Any experience with Visoflex for wide angle lenses ?

[yanidel]

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I have been shooting more with my M10 and 24mm Elmarit, using mainly the Leica 24mm external optical viewfinder. Yet I find it hard to compose, since the magnification is so small. Using the screen and live view is also a no go since we get bright sunny days most of the time here in Argentina.

Would the Visoflex 020 provide a better shooting experience ? I mostly zone focus, so I am not worried about the focus peak part, but is the image in the 020 bigger and better than the one in the external optical viewfinder ? 

[GFW2-SCUSA]

I have the 21mm Leica viewfinder ( for my 21mm Elmarit) which is fine, but I use the 020 Visoflex the most. I like to be able to focus and compose through the same thing. You do need to use Live view with the Visoflex which draws on the battery. The Visoflex also can be used with any lens you put on your camera so it is more versatile than the viewfinder. There are plenty of used ones on the market at least here in the U.S. 

[david strachan]

3 minutes ago, GFW2-SCUSA said:

I have the 21mm Leica viewfinder ( for my 21mm Elmarit) which is fine, but I use the 020 Visoflex the most. I like to be able to focus and compose through the same thing. You do need to use Live view with the Visoflex which draws on the battery. The Visoflex also can be used with any lens you put on your camera so it is more versatile than the viewfinder. There are plenty of used ones on the market at least here in the U.S. 

Hello

The old Visoflex's were great in their time.  I've used them on my Barnack camera and M8's. 

But, they are heavy and clunky.  Not always focusing properly, prone to dust...but for today a long way away.

For the sake of saving battery, I'd save your Viso money toward a spare battery.

All best

[yanidel]

Yes, I read about the battery drain part. I don't use the 24mm Elmarit as my main lens, and I have an extra battery so I am guess it would not be too much of an issue.  I guess I could also use it with my 60mm lens too since there is no framelines for it. 

Apart from the ability to focus and compose at the same time, would you say the image is bigger and makes composition easier in the 020? 

[Huss]

The Visoflex will give you perfect, 100% accurate framing.  While the optical Vf is vague in comparison.  I have both.

The beautiful thing about the Visoflex is it is one VF that covers any lens you may ever use.

I still use the optical VFs on my film Ms, but would not consider using it on my 10r unless what I was doing was zone focus w quick street snaps where accurate composition does not really matter.

[Hans-Dieter Gülicher]

I have both. But after all I prefer the old one more and more using the 35 mm and 75 mm Summicron and the 135 mm APO-Telyt.

[a.noctilux]

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The Visoflex 020 is a must have for M10, but not to be used 100% of time.

good to have one at hand and it's a bit tricky sometimes:

- it's most of time "useful" when needed, the 100% framing, focus aid, and continous diopter adjust

- bulky, use too much the power reserve from the small battery

- sometimes becomes hot quickly and then shutdown the M10

- sometimes the contacts are to be cleaned on M10 and 020, dust protection devices not to loose

- some time lag comparing to optical VF

 

 

[rramesh]

If framing is critical for you, the electronic Visoflex is a must have. In my case I use the v2 which had replaced the earlier 020. 

[levi444]

When it comes to wide-angle lenses, the Visoflex system can be used with certain Leica M lenses, enabling them to be used at closer focusing distances. This can be particularly useful when shooting close-up or macro photography with wide-angle lenses. However, it's important to note that Leica's lens lineup and accessories may have evolved since my knowledge cutoff date. For the most up-to-date and detailed information on Visoflex and its compatibility with wide-angle lenses, I recommend consulting Leica's official website or reaching out to Leica directly for accurate and current information.

[TomB_tx]

The OP asked specifically about the Visoflex 020, which is the electronic eye-level VF for the M10. Leica gets confusing by re-using product names from the past.

I also have the old (SLR) Visoflex, but use it only with the 65 mm Elmar designed for it, and with tele lenses.

[yanidel]

On 6/20/2023 at 1:22 AM, Huss said:

The Visoflex will give you perfect, 100% accurate framing.  While the optical Vf is vague in comparison.  I have both.

The beautiful thing about the Visoflex is it is one VF that covers any lens you may ever use.

