Visoflex 2 always mounted on the M11

[marco febbrari]

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Hello!!

I own a visoflex 2 for my Leica M11 that has a rangefinder that is out of calibration. While waiting to recalibrate the rangefinder, Is the visoflex 2 safe to keep on the camera at all times and store it in the camera bag when not in use? only ask because the last thing I want is to damage the sled or break it.  I am asking if anyone has had this experience with the visoflex 2.

Thank you all

Marco

Edited April 23 by marco febbrari

[Carlos cruz]

I carry evf2  all the time in the pouch on camera strap for rare occasions I have to use it, but never for longer periods on camera, it’s protruding from the rest of the body, hinge looks delicate. Actually calibrating the rf is a 5 minute job. You just need 2 mm allen key. 

[marco febbrari]

46 minuti fa, Carlos Cruz ha detto:

Porto sempre evf2 nella custodia sul cinturino della fotocamera per rare occasioni in cui devo usarlo, ma mai per periodi più lunghi sulla fotocamera, sporge dal resto del corpo, la cerniera sembra delicata. In realtà calibrare l'rf è un lavoro di 5 minuti. Hai solo bisogno di una chiave a brugola da 2 mm.

Thanks Carlos, I actually tried adjusting the rangefinder horizontally, but with my 28 Summicron I and 90 Summicron II at full aperture they focus a few inches before the point indicated by the rangefinder... But if you have good advice how to operate though, I thank you very much and would try again!

[Carlos cruz]

There’s plenty of instruction films how to do it, using visoflex at 10x magnification you just compare rf with evf and do adjustments. Start with infinity on some far away building then go for closer distances 5m, 1m or 0.7 use tripod and measuring tape. The closer you go the movement of the rf calibration should be in smaller increments. If you can’t set rf to work on all distances (infinity, 5m and 1m) it’s a signal of misaligned lens usually  back focus, cheap adapter or “home repair”.  

[marco febbrari]

Thanks Carlos, with the 28 Summicron everything seems fine (although at infinity it is not accurate), the 90 is completely out... I guess I'll just use the visoflex 2 and then take the rangefinder in for servicing....

Edited April 23 by marco febbrari

[DadDadDaddyo]

Hi Marco --

If it's out horizontally it ought to be possible to adjust it, if not dead on, then as close as the (hopefully) tiny degree of variance between your lenses will permit without more strenuous attention to the lenses themselves (shims, etc).

It's a couple-minute job to begin, but it can take considerably longer as the degree of adjustment gets smaller and smaller. You might not (maybe probably won't) get it right on the first shot. Those last adjustments can be really small, a tiny fraction of a turn of the Allen wrench. 

I've only had to do this on one body, my first Monochrom, an M246.... and only had to do it there once. 

I'd say it's something possibly worth trying if the idea doesn't totally freak you out. If it seems like a stretch, by all means refer the body to competent repair. 

It can be made right. 

[J S H]

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You should have no concerns leaving the EVF on the camera. I've hiked hundreds of miles with the M11 in a chest pack with EVF attached. Absolutely no issues. 

[marco febbrari]

Thanks DadDadDaddyo e J S H for your contribution!

[jaapv]

22 hours ago, marco febbrari said:

Hello!!

I own a visoflex 2 for my Leica M11 that has a rangefinder that is out of calibration. While waiting to recalibrate the rangefinder, Is the visoflex 2 safe to keep on the camera at all times and store it in the camera bag when not in use? only ask because the last thing I want is to damage the sled or break it.  I am asking if anyone has had this experience with the visoflex 2.

Thank you all

Marco

Find a reliable workshop near you They can recalibrate your rangefinder sometimes even whilst you wait. - it is that simple. What calibration is wrong? Horizontal or vertical? 

https://www.stampaanalogica.it/blog/dove-riparare-macchina-fotografica-analogica

[marco febbrari]

1 hour ago, jaapv said:

Find a reliable workshop near you They can recalibrate your rangefinder sometimes even whilst you wait. - it is that simple. What calibration is wrong? Horizontal or vertical? 

https://www.stampaanalogica.it/blog/dove-riparare-macchina-fotografica-analogica

Hi, Jaapv,

horizontal to infinity is out of phase by a couple of millimeters, with the 28 Summicron. The 90 on the other hand is completely high ... Now I found an old post by Julian Thompson where he explains how to adjust everything. I have a doubt, but do I only have to adjust for the 28 Summicron and also the 90 Summicron or once the calibration of the 28 is finished should the 90 also get back in place?

Thanks

[jaapv]

If two lenses act differently chances are that either one lens is out or the whole system. It should be adjusted to a common standard.
I would advise you to take camera and lenses to a good workshop and have the system completely calibrated. That is not a major operation and can be done by an analogue specialist as well. It will be so much more pleasurable to use. 

[charlesphoto99]

Note that the near/far rangefinder adjustments in the M10-R/M11 is slightly different than the M8/9 gen and is quite difficult to do without what I'm thinking are special tools (I couldn't get the near/far to budge at all on my M10M). The infinity adjustment with the hex key is still the same, which can work on its own in many cases, though if it's too far out then the near/far adjustment needs to be made, and I think only Leica or a certified repair place can do that. 

[jaapv]

And lenses often require shims or specialized knowledge, sometimes an optical bench. I don’t think Leica certifies repair places, but there are competent technicians in Italy. 

[marco febbrari]

22 hours ago, charlesphoto99 said:

Note that the near/far rangefinder adjustments in the M10-R/M11 is slightly different than the M8/9 gen and is quite difficult to do without what I'm thinking are special tools (I couldn't get the near/far to budge at all on my M10M). The infinity adjustment with the hex key is still the same, which can work on its own in many cases, though if it's too far out then the near/far adjustment needs to be made, and I think only Leica or a certified repair place can do that. 

Thank you, Charles.

In fact, I saw that on the screw of the arm there is a resin that blocks it. I read in a post from the past, that with a drop of Butane liquid it softens and allows fine adjustment. At this point I have to decide what to do. I bought the Leica used but it's still under warranty. The seller submitted me to another used but calibrated Leica M11.

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[jaapv]

That is good. But I still strongly suspect that not the camera but one of the lenses is out of calibration. And do not touch the screw!! The adjustment is done on the roller with a 2 mm hex wrench. 

[Guest]

The biggest problem I have with the Visoflex is that I also use a diopter and my nose ends up pressed into the diopter lens and leaves a messy smudge. 

I'm either going to have to learn to slide my nose sideways against the diopter or glue a circle of microfibre on the end of my hooter. Not sure which will be better. Any advice?