wstotler Posted September 23, 2009 Share #1 Posted September 23, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi! My Visoflex arrived today. I've skimmed/read many threads on the M8/Visoflex (here and elsewhere), skimmed the Visoflex manual, etc., and have one question/observation. * When I mount a lens (50mm/90mm Summicron) and move close (way close) to a subject, DOF is very thin. * Turning the focus ring on the lens appears to do nothing to move the focus "forward" or back. It's like the lens now has a fixed focus. * Stopping down isn't doing much, either, to widen the area that is in focus. Most of the subject appears out-of-focus rather than sharp even when stopped down to f/8. --> Are the conditions I'm describing above expected Visoflex behavior on the M8? (I assume they are, but I'm looking for a confirmation. Thanks.) Thanks! Will P.S. I've read all about the different lenses, bellows, and Leitz adaptor/focusing rings for lens heads and such. And the "masked off" special screen. Not getting into all that, just yet. Need to get a grip on what I have first. P.P.S. Don't ask me what happened when I mounted the 18mm Super-Elmar M onto the Visoflex out of curiosity: "Hey, the Viso has a bayonet mount. I wonder what this will do if I. . . ." <twist fiddle lock> <lever-arm press> >>Snap-THUNK<<. "Uh. . . . um . . . OH GOD!" Happy ending though. No damage. Just heart stoppage. And a fast re-assessment of which of my lenses have protruding rear elements. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted September 23, 2009 Posted September 23, 2009 Hi wstotler, Take a look here Visoflex on M8 - Focus/Area of Sharpness. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
giordano Posted September 23, 2009 Share #2 Posted September 23, 2009 A Visoflex II or III is 40mm thick, flange to flange - in effect a 40mm extension tube. With a 50mm lens this is enough to give you a reproduction ratio (image:object) of about 0.8:1. At this range (a) depth of field is extremely shallow and ( quite large focusing movements are needed to make much difference: the few millimetres of the lens's focusing mount don't have much effect. With a 90mm in its standard focusing mount, the added 40mm extension brings you to a reproduction ratio of about 0.5:1, still with very shallow depth of field, although you should notice some change as you turn the focusing ring. This isn't just the Visoflex or the M8, it's inherent in photography at these reproduction ratios. If you want to use the Visoflex for non-macro photography you need to acquire older lenses - 90mm or 135mm - whose optical units can be removed from the focusing mount and fitted to shorter, made-for-Visoflex mounts. Alternatively there's a Visoflex only 65mm lens and of course long-focus lenses from 200mm up. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dpstjp Posted September 23, 2009 Share #3 Posted September 23, 2009 If you want to use the Visoflex for non-macro photography you need to acquire older lenses - 90mm or 135mm - whose optical units can be removed from the focusing mount and fitted to shorter, made-for-Visoflex mounts. Alternatively there's a Visoflex only 65mm lens and of course long-focus lenses from 200mm up. Frankly you'd be better buying a more modern 90 or 135mm M lens and a magnifier for your viewfinder to nail the focus issues and leave the Visoflex for occasional macro and telephoto use. Many here will tell you to forget the whole thing and buy yourself a "proper" SLR for when you need a longer lens. Ironically if you're taking photos of Abramovich's new yacht the Visoflex may well now be your best bet however... Roman Abramovich zaps snappers with laser shield - Times Online Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wstotler Posted September 23, 2009 Author Share #4 Posted September 23, 2009 giordano: Thanks for the detailed technical explanation. This is exactly what I was seeking--confirmation that the visoflex/M8 behavior I'm seeing is "expected." The additional explanatory information you provided is great. Again, thank you. dpstjp: I'm playing and I want to stay "in system." Thanks for the suggestion--I've already used the 90 and 135 with a magnifier (and focus-bracketing with the 135, especially) to take close-ups. I wanted to go closer and this fits the bill. I was just seeing very shallow DOF in my shots and had "unexpected" (for me, anyway) f/stop behavior. It is completely normal, per giordano. For me, the Visoflex is an "occasional," fiddly/clunky, "cool because it's mechanical" piece of very specialized photography gear. I have no intent to use it to convert the M8 into an SLR. Unless I want to get into really loooooong lenses. No leanings in that direction just yet. Yet. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
koob Posted September 24, 2009 Share #5 Posted September 24, 2009 "...Don't ask me what happened when I mounted the 18mm Super-Elmar M onto the Visoflex..." The rear lens assembly hit the mirror in your visoflex... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