I still use the optical VFs on my film Ms, but would not consider using it on my 10r unless what I was doing was zone focus w quick street snaps where accurate composition does not really matter.

actually I shoot street photography only.: But I am want to avoid the quick snaps with no regard to composition That is what I would like to improve on.  Shoot 24mm images, distortion free and with decent composition. 

[yanidel]

23 hours ago, rramesh said:

If framing is critical for you, the electronic Visoflex is a must have. In my case I use the v2 which had replaced the earlier 020. 

I read that the V2 image using the M10 is actually smaller than the 020.  Is that correct ?

[yanidel]

On 6/20/2023 at 5:34 AM, a.noctilux said:

The Visoflex 020 is a must have for M10, but not to be used 100% of time.

good to have one at hand and it's a bit tricky sometimes:

- it's most of time "useful" when needed, the 100% framing, focus aid, and continous diopter adjust

- bulky, use too much the power reserve from the small battery

- sometimes becomes hot quickly and then shutdown the M10

- sometimes the contacts are to be cleaned on M10 and 020, dust protection devices not to loose

- some time lag comparing to optical VF

 

 

that is a lot of CON´s  and not so much positive in your listing   I would use it mainly with my 24mm lens, but 80% of my pictures are taken with my 35mm Lux Asph, for which I don't need EVF..

[yanidel]

On 6/20/2023 at 1:40 AM, Hans-Dieter Gülicher said:

I have both. But after all I prefer the old one more and more using the 35 mm and 75 mm Summicron and the 135 mm APO-Telyt.

By old you mean the 020? On which camera do you use it ?

[rramesh]

1 hour ago, yanidel said:

I read that the V2 image using the M10 is actually smaller than the 020.  Is that correct ?

Yes, the image is a trifle smaller, but it's clearer, brighter and easier to use as the build quality and the tilt mechanism are superb.

With the zoom function and live view, it's quite easy to focus too. 

[Hans-Dieter Gülicher]

vor 2 Stunden schrieb yanidel:

By old you mean the 020? On which camera do you use it ?

M 10-R plus APO-Summicron 35 mm or 75 mm or APO-Telyt 135 mm.

[lct]

No experience with Visoflex 020 but the Visoflex 2 works fine with lenses as wide as 15mm. No experience with wider lenses sorry. CV 15/4.5 v2 on M11 here.

[sinjun]

I have the 24mm Elmarit plus the optical viewfinder and the Visoflex 2, using them on M10-d. The size of the image in the Visoflex 2 and optical viewfinder is about the same. On balance I prefer the optical viewfinder, but if I wanted precise framing I would use the Visoflex. Other instances when the Visoflex is useful include assessing lens flare and obviating the need to move the eye between internal and add-on viewfinder when focussing. However, the Visoflex is not optimal when focussing wide angle lenses, the rangefinder being the the more effective tool... and in any case my preferred technique is to zone focus off the lens scale with occasional use of rangefinder for closer subjects at larger apertures.

In summary I wouldn't get an EVF just for the 24mm Elmarit if you already have an optical viewfinder, but either the 020 or Visoflex 2 can be very useful for a range of other reasons, such as when critical focus of fast lenses is required or use of non-coupled lenses.

[a.noctilux]

9 hours ago, yanidel said:

that is a lot of CON´s  and not so much positive in your listing   I would use it mainly with my 24mm lens, but 80% of my pictures are taken with my 35mm Lux Asph, for which I don't need EVF..

Yes, I don't use the 020 so often.

For me it's practical but not "in action" use for which M system is famous.

So I admit it's wonderful when using my M like a digital SLR with it's known flaws.

...

Oh, I forgot that for "street", the long blackout and time lag ( shortened on M10 comparing to M240) can be ennoying.

 

Edited June 22, 2023 by a.noctilux

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[lct]

1 hour ago, a.noctilux said:

I forgot that for "street", the long blackout and time lag ( shortened on M10 comparing to M240) can be ennoying

My grandchildren are not allowed to play in the street  but the auto-zoom feature works fine in LV mode on them. The Visoflex 2 has no annoying blackouts or lags though, i mean on the M11 as i have no experience of it on M10 cameras.