Any experience with Visoflex for wide angle lenses ?

[TomB_tx]

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The biggest “con” with the 020 is the lag time or delay before the shutter fires on the M10. It uses live view, which means the shutter must stay open while using the vf, then close - open - close to take the photo.

I carry mine mainly to use with a 21mm, but not for shots where I need fast response. For most “street shooting” where you want live view for framing I’d prefer even my basic Sony A7 (with a Sony wide lens - as it has issues with an adapted M wide).

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[RexGig0]

Alan Schaller is known for shooting a Summilux-M 24mm, without using an optical viewfinder or Visoflex. This presentation comes immediately to mind, for his discussion of thos topic:

If I understand correctly, Alan Schaller does look through the camera’s viewfinder, when framing his 24mm images.

As bad as I am, with getting horizons horizontal, I plan to soon try an alternative solution, looking at a downward angle at a bubble level, in the flash shoe, rather than an accessory viewfinder or Visoflex, when I start an urban walking-about experiment with my Elmar-M 24mm ASPH. Plus, I am tall, and as you have indicated in your website articles, shooting from eye height, with a wide-angle lens, can introduce distortion, if one is not careful. Looking downward at a bubble level would be an alternative to kneeling, using the viewfinder. I have no idea how successful this experiment will be.

Edited June 23, 2023 by RexGig0

[RexGig0]

Here is a non-electronic, but quite expensive viewfinder that may offer a better experience than the 24mm optical viewfinder. It has a bubble level indicator, visible while looking through the viewfinder, which is a significant reason that it has my attention. 

https://leicastoremiami.com/collections/m-system-camera-accessories/products/leica-universal-wide-angle-finder-16-18-21-24-28?variant=345686249

[a.noctilux]

As exotic VF, I use since my M8 days with it's x1.3 sensor and exotic field of view,

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a bit weird looking but very effective while using it.

It has lock screw and variable dioptric setting and that fov for x1.3 sensor.

I don't use it much now with other M.

[tappan]

I have the M10-P and a 24mm Elmarit, as well. I have the Visoflex 020. I use it sometimes with my 18mm and 24mm to shoot low, as a shooting from the waist aide, and sometimes when I am shooting with a 50mm or 90mm wide open. VERY nice, I don't mind the moderate battery drain.
Mark

[Ronazle]

On 6/23/2023 at 9:01 AM, a.noctilux said:

As exotic VF, I use since my M8 days with it's x1.3 sensor and exotic field of view,

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a bit weird looking but very effective while using it.

It has lock screw and variable dioptric setting and that fov for x1.3 sensor.

I don't use it much now with other M.

 

Edited June 25, 2023 by Ronazle
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[Ronazle]

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While it is a little pricey, it is very accurate and useful for a variety of WA lenses.  I often use the M viewfinder/rangefinder for street shooting and refer to the Voigtlander Viewfinder for precise coverage with the wider lenses.  Not relying on the camera VF, allows me to use a magnifier on the M VF for focusing and defer to the Voigtlander for precise framing. I have shot Handheld 400mm with the old viso on an M10R successfully and also with th 65 Elmar.  Most of the M10R shooting has been experimental in that its new and a couple of family health problems have taken a lot of time. Regards, Ron.

Also, the pictured viewfinder Voigtlander variable is purely mechanical and optical, always good to follow the Confucian mandate:  "avoid the complex it is subject to failure" when one can.

 

Edited June 25, 2023 by Ronazle
clarification and spelling

[levi444]

On 6/21/2023 at 9:30 PM, levi444 said:

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.

Source:  https://bitdifference.com/lens-vs-lense/

[lct]

?

[yanidel]

To give some follow-up to this thread I had started, I bought a used Visoflex 020 two months ago  for my M10 and really don't like it much. It just lags way too much for street photography, you never get the picture you see in the viewfinder when you press the shutter, it is always a split second late. I also hate the fact that the shutter curtain has to open and close because of Live view, horrible noise, feels like it is going to break. Finally, it is not bright enough for me, the external optical viewfinder is way better. 

I do use it for portraits though, since you can preview the blurry background and frame more precisely. I also definitely can see its benefits for landscape photography since it also helps to frame accurately and you can preview exposure. 

But for street, basically useless to me.