doubice Posted September 24, 2009 Share #6 Posted September 24, 2009 giordano: Thanks for the detailed technical explanation. This is exactly what I was seeking--confirmation that the visoflex/M8 behavior I'm seeing is "expected." The additional explanatory information you provided is great. Again, thank you. dpstjp: I'm playing and I want to stay "in system." Thanks for the suggestion--I've already used the 90 and 135 with a magnifier (and focus-bracketing with the 135, especially) to take close-ups. I wanted to go closer and this fits the bill. I was just seeing very shallow DOF in my shots and had "unexpected" (for me, anyway) f/stop behavior. It is completely normal, per giordano. For me, the Visoflex is an "occasional," fiddly/clunky, "cool because it's mechanical" piece of very specialized photography gear. I have no intent to use it to convert the M8 into an SLR. Unless I want to get into really loooooong lenses. No leanings in that direction just yet. Yet. Will, If you wish you can send me a PM with your email address, and I will email you a pdf file which lists all the various Visoflex / Lens / Adapter combinations. You will find out which lenses have removable optics and which adapters are needed to achieve infinity focus. The sheet also gives minimum and maximum focusing distances, magnification ratios etc. An absolute must for the budding Visoflex aficionado...... Best, Jan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
swamiji Posted September 24, 2009 Share #7 Posted September 24, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) If you want to get closer, try the bellows with your Viso... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wstotler Posted September 25, 2009 Author Share #8 Posted September 25, 2009 koob--Exactly. But with the Visoflex I was able to do a Leica geek trick and shoot closeups of the protruding lens element on the 18mm and check for micro-damage/scratches. None. Yay! doubice--Thanks for the offer--I have this already. Just worried about doing macro work at the moment. swamiji--Maybe someday. First set of test shots posted here, if anyone's interested: Visoflex on M8 - a set on Flickr Last comment? Anything that looks "clean" and "new" to the eye isn't--microscratches are everywhere when you get close! Cheers! Will P.S. I've *never* shot macro before so this has been a lot of fun--and with the Viso it has been cheap (all things Leica considered). Thanks everyone for their comments and suggestions. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
geotrupede Posted June 5, 2011 Share #9 Posted June 5, 2011 Will, Nice flickr gallery! I am going through the same process as you explored before. For the images tagged with 135, are those taken with just a visoflex and a 135 in M mount, no adapter? Example: Workshop Makeup Shoot - Samantha | Flickr - Photo Sharing! In general, are you using adapters or bare M mounts? What are the issues of no adapter? Thanks G. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tgaral Posted June 6, 2011 Share #10 Posted June 6, 2011 I'm rather new to this forum. I want to use my M8 and visoflex III to "scan" my slides. Does somebody which accesories to the visflex I need to get good results. I own a 35mm summicron, 50mm summilux Version I, and a 90 mm Summicron (Canada) Someone with experience scanning slides with this combination? Your comments are welcome Thanks Tony Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted June 6, 2011 Share #11 Posted June 6, 2011 I'm rather new to this forum. I want to use my M8 and visoflex III to "scan" my slides. Does somebody which accesories to the visflex I need to get good results. I own a 35mm summicron, 50mm summilux Version I, and a 90 mm Summicron (Canada) Someone with experience scanning slides with this combination? Your comments are welcome Thanks Tony It is possible but, let me say, not the best option for slide scanning... (btw, in practice you'd need another lens... for example a Leitz Focotar or some other lens for enlargers) : any lab can do a better and cheaper job, and even (as I did sometime) a home flatbed scanner with adapter for slides can give better and quickier results. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
germanlaws Posted June 6, 2011 Share #12 Posted June 6, 2011 It´s indeed not optimal. to use modern asph-lenses with the Visoflex. Best way - as I suggest - is the 135mm TeleElmar, but the older one. Unscrew the Head an use it with an "OTZFO" to calibrate or the specially for the Visoflex build Elmar 65mm with the Otzfo. One step better ist - as said before - the Ballow instead of Otzfo. You get about 0.8/1 - 3/1 with the M8 and the quality ist superp. You´ll find some pictures here in my gallery und LUF or in my Fotocommunity.de account. lg Dieter Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
epand56 Posted June 9, 2011 Share #13 Posted June 9, 2011 First set of test shots posted here, if anyone's interested:Visoflex on M8 - a set on Flickr Will an amazing series of macro, among the most interesting and amusing I've ever seen. Sorry we can't see the final results of face paintings, but overall looks like you had an enormous amount of fun. Thanks for sharing Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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