Is Visoflex 2 worth it?

[chris7273]

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I like it but only for : 

- wide angle (21mm)

- or close focus 

- or "creative" point of view

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[geoffc60]

I tend to only use mine in low light where I find using the range finder challenging for precise focus.

[FlashGordonPhotography]

No. It’s not worth it. It’s vastly overpriced and they pulled the GPS module which was in the last model. You pay extra for the leather case. A rip off.

But what alternative doe you have? It’s cheaper than a SL3 or Nikon Zf. It tilts.

Gordon

[lct]

Unsure where the rip off stands. One doesn't have to buy the leather case if they don't like it. Was a Xmas gift to me but i don't use it as i find the standard pouch more handy. YMMV.

[lexffm]

I can 100% recommend the Visoflex 2. I only use the manual viewfinder in extreme sunlight or when the focus peaking doesn't detect anything. I only use the screen on the back to check the recordings. But mostly also with the visioflex 2

[kiwidad]

Its a great accessory. 

I supplements the M11 well in bright lighting with uncouple lenses. Dim lighting where there are no line to focus on with the rangefinder. To preview images when I forgot my glasses.

Does it live on the camera all the time.. we'll no, but sometimes it just plain helps so unless I am traveling very light it always in the bag.

The eyepiece magnifier works as well for longer lens focussing also I might add. 

 

 

[harmen]

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Don’t buy it; practice more.  With your 50mm Summilux, you have the perfect lens to learn using the rangefinder.  It has a very thin area that would be in focus at f/1.4, especially for subjects that are nearby.  However, it is manageable and easier than for example a 90mm APO Summicron.  You can find many tips around here regarding how to do it.  My own favorites are:

• Always start from infinity and then pull in closer until the picture snaps in place.  When the contrast is suddenly there, you’ve got it.
• Focus on (vertical) edges, so the two overlapping images are easy to distinguish
• If needed, finetune the last bit of focus by rocking your own body back and forth instead of further adjusting the lens.

And start with static objects or people who are not moving around.  When you’re ready to try something that moves, focus on a place and wait for it/them to arrive there where you know the focus is at.

Enjoy the process.

Edited June 8, 2024 by harmen

[Tailwagger]

On 6/7/2024 at 1:34 AM, Smogg said:

Call it pseudo shutter lag if you like. It is important that this is noticeable enough (0.3-0.5 seconds) to ruin a photo that has dynamics. I’m not even talking about the dynamics of racing cars.

Therefore, Visoflex must be used with some caution, being aware of its limitations.

I think we are far better off just calling it what is it is... display lag...  as to a greater or lesser extent it is present in every EVF based camera. 

ie. 'Therefore, Visoflex any EVF must...'

[Knightspirit]

I was unsure about getting the visoflex and  justifying the cost - but now that I have it, I find it to be a great tool to have in the bag. What I like most is the 100% crop you get when turning the focus ring and then the focus peaking. Perfect for the 135 and anything close up. And of course it opens up a whole new world of lens possibilities - like all of my old manual focus Nikon lenses or any of the excellent and inexpensive R lenses out there. 

[Knorp]

9 hours ago, Knightspirit said:

I was unsure about getting the visoflex and  justifying the cost - but now that I have it, I find it to be a great tool to have in the bag. What I like most is the 100% crop you get when turning the focus ring and then the focus peaking. Perfect for the 135 and anything close up. And of course it opens up a whole new world of lens possibilities - like all of my old manual focus Nikon lenses or any of the excellent and inexpensive R lenses out there. 

I had no doubts getting the visoflex. Quite happilly using it for my R-lenses and my more difficult to nail M-lenses.

[thrid]

Mostly, yes.

It's great for landscapes, still-life, slow to moderately fast moving action. 

It is much better than squinting at the rear screen in bright sunlight and obviously framing is dead on accurate. That alone is worth the price of admission.

Although it runs at 60/120 fps I find it too slow / sluggish for shooting quick moving action, but that's what the OVF is for.

At $650-750 is it a little steep for what it is? Sure, but we all know what we're getting into here in La La Land.

In any case I picked up a mint used copy for $500 and am very happy with the purchase. It does exactly what I need it to do.

 

[rxj]

When I use a 75 noct and needed precise focusing when I've been in the studio, I've used live view. I tried the Visoflex 2 out and barely found myself using it.

I'd say it's used for critical moments, odd angles if you encounter a lot of those or if you're needing stability and critical focus.

That said I've focused on my range finder with longer lenses. It does take practice though.

If you're struggling, try the magnifier for the rangefinder as those are available which will help you get focus.

The last thing to consider is it your rangefinder is aligned.

[JohnQ]

I bought one to use with a 135m lens. Now it’s never off the m11. Yes, I know it’s not the range finder experience but my keeper rate has improved.

[SJH]

I have it and use it with my 21mm SEM and 50mm 1.2 Noctilux mainly, other use cases are low to the ground shots with the tilt (very useful). Way better than the previous version and of course the FOTOS app now has the capability to have GPS 'always' on to the M11, so better than having it only available when using the Visoflex v1 - it's better built also.

Seems to me that they've basically used an equivalent to the Q2 viewfinder, even sort of looks the same.

With the 21mm it makes framing (especially with perspective control on) so much easier plus with the 50mm 1.2 I can get a good hit rate using the rangefinder wide open but the Visoflex 2 is used when I really really want critical focus. 

[lct]

Hard to unstick Visoflex 2 from my M11. Only problem is nose oil on the OVF eyepiece. An EVF-M would not have this issue but i like having both RF and EVF on the same camera so i would keep the M11 anyway.

Edited June 26, 2024 by lct

[sebas_]

I have found one used for € 450, which I thought is a good deal. And I do like it for using it with my SEM 21 or to really get focus accurately on an eye etc. 
Also when I need to make sure that the framing is 100% accurate. And I really like the possibility to adjust the angle. 

[EJS73]

I had one, sold it, then bought it back, and have slowly warmed up to it. Technically it's not impressive but it can be handy occasionally. I don't leave it on the camera but usually bring mine along.

Edited June 26, 2024 by EJS73

[ManSter420]

now that I have received Q3 and saw what EVF is like, I ordered one last night!

 

cheers!

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Hallo,

Look here: Interesting Leica gear

[odoomi]

The thing is from my point of view, using the M11 with the Visoflex gives you a second camera with a completely different user interface. With Visoflex installed you have an additional mirrorless camera with manual focus. Thats how I think about it. 

[Squad]

Yes, definitely. It’s almost always on my M11 (except when I use a flash).

Don’t forget to put some tape on the case as otherwise dust can get in that you won’t be able to clean (similar to compact cameras and their lenses).