my first day's use of the Visoflex 2 on my M11, with spring flower photography, I found the new EVF accessory to really improve focus peaking confirmation with my Summarit 75mm and 90mm lenses. However, as expected, using the Visoflex 2's focusing peaking on wider lenses, such as my Elmarit 21mm and Zeiss ZM 25mm, didn't add much. Separately, I can also attest that low light focusing assistance is very helpful.

[michaelbrenner]

On a rangefinder camera, the Visoflex 2 for M11 nevertheless has four very practical uses for me (at least):  1) long telephoto lenses (e.g. 90mm or 135mm) / sensitive focus lenses (50mm or 75mm Noctilux), 2) R-lenses (any), 3) macro photography (any, such as the 90mm Macro-Elmar-M F/4 or the 60mm Macro-Elmarit-R F/2.8), and 4) waist-level shooting, (roughly) Rollei style.

With that said, my preference is by far to use the rangefinder on a rangefinder camera (after all, that's the point, isn't it?).  For example, one might find the Visoflex 2 of great help in getting the near eye in focus when using a 50mm or 75mm Noctilux for getting the perfect portrait shot (if one can get the subject to stand still and also be stable oneself), or for a much more fluid experience where the photographer can "bond" with the subject, just use the rangefinder and enjoy (one of the pictures is bound to have the desired focus).

Indeed, I have found the rangefinder much faster, enjoyable and fluid than using and electronic viewfinder.  Nevertheless, for the applications mentioned above, I have found the electronic viewfinder is generally necessary if not critical for such work.

Having used the EVF 2 on the M240, I'm greatly looking forward to the Visoflex 2 on the M11.  The first lens I plan to use it with is the 500mm MR-Telyt-R F/8, with and without the 2x APO-Exender-R.  Thus, I'll have a 500mm or 1000mm (effective focal length) lens I can fit in a small Domke shoulder / belt bag (!), an utterly crazy setup for a *rangefinder* camera, but nevertheless having an unassailable, simplistic, elegant utility.  A more compact, lightweight setup with such a focal length choice I am not aware of, and the electronic viewfinder is absolutely necessary as you lose infinity on the 500mm when using the 2x APO-Extender-R.  Trying to shoot "zombie style" (i.e. using the LCD) with such a setup is possible but hardly dignified or practical.

[ianforber]

I’m toying with getting a Visoflex for waist level and low level shooting. Is it possible to hold the camera away from your eye (assuming you’ve selected it always on) to compose/shoot and, if so, how far? Is it actually something more like sternum level shooting?! 

[algrove]

I use the Viso2 on my M11 set to B&W and it makes focusing fast for me when needed. I find myself using it too often due to the B&W view. Guess I'm a Monochrom shooter at heart.

[Segal]

I have owned Visoflex 2 for almost a year now. I seldom use it except when shooting portraits with Voigtlander 75mm wide open. I find the rangefinder to be a much better option in most cases, and when it's not, it's usually quicker to use the back screen instead of reaching into the bag to get the Visoflex 2 out.

But it is excellent for longer lenses and static subjects.

[newtoleica]

Just got an visioflex 2 at a very good price to use with a 90mm Elmarit on my M10P. It's a lot nicer than the Visioflex 1 even though I'm getting the reduced size image compared with the M11. I did find it makes the rangefinder hard to use when fitted as a L eye shooter though - its less easy to wedge your eye firmly over the centre of the finder as the EVF gets in the way a bit......

[Olaf_ZG]

8 hours ago, ianforber said:

I’m toying with getting a Visoflex for waist level and low level shooting. Is it possible to hold the camera away from your eye (assuming you’ve selected it always on) to compose/shoot and, if so, how far? Is it actually something more like sternum level shooting?! 

This is what I hoped for, but I can’t, so I need to practice my neck muscles. 
 

disclaimer, use the vidoflex on m10, not m11

[mirekti]

I was tempted to get one, but read it stands in a way for those who are left eye shooters. Also, there have been few reports on dust gets into it very easily.

Edited November 8, 2023 by mirekti

[hmzimelka]

25 minutes ago, mirekti said:

I was tempted to get one, but read it stands in a way for those who are left eye shooters. Also, there have been few reports on dust gets into it very easily.

The "dust issue" stems from one review early on that gathered traction on forums and all of a sudden it became a grave concern for many.
I haven't heard of more than one report of this happening. 

I'm a left eye shooter and the EVF works just fine for me...

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[chris7273]

My Visoflex has stopped working. I cleaned the contacts on the m11 hotshoe and on the evf 

i hope the problem is related to the evf and not to the body… I will go  to the leica dealer next week…