Why do you use Visoflex with M11?

[Ecar]

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Interesting thread.
I dislike LV on the rear LCD. The EVF is used for:
- very close focusing (below RF MFD) on some lenses, including macro
- wide angle lenses for framing
- long lenses for critical focus at short distance (sometimes)
- uncoupled lenses (I have a few of these).

Another extremely valuable use of the EVF is to check lens calibration - i.e., whether what the sensor 'sees' agrees with the RF - especially for vintage glass. Probably at least two thirds of my EVF use cases. This includes some lenses with pronounced focus shift where I use the EVF to (re-)build muscle memory in order to compensate.

Edited Friday at 04:04 PM by Ecar

[lct]

Been using the Visoflex more or less 20% of the time when i got it, now rather 80% i spite of good eyesight after cataract surgery. Unsure if i'm a good example though as i do the opposite to what most colleagues here seem to do. I mean i mostly focus at working aperture, it has never been a problem for me. I then do not expect to be disappointed with the MEV1 i've been ordering recently.

[mboerma]

I use it on my M11-D when I really miss the back screen. For example with a close focus lens or when I want to make sure I get the framing I want with wider or longer lenses. 

[rtai]

I didn’t have the Viso for my M10M long because after getting the thumb grip I didn’t want to take it off. I used the Viso for 21 and 24mm lenses but later figured out I was pretty good with estimating coverage without an external finder. For non street shots I often used the rear screen with perspective control.

Edited Friday at 08:59 PM by rtai

[algrove]

Seldom mentioned is the IBIS incorporated into the Viso2 for M11 use. I use it about 90% of the time and like to have the option of a RF when wanted. From the specs the EV1 does not incorporate IBIS into the EVF.

[SrMi]

31 minutes ago, algrove said:

Seldom mentioned is the IBIS incorporated into the Viso2 for M11 use. I use it about 90% of the time and like to have the option of a RF when wanted. From the specs the EV1 does not incorporate IBIS into the EVF.

There is no IBIS in Viso2.

Stabilization is not incorporated into Visoflex 2, but it is in the camera (video feed). So, both the EVF and the LCD have video feed stabilization. M-EV1's video feed is also stabilized.

 

Edited Sunday at 07:25 PM by SrMi

[setuporg]

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On 10/24/2025 at 3:05 AM, ynp said:

wife lenses

wife lenses could be very forgiving 

I’ve recently tried M for my girls’ soccer, with 135mm APO Telyt and 90mm Cron on M-P 240 and M10-R, with an option to shoot movies on the M-P.  The Visoflex 2 remains from the banished M11s and works great on the M10-R to focus the Telyt.  It’s very hard to see where the frame will be with EVF only so OVF is great for general framing and EVF for focus.

Edited Sunday at 07:40 PM by setuporg

[BWColor]

I mainly use VF2 with my M11M while shooting 21mm and this is mainly for composition.  That said, I’ve been shooting film with an optical finder, and occasionally the VF2 with 50mm f/1.2 and 90mm f/2.  I might switch to optical finder for my 21mm on all cameras, except I do like the 90 degree option with the VF2.

[steinknies]

In addition to what you guys already mentioned, I use my Visoflex2 when trying to get sunstars or stars from light sources. A rare occasion but much easier with an EVF in my opinion. I need less shots to judge the best outcome.  

[LeicaGuyUK]

I have already committed to the m11 and don’t really want to buy another body (quite happy now with recent fixes in FW so I’m sticking with it and the VF2. So the VF2 for all the above already mentioned reasons plus I have a ton of old lenses that I adapt on to it so the VF2 has been amazing with those

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[graphlex]

On 10/24/2025 at 4:58 AM, LocalHero1953 said:

I have always found automatic magnification of manual focus lenses to be a pain - the slightest touch on the focus ring and your careful composition disappears, and you must reassemble it after returning to full view.

 

Couldn’t agree more.  

[lct]

On 10/24/2025 at 1:58 PM, LocalHero1953 said:

[...] For those who have tried it, does the M-EV1 repurposed frameline selector make it easier to quickly check focus in magnified view then return to full view? I.e. magnify and return just for the short period you choose, only when you want it? [...]

I will know better when i receive the MEV1 but if it works the same way as the M11, suffice it to half press the shutter release to return to full view. The purpose of the frame selector must be to activate focus aids instead of using the menu, i guess, but i would ask the reviewers of this forum to be sure.

[SrMi]

14 minutes ago, lct said:

I will know better when i receive the MEV1 but if it works the same way as the M11, suffice it to half press the shutter release to return to full view. The purpose of the frame selector must be to activate focus aids instead of using the menu, ... <snip>

Yes.

[Eoin]

I dislike most EVFs, the SL2 is perhaps the best I’ve tried.

I have the Visoflex 020 & 2 and use them for the same reasons many have already given.
They add extra functionality or enhance my shooting ability, but lack the real world resolution I’ve been accustomed to using OVFs most my life.
I am happy they exist as an accessory.

[JNK100]

For my usage, I have never felt the need for an EVF.

I bought the M11 because of the RF, not in spite of it. 

For more casual photography, I use a Q3

[ynp]

15 hours ago, setuporg said:

wife lenses could be very forgiving 

I’ve recently tried M for my girls’ soccer, with 135mm APO Telyt and 90mm Cron on M-P 240 and M10-R, with an option to shoot movies on the M-P.  The Visoflex 2 remains from the banished M11s and works great on the M10-R to focus the Telyt.  It’s very hard to see where the frame will be with EVF only so OVF is great for general framing and EVF for focus.

Thanks.  Indeed, one need to have a wife lens to make her happy   😆

it’s a good idea to add the new Viso to my M10-r.  I am not really tempted by any one of the M11 models. And I have a couple of the m9s to play with. Still can’t see them patches. Cheers 

[tonybill]

I generally use the rangefinder on my M11 for focusing (despite my ageing eyes!) but as a spectacles wearer I find it hard to frame accurately, especially with anything over 35mm, so I tend to keep the Visoflex 2 on most of the time.

Having said that I would prefer not to have this bulky addition so the M EV1 appeals at least in that respect. I might miss the RF experience, but I still have my M9 to revert to for that. In short I am tempted by the EV1 but by no means sold on it yet.